Mary Grant Bruce - The Billabong Books
Overview:
Genre: Australian Fiction (Children)
Stars: 4 out of 5
My thoughts: These books cover Norah's life, from being an 11 year old girl, to being a wife and mother. The stories are simple, clean, exciting without resorting to violence, swearing and sex, and hail back to a more innocent time. They're wonderful stories.
The Books:
"A Little Bush Maid" - Published 1910
Billabong, a large cattle and sheep property in the Australian countryside, is home to twelve-year-old Norah Linton, her widowed father, David, and her older brother, Jim. Norah's prim and proper aunts, who live in the city, consider she is in danger of "growing up wild" - riding all over Billabong on her beloved pony, Bobs, helping with mustering, and joining in all the holidays fun when Jim and his friends come home from boarding school. A fishing trip results in unexpected drama when they discover a mysterious stranger camped in the bush. Who is this stranger and why is he there? Norah's resourcefulness is tested to the full!
"Mates at Billabong" - Published 1912
A final summer before Norah must go to school has to be spent cramming as much billabong time into it as possible. Assisted by Jim and Wally, and hindered by cousin Cecil, Norah is determined to enjoy her last 9 weeks of freedom.
"Norah of Billabong" - Published 1913
First year of school is over, and Norah Linton returns home to Billabong, bringing friend Joan. But a fire causes no end of trouble, and a camping trip is called for.
"From Billabong to London" - Published 1914
War has broken out, and Jim and Wally travel to London to enlist, with Norah and her father.
"Jim and Wally" - Published 1915
A dose of poison gas and Jim and Wally are sent home to recover - which calls for Norah and her father to take them on a tour of the countryside.
"Captain Jim" - Published 1916
The home for tired people is flourishing, with Jim and Wally visiting between stints at the front. And then the tragic news that changes everything - with Jim gone, how can things ever be the same?
"Back to Billabong" - Published 1919
Tommy - Cecelia - and her brother, Bob, are new emmigrants to Australia. But they wouldn't be able to manage without the help of the Linton tribe!
"Billabong's Daughter" - Published 1924
Wally is called to Queensland on business, and there disaster strikes. Will he ever be able to tell Norah how he really feels?
"Billabong Adventurers" - Published 1928
Norah and Wally are on their honeymoon, when they come across a Chinese boy, a burried treasure, and an adventure. What else can they do but call on Jim?
"Bill of Billabong" - Published 1931
Percival Blake comes to Billabong, and it isn't long before Billabong works its magic upon him.
"Billabong's Luck" - Published 1933
The great depression is striking everyone hard, particularly new emmigrants Tommy and Bob. And then Bob finds a pebble that may just be the answer to their problems.
"Wings above Billabong" - Published 1935
Freddy Paxton and his mate join the Billabong Tribe at gold mining. Unsavoury characters lurk, however, and is Billabong really safe?
"Billabong Gold" - Published 1937
The gold mine in the hills of Billabong is going well, and it seems this might be the end of Tommy and Bob's financial difficulties. The addition of Norah's old mate Joan's sister, Betty, and their brother, Dick, lightens things up, but a gold mine brings the dangers and excitement of a goldrush.
"Son of Billabong" - Published 1939
After the excitement of the gold mine, Norah, Wally, and their young son Davey take a much needed vacation. But further disaster strikes, worse than they ever could have imagined.
"Billabong Riders" - Published 1942
Norah, Wally, Jim and Tommy travel up to take control of some of their cattle being driven down from Queensland, and befriend a young boy along the way.