A Convicts Tale

In England in 1797, life is harsh for the poor. Ann Telford, 14, and her 11-year-old brother William find themselves imprisoned in Durham Jail for the crime of stealing food to survive. The conditions in the jail are dreadful, and the children are sentenced to seven long and difficult years. However, Ann’s fortunes change when she is put on a ship bound for Australia with other convicts. Remarkably, Ann possesses an unusual skill for a girl of her time—she can read and write. This newfound ability holds the promise of new opportunities in the New World.