'Living an uneventful life in 19th century Ballarat, Matilda Mabel Maud Sharp wishes something exciting would happen. Then her Aunt Philadelphia turns her life upside down.' (publisher's blurb)
'It is the 1850s and Ballarat is a gold mining town. Matilda is an orphan who lives with her aunt in the town. When Matilda's aunt marries a Chinese herbalist and grocer and has twin girls, they all experience the anti-Chinese attitudes and practices of the day first-hand and Matilda is enlightened and transformed by this experience.' (from WA Education Department Library Catalogue)
