Nothing could have prepared the sensitive, English, private-school girl for her new life in Australia.

Culturally dumped in the deep end, she struggles valiantly to survive - first, the turbulent trials of high school, then the somewhat bizarre challenges of living away from home in order to qualify for her rightful place at university. Following a life-threatening accident, her struggles continue as she takes on her new role as single parent on a mission to show her daughter the world.

From ridiculous road trips to roughing it in the Australian bush, DIY house-building,...