The Chicken’s Curse
Felix and Livia are being pursued across the Roman empire, from the darkest, dampest corner of Gaul to the dry, desert sands of Tadmor.
They must reach Rome by the Ides of April to rescue Livia’s brother before he is sent into the arena to do battle with lions — and perhaps a vicious ostrich or two!
Along the way, the pair are helped (and hindered) by a selfish sacred chicken, a foolish camel and a grumpy magic carpet as they encounter bandits, a shipwreck and a false accusation.
Will they save Livia’s brother in time, or will they all fall victim to the chicken’s curse?
A classic tale of friendship, fate and fortune.
The Peony Lantern
When Kasumi leaves her remote village in the teeming city of Edo, her life is transformed. As a lady-in-waiting in a samurai mansion she discovers a rare talent for art and falls in love with a young samurai. How could she ever return to the life of a simple mountain girl?
But Kasumi must set aside her own concerns. Her country is on the brink of change and Edo is simmering with tension. And her mistress has a dangerous secret—a secret that Kasumi is gradually drawn into…
Set against the vivid backdrop of nineteenth-century Japan, The Peony Lantern is a powerful story of art, love and friendship, and finding your own path.
- Shortlisted NSW Premier’s Literary Awards 2016
‘Frances Watts breathes new life into the familiar story of an ordinary girl destined for greater things’—Bookseller + Publisher
The Raven’s Wing
On the eve of her fifteenth birthday, Claudia is unexpectedly summoned to Rome by the father she hasn’t seen in ten years, a wealthy and powerful senator. She finds herself with both a new family and a luxurious new home in the capital of the world’s greatest empire.
But Claudia soon discovers a contest of power and ambition is secretly being waged—and she is the prize. Torn between two rivals for her hand in marriage, she must choose between her duty and her heart…a choice that could have deadly consequences.
A gripping mystery of love and intrigue set in Ancient Rome.
The Secrets of Flamant Castle:
The Complete Adventures of Sword Girl and Friends
Illustrated by Gregory Rogers
Tommy, a kitchen girl at Flamant Castle, dreams of becoming a knight — and when she is made the Keeper of the Blades, caring for all the swords in the castle armoury, it seems like her dream might come true.
But trouble is never far away from Flamant Castle and the Keeper of the Blades is often in the thick of it. Luckily Tommy is both daring and curious, and has a cast of friends ready to help, including Lil the talking cat, the friendly Crocodiddle who lives in the castle moat and her best friend Jasper, the ghost of a young squire who inhabits one of the old swords.
‘There is energy, excitement, wit and a gentle wisdom in this chapter book series…’—Magpies
The Terrible Trickster
Illustrated by Gregory Rogers
‘Tricksters are not welcome here.’
Someone is playing tricks at Flamant Castle. At first they seem funny, but Sir Benedict is not amused. He thinks the trickster is Tommy — and unless the tricks stop, he will send her away from the castle! Can she find out who the real trickster is before she is banished forever?
Pigeon Problems
Illustrated by Gregory Rogers
‘The pigeon is missing!’
It’s Lady Beatrix’s birthday, and Sir Walter is planning all kinds of treats. Everyone at Flamant Castle is excited … except the pigeon. But the pigeon is needed for a very special job — and when he goes missing, it looks like Sir Walter’s plans will be ruined. Can Tommy find her friend and save the celebrations?
Tournament Trouble
Illustrated by Gregory Rogers
‘I want you to fight in the tournament, Tommy.’
Flamant Castle is having a tournament! But when one of the squires is injured during practice, Sir Benedict asks Tommy to take his place. He even offers her one of his own horses to ride. It’s a dream come true for Tommy. There’s just one problem: she has never ridden a horse before—and every time she tries to ride Bess, the horse throws her off! Time is running out… How will Tommy be able to compete?
The Siege Scare
Illustrated by Gregory Rogers
‘We’re under siege!’
When Sir Walter, Sir Benedict and the other knights go to nearby Roses Castle for a tournament, the enemy knights from Malice attack Flamant. The only hope of rescue lies in getting a message to Sir Benedict, a day’s ride away. But the castle is surrounded and there’s no way out! With the help of her friends, Tommy devises a daring plan. Can she save Flamant Castle before it’s too late?
The Secret of the Swords
Illustrated by Gregory Rogers
‘Sir Walter’s sword has been stolen!’
When Tommy is made Flamant Castle’s Keeper of the Blades, it seems her dreams of being a knight might come true. But then a valuable sword is stolen from the sword chamber. Can a surprising secret and an extra-special group of friends help her find it? Or will she be sent back to the kitchen in disgrace?
