The Forgotten Pearl

This colourful, deeply moving saga of Poppy’s family is an utterly enthralling tale with warm, well-rounded characters forging their difficult lives in this entertainingly executed tale. Forgive the cliché, but this is a “terrific yarn” for middle school readers.

Russ Merrin, Magpies

The best kind of books are the ones where closing the covers for the final time is like saying good-bye to a friend. The Forgotten Pearl left me with these feelings, the same emotions experienced by protagonist, Poppy Trehearn, as she is forced to bid farewell to family and friends when the terror of World War II strikes her beloved home town of Darwin.

Kate Mani, Viewpoint

A beautiful, insightful novel, reminding us of a bleak time in Australia’s history, but ultimately showing how Australians stuck together to protect themselves, and others.

lipmag.com

Murrell's careful research and family anecdotes provide the backbone of a tale that is not only informative and enlightening, but enthralling. In Poppy, Murrell has created a character that will hopefully inspire young readers with her courage, kindness, resourcefulness, resilience, loving care and respect. If I were the mother of a maturing daughter, this is exactly the kind of book I would encourage her to read. I can't give it much higher praise than that.

Dani Colvin, Sunday Tasmanian