Published over a period of 10 years, Emily Rodda's widely acclaimed series Rowan of Rin is established as a firm favourite in the fantasy genre.

First launched in 1993 and re-released in 2003 with the much-anticipated fifth book, Rowan of the Bukshah, the Rowan of Rin series is adored by children and adults alike.

Each book is a complete story with a classic quest storyline which has a series of riddling mysteries to be solved by the unlikely hero Rowan.

Rowan of Rin

The witch Sheba’s prophecy is like a riddle, a riddle Rowan must solve if he is to find out the secret of the Mountain and save his home...

To the sturdy villagers of Rin the boy Rowan is a timid weakling, the most disappointing child ever. Yet, incredibly, it is his help they need when the stream that flows from the top of the Mountain dries up. Without its water their precious bukshah herd will die, and Rin will be doomed.

The six strongest villagers must brave the unknown terrors of the Mountain to discover the answer to the riddle. And Rowan, the unwanted seventh member of the group, must go with them.

1994 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year - Younger Readers
1994 YABBA (Young Australians' Best Book Award ) - Older Readers
1999 Dymock’s Children’s Choice Award - Favourite Australian Younger Reader Book and Author 1999
Short-listed, 2001 Koala Awards (Kids Own Literature Award)
Short-listed, 2003 Bilby Awards - Younger Readers

Rowan and the Travellers

The witch Sheba is tormented by strange visions and terrifying riddles. No-one can help her except perhaps the boy Rowan, the ‘skinny weakling’ whose face appears mysteriously in her dreams.

Life in the village of Rin goes on day by day, unchanging. And then, unexpectedly, the travellers arrive. Like the other children, Rowan enjoys their visits. They bring games and music, toys and tricks. But not everyone trusts them, Why have they come again so soon to Rin? Are they the ‘secret enemy’ of Sheba’s warning?

Rowan is caught up in a web of intrigue and danger as he races against time to solve the witch’s riddle.

1995 Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Australian Children’s Book
Short-listed, YABBA Awards 1995

Rowan and the Keeper of the Crystal

When the man from the distant land of Maris delivers his mysterious message to the people of Rin, Rowan is shocked to discover what it means to him. Within hours he is travelling far from home, all the way to the glittering sea, and into the strange world of the Maris people.

There, caught up in mystery and intrigue, Rowan must try to fulfil an ancient promise. But who can he trust? And is he brave enough to face the terrors ahead?

1997 Children’s Book Council of Australia - Honour Book

Rowan and the Zebak

When his little sister Annad is snatched from Rin by a monstrous flying creature, Rowan must travel to the distant land of Rin’s ancient enemies, the Zebak, to rescue her.

The journey is a perilous one, and Rowan and his companions have only a series of mysterious, riddling prophecies to guide them. At the end of their quest they come upon an even greater mystery, and an extraordinary secret is revealed.

Short-listed, 2000 Children’s Book Council Book of the Year - Younger Readers

Rowan of the Bukshah

The witch Sheba has spoken, and Rowan knows he has no choice but to obey. The coldest winter in living memory is destroying the people of Rin, and he must do what he can to save them. But Sheba’s mysterious rhyme speaks of sacrifice, and Rowan is very afraid as he sets out on the most terrifying quest of his life, her final words ringing in his ears:

‘Only you can do what must be done ... everything you have learned until now has been preparation for this moment.’