In a fishing village in Palestine in the Roman year 781 AUC (our 28 AD), four free-spirited twelve year olds are well known for causing havoc - and getting away with it. Tahlia and her three untamed friends make ridiculous plans that never come off, often disrupting the town and their own families. Stealing, disturbing the peace, tempting disaster, even befriending the town's crazy person, are only a few of their escapades. When they hear about a stranger who makes miracles happen to sick people - just by his word - they decide to tag along after him, only to be disappointed time after time because they can never track him down. Then, like a sudden storm on their lake, tragedy strikes ... 'Although Tahlia's story is set 2,000 years ago it is far from musty. Modern readers will easily relate to Tahlia and the problems she faces as well as enjoy her hilarious escapades. All aspects of her culture are examined (even an arranged marriage) as part of her daily life at home and in the community with her lively friends. A fast yet thought-provoking read. I haven't read such vibrant historical fiction for kids since Catherine Jinks.' Rosanne Hawke, author of Wolfchild, Across the Creek and The Leopard Princess Colin Pearce has been telling stories and writing all his life. He's told stories to business people and children across Australia, New Zealand, 28 states of the USA and in 15 other countries. With academic qualifications in teaching, theology, and an MA in creative writing, he has worked as a teacher of the deaf, a church pastor, a salesman, a television writer, presenter and producer, a business advisor and professional speaker. In 2007 he was inducted into the Australian Speakers Hall of Fame. Colin and his wife Christine have four clever adult children and five even smarter grand children. He loves to garden, coach communicators of any kind and, of course, to write. For more information visit Colin at: www.colinpearce.com
