Belinda Murrell: Bringing Australian History To Life | Page 4

EDITORIAL ZOE WALTON PUBLISHER’S WELCOME Dear Readers, I was introduced to Belinda Murrell almost ten years ago, at the Sydney Writers’ Festival. ‘There’s someone you should meet,’ said well-known fantasy author Kate Forsyth. It was Kate’s sister, Belinda – and she had written a manuscript. Would I like to read it? Of course I agreed. That manuscript became Belinda’s first book – and 2014 saw the publication of Belinda’s fifteenth book with Random House Australia, The Sequin Star. What an honour it has been to work with the delightful, clever and endlessly energetic Belinda Murrell! I didn’t know when we met what a talented and creative family Belinda hails from, with her ancestor Charlotte Atkinson writing Australia’s very first children’s book 170 years ago and a long line of artists and writers following her, through to the present day, when Belinda and her siblings continue to carry the torch. In fact, it was this extraordinary legacy that led Belinda to begin writing historical fiction. Belinda often drew on her own family’s stories for inspiration – from the true tale in The Locket of Dreams of two young Scottish girls who grew up in a castle but were sent to Australia alone in the 1850s, to the hardship faced by 4 randomhouse.com.au/teachers Charlotte Atkinson as she fought for the right to look after her own children, retold in The River Charm. Belinda’s stories go right to the heart of key moments in Australia’s past, and the way we have endured the tough times and celebrated the good times: our pioneering spirit, fierce and strong; our courage and will to survive during war; our fortitude and make-do tenacity when challenged by times of financial struggle. From spine-tingling moments of danger to the simple joys of sharing a home-cooked favourite meal with loved ones, Belinda’s books move us, excite us and invite us into the lives of Australian families past and present. Just like the modern-day girls in these books who learn about the past through their timeslip adventures or through tales of ancestors told by a family member, readers continue to be captivated by Belinda’s stories. You’ll see in this booklet some of the heartfelt comments from Belinda’s many fans about how much Belinda’s books mean to them, as well as the accolades she has received from educators and reviewers. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of reading or teaching Belinda’s books, please dip into these pages to find out why you should. Choose a book to start your journey, and you’ll soon be back for more! And if you are already a fan, here’s your chance to go deeper and learn what inspired Belinda, as well as get fresh ideas for how you might use these books in the classroom. I hope reading these wonderful books brings you as much pleasure – and, without you even realising it, teaches you as much about Australian history! – as I’ve enjoyed in my years of publishing this absolute gem of an author. Zoe Walton, Publisher – Children’s and Young Adult Books January 2015. Published by Random House Australia Pty Ltd 2014 and updated 2015. © Random House Australia Pty Ltd 2014. All enquiries should be directed to [email protected] or mailed to Random House Australia, Level 3, 100 Pacific Highway North Sydney NSW 2060. All photographs have been provided by Belinda Murrell unless credited. Education professionals have permission to reproduce pages for use in class. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.