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Animal Stars #3
The Camel Who Crossed Australia
The story of the famous Burke and Wills expedition ... as it has never been told before
The humans called him 'Bell Sing', but to the other camels he is known as 'He Who Spits Further Than the Wind'. Transported from the mountains and deserts of the 'Northwest Frontier' (present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan), Bell Sing accompanies explorers Burke and Wills as they try to cross Australia from south to north. Bell Sing has never had a high opinion of humans - or horses. And this expedition is the worst managed caravan he's even been in. Camel handler Dost Mahomet and soldier John King are also beginning to wonder if their leader is competent, or crazy. Bell Sing can smell water over the sandhills on the horizon ... and freedom too. Can the expedition succeed? And who - if anyone - will survive? This is the gritty and true story about one of the most extraordinary and iconic events in Australia's history. Ages 9 - 13
The humans called him 'Bell Sing', but to the other camels he is known as 'He Who Spits Further Than the Wind'. Transported from the mountains and deserts of the 'Northwest Frontier' (present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan), Bell Sing accompanies explorers Burke and Wills as they try to cross Australia from south to north. Bell Sing has never had a high opinion of humans - or horses. And this expedition is the worst managed caravan he's even been in. Camel handler Dost Mahomet and soldier John King are also beginning to wonder if their leader is competent, or crazy. Bell Sing can smell water over the sandhills on the horizon ... and freedom too. Can the expedition succeed? And who - if anyone - will survive? This is the gritty and true story about one of the most extraordinary and iconic events in Australia's history. Ages 9 - 13
256 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2008
2 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Jackie French
320 books868 followersJackie is an award-winning writer, wombat negotiator and the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2014-2015. She is regarded as one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors, and writes across all genres - from picture books, history, fantasy, ecology and sci-fi to her much loved historical fiction. In her capacity as Australian Children’s Laureate, ‘Share a Story’ will be the primary philosophy behind Jackie’s two-year term.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 23, 2024
I've admired Jackie French as an author for some time, so when I saw "The Camel Who Crossed Australia" in the gift shop of a camel farm at Uluru I knew it would be a good read.
I'd just enjoyed a short camel ride, and admired the camels, camel saddles and wagons on show at the farm.
The Camel Who Crossed Australia is the story of Burke and Wills, with the first few chapters being told through the eyes of opinionated Bell SIng, one of the pack camels on the journey to cross Australia from South to Notth. The narration is shared by camel handler, Dost Mahomet and John King, who survived the expedition.
In her notes in the back of the book,French explains how she'd intended to write the entire book from Bell Sing's point of view, but her editors suggested she should also let a few humans give their versions of events. I for one would have liked to see the camel carry the whole narrative. I reckon Jackie French could have written it with aplomb!
Pitched at a younger readership interested in learning about Australian history, The Camel Who Crossed Australia is an enjoyable, and educating, book for older readers as well, especially if they were taught about Burke and Wills at school. Read through the eyes of an adult, one wonders at the many mistakes the expedition made right from the start. Burke insisted that his large and heavy desk must accompany him, for example. One of the characters ponders why they had to complete the first leg of the journey by land when their animals, wagons and supplies could have been shipped up the Murray River to the junction with the Darling River, where there was an established settlement.
The book also subtley describes how many first nations people interacted - or tried to - with the expedition party, especially with the smaller group, offering them food and knowledge, only to be treated with disdain. One hundred and sixty plus years later, we don't seem to be any better at listening and learning from ofthers.
I'd just enjoyed a short camel ride, and admired the camels, camel saddles and wagons on show at the farm.
The Camel Who Crossed Australia is the story of Burke and Wills, with the first few chapters being told through the eyes of opinionated Bell SIng, one of the pack camels on the journey to cross Australia from South to Notth. The narration is shared by camel handler, Dost Mahomet and John King, who survived the expedition.
In her notes in the back of the book,French explains how she'd intended to write the entire book from Bell Sing's point of view, but her editors suggested she should also let a few humans give their versions of events. I for one would have liked to see the camel carry the whole narrative. I reckon Jackie French could have written it with aplomb!
Pitched at a younger readership interested in learning about Australian history, The Camel Who Crossed Australia is an enjoyable, and educating, book for older readers as well, especially if they were taught about Burke and Wills at school. Read through the eyes of an adult, one wonders at the many mistakes the expedition made right from the start. Burke insisted that his large and heavy desk must accompany him, for example. One of the characters ponders why they had to complete the first leg of the journey by land when their animals, wagons and supplies could have been shipped up the Murray River to the junction with the Darling River, where there was an established settlement.
The book also subtley describes how many first nations people interacted - or tried to - with the expedition party, especially with the smaller group, offering them food and knowledge, only to be treated with disdain. One hundred and sixty plus years later, we don't seem to be any better at listening and learning from ofthers.
September 3, 2023
This story is written from the camel’s perspective, making it unusual and exciting. It tells of the harrowing journey across the sea from Karachi. The weeks spent in stalls below deck: the awful smell, the damp hay, and the salty water. By the time the camels were unloaded, they were weak and unable to stand when they arrived in Melbourne on June 13, 1860.
