Being Brave

What do you do when the voice inside tells you you’re wrong? You can’t do that? Or you say something silly and the other kids laugh at you?

Ellie and Alyssa have been best friends since pre-school. One chatty, one shy, one adventurous, the other considered, one Australian, one with Chinese heritage, both supportive and giving. It’s easy together.

Then they change schools. They have to rely on themselves. It’s hard. Ellie’s lost her heart. There’s her little sister and her busy working parents to deal with at home. She feels unsure about herself. Alyssa is going from lesson to activity to lesson. She does what she’s told, afraid to step out.

One day, Ellie’s had enough. She wanders off during a museum visit and discovers a mythical golden Ayrebird exhibit. The myth claims that if you see an Ayrebird, it brings you luck! Perhaps if the girls can find the bird, they can find Ellie’s heart.

They devise a plan. Armed with their backpacks, they set out on a camping trip in search of the Ayrebird. They encounter obstacles, setbacks and frightening creatures within the beauty of the Australian bushland.

Being Brave is a novel and personal development guide for girls with themes on self-esteem and resilience.