- Shortlisted Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Award 2012
‘a wonderful series’—Sunday Tasmanian
The Poison Plot
Illustrated by Gregory Rogers
‘There’s a plot to poison Sir Walter!’
Sir Walter is holding a banquet at Flamant Castle — but Tommy overhears one of the castle’s enemies plotting to poison him. Unless she can foil the plot, Flamant will be at war! Can an unusual cure for a cold possibly save the day?
The Song of the Winns
Book 1 of the Gerander Trilogy
‘Alistair has been kidnapped!’
Alex, Alice and Alistair think they are just three ordinary mice, until Alistair mysteriously vanishes. Then Alex and Alice learn a secret about their family: a secret which means Alistair’s life is in danger—unless Alex and Alice can find him first…
So begins a hair-raising journey as Alex and Alice try to outrun enemy agents in a desperate race against time.
Meanwhile, Alistair is astonished to find himself in a far-off land where everyone—except his new friend Tibby Rose—is his enemy. But why? Pursued at every turn, the pair must try to unravel the mystery. And when they do, they discover that it is not only their own lives which are in peril…the future of an entire country is at stake.
The first book in an exciting new trilogy, The Song of the Winns is a tale of courage, friendship and adventure.
- Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book 2011
‘a real treat … laced with plenty of adventure, wisdom and humour…This is a terrific read’—Australian Bookseller & Publisher, 5 stars
‘suspenseful and thought-provoking tale … action and adventure aficionados will devour this book and eagerly await the next installment in the series’—School Library Journal (US)
The Spies of Gerander
Book 2 of the Gerander Trilogy
‘I have a special assignment for you…’
With their country in danger, Alice and Alex are sent on an undercover mission—right into the heart of enemy territory.
Meanwhile, Alistair and Tibby Rose set out to rescue Alistair’s parents from a remote island prison. But someone is determined to stop them—someone who knows their every move. It seems FIG has a traitor…
‘lots of adventure, intrigue, humour, thrills and fast-paced action … Watts’ writing rolls along at a great pace’—Sunday Age
The Secret of Zanzibar
Book 3 of the Gerander Trilogy
‘So many secrets … so many lies …’
Time is running out, as Queen Eugenia prepares to crown herself absolute ruler of Greater Gerander.
And so Alistair and Tibby Rose travel deep into dangerous territory on a daring mission to stop her, while Alice and Alex risk their lives by returning to the enemy stronghold they so recently fled. They must act now to restore Zanzibar to the throne, or lose their homeland forever.
But Zanzibar has a secret. And it may cost Alistair his life …
Extraordinary Ernie & Marvellous Maud
Illustrated by Judy Watson
- Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book, 2009
Ernie Eggers is thrilled when he wins a superhero contest and becomes Extraordinary Ernie (after school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and all day Saturday). But his excitement turns to dismay when he discovers that his sidekick is a sheep. It doesn’t take him long to realise, though, that there has never been another sheep quite like Marvellous Maud.
‘Perfect for early readers with a sense of humour and a love of alliteration’—Sunday Age
The Middle Sheep
Illustrated by Judy Watson
The adventures of Extraordinary Ernie and Marvellous Maud continue…but what—or who—is making the usually cheerful and dependable Maud so grumpy? And why are she and Ernie arguing all the time? It seems to Ernie that being his sidekick just isn’t important to Maud anymore. Then Valiant Vera says that if the two trainee superheroes can’t work together, they will be thrown out of the Superheroes Society! Ernie and Maud must learn the value of teamwork (and how to get a sheep out of a tree) before it’s too late.
‘the bright cover promises what the book delivers. Altogether an attractive package’—Magpies
The Greatest Sheep in History
Illustrated by Judy Watson
Extraordinary Ernie and Marvellous Maud are back!
Ernie and Maud are thrilled to be attending the National Superheroes Conference with the other superheroes from Baxter. But when the conference is disrupted by Chicken George—the most terrifying and villainous chicken anyone has ever seen—it will take more than just an ordinary superhero to save the day.
‘With themes of bravery, understanding and overcoming fears, this is a fresh take on the superhero ideal with plenty of giggles’—Sun-Herald
Heroes of the Year
Illustrated by Judy Watson
‘A moustache?’ Super Whiz demanded.
‘On the mayor?’ gasped Valiant Vera.
‘Didn’t she always have one?’ said Desmond.
Extraordinary Ernie and Marvellous Maud have a good chance of winning the Heroes of the Year award — until a pencil-wielding fiend starts to wreak havoc in Baxter.
Can Ernie and Maud stop Pencil Pete and win the golden trophy?
‘Hilarious’—Aussie Reviews
‘Rollickingly paced and rich with humor and hijinks’—Washington Parent (US)