The Bell family is in danger of losing their honourable name. Can Darius step up to the challenge and uphold it? This wise and wonderful won the 2010 CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers Award.
The Bell family's ancestors were showered with honours, gifts and grants of land. In exchange, they have bestowed a Gift, once every 25 years, on the town. The Gifts have ranged from a statue to a bell tower with stained-glass windows, but now it's Darius's father's turn - and there is no money for an impressive gift. It looks as though a wheelbarrow full of vegetables is the best they can do. Darius is determined to preserve the family honour, and when an earthquake reveals a glorious cave, with the most beautiful minerals lining the walls, he thinks he's found the answer...
A wonderfully satisfying novel - fun to read, thought-provoking and wise.
Winner, 2010 Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year - Younger Readers
2011 USBBY (United States Board of Books for Young People) list of Outstanding International Books for children and young adults
Odo Hirsch was born in Australia where he studied medicine and worked as a doctor. He is now based in London. His books for children are favourites with young and old and have been translated into several languages.