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  • Published: 26 February 2014
  • ISBN: 9781743480557
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 160

The First Voyage




An enthralling story about the plight of the very first boat people, of their desperation, bravery and hope.

30,000 years ago, before the pyramids are built, before the Ice Age comes and goes, and before Neanderthals become extinct, the Yam tribe live in peace on Bird Island. But the Crocodile tribe have other ideas . . .
The ferocious Crocodile warriors have already killed Bent Beak's pa, and now they seem determined to take out his whole tribe. The only way to survive is to flee the island. But where will they go? 
As the Yam tribe brave the perils of the sea, will they survive the voyage into the unknown, and what awaits them just over the horizon?
An enthralling story about the plight of the very first boat people, of their desperation, bravery and hope.

  • Published: 26 February 2014
  • ISBN: 9781743480557
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 160

About the author

Allan Baillie

Allan Baillie was born in Scotland in 1943 and came to Victoria, Australia with his family when he was six. They moved to Emerald, then Geelong (he still barracks for the Cats), Drysdale, Portarlington and later Melbourne.
Allan began writing stories for fun while still at school. He is now one of Australia's most successful writers for children. His novels, which include Little Brother (1986), The China Coin (1992), Saving Abbie (2000) and Treasure Hunters (2002), have won him acclaim, awards and international recognition. His books have found success in Japan, Sweden, Holland, Germany, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand and South Africa. His most recent books for Penguin include a collection of short stories, A Taste of Cockroach (2005) and Castles (2005), a superb picture book for young children, illustrated by Caroline Magerl. Allan's most recent novel, Krakatoa Lighthouse, won the 2010 NSW Premier's Literary Patricia Wrightson Award. Outpost is his forthcoming novel, and he is currently working on the next two after that.

Allan spends most of his time with his wife Agnes in Avalon, north of Sydney, but they travel regularly to far-flung places, including Anak Krakatoa, the Son of Krakatoa, which they climbed during a quiet period.

Also by Allan Baillie

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Awards & recognition

NSW Premier's Literary Awards

Shortlisted  •  2015  •  Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Literature