It was her first historical novel, and chronicles the adventures of a homeless girl from 1994 who goes 'around the corner' to another time - the Great Depression.

Jackie French has mentioned that the novel was inspired by the history of the 'susso' (sustenance) camps near her property, where people lived during the Australian Depression from 1929 until the late 1930s.

She aimed to celebrate the resilience and community spirit of those who endured such hardships[1] When Barbara becomes caught up in a wild demonstration, she is frightened and wants to escape.

An old man she meets at the demonstration tells her to close her eyes, walk around the corner and arrive at a better place.

They offer Barbara the love, security and peace that are missing from her own life and she becomes part of the O'Reilly family.