Our History: Bold Ben Hall

This is a riveting story told in three parts, with a background rich in Australian history and the human condition…Thrilling sub-stories and interesting leading characters, engage the reader. Bold Ben Hall, from the Our History series, explores amongst other powerful themes, how, based on conjecture, people’s assessment of others is governed by perception, for without knowledge of a whole situation, the truth cannot be known. * Kids Book Review *A gripping and unusual adventure, set against a background of the hectic, action-packed atmosphere of the booming Gold Rush towns…Books like this try to show the complexities and differences of opinion about controversial figures, as well as how important it is to try to get all the facts before making a decision. * The Book Muse *Bold Ben Hall looks at both sides of the question of what makes a hero. Masson delivers another story based in historical fact with an adventure woven throughout. A good introduction into some of Australia’s bush ranging history which gets the reader pondering hero or villain? – Vicki Thornton * Magpie Magazine *This is a great historical story about such an important time in our history. Lily is a smart, determined and self-assured girl, particularly for the time in which this story is set. It is a story that will be thoroughly enjoyed by all those who love historical fiction, and is best suited for those in upper primary and lower secondary. – Sam * Lamont Books *

Sophie Masson is the author of more than 50 novels for young people and specialises in historical fiction. Her work is published in many countries across the world. Sophie won the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards: Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature for My Australian Story: The Hunt for Ned Kelly (2011). She lives in rural New South Wales with her husband and has three grown-up children. She is also the author of the recent best-selling adult novel, The Paris Cooking School, written under the name Sophie Beaumont.