Barney and the Secret of the Whales

Barney Bean, a resourceful boy in early colonial Australia, dreams of making his fortune and jumps at the chance to join a whaling ship after hearing a sailor's secret about the colony's hidden wealth. As he sets out to sea, he must decide whether the promise of riches is worth abandoning the people and life he loves. The story uncovers how the early settlement survived on the profits of whaling, a little-known chapter of Australian history. Richly illustrated by Mark Wilson, the novel blends adventure with a vivid glimpse into Australia's past.