Susan Geason

Set in the 1850s in China, Su-Yin is sold into slavery by her family who cannot afford to feed her. She beomes a cook's assistant in the house of a powerful government official in Najing, and soon settles into a hard yet not brutal life as she is well-fed, has clean clothes and a bed, and is fairly treated. One day, however, when she is buying supplies in the market, she runs into her estranged older brother, who warns her that the city may soon be attacked by Taiping rebels who have sworn show more to kill anyone who is Manchu, and that includes the family she works for. This does indeed happen, and Su-Yin is forced to care for the only remaining member of the household, Li-Lin, her master's 4 year old daughter, by pretending she is her sister. With the help of another slave and her brother's friends, can Su-Yin reunite Li-Lin with her family far away? At times quite violent ( heads on pikes, etc) this is a fascinating look at a turbulent time in China's history - especially with regard to the Taiping notion of separating males and females, female soldiers and no foot binding. show less

This book is an historical adventure story set in Sydney in the 1900’s. The main character, Christabel McManus, is a lonely girl whose mother passed away two years earlier and who feels neglected by her father who is the Government Inspector of Health. When a maid’s son is kidnapped Christobel and her stable hand Billy set out to find him.Their adventure takes them down to The Rocks where Christobel ends up being kidnapped. Her father comes to realise that his daughter’s happiness is show more just as important as his job.This book is suitable for 10 to 14 year olds who enjoy Australian historical books with an exciting adventure. It captures the fear Sydney residents were faced with when threatened by the Bubonic plague. Although not my style of book and not something that I would normally choose to read, I did enjoy it. It was easy to read and understand and kept me interested and wondering what would happen next. I believe others should also take the opportunity to read this book by Susan Geason.Claire, aged 13, Adelaide, South Australia show less

This book has some good, solid, historical details, but a mediocre plot.

Meryet is a beautician in the Pharoah's harem when the king's daughter Isis falls ill suddenly and dies. Everyone thinks she ate something bad until Meryet's father a surgeon and the embalmer do some investigation and believe she was poisoned. Who in the harem would do this and why is Meryet herself ( a close friend of Princess Isis) also considered a suspect. An interesting mystery set at the time of Rameses II.