Convictions

It’s 1842. 14-year-old Jennie Lawrence has been found guilty of stealing and finds herself aboard one of the few women-only convict ships destined for Australia.

Jennie had been desperate – and, as she gets to know the other women on the convict ship – she realizes she’s not the only one. Many of the women she gets to know were trying to survive, and feed themselves and their families, before they were caught and sentenced to Australia.

It’s clear from the moment the ship sets sail that the conditions aboard are abhorrent – women are sea sick and ill from the lack of good food and water, they are beaten if they disobey orders, and sleep brings no reprieve – as bed bugs, rats, and other parasites attack them in the night.

The only way for the women to survive the boat ride is if they band together. And so, with the help of her new “family” – Sarah, Bridget, and Alice – and other convicts, Jennie battles the jailers, the ship, and the sea. But will it be enough to set them free?

A gripping historical novel about believing in oneself and standing true to one’s convictions.

Excerpt

Delve into “Convictions” a historical novel and join a 14-year-old Jennie Lawrence as she navigates the treacherous journey from conviction to survival against the convict ships bound for Australia.

Educational Resources

Bring history to life in your classroom with the Convictions Study Guide, a comprehensive educational resource designed to accompany this eye-opening journey through one of history’s less known passages.

Reviews & Media

With awards from the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards and the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, “Convictions” has generated awards for its portrayal of resilience amidst the harsh realities of life on an all-female convict ship. Discover why critics and readers alike are captivated by this tale of courage.

Awards & Acknowledgments

Celebrated internationally, “Convictions” has earned a Gold medal in the Young Adult: Historical/Cultural category at the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, alongside recognition as a finalist in prestigious awards such as the Foreword INDIES and the High Plains Book Award, spotlighting its significance as a work of historical fiction in YA literature.