Stan & Mags

A mysterious radio message. A stormy night. A race through time.

When Stan, a curious young koala, takes shelter from a raging storm inside Fighterworld Museum, he expects little more than a dry place to wait for the rain to pass.

Instead, he finds adventure.

Joined by his clever magpie friend, