The Camel Who Crossed Australia The Animal Stars Series, Book 3

The story of the famous Burke and Wills expedition ... as it has never been told before. The humans call him 'Bell Sing', but to the other camels he is known as 'He Who Spits Further Than the Wind'. Transported from the mountains and deserts of the 'Northwest Frontier' (present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan), Bell Sing accompanies explorers Burke and Wills as they try to cross Australia from south to north. Bell Sing has never had a high opinion of humans — or horses. And this expedition is the worst-managed caravan he's ever been in. Camel handler Dost Mahomet and soldier John King are also beginning to wonder if their leader is competent ... or crazy. Bell Sing can smell water over the sandhills on the horizon ... and freedom too. Can the expedition succeed? And who — if anyone — will survive? This is the gritty and true story about one of the most extraordinary and iconic events in Australia's history. PRAISE FOR THE ANIMAL STARS 'an irreverent and informative charmer' - Sunday Age 'What a delight to read this book! ... could inspire much original history reading by young readers' - Book News 'This is history brought to life for the younger reader' - Reader's Feast Book Guide Third In Jackie French's Animal Stars Series, Featuring The Animals Who Contributed To History's Most Famous Events. The Story Of The Famous Burke And Wills Expedition ... As It Has Never Been Told Before The Humans Called Him 'bell Sing', But To The Other Camels He Is Known As 'he Who Spits Further Than The Wind'. Transported From The Mountains And Deserts Of The 'northwest Frontier' (present-day Pakistan And Afghanistan), Bell Sing Accompanies Explorers Burke And Wills As They Try To Cross Australia From South To North. Bell Sing Has Never Had A High Opinion Of Humans - Or Horses. And This Expedition Is The Worst Managed Caravan He's Even Been In. Camel Handler Dost Mahomet And Soldier John King Are Also Beginning To Wonder If Their Leader Is Competent, Or Crazy. Bell Sing Can Smell Water Over The Sandhills On The Horizon ... And Freedom Too. Can The Expedition Succeed? And Who - If Anyone - Will Survive? This Is The Gritty And True Story About One Of The Most Extraordinary And Iconic Events In Australia's History. Praise For The Animal Stars Series: 'an Irreverent And Informative Charmer' Sunday Age 'this Exciting Story Of Adventure And Survival Against The Odds With Likeable Main Characters Has Greater Power Than Text Books To Spark New Interests And Extend Existing Ones' Viewpoint 'what A Delight To Read This Book! ... I Think This Book Could Inspire Much Original History Reading By Young Readers' Book News 'this Is History Brought To Life For The Young Reader' Reader's Feast Book Guide Ages 9 - 13 "The humans called him Rajah. But to the other camels he is known as He Who Spits Further than the Wind. Transported from his beloved Afghan plains and mountains to Australia, Rajah is forced to join the baggage train for famous nineteenth-century explorers Burke and Wills as they embark on an expedition to cross the continent from south to north for the first time. Rajah has never had a high opinion of humans or horses, in terms of their ability to survive desert conditions. And with the exception of his own handlers Dost Mahomet and and Esan Khan, the humans in this expedition seem obsessed by the success of their mission ... to the point of risking their own lives and the lives of the animals who support them. Rajah can smell water over the sandhills on the horizon ... and freedom too. But will the expedition ever succeed, or will the cost be too high?"--Provided by publisher A camel named Bell Sing is transported from mountains of the Northwest Frontier (modern day Pakistan and Aftghanistan) to Australia to be used as a pack animal by an expedition attempting to cross the continent from south to north for the first time. The humans in this expedition - nineteenth-century explorers Burke and Wills - seem determined to succeed but Bell Sing has his doubts about their competence. Camel Handler Dost Mahomet and soldier John King are also starting to wonder who, if any one, will survive. Suggested level: primary, intermediate, junior secondary