A story of friendship, courage and a bit of crime.

Bridget wants a quiet life. Including, if possible, keeping her parents out of prison.

Then a boy called Menzies makes her an offer she can't refuse, and they set off on a job of their own.

It's a desperate, daring plan – to rescue two kids, Jamal and Bibi, from a desert detention centre.

Can Bridget and Menzies pull off their very first jail break, or will they end up behind bars too?

Sometimes, to help a friend, you have to dig deep.

**

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6–Coming from a family of criminals has taught sixth grader Bridget the skills she needs to survive one of Australia's top notch boarding schools. It is also the secret she's trying desperately to hide. Her parents have enrolled her in boarding school after her older brother is sent to prison for shoplifting. Though they deal in illegal imports, they don't approve of stealing and they want their daughter to make a better life for herself. Bridget is keenly aware of this pressure to succeed at her new school and the fact that they could be in a heap of trouble if their secret comes out. It's difficult to make friends when you can't open up, but Bridget finds a kindred soul in a boy called Menzies. Soon Bridget's familial woes are replaced by a new and more serious predicament—helping Menzie free two Afghani refugee children from a detention center. This novel by Australian author Morris Gleitzman is a companion to Boy Overboard, where refugees Jamal and Bibi are first introduced. It is not necessary to have read Boy Overboard first, but many listeners will want to hear the story that inspires Bridget and Menzies' bravery. Gleitzman explores themes of courage, friendship, and social injustice with plenty of humor and intrigue to keep listeners involved. Mary-Anne Fahey's narration perfectly captures Bridget's innocence and quirky sense of humor. It's also fascinating to hear another country's perspective on current world issues. A great way to add some international flavor to school and public library collections.–April Mazza, Wayland Public Library, MA
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About the Author

Morris Gleitzman was born in 1953 in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England and immigrated to Australia when he was sixteen. He has worked in a variety of jobs including TV producer, newspaper columnist and screenwriter. Then he had a wonderful experience. He wrote a novel for young people. Now he s a children s author. Morris Gleitzman s brilliant comic style has endeared him to adults and children alike. He is one of Australia s best known writers of novels for children. His family comedies are enormously popular in Australia and overseas and involve unusual characters in unusual situations. Behind the humor is a poignancy that reflects real life problems, many of them controversial. His hugely successful books have won many awards and been published internationally.