Reviews

The book would be a great read for itself for readers 8 to 14 but would also be a most useful source book for studying the life and times of early Sydney.
— Reading Time

Craig Scutt blends historical fact with convincing re-creations that cover not only Bryant’s life but also her escape to Batavia in a stolen boat. Bryant was an astonishingly resilient woman.
— The Sunday Age

Craig Scutt has brought Mary to life with fictional diary excerpts and historical quotations from people of the time. Not only is this book an excellent account of Mary Bryant’s life but it is also a vivid insight into the beginnings of Sydney and surrounding areas, the hardships of the first fleet and the English penal system... a great story and an easy read. Aimed at children 10 years and over. I recommend it to all students studying Australian history and the First Fleet
— The Reading Stack

Craig Scutt... has put a human face to the early days of this county... Interspersed with Mary’s ‘diary’ entries are more standard retellings of Australian history and these are told with great skill and scholarship...
— Magpies

Craig Scutt has brought Mary to life with fictional diary excerpts and historical quotations from people of the time. Not only is this book an excellent account of Mary Bryant’s life but it is also a vivid insight into the beginnings of Sydney and surrounding areas, the hardships of the first fleet and the English penal system... a great story and an easy read. Aimed at children 10 years and over. I recommend it to all students studying Australian history and the First Fleet
— The Reading Stack