By: Julia Lawrinson
Genre: YQH - Educational: History
Published by: Fremantle Press
Published: 03 Jun 2025
ISBN: 9781760994990

Description

Inspired by the true story of the trapped miner of Bonnie Vale and told in verse, Julia Lawrinson weaves a tale that will beckon readers down into the gold mine to find out how the daring rescue unfolded.


In 1907, the mining town of Bonnie Vale experiences a sudden deluge of rain that floods a gold mine while miners are still at work down the shaft.


Joe's dad is one of them. And it soon becomes clear that he's the only one who hasn't made it back out. Where is he? Why didn't he escape with the others? And more importantly, how will they rescue him?


Purchase Online


Review

Set in Bonnie Vale in Western Australia in 1907, this is a survival story like no other. Based on a real-life mine collapse, this is a fictionalised account told mostly through the eyes of12-year-old Guiseppe (Joe), the son of Italian miner, Modesto (Charlie) Varischetti. Joe did not actually exist, but he makes for a more relatable story for younger readers.


The basis of the story is that on 19th of March 1907, heavy rain caused the flooding of a mine. While all of the other men got out, Charlie was stuck in a side shaft hundreds of metres below the surface. Divers were sent from Perth, and while they made contact and could provide him with supplies, it would be 10 days before he could finally be rescued.


This is an amazing look at Australian life in the early 1900’s, the hardships, the racism and the need to persevere to make a better life for yourself. It is an intriguing and remarkable survival story, that shows how the whole state was fascinated by this event, and invested in bringing Charlie back to safety.


It will best suit readers who enjoy reading about historical factual events. It is an intriguing story, that is easy to read and suitable for those in upper primary and lower secondary.


Reviewed Rob