The books

Brilliant and super readable
-Sarah Rasmussen, Ragamuffin Books
An exhilarating caper wrapped in fact and fiction – inspiring, refreshing, and highly recommended.
​Can’t wait for the next one!
-Romi Sharp, Just Kids Lit
Book 1: A New World
It's not easy coming to the city all alone when you're a young country girl. It's even harder when a strange discovery sends you right back in time to 1841!
Carly Mills is about to learn how dangerous Sydney can be for a lonely colonial girl ... and how hard it is to move in a corset. Mrs Chisholm tells her that kindness and friendship can make the world a better place. Could she be right?
Caroline Chisholm:
​Humanitarian

​Carly Mills Pioneer Girl begins in the exact moment it should, aiming right to the hearts and minds of our young pioneer girls of today.
 - Genevieve Allpass, CEO & Founder of PEACEful Humans Inc.
Carly Mills: A New World is an informative fast paced fun read that is super enjoyable and will make you (and the kidlets) appreciate your hot shower and trackie dacks.
- Sarah Rasmussen, Ragamuffin Books 
Book 2: Emergency!
Carly learns just what it means to be strong and brave when her magical shawl takes her back to 1891 and into the path of Queensland’s first female doctor, Lilian Cooper.​
Dr Lilian Cooper:
​QLD's first female doctor

‘I was fascinated with the glimpses of Brisbane as it was a century ago, and the interactions Carly had with historical figure Dr Lilian Cooper made me want to find out more. What a great little book - fast paced and fascinating!’
- Lorraine Petersen, school library technician
Carly finds herself in the middle of a fast-paced rollick through history as she learns about an impressive woman:  Dr Cooper. 
- Emma Mactaggart, award winning author, speaker and publisher, founder of The Child Writes Fund, Boogie Books and International Read to Me Day
Book 3: Superstar  NEW!
When Carly Mills goes to Melbourne with the school choir, she gets more than she bargained for: a trip back in time and a chance meeting with a mischievous little girl who might just grow up to be the world famous opera singer, Dame Nellie Melba. If Carly is to help the little girl achieve her dream, she will have to endure Nellie’s practical jokes, an angry headmaster, and her father’s belief that opera is not a fit career for a lady. Not to mention Simone’s bad moods and Dora’s terrible singing.
Dame Nellie Melba:
​Opera singer

​From the moment I opened the first page and read the first line, I was completely hooked! Author Jane Smith brings history to life by allowing us glimpses into the past as she weaves facts into a rollicking narrative. This is the third in the Carly Mills series, and Smith continues to delivery, with pace and humour, the fabulous characters who support the 'real' person, ensuring that young readers can travel right beside Carly and her friends. History is no longer dull - it truly comes to life with Smith's deft touch.
- Emma Mactaggart, author & founder of Boogie Books, Child Writes and International Read to Me Day
'... educational and inspirational as well as entertaining for younger readers and offers a good introduction to key women in history and gives girls an empowering message that they can be whoever, and whatever, they want to be.' 
​-The Book Muse
The literary idea of traveling through time and experiencing historic events is not new, but I love the way that Jane Smith, in Superstar, uses time travel to give children an insight into the challenging childhood of Nellie Melba before she became famous. Not only does this engaging story highlight the differences of being female in the 1860s, but it shows what can be achieved with goals and commitment. What an awesome connection at the end through the Peach Melba, and $100 note!
- Sarah Pye, author of the 'Wildlife Wong' series  for 8-12 year olds
Book 4: The lady with the lamp 
London! When Simone invites Carly and Dora to stay with her parents in England on holiday, they're looking forward to an adventure - but they're not expecting to go back to the past, let alone face discrimination, disease and danger! Thrust back into London of over a hundred years ago, when women were not allowed to have real careers, they meet one woman who is about to change it all: Florence Nightingale. Through war and peace, Carly and her friends learn that courage sometimes means owning up to your mistakes.
Florence Nightingale:
​The mother of modern nursing
​'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.' - The Book Muse
'... this highly recommended book is truly inspiring, exhilarating and intriguing' - Just Kids Lit
'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.'  -Vanessa Ryan, Educate.Empower
'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'   - Lisa Hoad, Reading Time
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. 
- Sarah Pye, author of the 'Wildlife Wong' series  for 8-12 year olds