The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe
Title: The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe
Author: Karen Foxlee
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Shortlist: Children's Literature
Lavender Wolfe is a clapperdudgeon and pickpurse, with a magical secret. She is all alone on a wharf when she is snatched by Big Agatha and thrown into the galley of a pirate ship, The Good Marchioness.
Disguised as a boy (for only boys may live in the galley) and renamed Hans Whitby, Lavender has to make her home among the kitchen rats. However, The Good Marchioness is no ordinary ship. Captained by Odyessia Pleasant, a fierce pirate with long blonde hair, violet eyes and a bird's wing in place of an arm, the crew are on a desperate voyage – to find and return stolen treasure before all those who sail within the cursed pirate ship are turned to sand. Lavender included.
Lavender is quick-witted and sharp as a tack, and as her magic starts to be revealed she finds herself coming under the arresting gaze of Captain Pleasant. Will Lavender help break the curse? Or will she be just another victim of this story within a story, her true identity lost to the sands of time?
An adventure as big as the ocean and as warm as your heart. All aboard!
Judges’ Report
This novel takes us into the exciting world of Lavender Wolfe. She’s a clapper dudgeon and a pickpurse with a magical secret. When she’s plucked from her life and thrown into the galley of a pirate ship, Lavender finds herself on a desperate voyage to find and return stolen treasure before all those who sail on the cursed vessel are turned to sand. The writing is glorious, blending whimsy, mystery and emotion with a perfect amount of action and adventure. It is also a touching exploration of identity, friendship and the courage it takes to accept all of who you are in order to fully embrace your own power.
Extract
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About the Author
Karen Foxlee
VPLA book photography by Shannyn Higgins
The Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards are proudly supported by the Victorian Government.
