Bridie's Fire — Kirsty Murray

This sweeping historical novel for young adults documents the adventures of Bridie, an orphaned Irish teenager who escapes the potato famine that claimed the lives of her parents and baby brother. Independent and stubborn, Bridie makes a new life for herself in the rough-and-tumble world of Australia during the nineteenth-century gold rush. Her adventures with miners, other migrants, and even a traveling theater troupe paint a vivid picture of early life in Melbourne. Bridie's resilience and courage make her a compelling heroine for teenage readers and her heartwarming story will engage them in the vivid historical setting.