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  • Published: 2 February 2015
  • ISBN: 9780857986979
  • Imprint: Random House Australia Children's
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 320
  • RRP: $19.99

The River Charm




‘A beautifully described story of courage’ readplus.com.au

‘Could I be anything I want to be? What do I want to be? Maybe just . . . brave?’
Could the ghost girl Millie has painted be her own ancestor? The river pebble charm has an astonishing story to tell . . .

In 1839, Charlotte Atkinson lives on a grand estate with her mamma and her sisters and brother. But after her father dies, things go terribly wrong – murderous convicts, marauding bushrangers and a cruel new stepfather. The family flees on horseback to a hut in the wilderness. They must fight to save their property, their independence and even their right to stay together. Will they ever return to their beautiful home?

Based on the incredible true-life battles of Belinda Murrell’s own ancestors, the Atkinsons of Oldbury.

  • Published: 2 February 2015
  • ISBN: 9780857986979
  • Imprint: Random House Australia Children's
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 320
  • 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 River Charm

Charming and engaging. As a lover of historical fiction and particularly Australian colonial history, this novel ticked all the right boxes . . . The focus on strong female protagonists make this a natural choice to offer to young girls looking for inspirational characters.

Sue Warren, readplus.com.au

A wonderfully engaging historical fiction novel . . . The River Charm captures the simplicity, beauty and incredible hardship of life in Australia in the mid 1800s . . . Young readers will be drawn in to the adventure and excitement of Charlotte’s story, and along the way will learn about the joys and challenges of Australian life over 150 years ago . . . I love the way Belinda makes history come alive by weaving factual settings and events into such engaging and lively stories.

Susan Whelan, kids-bookreview.com

Awards & recognition

KOALA Children's Choice Awards

Awarded  •  2018  •  Hall of Fame