The History of Mischief

‘There is madness in it.’

‘Yes. But magic too.’

Following the death of their parents, Jessie and her older sister Kay move to their grandmother’s abandoned house. One night they discover The History of Mischief hidden beneath the floor: it is like no book they have ever seen.

From Ancient Greece to war-torn China, from the Ethiopian Empire to Victorian England, the pages reveal a world of mischief and mystery, adventure and adversity – stolen bones and fiery dragons, feisty philosophers and tempestuous tyrants, shape-shifting trees and scorched scrolls.

But not everything is as it seems, in the book or in her life, and Jessie is determined to find the truth. The History has a history of its own. Unravelling its secrets might be the biggest mischief of all.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

‘Higgie’s novel is an immensely engaging work, with a strong forward momentum and a satisfying emotional resolution.’ Fogarty Literary Award Judges Report

‘An impressive debut and a worthy inaugural winner of the Fogarty Literary Award.’ Jan Nicholls, President, CBCA WA

‘The skill, complexity and magic of the interwoven storylines is absorbing and enjoyable but not fully appreciated until the final pages.’ PaperbarkWords

‘Rebecca Higgie skilfully alternates between chapters of the titular book … and Jessie’s own story. Each ‘history’ is a powerful, fabulist short story in its own right, exploring the brutality and the beauty of humanity.’ Books+Publishing

‘I did not see the end coming at all, and I love when that happens …’ One Woman’s Brief Book Reviews

‘… it is a wonderful ambassador for the value of using libraries in the thrill of research about real events and characters, which should be embraced by parents, teachers and students of many ages.’ Magpies

‘Overall, this is a marvellous debut, a unique novel from an emerging writer of huge ambition and astonishing intellect, that will satisfy adults as much as the younger audience it is aimed at.’ Sydney Morning Herald

‘The History of Mischief is evocative, ambitious, and a genius demonstration of plot.’ Underground Writers

‘[Rebecca] has crafted a superlative novel full of adventure, history, magic and myth, as fluid and gentle as flowing water.’ Kids’ Book Review

‘This book will keep you entranced, from the beginning to the unexpected twist at the end.’ Beauty and Lace

‘The History of Mischief is a very unique and enjoyable novel for those interested in history and ‘stories within stories’. Read Plus

‘It’s full of plot twists, magic and shows the lengths a person will go to for someone they love. It captured by imagination.’ Sofia, Year 7, Good Reading

‘A truly unique and hard-to-categorise book, The History of Mischief blends mystery, fantasy and history, to explore the power of stories, family and grief.’ Readings