Helen Edwards Children's Author
The Rebels of Mount Buffalo by Helen Edwards endorsment by Andrea Rowe, award-winning author of Jetty Jumping
The Rebels of Mount Buffalo by Helen Edwards
The Rebels of Mount Buffalo by Helen Edwards endorsment
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Welcome! My name is Dr Helen Edwards and I'm an Adelaide-based writer who loves to weave stories of nature, magic and history.

My debut middle-grade novel - THE REBELS OF MOUNT BUFFALO - will be published in October 2023, by Riveted Press!

It's a captivating time-slip tale in which a girl lost to grief meets a daring rebel on a misty mountain who guides her to rediscover her courage and find her way home

You can Pre-order your copy NOW!

Head here to order your copy of The Rebels of Mount Buffalo.

Here is the blub!

It's 1998 and Clara and her parents are staying at the Mount Buffalo Chalet for the national park centenary celebrations. It couldn't be more different from their last visit - they were a family of four then.

With her twin brother Darius gone, Clara has no reference point anymore, no guide. It's like being lost in the bush without a compass. 

Without him, she doesn't really know who she is.

After a strange night, Clara wakes up in 1893. There she meets Alice, a girl who lives within the fern-filled valleys at the base of Mount Buffalo. To her surprise, Clara realises she is Guide Alice, considered a rebel of her time, an adventurous non-conformist who spent much of her life boldly leading people along the rugged trails between granite tors and misty mountain peaks.

The 1890s were a difficult era in Australia's history. The country is in the grip of a terrible Depression, and desperate people can be dangerous. When Alice's life is threatened, Clara must rediscover the courage she has always had, and become the girl she was always meant to be. 

Bringing in themes of early feminism and issues such as bullying, never being a bystander, managing grief and finding your courage, this engaging middle grade timeslip story draws on the true history of Mount Buffalo and the incredible role the Manfield family, and Guide Alice in particular, played in the preservation of the National Park and the development of tourism in the Mount Buffalo region.

Bookings are NOW OPEN for the free book launch event at The Mount Buffalo Chalet on 11th October. Book here. 
More events across North East Victoria and South Australia will be added to my Events page in coming weeks.

A Little Bit About Me!

I have a PhD in Psychology and before becoming an Australian children's author, I worked in mental health for many years. I have done all sorts of things in my life, including founding an award-winning charity and online counselling service, supporting thousands of people with diabetes across the world. I was even a state finalist in the Australian of the Year Awards for this work!

After completing my PhD in Psychology, I decided to follow my life-long dream to become a children's author and here I am! I'm passionate about inspiring action for our beautiful, fragile planet and nature features in all of my books. I find history fascinating and uncover stories that may have been forgotten, or hidden, and bring them into the light. I also believe that fantastical things can happen and see magic in the everyday.

More about me here.

Sign up to The Story Weaver for all the latest details about my own books, book reviews and recommendations, and more. More info about bookings for author talks and workshops available here.

x Helen

Latest From My Blog

The Rebels of Mount Buffalo by Helen Edwards Book Tour

Buffalo Rebels Book Tour!

By Helen Edwards | September 6, 2023

It’s just over a month until The Rebels of Mount Buffalo will be released officially into the world! After a long time researching, writing, editing, dreaming, interviewing, planning and working hard with my talented publisher on making the book the best it could be, it feels as if we are standing on the edge of…

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Gladys & Stripey by Michele Gierck & Marina Zlatanova

By Helen Edwards | August 31, 2023

Being the smallest fish in the stream is not easy. For Gladys and Stripey, it gets even harder when, after a night of heavy rain, fast flowing water sweeps them out of their home habitat. What can they do? Will they make it back home? This (almost) true story, written by Michele Gierck, is based…

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The Rebels of Mount Buffalo by Helen Edwards launches 11 October 2023

Memories, Research & History

By Helen Edwards | August 29, 2023

Can you believe it is nearly September? Spring is already here judging by the blossoms and birds. This morning there is a warmth in the air that tells me it won’t be long before the cold days of winter are a distant memory. Memories are funny things. They can be slippery and foggy and hard…

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Honey and the Valley of Horses by Wendy Orr

By Helen Edwards | August 25, 2023

When you open a new book by award-winning author of Nim’s Island Wendy Orr, you can be assured of a fantastic ride, and her latest middle-grade novel, Honey and the Valley of Horses, walks, trots, canters and gallops towards the end, as it explores family, resilience, self-reliance, bravery and hope. I loved this book, for…

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Book Launch at The Mount Buffalo Chalet!

By Helen Edwards | August 14, 2023

Join me and my lovely hosts, the rangers at The Mount Buffalo Chalet, for this very special event to celebrate the launch of my debut middle-grade novel – The Rebels of Mount Buffalo! There are 4 time slots from 10am-12pm across the morning of October 11th. Spots are limited to 25 people per time slot.…

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Andy & Ghost Boy by Karen Tyrrell

By Helen Edwards | August 7, 2023

Karen Tyrrell is a Brisbane based children’s author, children’s rights ambassador and key-note speaker. She writes books with the aim of empowering children to ‘live STRONG.’ She also presents interactive reader’s theatre, inspirational talks and writing workshops, empowering children and adults to overcome bullying, manage emotions and care for the environment. Karen’s latest book, Andy…

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The Gargoyle Zana Fraillon, Ross Morgan

The Gargoyle by Zana Fraillon & Ross Morgan

By Helen Edwards | August 3, 2023

Zana Fraillon knows how to write a story filled with magic and wonder. She also knows how to expertly draw you into the worlds she creates, fully and wide-eyed, leaving you with a permanent imprint on your heart. Her latest book – The Gargoyle – with stunning illustrations by Ross Morgan, is a picture book…

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The Rebels of Mount Buffalo Cover Reveal!

By Helen Edwards | July 31, 2023

COVER REVEAL TIME!!! I am absolutely thrilled to reveal the cover for The Rebels of Mount Buffalo! It has been an epic journey to get here and I am so happy with it! The misty background is a photo taken from the plateau of Mount Buffalo at The Cathedral, which is very important in the…

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Saving Charli by Di Walker

By Helen Edwards | July 21, 2023

Di Walker is not afraid to broach difficult themes in her middle-grade novels. I have read all three of her books and reviewed her last one Every Thing We Keep here. Di is able to access the teen voice with great skill, taking you inside the head and heart of her main characters, while at…

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Individual Project Grant 2023
Individual Project Grant 2023
1st Place Winner
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Recipient Richard Llewellyn Deaf and Disability Grant 2021
Recipient Richard Llewellyn Deaf and Disability Grant 2021
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