Heroes of the Secret Underground

Description

A timely and powerful time-slip story inspired by the author's family in Budapest during the Holocaust Louie lives with her brothers, Bert and Teddy, in a hotel run by their grandparents. It is one of Sydney's grand old buildings, rich in history ... and in secrets. When a rose-gold locket, once thought lost, is uncovered, it sends Louie and her brothers spinning back in time. Back to a world at war: Budapest in the winter of 1944, where their grandparents are hiding secrets of their own ... From bestselling author Susanne Gervay comes a heart-racing timeslip story inspired by her own family's escape from Budapest during the Holocaust. AWARDS Longlisted - ARA Historical Novel Prize 2021 (Children's and Young Adult Category) PRAISE 'Impossible to stop reading' -- Jackie French 'A story of light and love and exceptional courage' -- Ursula Dubosarsky 'Riveting, encouraging, and authentic, Heroes of the Secret Underground introduces the topic of World War II in a fresh and enlightening way. My heart was left racing after each page turn, and I'm sure you'll feel the same way too.' --Better Reading

As a child of refugees, books were a safe and special place for Susanne Gervay to explore the world and ideas. She wants that for all young people. You'll find her planting mangroves in Kiribati; in Istanbul speaking to thousands of kids about no bullying; in remote indigenous schools bringing literacy to kids; touring with her I Am Jack play, adapted by Monkey Baa Theatre across Australia and the USA. Susanne's acclaimed books are widely endorsed by the Cancer Council NSW, Variety and The Children's Hospital Westmead. She is an ambassador for Room to Read, bringing education to the children of the developing world; a role model for Books in Homes, taking books to disadvantaged and indigenous children in Australia; and a literacy ambassador for many campaigns. Susanne is also Regional Advisor for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), promoting the community of writers and illustrators in Australia and internationally. She has been awarded the Lifetime Social Justice Literature Award by the International Literacy Association, an Order of Australia, and was nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. www.sgervay.com Author photo by Jessica Higgins