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  • Published: 2 February 2015
  • ISBN: 9780857986962
  • Imprint: Random House Australia Children's
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 304
  • RRP: $19.99

The Forgotten Pearl




‘This colourful, deeply moving saga of Poppy’s family is an utterly enthralling tale.’ Magpies

‘Let me tell you a story. A story about friendship and sisters, about grief and love and danger, and about growing up . . .’

When Chloe visits her grandmother, she learns how close war came to destroying her family. Could Poppy’s experiences help Chloe face her own problems?

In 1941, Poppy lives in Darwin, a peaceful paradise. But when Japan attacks Pearl Harbor and then Australia, everything Poppy holds dear is threatened. Terrified, she flees to Sydney – only to find that the danger follows her there. Poppy must face her war with courage and determination. Will her world ever be the same?

  • Published: 2 February 2015
  • ISBN: 9780857986962
  • Imprint: Random House Australia Children's
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 304
  • RRP: $19.99

About the author

Belinda Murrell

At about the age of eight, Belinda Murrell began writing stirring tales of adventure, mystery and magic in hand-illustrated exercise books. As an adult, she combined two of her great loves – writing and travelling the world – and worked as a travel writer, journalist and public relations consultant. Now, inspired by her own three children, Belinda is an award-winning, internationally published children’s author with a history of writing in her family that spans over 200 years. Her previous titles include The Golden Tower, her fantasy adventure series The Sun Sword trilogy and her award-winning time-slip adventures, The Locket of Dreams, The Ruby Talisman, The Ivory Rose, The Forgotten Pearl, The River Charm, The Sequin Star, and The Lost Sapphire.
For younger readers Belinda has her popular Lulu Bell and Pippa’s Island series.
Belinda lives in Manly in a gorgeous old house overlooking the sea with her husband Rob, her three beautiful children – Nick, Emily and Lachlan – and her dog Rosie. She is an Author Ambassador for Room to Read and Books in Homes. Find out more about Belinda at her website www.belindamurrell.com.au

Also by Belinda Murrell

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Praise for The Forgotten Pearl

This colourful, deeply moving saga of Poppy’s family is an utterly enthralling tale with warm, well-rounded characters forging their difficult lives in this entertainingly executed tale. Forgive the cliché, but this is a “terrific yarn” for middle school readers.

Russ Merrin, Magpies

The best kind of books are the ones where closing the covers for the final time is like saying good-bye to a friend. The Forgotten Pearl left me with these feelings, the same emotions experienced by protagonist, Poppy Trehearn, as she is forced to bid farewell to family and friends when the terror of World War II strikes her beloved home town of Darwin.

Kate Mani, Viewpoint

A beautiful, insightful novel, reminding us of a bleak time in Australia’s history, but ultimately showing how Australians stuck together to protect themselves, and others.

lipmag.com

Murrell's careful research and family anecdotes provide the backbone of a tale that is not only informative and enlightening, but enthralling. In Poppy, Murrell has created a character that will hopefully inspire young readers with her courage, kindness, resourcefulness, resilience, loving care and respect. If I were the mother of a maturing daughter, this is exactly the kind of book I would encourage her to read. I can't give it much higher praise than that.

Dani Colvin, Sunday Tasmanian

Awards & recognition

REAL Children's Choice Awards

Shortlisted  •  2016  •  Older Readers

KOALA Children's Choice Awards

Awarded  •  2018  •  Hall of Fame

REAL Children's Choice Awards

Shortlisted  •  2019  •  Older Readers