The Black Snake


by Carole Wilkinson (Author)

Book Cover for The Black Snake

   Book 1   
Pages: 192
Ned Kelly was a thief, a bank robber and a murderer. He was in trouble with the law from the age of 12. He stole hundreds of horses and cattle. He robbed two banks. He killed three men. Yet, when Ned was sentenced to death, thousands of people rallied to save his life. He stood up to the authorities and fought for what he believed in. He defended the rights of people who had no power.

Was he a villain? Or a hero? What do you think?

Black Snake tells the story of the short but amazing life of Ned Kelly, Australia's most famous bushranger. Although this book is non-fiction, each chapter begins with a short piece of fiction. These fictional pieces look at Ned from the point of view of different people: some who loved him, some who hated him; some who admired him, some who thought he was a monster.

Recognition: Children's Book Council of Australia Awards Nominee for Eve Pownall Award for Information Books (2003)

Drum Series—Summary and Book Order

Series: Drum
Reading level: 12+
Books in series: 16
Read in order? No
Next release: Finished
Tags: historical  non fiction  culture  action  sport 

 Print series book list

Books in series order

1.   The Black Snake  (2002)
2.   Alexander the Great  (2004)
3.   Scarecrow Army  (2005)
4.   Joan of Arc  (2006)
5.   Red Haze  (2006)
6.   Mary Bryant  (2007)
7.   The Kokoda Track  (2007)
8.   Fly a Rebel Flag  (2007)
9.   The Games  (2008)
10.   The Long Patrol  (2008)
11.   Shakespeare: The Most Famous Man in London  (2009)
12.   The Death: The Horror of the Black Plague  (2009)
13.   Creforce: The Anzacs and the Battle of Crete  (2010)
14.   Closets Are For Clothes  (2010)
15.   Fromelles  (2011)
16.   Atmospheric: The Burning Story of Climate Change  (2015)