What’s the book about?
The year is 1859 and the goldfields are filled with diggers — and danger!
Orphaned twelve-year-old Tigg is the Bandicoot Bushranger, the youngest bushranger on the Ballarat goldfields in 1859.
When a robbery goes wrong, Tigg must flee in disguise as one of the tens of thousands of Chinese men and boys braving heat, thirst, starvation and murderous attacks on the long road from Robe in South Australia to the goldfields in Victoria.
But even further danger threatens. Who has offered a large sum of money for Tigg’s capture? And is the mysterious Henry Lau a friend or enemy?
To be safe, Tigg must solve the greatest mystery of all.
Who is Tigg?
Recommended for:
Ages 7+
Three reasons to read it:
- Jackie French is a master at turning history into stories you can’t put down, and Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger is no exception. You’ll learn all about life on the goldfields, the struggles of Chinese miners, and what it was really like to be a bushranger, all while following Tigg on his epic adventure. It’s like a history lesson wrapped up in an action-packed, heartwarming tale!
- Tigg’s disguise as a Chinese boy on the long, dangerous trek to the goldfields adds a fascinating layer to his story. Along the way, he faces starvation, thirst, and even murderous attacks, but he also finds unexpected allies and learns what it means to be brave. It’s an inspiring journey about friendship, survival, and finding your place in the world, even when the odds are stacked against you.
- Who is after Tigg? Why is someone paying big money to catch him? And who is the mysterious Henry Lau? Every chapter is packed with twists and turns as Tigg tries to stay one step ahead of trouble. This isn’t just a bushranging tale—it’s a full-blown mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Buy a copy of Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger here.
About the author:
Jackie French AM is an award-winning writer, wombat negotiator, the 2014–2015 Australian Children’s Laureate and the 2015 Senior Australian of the Year. In 2016, Jackie became a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to children’s literature and her advocacy for youth literacy. She is regarded as one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors and writes across all genres — from picture books, history, fantasy, ecology and sci-fi to her much-loved historical fiction for a variety of age groups. ‘A book can change a child’s life. A book can change the world’ was the primary philosophy behind Jackie’s two-year term as Laureate.
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