Ming & Hilde lead a revolution by Jackie French

Ming & Hilde Lead A Revolution is the third book for upper middle grade/early YA readers in The Girls Who Changed The World series written by well-known author Jackie French. In this story, Ming Qong has asked Herstory for a time travel adventure that is ‘safe and comfortable and where she can watch a girl change the world.’ 

Ming travels to a wooden ship bound for an unknown destination on which sheep are cared for by young Saxon girls. Privileged, wealthy and an older Ming, now known as Miss Elizabeth White, is looked after by Hilde, a tall and strong Saxon woman who has been sent out to accompany and take care of the prized ram for landowner John Montjoy. Elizabeth White had been teaching Hilde English before Ming’s arrival, and it continues as the two women become friends. Ming is uncertain of the time she has travelled to, but realises it is the 1800’s due to the clothing and expectations she is faced with plus her time travel in the first book of the series.

It is with great surprise that Ming finds herself landing in Port Adelaide, South Australia early in the history of the colony. She is met by Montjoy, who was friends with Elizabeth’s deceased father, and who has employed her to be a governess to his son Edmund. The sheep, stock, supplies, and the young Saxon girls are all transported to Montjoy’s land in the area that is now known as the Adelaide plains and surrounding hills.

In this story the reader will learn interesting facts about early SA history, the sheep industry and the little-known role women, from what is now called Germany, played in changing the way sheep were cared for and how fine wool was produced. The story also looks at the racism faced by Elizabeth White, being of Chinese/British heritage, destruction of natural habitats by the clearing of land for farming, the killing of wombats and other animals, the complete disregard for the First Nations people of the area and the treatment of women.

Jackie French’s ability to share her incredible historical research into an engaging story is once again shown in Ming & Hilde Lead A Revolution. While a demure Ming Qong, as society at the time demanded, was unable to voice her thoughts on events and conversations taking place around her throughout her time travel, she was able to let the reader know that she was very aware of the injustices she witnessed. A fascinating read.

Themes: Women & Girls in History, Time Travel, Colonial Australia, South Australia, Sheep, Farming, Racism, Sexism, First Nations History.

Kathryn Beilby