They were coming back! Did they suspect? They must. Just by looking at her, anyone would know she had something to hide... Eleven-year-old Bella has a terrible guilty secret: something she did three years ago, when her English relatives were visiting. Now, in the last week in December, they were returning to Australia and Bella fears the worst - that they are coming to confront her; that they suspected her all along. But lots of things during this accident-prone holiday surprise Bella - families work in strange ways, and unexpected things do happen...
Three years ago, when Bella was 8, she stole her grandfather's beautiful pouch. Now her English grandparents are visiting Australia again, and Bella is fearful that she'll be confronted with her deed. Narrator Rebecca Macauley movingly conveys Bella's fear, shame, and regret while also delivering the adults' much different perspective. Macauley successfully mingles both English and Australian accents in a manner understandable to American listeners. An excellent lesson is presented through a moving story. S.G.B. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine
School Library Journal...
"This book by an award-winning Australian author conveys in a humorous manner some quite serious subjects, such as faith and morality. Hopefully, there will be many more Australian imports to the American children's audio market."
AudioFile...
"Macauley successfully mingles both English and Australian accents in a manner understandable to American listeners. An excellent lesson is presented through a moving story."
About the Author
Ursula Dubosarsky is widely regarded as one of the most talented and original writers in Australia today. She is the author of many outstanding books, both for young adults and for children.
