Possum and Mopoke, with Desert Wind as their guide, have left the Valley and braved the world outside, where its harsh, dry and so hot you can't go out during the day. They've gone in search of the metal men. Are they real? Or a myth? Might there be people left who make machines like they had before the wild years? 

First published in 1994, The Metal Men is the fourth book in internationally bestselling and much loved author Jackie French's Children of the Valley series, a five-part dystopian series written long before the trend for dystopian children's and young adult fiction emerged – and climate change was a global concern. 

According to her website, 'Jackie French AM is an Australian author, historian, ecologist and honorary wombat (part time), 2014–2015 Australian Children's Laureate and 2015 Senior Australian of the Year.' She's written over 200 books, which range from picture books and books for younger readers, to historical fiction for adults, to non-fiction about gardening and ecology. Her books have won a wide range of prizes both in Australia and internationally. For more visit jackiefrench.com.