Washpool

WINNER OF THE 2026 ACT LITERARY AWARD FOR CHILDREN'S LITERATURE

A magical middle-grade adventure about two sisters who need to rely on their own wits and each other when they're pulled into a new world, from black&write! fellow and bestselling author, Lisa Fuller.

This world looked as though it had been drawn in weird crayon colours ... There were no bird calls. No distant rustling of animals in the scrub. No breeze teasing the tops of the trees. Everything was still.

Bella is shy and thoughtful. Her big sister, Cienna, is popular and brave. One thing they have in common is their love for Washpool, the local swimming spot. But one weekend when they dive into Washpool, Bella and Cienna surface in the strange new world of Muse.

Lost and confused, the sisters find themselves working with magical creatures on an eye-opening quest. Lady Dragon - keeper of the land where an important Summer Feast is held - has lost her egg. Can Bella and Cienna save the egg in time? And how will they ever find their way home?

A transportive middle-grade fantasy adventure.

'A fun, heartwarming and insightful exploration of family and kinship . . . A fantastic read for fans of Rick Riordan and C. S. Lewis' BOOKS+PUBLISHING

'A blend of classic Alice in Wonderland elements with First Nations mythology, Washpool is funny, smart, and also subtly explores themes of bullying, racism, friendship and environmental destruction' SATURDAY AGE