Sofie Laguna – författare

Sugar boy gave me the name Bird, otherwise I''m James Burdell. I live with my dad who has a big tattoo that says Live to Ride. He is so strong he can lift up a car, but he can''t tell me what he''s thinking. Maybe he''s thinking about my mother who shot through. Sugar Boy is my best friend. We hang around down at the river, in the bush tunnel, or beside the railway tracks riding our bikes fast enough to beat the train. There''s only two of us, but we''re the whole team. I don''t know what would happen if I didn''t have Sugar Boy . . . Funny, moving and irresistible – a wonderful novel by the acclaimed Sofie Laguna.

It''s 1808 . . . and Grace is living with her uncle in London. They have no money, and Grace is always lonely and often hungry. The best part of her day is going to Fleet Street to talk to the horses that she loves so much. One afternoon Grace can''t resist taking a shiny red apple from a grocer''s cart - and then another... Before she knows it, Grace is being chased through the streets! Will she be caught and sent to prison - or worse? Meet Grace and join her adventure in the first of four exciting stories about a brave convict girl who is given a second chance.

It''s 1808 . . . and Grace is on board the ship Indispensable with her friend Hannah.  The girls wonder what the new land will be like – the convict women say there are giant rats and other strange animals!  Then sickness strikes the ship . . . Will they survive to reach the shores of New South Wales?Follow Grace on her adventure in the second of four exciting stories about a convict girl who is given another chance.

It''s 1808 . . . and Grace has arrived at a bark hut on the edge of a river to start her life as a servant.  But even though she tries hard, nothing she does for her new master ever seems right – especially if it involves Glory, his beloved horse.  When her master goes away and leaves her in charge, will Grace know how to save her mistress from danger?Join Grace again on her adventure in the third of four exciting stories about a convict girl who is given a second chance.

It''s 1808 . . . and Grace loves caring for baby Alice and working with her mistress, Beth, on the property at Rose Hill.  Grave tries so hard to be a good servant – but still her master, Tom, doesn''t trust her.  Does he blame her for what happened to Glory, who is injured and growing sicker every day?  Grace has to do something to help, but who can she turn to?Join Grace in the final of four exciting stories about a convict girl who is given a second chance.

Fenella can only dream of having a cat of her own. But then an unwanted stray makes his home in her old cubby, the Forever House . . .

Fighting Bones is the convict-era adventure in this series of exciting, action-packed Australian stories for boys aged 8 to 12. Irish brothers Danny and Declan Sheehan are inmates at Tasmania''s Point Puer prison for convict boys in 1836. When tragedy strikes and the prison bully is on the rampage, escape is their only chance to survive... But will they dare? It''s an adventure in history. Do you dare?

For the first time, read all four Grace stories in one beautiful hardback edition. It''s 1808 . . . and Grace''s world is about to change - from her tough life as a mudlark on the River Thames in London, to the adventures and challenges she faces as a servant girl in a new country. Journey with Grace across all four exciting stories about a convict girl who''s given a second chance. Dreamy, thoughtful, brave and compassionate, Grace is an unforgettable Australian Girl.

Winner of the 2015 Miles Franklin Literary AwardShortlisted for the 2015 Voss Literary Prize and the 2015 Stella Prize Longlisted for the 2016 International IMPAC Dublin Literary AwardMeet Jimmy Flick. He's not like other kids - he's both too fast and too slow. He sees too much, and too little. Jimmy's mother Paula is the only one who can manage him. She teaches him how to count sheep so that he can fall asleep. She holds him tight enough to stop his cells spinning. It is only Paula who can keep Jimmy out of his father's way. But when Jimmy's world falls apart, he has to navigate the unfathomable world on his own, and make things right.

