Australia's Secret History 5 Book Collection

Uncover Australia's hidden past with this captivating 5-Book Box Set from celebrated author Jackie French. Set against the early days of colonial New South Wales, the series follows Barney, a resourceful young orphan navigating the challenges of a fledgling colony. Each adventure reveals little-known stories from Australian history—rich in emotion, moral complexity, and historical intrigue. Perfect for curious readers aged 8–12.

1. Birrung: The Secret Friend

Embark on the journey of Barney and Birrung, a young Indigenous girl living in 1790 under the chaplain’s care. Their secret friendship bridges worlds and offers a heartfelt glimpse into colonial Australia through Birch’s perspective.

2. Barney and the Secret of the Whales

Barney becomes embroiled in the hidden lives of sailors and ships. What secrets are the whales hiding in the waters of the fledgling colony—and what treasure might they reveal?

3. The Secret of the Black Bushranger

The colony’s first bushranger emerges in Barney’s world. As his farm grows, Barney faces the fallout of helping this outlaw escape—a daring tale of survival, conflict, and the harsh frontier.

4. Barney and the Secret of the French Spies

When Barney’s childhood friend Elsie falls mysteriously ill, he discovers that she harbors a dangerous secret—she may be a spy amid escalating tensions between England and France. Featuring a disguised botanist and the threat of invasion, this tale explores espionage in the underbelly of colonial life.

5. The Secret of the Youngest Rebel

Grounded in eyewitness accounts, this installment dives into the untold stories the colonial government suppressed for over two centuries. Barney finds himself in the center of political upheaval, rebellion, and the fight for truth.