Growing up, my family had this massive, ornate and illustrated book called Seven Little Australians.
Published in 1894 by Ethel Turner, the book follows the lives of the seven mischievous Woolcot children: Meg, Pip, Judy, Nell, Bunty, Baby and The General.
It was quite popular, and was adapted into a stage play, a 1939 film, a 1953 miniseries, a 1973 TV series and other later adaptions.
Turner also wrote three more books featuring the Woolcot family, which I must confess, I never read as I was miserably heartbroken about Judy.
Throughout Seven Little Australians I connected with Judy the most. She's outspoken, smart and a little bit wild, which I personally find endearing.
But, it all goes tits-up when Judy and Pip embarrass their father at the barracks. Judy — who was the mastermind — then gets sent off to boarding school in the Blue Mountains.
Naturally, Judy has a bit of a rough go of it at boarding school. I mean, how can you keep a bird caged, dad?
And because my girl Judy won't take no for an answer, she runs away from school and walks a week to get home.
She ends up hiding in the family barn and the other kids do their best to help and keep her hidden, despite the fact she's obviously ill.
To help Judy get over the last of her illness, they visit Esther's parents at a sheep station.
The kids then decide to go on a picnic and Judy, who is honestly a lovely person with a hint of havoc, promises she'll look after The General — who is still a baby — "on her life". They're all having a nice picnic and family bonding time, when a falling tree threatens to crush The General.
Judy — my darling Judy — rushes to save him and flings her body between him and the tree. The General is saved, but Judy's back has been broken and she DIES before help can be summoned. This poor, bright girl who has been reprimanded her entire life, sacrifices herself to save her brother and IT BROKE ME.
