belinda murrell
belinda murrell - author
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Kids Vote for Favourite Books

In September, kids around Australia will be voting for their favourite books in the Kids Choice Awards. Belinda is thrilled that The Locket of Dreams has been shortlisted  for several Kids Choice awards including 2011 YABBA (Victoria), KOALA (NSW), KROC (NT) and COOL (ACT). If you loved The Locket of Dreams too, you can vote  on-line for the award in your state.  Voting closes in September and the award will be announced in November.

Belinda stars on ABC 3 Kid's TV 's  with The Ivory Rose

Belinda appears as a ghost, dressed in 19th century costume, in a haunted mansion in Melbourne interviewed by Amberley from ABC 3 Kids TV about her new book The Ivory Rose.  Here's the blurb for The Ivory Rose:

Jemma has just landed her first job, babysitting Sammy. It's in Rosethorne, one of the famous witches' houses near where she lives. Sammy says the house is haunted by a sad little girl, but Jemma doesn't know what to believe.

One day when the two girls are playing hide and seek, Jemma discovers a rose charm made of ivory. As she touches the charm she sees a terrifying flashback. Is it the moment the ghost was murdered? Jemma runs for her life, falling down the stairs and tumbling into unconsciousness.

She wakes up in 1895, unable to get home. Jemma becomes an apprentice maidservant at Rosethorne - but all is not well in the grand house. Young heiress Georgiana is constantly sick. Jemma begins to suspect Georgiana is being poisoned, but who would poison her, and why? Jemma must find the proof in order to rescue her friend - before time runs out.

Belinda is visiting schools in Sydney, Central Coast and Melbourne including Annandale, Annandale North, Abbotsleigh, PLC Pymble, Ravenswood, Ascham, Kincoppal, PLC Croydon, St Leonards, Empire Bay, Gosford, Terrigal, Berkley Vale, Our Lady of Rosary, Castle Cove, Woollahra, Brunswick, Aberfeldie, Alphington, Fairfield, Erskineville, Lansvale, Kings Langley and William Dean. Belinda has also been invited to be an author ambassador for international charity Room to Read.

Hot News - The Ruby Talisman and The Locket of Dreams have both been selected for the 2011 NSW Premier's Reading Challenge. The Locket of Dreams has been shortlisted for the 2011 KOALA awards, 2011, YABBA Awards (Young Australians Best Book Award) as well as the 2010 WAYBRA awards and Speech Pathogy Australia Best Book awards.

Belinda's has written four picture books for younger readers for Hinkler - Mia's Jungle Jive, The Great Dino Race, Look Out Fergus Frog and Otto's Ocean Adventures, which are now available in the UK, USA, NZ and Australia.

Current Releases Book Reviews

quest for sun gemThe Quest for the Sun Gem
After their village is attacked, a young brother and sister set off on a dangerous quest to save their captured family and friends - and free their land from the Sedah invaders. Where have the Sun Sword and its magical gems been hidden? more +

book smallThe Voyage of the Owl
Ethan, Lily, Saxon and Roana have cracked the code, only to find that the Moon Pearl is being sent by ship to the land of the invaders. The four children must give chase to save the precious stone! more +

snowy towerThe Snowy Tower
Even with the Sun Gem and the Moon Pearl safe, the quest is far from over. Lord Lazlac is planning to marry Queen Ashana, and the queen cannot rebel when Prince Caspar is being held captive in the snow-covered mountains to the north. more +

The Locket of Dreams
Sophie discovers a golden locket, in an old treasure box which belonged to her grandmother's grandmother, Charlotte Mackenzie. When Sophie falls asleep wearing the locket, she magically travels back in time to 1858 in Scotland to learn the truth about the mysterious Charlotte Mackenzie. more +

The Ruby Talisman

When Tilly's aunt tells her of their ancestress who survived the French   Revolution, she shows Tilly a priceless heirloom. Tilly falls asleep wearing the ruby talisman, wishing she could escape to a more adventurous life . . .

In 1789, Amelie-Mathilde is staying at the opulent palace of Versailles. Her guardians

want her to marry the horrible old Chevalier to revive their fortunes. Amelie-Mathilde falls asleep holding her own ruby talisman, wishing someone would come to her rescue . . .
Tilly wakes up beside Amelie-Mathilde. The timing couldn't be worse. The Bastille has fallen and starving peasants are rioting across the country. The palace is in chaos.
Tilly knows that Amelie and her cousin Henri must escape from France if they are to survive the Revolution ahead. But with mutinous villagers, vengeful servants and threats at every turn, there seems nowhere to run. Will they ever reach England and safety?

 

The Ivory Rose

This book is amazing. It had me on edge for days after I'd read it! To fans of Belinda this book is a must!! - Grace, 12

I loved it! A page turner. Alice, 13

THE RUBY TALISMAN possesses all the hallmarks of a classic adventure novel. The action is fast-paced, the characters gutsy, the settings enticing and the danger ever present. Through the many twists and turns, Murrell never loses sight of her aims to entertain and enthrall. Highly recommended for ages nine and above.' Aleesah Darlison, THE SUN HERALD

In this finely researched, timeslip historical adventure Murrell  brings the period of the French Revolution, its colour and brutality, vividly to life. Highly recommended 12+ Reading Time

'A gripping thrill ride ... Mix together a collection of French vocab, a cast of loveable characters, a dash of history, several dangerous encounters and some time travelling adventure, and you have Belinda Murrell's THE RUBY TALISMAN. This novel was a joy to read, as it takes you on a journey to the past.' SASSISAM BLOG

The Locket of Dreams
"The book was excellent! It was one of the best books I've ever read." Venice, 9

 

"I couldn't put it down because I had to find out what happens next. I have two words: Love it!" Lauren, 11

'....This is a deftly written time-travelling adventure novel, with much intrigue and mystery cleverly interwoven into the true histories of Scotland and Australia.' - Viewpoint Spring 2009

''Sophie dreams her way back into the past to discover the truth about her long lost ancestors....This is a well-written work, descriptions are clear and pacing good with understated parallels between the life events of the distant ancestors and the modern girl. It is a very accessible work that should have strong appeal to many girls....' Magpies July 2009

"...a well-told story that evokes the rugged beauty of both Scotland and outback Australia in the 1850's. With each visit to the past, Sophie and the reader are drawn further into the unfolding mystery of Charlotte's life." - Deborah Abela, 702 ABC Radio

Quest for the Sun Gem
"A galloping, satisfying read." - Frances Atkinson, Sunday Age, 16/7/2006

"Absolutely brilliant! It was one of the best books I've read"  - Melissa, 10

The Voyage of the Owl
"I was sad when I had finished. It is the best book I have ever read in my entire life" - Kieran, 10

Prepare to stay up late! I rate this book 10/10 - Emily, 11

The Snowy Tower
"Belinda Murrell is a fantastic author... It is all completely action packed and fun" - Ben, 9

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Belinda Murrell
Belinda Murrell
Belinda Murrell, author of The Ivory Rose, The Ruby Talisman, The Locket of Dreams and The Sun Sword Trilogy, spent two years travelling with her family. The trip included five months traveling in Europe and an 18 month journey around Australia in a caravan.

Belinda home schooled her three children while researching and writing The Locket of Dreams and The Ruby Talisman.  more +