Into the Fire (10 page)

In terms of land devastated, the fires that swept through parts of Victoria on Friday, 13 January 1939, are regarded as one of the worst bushfire disasters in recorded history. Almost 2,000,000 hectares (that’s 20,000km
²
of land) were burnt, affecting 75% of the entire state of Victoria in some way. Several towns were completely destroyed, and 71 people died. Temperatures in Melbourne reached 45.6°C, which made Black Friday also Australia’s hottest day ever recorded until that time.

Fire raged around the outskirts of Canberra for over a week before threatening and then actually entering some of the suburbs. In ten devastating hours after the fires entered the nation’s capital on Saturday, 18 January 2003, four people died and over 500 homes were either badly damaged or completely gutted. The fires came about after lightning strikes on 8 January caused about 160 fires to start. Wind gusts were so strong that they uprooted fully grown gum trees. When the fires were eventually controlled, almost 70% of the Australian Capital Territory’s nature parks, forests and pasture had been severely damaged.

MICHAEL PANCKRIDGE AND PAM HARVEY

Thirteen-year-old Angus lives and breathes horses. His father is a horse trainer, and on most mornings before school, Angus is down at the track helping out.

One morning, when Angus is training a skittish new horse on the track, a group of erratic riders almost push Angus and the young colt into the railing. From here the mystery begins.

With the help of his friends, Angus discovers shady and possibly illegal goings-on at the local stud farm. When a horse, Lightning Strikes, appears to be the exact replica of a dead horse, Gale Force, Angus becomes suspicious.

Is the stud involved in a special breeding program, or something more sinister? Is it possible that they could be cloning famous racehorses? Angus and friends must find out before it is too late.

MICHAEL PANCKRIDGE AND PAM HARVEY

Something is not right in Teasdale. First, Gabby, one of the most talented swimmers in the state, is well beaten in the swimming trials by Andrea Taylor. Second, Hannah, the brightest kid in the school, misses out on the national
Whatever, Wherever
competition when she loses to her classmate Dave Kelly.

Neither Andrea nor Dave has posed any threat to the girls before, so who—or what—is helping them to win?

As Gabby, Hannah and their friends investigate, the clues point towards an unexpected villain.

And when Gabby finds herself trapped and in real danger, the kids set out on an urgent mission to rescue her and finally uncover what’s been going on.

MICHAEL PANCKRIDGE AND PAM HARVEY

School’s finally out and Ling and her friends head for a beach holiday looking forward to fun, excitement and exploring the derelict lighthouse around the bay. They soon find out, though, that their holiday destination was the scene of a tragic boating accident years ago.

At night, Ling is haunted by the image of a girl who whispers words, then fades away. During the day, a gang of hostile local kids searches the island for lost treasure. And in the background, the story of the orphanage and the children who lived there threads its way into the mystery.

Attempting to find out the truth from the locals only leads to frustration…and raises more questions. Why is Ling the only person who can see the ghost? What really happened all those years ago on the island? And why has the man who ran the orphanage—the frightening Mr Jamison—returned to his home town?

Ling and her friends must brave stormy seas and stay one step ahead of the other kids in a daring mission to uncover the truth and help restore peace to those who have been left behind.

MICHAEL PANCKRIDGE AND PAM HARVEY

E.D. is the youngest of three brothers, all of them motocross fanatics. He’s always been the support crew, fixing up his brothers’ bikes, rather than racing. But this time, after losing a bet with his brother Tony, he’s reluctantly competing in a race.

It doesn’t seem as if the race track is a level playing field, though. There’s a mysterious rider on a lime-green bike who doesn’t play fair, and a whiff of high-tech cheating going on around the nearby motorbike shop, which seems to have developed into a thriving business in a suspiciously short time.

When a serious crash puts Tony in hospital, E.D. must step up and compete on his behalf, even though he knows he doesn’t have much chance of getting through to the Inter Club Meet. But E.D. proves once again his capacity to surprise everyone—in an unexpected way.

MICHAEL PANCKRIDGE

WITH BRETT LEE

Toby Jones and his friends are obsessed with cricket. They all play in the Under-13 school team and hang out in their own online cricket chatroom after school. Luckily, they also have a sports-mad teacher who lets them do projects on cricket.

While on a school excursion Toby visits the Melbourne Cricket Club Library, where he meets fellow cricket buff Jim Oldfield and stumbles upon the secret of the Magic Cricket Almanack. This secret, which Jim shares, is so extraordinary it could change Toby’s life forever.

Life for Toby and his friends becomes a balancing act—following their passion of playing cricket while keeping Toby’s new-found secret. But are they ready for the dangers this secret holds?

Toby Jones and the Magic Cricket Almanack
is the first book in an exciting new series that combines cricket with fantasy. Featuring cricket commentary co-written with Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, this is a book guaranteed to leave you wanting more.

MICHAEL PANCKRIDGE

WITH BRETT LEE

Toby Jones lives and breathes cricket. He plays in a local cricket competition, follows the professional players and knows all the stats. But Toby has a secret—he can travel back through time to watch famous cricket matches and players. And he can take his friends with him. But it’s not all good news…

There are dangers. Toby has seen the strange, hooded figure lurking in the background. What, or who, is this creepy character after? And how desperate is he to get what he wants?

If you love fantasy or sport, you’ll love reading the Toby Jones books.

‘Kids, cricket, fun—always the perfect combination.’ BRETT LEE

MICHAEL PANCKRIDGE

WITH BRETT LEE

Toby Jones is not your average cricket fan—he can travel through time, back to the great matches of the past. When his friend and fellow time traveller Jim Oldfield is left behind—last seen watching Bradman play at Leeds in 1930—Toby knows he’s the only one who can find Jim.

Meanwhile, Phillip Smale, ruthless team manager of the rival Scorpions, is working on a secretive scheme to lure rich cricketlovers to his Timeless Travel Tours…but there is no guarantee of a return ticket.

Can Toby save Jim and also thwart Smale’s perilous plan? Or will the dangers of time travelling lead to disaster?