The Search for the Silver Witch

“What struck me most was the depth of the story. On one level it’s as simple as the Billie B Brown stories that Sally is well known for, but beneath the surface, Polly and Buster bubbles with issues that our children, and society as a whole, are (unfortunately) still dealing with … It really was more of an emotional rollercoaster than I’d expected from both Sally and a book aimed at this age group. But part of Sally’s talent is being able to write for an 8-year-old mind whilst managing to beautifully and subtlety explore much larger and darker issues. Magnificent.” –L-J Lacey, Three Four Knock on the Door, Independent Children’s Bookshop ​

“I adored this book. I felt my own heart shrink and swell with Buster’s as I read this wonderful tale of friendship, peer pressure, hope and doing what’s right (even if it feels scary or too big for you)… The kind of book I want everyone I know to read, adult and child!” –Dani Solomon, Readings. ​​

“This book contains all the big themes - friendship, family, empathising with others, holding on to what is right in the face of peer pressure - (and) promises to be the start of a series that middle-primary readers will want to follow.” –Books + Publishing.

Sally Rippin was born in Darwin, but grew up mainly in South-East Asia. She is the successful author and illustrator of over 50 published children’s books; many of them award winning, including two novels for young adults. She aims to write stories with heart.

Her most recent books include the best-selling Billie B Brown early-reader series and its recent spin-offs, A Billie B Mystery, Billie’s Adventures and Hey Jack! series. These are quality stories with characters that have struck a chord with children, their parents, teachers and librarians alike, and has gone on to cement Sally’s position as Australia’s highest selling female author, third-highest selling children’s author, and eighth-highest selling author overall.

Sally’s junior-fiction series Polly and Buster is very close to her heart as it’s a story she’s wanted to write for some time. As a bonus to fans, Sally - who spent three years studying fine art in China as a young adult - has stunningly illustrated Polly and Buster herself!