Outlaw Girls

‘A thrilling ride of danger and friendship across time, Outlaw Girls is an adventure of courage and loyalty from two favourite authors. I wanted to gallop away with Kate and Ruby.’ * Kate Constable *‘Emily Gale and Nova Weetman deliver again with Outlaw Girls…This time-slip story is riveting upper-middle-grade historical fiction like you’ve never seen it before.’ * Books+Publishing *‘Whip-smart.’ * Australian Women’s Weekly on Elsewhere Girls *‘A charming, eye-opening exploration of gender restrictions and self-determination.’ * Kirkus Reviews (US) on Elsewhere Girls *‘4.5 stars. A great history book [with] several underlying themes which deal with things such as honesty, making the right choice (not the easy choice), and choosing friends wisely. Ruby has many flaws and we see her struggle with growing up. There could be much discussion in a classroom setting around these themes…Their characters are well rounded and the imagery makes it easy to imagine life in the high country of Victoria in the 1880s…Young people who love horses will particularly enjoy Outlaw Girls.’ * GLAM Adelaide *‘A compelling read where modern-day teenage angst and privilege meets poverty and injustice in colonial Australia…Ingeniously [tells] the story of the Kelly women and how they supported their brothers and kept the family together.’ * ReadPlus *‘The thing that stood out to me the most was that the women and girls were at the forefront, having their voices heard…That is what makes historical fiction like this so powerful—allowing people who have previously been silenced to have a voice…Emily and Nova’s books bring history to life.’ * Book Muse *‘This is an awesome story for young readers interested in historical fiction, or anyone who loves a bit of action and intrigue!’ * Better Read Than Dead, March Kids Book of the Month *‘Horses and history combine in this exciting middle‑grade novel that will have children who love stories about the bush and bushrangers completely hooked.’ * Readings *‘This is a wonderful time-slip historical novel, set in and around events that have been so much a part of Australian history. It is a story of growing up and realising the consequences of your actions, thinking of others, loyalty to both friends and family, and understanding that the choices that we face are often complex and difficult. It will be enjoyed by all those in upper primary and lower secondary.’ * Lamont Books *‘Emily Gale and Nova Weetman passionately delve into untold stories of female empowerment in history, crafting accessible and joyful historical fiction for young readers.’ * Novel Insight *‘Rich in historical detail, including an Afterword that speaks to the research process. It brings the Kelly myth to life, focusing on the Kelly women. As a time traveler, Ruby acts as a translator for the reader, identifying social and economic changes over time, and grappling with ideas of justice, loyalty and revenge. Whilst history itself might not change, the ways in which we interrogate it do. This book brings opportunities for nuanced reflection on the Kelly myth beyond “good” and “bad” towards exploration of the drivers of crime, including racism, poverty and illiteracy.’ * StoryLinks *‘Two of the most inspiring women I know…Beloved for their writing around the country.’ * Be More Bookish podcast *‘This captivating time slip, middle grade novel seamlessly weaves elements of mystery, adventure and history with depth and authenticity…With a deft touch, Outlaw Girls brings the past to life, exploring universal themes like betrayal, loyalty, family, friendship and finding your voice. Young readers will be engrossed by this very Aussie tale….Saddle up for this rollicking romp of a ride over 150 years through Victoria’s high country.’ * CBCA Reading Time *‘A ripping good yarn!…Such is the beauty of a well-crafted time slip novel; allowing readers to become fully submersed into the then and now and emerge with a more profound appreciation of both characters’ points of view…For those who are wild at heart, love a great galloping tale with a healthy dose of fantasy and history, get involved with the Outlaw Girls!’ * Kids’ Book Review *‘5 stars. The educational adventure novel not only gives an insight into Australian history, but also explores the themes of family, friendship, loyalty and betrayal, right and wrong. Outlaw Girls is intriguing, heart-warming and cleverly written with both main characters portrayed as well rounded and growing…A pleasure to read and a must have at any school library.’ * AU Review *‘With just the right number of historical facts sprinkled into this time slip tale, Outlaw Girls gallops along keeping the pages turning with fun, humour, and adventure. The reader can easily imagine being in the saddle with Ruby and Kate…Such a great Aussie read and even though most will know the history of Ned Kelly, few will know about his brave and fearless younger sister Kate Kelly, until now.’ * BuzzWords *‘A rollicking adventure…A pacy, exciting narrative…Sheds light on courageous Australian girls whose place in history has been overshadowed.’ * Sisters in Crime *‘Amplifies the voices of females, portrays the power, beauty and importance of female friendships…Not only do the girls in the story teach each other lessons, they benefit from viewing life through a different lens…Girls and women take centre stage.’ * Reading Opens Doors *‘An exciting narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The themes of courage and adventure are beautifully woven into the story, making it a must-read for anyone looking for an exciting and adventurous story.’ * Alphabet Soup, Aashi (age 9) *

Emily Gale’s much-loved books include The Goodbye Year, The Other Side of Summer and its companion novel I Am Out With Lanterns, the Eliza Boom Diaries series, Steal My Sunshine and Girl, Aloud, as well as her middle-grade collaboration with friend and fellow author Nova Weetman, Elsewhere Girls and Outlaw Girls.