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  • Published: 2 May 2011
  • ISBN: 9781864715101
  • Imprint: Random House Australia
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 288

The Remarkable Secret Of Aurelie Bonhoffen




A quirky and mysterious tale of friends, fire-twirlers and ghosts from one of Australia's best storytellers.

A quirky and mysterious tale of friends, fire-twirlers and ghosts from one of Australia's best storytellers.

Ever since Aurelie Bonhoffen was a child, she has juggled, played the dead girl on the ghost train and the back end of the cow in the marquee of Bonhoffen's Seaside Pier. She adores her family - especially her uncles Rolo and Rindolf - but on her twelfth birthday, she stumbles on her family's remarkable secret. It's hard to accept at first, but when her new friend at school reveals a dangerous plot against the pier, the secret helps Aurelie confront the greatest threat her family has ever faced.

  • Published: 2 May 2011
  • ISBN: 9781864715101
  • Imprint: Random House Australia
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 288

About the author

Deborah Abela

After training as a teacher, Deb travelled to Africa where she was harassed by monkeys, caught in a desert sandstorm and thrown in jail . . . twice! She’s worked as a child wrangler and a rides operator at Luna Park, but her first real job was as writer/producer of a national children’s TV show at Network TEN. She has since become an internationally published and awarded author of 28 books including her cranky climate change trilogy, Grimsdon, New City and Final Storm. Her family’s survival in WW2 and migration to Australia inspired Teresa A New Australian. The Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee and The Most Marvellous Spelling Bee Mystery were inspired by her fantabulous Grade 4 teacher, Ms Gray. She’s also written picture books: Wolfie, An Unlikely Hero and the 2021 CBCA Notable, Bear in Space. The Book of Wondrous Possibilities is her love letter to books, booksellers, librarians and readers. Deb’s won awards for her work but mostly hopes to be as brave as her characters. She’s a proud ambassador for the charities, Room to Read and Books in Homes. www.deborahabela.com

Also by Deborah Abela

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Praise for The Remarkable Secret Of Aurelie Bonhoffen

A magical story better than any amusement park ride.

Alan Edwards, Orbit: The School Magazine

A modern-day, light-hearted ghost tale set in a Brighton-pier-like carnival. It brims with warmth and family hugs. . . The opening chapter, in which Aurelie plays a corpse in the ghost train, is a highlight. This story is gentle and it's not so much comedic as quirky, especially in the ghostly climax.

Sun Herald

Fans of the Max Remy series will not be disappointed. Here they will find fun, adventure and a little magic. Or is it just sleight of hand? This is a wonderful book and Abela herself is the real magician.

The Reading Stack

The Remarkable Secret of Aurelie Bonhoffen won't be one for long. It's an amusing adventure, packed with ghosts and a whole lot of fun. This book is highly recommended for ages 8 and up.

Oliver Phommavanh, BUZZ WORDS

Deborah Abela, author of the Max Remy Superspy series, has forged a wonderful novel for primary school readers. Abela deftly juxtaposes the everyday and the supernatural, and has a feel for quirkily funny dialogue and dramatic incident. Her story moves at a brisk clip and is graced with a cast of likable eccentrics.

Rosemary Sorensen, Weekend Australian

Building on the hugely successful Max Remy series, Abela has created a rich world of intrigue and adventure. Told with the right balance of action and comedy, The Remarkable Secret of Aurelie Bonhoffen will delight Max Remy fans with this new strong heroine.

Ben Beaton, Junior Bookseller and Publisher

Abela knows how to structure and pace a good yarn and keeps the action coming . . . As filling as a waffle from a funfair and just as much fun.

Margaret Robson Kent, Magpies

Awards & recognition

Aurealis Awards

Shortlisted  •  2010  •  Best Children's Fiction

CBCA Book of the Year Awards

Commended  •  2010  •  Younger Readers

US Board on Books for Young People

Honour Award  •  2012  •  Outstanding International Book