Pauline Deeves (text) and Brent Wilson (illustrator), Get Me Out of Here! Foolish and Fearless Convict Escapes, Allen & Unwin, May 2022, 64 pp, RRP $29.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760526993
Seven convicts. Seven stories. This wonderful new offering from Pauline Deeves and Brent Wilson showcases the strength and sheer joy of well-crafted non-fiction.
There’s petty thief Mary Bryant – ‘The Girl from Botany Bay’ as she became known – who escaped in a tiny vessel with her family and others. There’s prisoner and expert sailor, James Porter, who pirated (he’d claim ‘borrowed’) an unfinished ship. Then there’s petty thief and self-proclaimed genius Billy Hunt who donned kangaroo skin to escape, nearly hopping to freedom until the guards mistook him for dinner. And my favourite – a tale that would rival Ocean’s Eleven: James Wilson, whose letters were smuggled out of prison only to find themselves in the hands of Irish supporters in Boston (possible my relos lol). The Irish contingent soon rustled an oddball crew and sailed a vessel halfway around the world to rescue James and his five companions in an audacious jailbreak.
Usually written in first person point of view, each remarkable story is introduced by a brief overview and snapshot details and followed by ‘What Happened To…?’ and a list of fun facts. The author’s storytelling skills, wit and research skills shine in these accounts, where setting, stakes and emotion drive each tale. Wilson’s superb drawings construct a richly detailed visual narrative, presenting a fun, effective and eye-catching layout that will keep readers engrossed.
A unique, informative and entertaining read for ages 6+.
Reviewed by Maura Pierlot
