Tom Appleby, Convict Boy

Jackie French

Mar 2021 · Bolinda · Narrated by William Zappa

About this audiobook

At the tender age of eight, chimney sweep Tom Appleby is convicted of stealing and sentenced to deportation to Botany Bay. As he sails out with the First Fleet, Tom sadly realises that he will never set foot on English ground again. Luckily, not long after Tom’s arrival in the colony, the fair and kind Sergeant Stanley decides to take on Tom as a servant. Together, Tom, Sergeant Stanley and his son, Rob, build a house, set up an orchard and a vegetable garden for themselves – and thrive, unlike many others in the new colony. Tom Appleby, Convict Boy is brilliant historical fiction. Jackie French tells of a colony that, despite its natural abundance, cannot offer what the colonists want – familiarity. While the people’s health is better than it ever was in England, their morale is low as they wait for news from home.

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.

William Zappa’s award-winning career spans over 50 years, during which he has worked extensively in theatre, television and film. His work includes many book recordings and readings for ABC Radio and Bolinda audio for whom he recorded many of the Ranger’s Apprentice novels by John Flanagan. His most recent work includes his nine hour adaptation of The Iliad for the 2019 Sydney Festival The Iliad – Out Loud.