- ISBN:9781921665455
- Publication date:1 August 2011
- Extent:82
- Format:B format paperback
- Genre: adventure fiction
- Age guide: Younger Readers, 8+
Hi-res cover
Book Trailer
Toads’ Revenge!
By J.E. Fison
Hazard River
$12.95
When Australia’s best-known adventurer moves to Hazard River, Jack, Ben, Mimi and Lachlan want to meet him. But instead of getting to know Just Orsum, the kids end up on his most dangerous and daring mission ever.
Where will they end up? And more importantly, how will they ever get back?
Cover designed by Grant Gittus.
Jenny Mounfield –
After four adventures it’s still holiday time at Hazard River. Never short on ideas for something to do, ten-year old Jack, little brother Ben, and mates Lachlan—Master of Disaster—Master and Mimi Fairweather set off to meet new neighbour and world-famous adventurer, Just Orsum. Once inside the intrepid adventurer’s fence, the kids are alerted to an imminent attack by a pack of feral geese (or possibly peacocks) and take refuge in what they believe is a cottage. Little do they realise the structure is, in fact, Orsum’s latest project: a time machine.
“‘If this is a spaceship, it should have windows,’ Mimi says. ‘There’s no point going into space if you can’t see the view.’
‘That makes sense,’ I say.
‘Stop saying, “that makes sense”,’ Lachlan shouts. ‘Nothing is going to make sense until we find Just Orsum.’
Lachlan takes a few steps and then stops in his tracks. ‘What on earth is going on?’
We’re all looking at the house now. It looks ruined, like it’s about to fall down. Maybe it was hit by a cyclone while we were on holidays in outer space?”
Transported to the year 2021, the kids are shocked to find an alien world awaits, Packs of giant mutant cane toads roam the land, spraying poison and eating anything they can catch—including people. What has caused such a warty atrocity? The kids soon find out when they meet Just Orsum’s grown son, Joshua: Back in 2011 a ship carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals ran aground off the coast. The resulting leak caused death and destruction to the native fauna and flora—and gross mutations to the cane toad population. If they are to have a future worth living, the kids must survive the marauding toads, get back to the past and prevent the spill.