Neridah McMullin

EAT MY DUST is the amazing true story of Jean Robertson and Kathleen Howell, who helped map Australia.

In 1928, girls didn’t drive cars, let alone race them. But best friends, Jean Robertson and Kathleen Howell and their dog, Barney, made history racing across Australia. They drove across the Nullabor from Perth to Adelaide in an attempt to break the land speed record. They faced many challenges along the way, because there were no roads or maps and often had to drive overland. They followed train lines and telegraph lines, with sometimes only a compass to guide them. They got flat tyres, they got bogged and they got lost. Jean and Kathleen drove day and night and covered 2824km in 2 days, nine hours and 57 minutes.

This is an inspiring true story about two pioneering girls.

This book was a massive team effort, thanks to Walkers Books Australia. Big thanks to Kristina Schultz (my incredible editor) and Amanda Tarlau and for her gorgeous book design. Massive thanks to the talented and award winning, Lucia Masciullo, for her incredible illustrations of the Italian racing car, Jean and Kathleen, the landscape and the historical details that I love so much.

In the coming weeks, I’m going to be posting some of the treasure I found whilst researching this story.

A book launch is coming! But this book is available now for pre-order here