Megan is obsessed with drawing fantastical creatures and she shares them with her best friend Li who writes stories to go with the pictures. They are kindred spirits with big creative dreams.One day everyone in town - except Megan and Li - is immobilised by a strange glow coming from their phones. Megan and Li are initially frightened and alarmed, but when they realise they are somehow immune, they set out to seek help.Soon a battle unfolds, a thrilling battle that pits all of their creative energies against the terrible monster that has ensnared everyone else around them.A wonderfully spooky novel from one of Australia's finest writers, and beautifully illustrated by Marc McBride.'McBride's illustrations take centre stage in this story, no doubt captivating those who love to draw and even those who don't. Not one for those who scare easily, The Glow keeps the reader guessing the resolution of the all-encompassing and menacing glow until the very end ... this new middle-grade novel is imagination at its best.' Books & Publishing

Ruby led the creature out into the garden. She drew a dancing circle in the sand. 'I choose you!' she said to the creature.Walking along the beach, Ruby finds a strange creature on the shore. She takes it home, feeds it and makes a bed of straw for it in her cubby - but a cubby is no place for a creature from the sea.Ruby must draw on all her resources to help the creature find their way home - and perhaps, along the way, she might just find an unexpected friendship.A whimsical tale of friendship, compassion and resourcefulness, from a wonderfully talented creative team.

Mother Bird sat over her eggs. 'Not long now,' she said to Father Bird. Father Bird brought her worms and seeds. 'Not long at all.'When an extra egg appears in their nest and takes too long to hatch, Mother Bird and Father Bird must risk their lives to keep it warm. And as the freezing winter takes hold and it seems all hope is lost, only something miraculous will save them.A gorgeous and heartwarming picture book about love, commitment and discovery from an outstanding creative team: Sofie Laguna, acclaimed author of When You're Older, and Jess Racklyeft, award-winning illustrator of Iceberg.

This is Yellow Blanky.We go everywhere together.What a joy Yellow Blanky is! Any moment can include a warm reassuring snuggle. And it smells like all the best things in the whole world - it smells of Mummy and mashed banana and Pickett, the dog. Then Yellow Blanky is missing! Then found! But it's lost its beautiful smells... which WILL NOT DO AT ALL!An adorable story from two of Australia's cherished and award-winning children's book creators.

Baby brother, I can't wait until you're older.Just imagine the adventures that lie ahead...An exquisitely illustrated and deeply joyful celebration of the bond between brothers. Join them as they explore the far reaches of this wild and amazing world, side by side every step of the way. From two highly acclaimed and award-winning creators.'This is a very special picture book for all ages. We are with the brothers all the way - on the last pages, holding our breath. A masterpiece.' ANN JAMES'This beautiful book gives us the life we'd all love our children to have, out in the natural world, revelling in its beauty and truly being part of it. The exquisite illustrations are bursting with energy and colour, the language is rich yet simple and the brothers look after each other as brothers should. It really hits the spot, right in your heart.' ALISON LESTER'A heart-warming story about the powerful bond between brothers.' MARGARET WILD'Thrilling journeys abound in this lovely ode to childhood fantasies and sibling bonds.' Kirkus Reviews

Matthew stood on the snowy peak and stared out at the world spread before him. Every picture in his books had been limited by the size of the page, contained within frames. Here, there was no frame. Here, the picture didn't end. Beyond those icy plains, the sea, and beyond the sea, a land that floated on the ice, drifting northwards. Matthew put the binoculars to his eyes and saw valleys and cliffs and rivers all made of snow. Everywhere was white.Matthew has dreamed and read and thought about the North Pole for as long as he can remember. And he has done it secretly. It is a place that cannot be tarnished by the world in which he lives - a world in which he struggles to find answers and make friends, while everything seems to come easily to other children. But one day, a crow called Lewis Carmichael lands at Matthew's window - a crow who believes in Matthew in the most simple and ordinary ways. Soon, the unexpected voyage of a lifetime begins, and it will change everything... An unforgettable adventure story from award-winning children's book author Sofie Laguna, with enchanting illustrations by Marc McBride.

Alby and his family are new on Pleasant Street. Their house is perfect, with a great tree to climb, and a pool. Their pet, Delia, is still in training, but she's settling in just fine. And tonight is Halloween - Alby's favourite night of the year - so ANYTHING could happen...A hilarious story about family and friendship, and what happens when trick-or-treating doesn't go to plan.