Reviewed by Paul F. Murray for Readers' Favorite

Twelve-year-old Connie is determined to find her way in life and not be tied to having to live based on others' expectations. Her parents have decided to move from Scotland to Australia, and Connie is thrust into an unfamiliar environment with few opportunities to make friends other than the opinionated “Jo,” a young black girl who serves as a sounding board for Connie's thoughts. Connie and her family must battle drought and a flood threatening their livelihood. Connie feels ham-strung by society's expectations, including wearing a dress in town. Connie's older brother Silas is her frequent companion and a father figure alongside “Da.” The problem is Silas has picked up his father's penchant for cattle thievery, which puts the two of them in a vicious confrontation with the stolen cattle's rightful owners. Connie is an innocent victim caught between the opposing forces.

The Bushranger's Daughter by Michelle Worthington has several strengths. First, the novel shows that female beauty comes in many forms and that no one standard is required. Connie is a charming, attractive, freckle-faced adolescent girl. The story also demonstrates that different English-speaking peoples in different countries are not cookie-cutter copies. They have different cultures, expressions, mannerisms, and ways of looking at life. The novel also raises some profound questions. First is the impact on their kids, which adults would do well to think about when considering moving from a familiar home to a new environment. How will their kids fit into a new environment? Next, the broader question stems from dreams fulfilled—will achieving your dream, your goal in life, make you as happy as you thought it would? Connie's family wanted to move from Scotland to Australia, but whether they were any happier or better off in their new home and environment is a question readers will have to decide for themselves. The Bushranger's Daughter targets adolescent readers in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. Still, young adults and even older adults will enjoy this delightful taste of survival and self-discovery set in Queensland (northeast) Australia. Kids in the U.S. will enjoy the fast-paced tempo of the story while learning about life in another country and its culture.