The second of the Children of the Wind novels, <i>Becoming Billy Dare</i> follows the life of Paddy, a feisty Irish boy who on his mother's death decides to stow away on a ship bound for Australia and make a place for himself in the new world of 1890s Melbourne. <br><br>The Children of the Wind is a quartet of historical novels for 10-14 year olds, set 50 years apart.<br><br>Paddy has run away and secretly boarded a ship bound for Australia, only to be shipwrecked at the end of the voyage. Once rescued, he faces the big question: how is he to make his way in this strange new land? On the road with a travelling circus, on the run with a wild child, and sleeping rough on the mean streets of Melbourne, Paddy learns to live by his wits. Each adventure brings him closer to discovering his true gift.
