'HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR ALL READERS'

-- ReadPlus on Barney and the Secret of the Whales

The whisper in the darkness is: rebellion! (Or: death or liberty!)

Frog is an orphan, a pickpocket, starving on the streets of Parramatta in 1804.

But when the tall, commanding Irish rebel Mr Cunningham talks of freedom from tyranny and the lash, Frog creeps out to join the rebels, the 10,000 convicts who will take over the colony and proclaim the Republic of New Ireland.

Will farmers like Barney and Elsie Bean join the battle against the corrupt New South Wales Corps? For the fate of the colony -- and Australia -- will be decided at Castle Hill.

Based on eyewitness accounts, this fifth title in The Secret Histories series uncovers the secrets that the colonial government hid for over 200 years.

PRAISE FOR THE SECRET HISTORIES SERIES

'French's eye for historic details makes this a compelling reading' -- Daily Telegraph

'Jackie French has a knack for discovering fascinating hidden facts from our past and bringing them to life. Children will be so captivated by the story that they won't even notice they are absorbing rich and memorable lessons from Australia's history. Highly recommended for middle school' -- Magpies magazine