This does more than acknowledge our female trailblazers. It teaches our daughters about them in a delightful and entertaining way. Gold! – Madonna King, author and journalist.
Carly heads off on another time travelling adventure; this time with one of the world’s most renown inspirational women ever: Florence Nightingale.
Praise for the book:
‘I highly recommend the series as enjoyable reads and as supporting texts for the Australian Curriculum.’
‘A groundbreaking new time-travelling fiction adventure series that celebrates the courage and contribution of some of world’s most inspiring pioneering women!’
ABOUT THE SERIES
In this empowering new series feisty tween and time-traveller Carly Mills discovers how the female pioneers paved the way to help change the world. Through gutsy determination, integrity and courage, trailblazing women such as Caroline Chisholm, Dr Lilian Cooper, Dame Nellie Melba, Florence Nightingale, Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie and Miles Franklin achieved remarkable things. In each adventure, Carly and her friends learn about the past and discover how to apply their examples of dignity, kindness and courage to modern life.
MORE BOOKS IN THE SERIES
Book 5 – Taking flight – Amelia Earhart – September 2021
Carly and her friends find themselves back in the past, fighting for
equality alongside one of history’s most charming rebels: Amelia
Earhart.
Ashleigh Meikle – The Book Muse –
This is a great book for the Australian curriculum and educational purposes, in a variety of subjects, as it can be read for English, History or social studies, and can be used across a large range of age groups to complement topics on feminism, Florence Nightingale or the Crimean War – or any other topic it might fit into that I may not have thought of. This series and books like it bring history to life, and these fictional stories can be used to bolster the facts in the history books and biographies used to explore these topics.
Ashleigh Meikle – The Book Muse –
The fourth in this series showcases female friendship, history, and female historical figures who made a difference in the medical world through the story of Florence Nightingale. Much like book three, it would suit the CBCA 2O21 theme – Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds, as it showcases an old world – history in an inventive way through time travel and the eyes of young girls from the 2020s.
Ashleigh Meikle – The Book Muse –
This is a fun little series, and one that I am thoroughly enjoying reading it. Jane Smith has made everything work seamlessly together, allowing the history and fiction to come together to educate as well as telling a rollicking good story that will capture the imaginations of readers. I love that these books celebrate the achievements of women throughout history in all areas – the arts, science, medicine, politics, and everything else we can think of, and I would love to see some of those women whose names might not be as widely known appear as well. Filled with fun but also a hefty dose of reality, these books also deliver the realities of discrimination and the changing role of women in history whilst still making history accessible for younger readers. It shows that despite changes, these prejudices still exist, and women are still fighting them but sometimes in different ways.
Vanessa Rendall –
I highly recommend this book to readers aged 8-12 not only for the excellent storytelling but also the fun way to learn about amazing women in history and the events they took part in.
It is a set to have at home or in the library and hopefully one we can keep adding too!
Cam Macintosh, Book Chat –
It’s a real page-turner of a story.
Romi Sharp, Just Kids Lit –
It ticks all the boxes in terms of engaging middle to upper grade readers during and after reading, and providing scope for discussion and lessons in history, humanities and social studies, women’s rights, and health … this highly recommended book is truly inspiring, exhilarating and intriguing. Look out for the whole series!
Melissa Gijsbers, Junior Writers Club –
The Lady with the Lamp is a fantastic story that will teach young writers a lot about a strong female role model from history as well as give them a great adventure.
Goodreads –
For any middle grade reader who may be a bit reluctant to pick up a book about history, they needn’t hesitate with Carly Mills, Pioneer Girl. Because adventure, imagination and danger are what they’ll experience, and even within the first page of this fourth title in the series, The Lady with the Lamp, readers will be immediately thrust into the action… just like Carly and her friends, Dora and Simone.
The Lady with the Lamp is complete with contents, well-paced, absorbing chapters, expressive black and white sketches throughout, a historical note and a fun Q and A with Florence at the back. It ticks all the boxes in terms of engaging middle to upper grade readers during and after reading, and providing scope for discussion and lessons in history, humanities and social studies, women’s rights, and health.
Shining a light on a woman who helped to shape history, and shining a path to shape a better future, this highly recommended book is truly inspiring, exhilarating and intriguing. Look out for the whole series!
Goodreads –
I recommend this book for tweens or as school curricula, but I also enjoyed it as an adult, a nurse and an educator.
Goodreads –
This fun pre-teen read will capture young imaginations as they follow a group of Aussie girlfriends who fly to England and then travel back in time to discover the incredible exploits of nurse Florence Nightingale. The girls’ banter and differing personalities provide tension and realistic portrayals of pre-teen girls, which cleverly couch teachings relevant to the school curriculum. Congratulations to Jane Smith on yet another fabulously informative study of an historical female figure in her Carly Mills series.
Lisa Hoad – Reading Time –
Book 4 of this time-travelling adventure, Carly Mills Pioneer Girl: The Lady with the Lamp, certainly does not disappoint as Carly, Dora, and Simone travel back to the time of Florence Nightingale. Here on the stench-ridden streets of nineteenth century London, and later as trainee nurses during the Crimean war, the friends face appalling discrimination, uncontrolled disease, and great danger.
As the story unfolds, the clever blend of history and fiction transports the reader, bringing the social injustices and inequalities experienced by Florence and the three main characters to life.
Full of adventure and dialogue, exploring themes of loyalty, courage and social justice, this narrative along with its historical notes, quotes, and Q&A with Florence Nightingale would be a great resource for primary teachers to use alongside the accompanying teacher notes available at the website.
Hayley Franklin –
I have personally told so many people about your books. My son saw the Carly Mills books and recognised your name. He asked to read them before I take them into school next year.
Sarah Pye, author of the Wildlife Wong series of books for 8-12 year olds –
Ever since I was a child myself, I have loved the idea of time travel and the story of Florence Nightingale. So, imagine my excitement when Jane Smith combined both in the Carly Mills book, The Lady with the Lamp. This story is both engaging, and educational. It highlights the challenges of being female in the 1860s, which gives kids appreciation of the time they live in, but it also shows the importance of committing to your goals and making a difference.