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Tom Appleby, Convict Boy

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Tom Appleby, Convict Boy

By: Jackie French
Narrated by: William Zappa
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About this listen

At the tender age of eight, chimney sweep Tom Appleby is convicted of stealing and sentenced to deportation to Botany Bay. As he sails out with the First Fleet, Tom sadly realises that he will never set foot on English ground again.

Luckily, not long after Tom’s arrival in the colony, the fair and kind Sergeant Stanley decides to take on Tom as a servant. Together, Tom, Sergeant Stanley and his son, Rob, build a house, set up an orchard and a vegetable garden for themselves – and thrive, unlike many others in the new colony.

Tom Appleby, Convict Boy is brilliant historical fiction. Jackie French tells of a colony that, despite its natural abundance, cannot offer what the colonists want – familiarity. While the people’s health is better than it ever was in England, their morale is low as they wait for news from home.

©2004 Jackie French (P)2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation Action & Adventure Fiction Geography & Cultures Historical Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Oceania Vehicles & Transportation
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The way the author swapped from the boys young age until his older age. Not something I’d usually like but it was great

The storyline

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William Zappa did an amazing job with the colourful characters in this book. Was a delightful experience!!

Amazing reader

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Narrator was v good.
Is there a full book rendition? That would be brilliant. History was made to come alive. My Thanks to the author

Wished it was full book.

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I have loved listening to this book, but I must confess that I'm a bit miffed. This abridged version is missing all of the First Nations people. All of the chapters about the illness are missing. I was a bit confused, I thought that I must have accidentally skipped some parts, but no, maybe my book didn't download properly, white-washing the story.
I suppose that I will need to sit down and read the actual book instead.
So disappointed.

Where are the First Nations people?

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I loved everything, but the book wasnt the best ive read. But the audiobook helped me understand andenjoy the bokk more!

The peformance it was amazing and each character had personality!

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.