Everyone at school thinks Ruby is a nerd. While other teenagers are texting each other, Ruby has her nose in a stuffy, old poetry book. Go figure!

But when Ruby starts to have conversations with her cat, people begin to worry. Their worry changes to wonder when Ruby, through some mysterious magic, says she can save her family's farm from being ruined by the mining company. Nerdy has turned into awesome! But then to everyone's amazement, Ruby announces on TV that she is now going to save the whole Shire from ruin! Her cat has told her what she must do. Now she is totally cool. Even the school bully wants to be like her. And the adults notice something very different about her.

What secret does she know? And what's it got to do with her cat? And what did she find in the old poetry book? And why are her farm animals behaving strangely?

For Ages: 13 - 18 years old
For Grades: 7 - 12
Format: Paperback

Book reviews

Robyn Nevin AM, actor:

...a subject close to our hearts... profound and beautiful. A signifcant achievement in spreading understanding to children of Australia and beyond of the consequence of our land being degraded...

'...after digesting and delighting in this little book, I discovered that it's not just a book for kids, it's a book for me. It's the book I need to remind me that there is more to life than rushing around and getting through my pile of stuff. The simplicity is what works. OK, yes, I was originally reading it thinking only "This will be a great book to read with my grand-daughter Poppy" even though the cover says for ages 10]. Poppy's a grown up seven years old now. So we have been reading it when she has a sleep over. She likes to talk about how Ruby is different from the other girls in her class. Together we appreciate the meditation lessons and the environmental message disguised as a gentle animal story. Each time we go back and read it, Poppy will be a little older and appreciate a little more.

We both love the gorgeous drawings and the guinea pig with the carrot walking stick is our favourite. We laugh about the rhymes and poems and make some great silly sheep noises "It's marvellous, it's marvellous." But it's the magic element to the book that is the most endearing and like any switched on kid, Poppy is now reminding me "Nana, remember in the book about sitting quietly under the tree ... let's go do that...' - Linlee Jordan, Director, Harbord Homeopathic Clinic