Waiting for High Tide

Sometimes the calm before the storm is the hardest part.

Ella knows how to read the weather inside her house. On good days, her mum laughs, sings, and makes big plans. On bad days, the world feels loud, fast, and frightening — and Ella finds herself holding everything together.

Set along Queensland's coast and countryside, Waiting for High Tide follows a young carer learning that she doesn't have to fix the storm alone. With the help of family, community, and moments of quiet connection, Ella begins to understand that life moves in cycles — and that even after the roughest tide, the water can settle again. "High tide. Low Tide. We just had to wait for the water to calm."

A strengths-based novel suitable for classroom and wellbeing use.