Tom Appleby, The Convict Boy Review

Have you ever pictured the life of a convict? Tom Appleby, The Convict Boy, written by Jackie French and published by Hairlessness Publishers in 2004, is an intriguing novel, that would appeal to most young Australians. The story brings you back 200 years ago on a historical journey, as Tom revisits the sorrowful yet heart-warming memories of his childhood. The time setting of the story travels back and forth between Tom’s past and present as you follow the struggles and fears throughout his life.

The novel begins in the year 1868, Murderous, Australia.

Within the mansion of a wealthy landowner, Thomas Appleby. On the morning of his ninetieth birthday, he looks out his bedroom window to find a white transparent figure standing in his yard, he calls out to it, earning no response. What is it? Is it a ghost? Whose? Tom recalls his past longing for an answer… 8 year old, chimney sweep and orphan Tom is convicted of theft and sentenced to deportation to Botany Bay for seven years.

Still mourning his father’s recent death, Tom keeps his warm, red ‘cloak of courage’ wrapped around him, enduring the continuing events f his life.

Tom Appleby Convict Boy Teacher Notes

During his time as a chimney sweep, Tom loses his friend Jam, whom he always looked up to. Gem’s death was caused by a sudden chimney collapse, he never had a chance to fulfill his dream with Tom. Through his journey to New Holland, Tom suffers from the loss and separation of many friends and family.

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Tom only pulls his ‘courage cloak’ around himself tighter, concealing his pain and loneliness, as he bravely pushes forward. ‘The Scarborough’, one of the eleven ships in the first fleet, was due to take 1450 passengers to Botany Bay.

Those including officers, surgeons, sailors marines and their families, as well as convicts. Aboard the ship, Tom was youngest of all the male convicts, wearing ragged clothes and weighed down by the heavy chains cuffed to their arms and legs. They were held in the dark confined space blow deck and sent the required food and water. During the times convicts were permitted above deck, Tom spotted a well dressed boy roughly his age, with his father. Later observed that the boy’s name was Rob and that his father was a sergeant.

After undergoing harsh and dreadful weather notations the first fleet finally reached New Holland, just in time to claim the land, before two French exploration ships arrived after them. Another five hours later the ships had sailed to Port Jackson, where the ships unloaded and the passengers began to settle. After Tom worked in various places with differentials, he was eventually assigned to the custody of Sergeant Stanley, which Tom recognizes was Rob’s father. Tom grew very close to Rob and his father, as he helped with the growing of their crops and animals.

Spending such time with Rob, Tom discovered that Rob’s dream was to be an architect. TO design and build his own constructions. In the boys’ spare time from tending their crops in the afternoon, they wander the land to find an Indian women. A sorrowful expression masking her face. The woman kept gesturing for the boys to come as she led them inland, sharing all the food she could gather She needs to give, thought Tom. He could see the pain in her eyes, the pain that was so familiar to himself. The many twists within the novel, constantly keeps the reader interested and encourages them to read on rather.

The characters in this story are also very well portrayed. Tom is depicted as a very kind hearted and trustworthy friend. He has a brave, strong willed personality that supported him in the most difficult times. The main moral message conveyed in this novel is, that if you always remain positive and stay strong, you’ll be able to make it through any arduous situation. Tom Appleby, Convict Boy won the 2005 Children’s Book of the Year Award: Younger Readers. I would strongly recommend this novel for all ages to read. This moving life story will keep you captivated till the very end.