Dost Mahomet travelled with the camels and was responsible for their care as the trek across Australia began in August 1860. Neither the cameleer nor the camel could believe the silliness they were experiencing. Burke, the leader, took with him a huge desk, a gong and horses, knowing they could not cope with the desert walk.
On the first day, a wagon broke down, and that was an omen for the whole expedition led by men who knew nothing of camels or the Australian outback. It cost nearly all the men their lives and the lives of almost all the horses and camels.
I enjoyed the unusual perspective and the accuracy of the details of the trek across Australia.
Recommended for readers aged ten years and older.
Dost Mahomet travelled with the camels and was responsible for their care as the trek across Australia began in August 1860. Neither the cameleer nor the camel could believe the silliness they were experiencing. Burke, the leader, took with him a huge desk, a gong and horses, knowing they could not cope with the desert walk.
On the first day, a wagon broke down, and that was an omen for the whole expedition led by men who knew nothing of camels or the Australian outback. It cost nearly all the men their lives and the lives of almost all the horses and camels.
I enjoyed the unusual perspective and the accuracy of the details of the trek across Australia.
Recommended for readers aged ten years and older.
October 2, 2025
A camel who is known to the humans as Bell Sing, a camel who is known to other camels as “He Who Spits Further Than the Wind”. This book, unlike other books, was quite unique as the author, Jackie French, made this story narrated not by one point of view, but three. As they venture Australia from South to North, they face obstacles. Food and water was scarce, and at some point, they lost sense of direction. Will they make it?
Jackie French wrote this story in a fascinating way, narrating from three narrators, each with their own thoughts of the expedition. Although this was quite a clever idea, I did sometimes get mixed up with who was who, because I usually don’t pay close attention to the subtitles. Otherwise, this book was flawless.
Due to the simple vocabulary and fun storyline, this book would be most suitable for 10 year olds and above. My favourite part was when they had to face the obstacle of not having enough resources. It was quite clever how they solved the problem. These details made the story much more realistic.
Jackie French wrote this story in a fascinating way, narrating from three narrators, each with their own thoughts of the expedition. Although this was quite a clever idea, I did sometimes get mixed up with who was who, because I usually don’t pay close attention to the subtitles. Otherwise, this book was flawless.
Due to the simple vocabulary and fun storyline, this book would be most suitable for 10 year olds and above. My favourite part was when they had to face the obstacle of not having enough resources. It was quite clever how they solved the problem. These details made the story much more realistic.
July 1, 2017
A great take on the expedition of Burke and Wills from a camel, a camel handler and John King.
Read
October 4, 2019Contains graphic detail of one of the main characters murdering someone within the first few chapters
April 25, 2020
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November 24, 2024
Amazing
April 11, 2015
In 1861, a group of men attempted to cross Australia from south to north. They brought camels over from Afghanistan (or that region) to use in the crossing, correctly thinking they were best suited for the environment. While the expedition did succeed in crossing Australia, it was fraught with difficulty. The leaders of the expedition were inexperienced with camels, didn't know the bush, and had an excess of pride that prevented their asking for help from those (cameleers, bushmen) who could have made their task easier. As a result, most of the humans and animals who participated in the expedition died. This story also explains the existence of feral camels in central Australia. This was a fun and quick read. I sometimes wished that the point of view didn't change so often, but it is a young YA focused book, and probably works well for that age group.
January 3, 2021
Written from three different perspectives, including a camel's, this book presents readers of all ages a new insight into the epic expeditions of the 19th century.
I found the accounts of the Camel and his handler Dosh Mahomet to be quite illuminating, particularly in the sense of their coming to an alien land and leaving all they know behind. The ineptitude of Burke made me realise I knew nothing beyond the tale of explorers setting off to cross the country but going missing in the harsh terrain.
I found the accounts of the Camel and his handler Dosh Mahomet to be quite illuminating, particularly in the sense of their coming to an alien land and leaving all they know behind. The ineptitude of Burke made me realise I knew nothing beyond the tale of explorers setting off to cross the country but going missing in the harsh terrain.
April 20, 2011
I had to read this one for a competition. It looked a bit boring from the outside, but it wasn't that bad once I got reading. It was filled with facts, but it didn't make the book boring.
I really liked how Jackie French narrated part of the story from a camel's point of view. It really gave a different appeal to the book.
My favourite part was when the camel accepts the nice man even though he isn't a camel and the camel doesn't like non-camels.
I really liked how Jackie French narrated part of the story from a camel's point of view. It really gave a different appeal to the book.
My favourite part was when the camel accepts the nice man even though he isn't a camel and the camel doesn't like non-camels.
June 5, 2014
I was disappointed to find out my kids had no idea who Burke and Wills were, so I'm hoping to get them to read this too.
Burke was a bully and a bit of an arse.
I know a lot more now then I did before about the expedition. Interesting way to tell the story from a camel's point of view.
Burke was a bully and a bit of an arse.
I know a lot more now then I did before about the expedition. Interesting way to tell the story from a camel's point of view.
October 8, 2010
The camel who crossed Australia by Jackie French (2008)
June 5, 2015
I read this for work otherwise I wouldn't have picked it up. Not my favourite Jackie French work.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews