“From award-winning author Serena Lane Ferrari a heartwarming tale of friendship and bravery” ★★★★★ When Francesco moves to Australia, he discovers a new world of beauty and adventure , but he soon begins to realise not everything is as it seems. Along with his newfound friend Annie , he embarks on a mission to save the beloved wildlife of the area, only to uncover something more mysterious than he could ever have imagined. When a small koala appears, they must unravel the secret of the forest . Join Francesco and Annie as they strive to rescue a charming koala while safeguarding the captivating wildlife. " Inspiring! " - Jessica Sinatra, Immortal Ink Publications ★★★★★ "For kids aged 8 to 11 who adore animals and crave adventure, this chapter book is a dream come true . Francesco and Annie's quest is a celebration of friendship, wildlife, and the extraordinary feats that young hearts can achieve." ★★★★★ “Adventure awaits in every chapter of this unforgettable book for children aged 8 to 11” ★★★★★ " A book with a message " ★★★★★ " A strongly plotted, environmentally-themed novel for 8 - 11 year olds. Highly recommended! " - The Wishing Shelf Book Awards . If you happen to be on the hunt for a novel for a reluctant young reader, I'd very much recommend this highly accessible book from the pen of talented children's author, Serena Lane Ferrari . It's the story of a young boy (along with his best pal, Annie) who ends up living in Australia. There, he learns the uncomfortable truth of what's happening to animal habitats. What follows is a fun adventure with a strong underlying environmental message, as the two children embark on saving a koala. There were many aspects to this cleverly plotted novel I particularly enjoyed. Firstly, I loved the accessibility of it. The font is BIG, the vocabulary is simple, and the layout (helped by the wonderful illustrations) is spot on . This author, it seems, knows her readership and is determined not to exclude any of them. Secondly, although there is a strong environmental message to the story, it's not shoved into the face of the young reader. The author is too clever for that. It's kept in the background, the focus kept on the two central characters and the animal adventure they have - and enjoy! Thirdly, the setting is delightful, particularly for UK/US based readers who have never been to sunny Australia. All in all, I'm very happy to recommend this book to grandparents, parents and schools looking for a captivating novel for young readers . I think it would go down particularly well with reluctant boy readers; they'll love the accessibility of the writing style, the delightful artwork and, of course, the exciting adventure. All in all, a bit of a gem! - 'Wishing Shelf' Book Review A fast-paced, suspense-filled drama with a strong and very relevant environmental message . A FINALIST and highly recommended ! The Wishing Shelf Book Awards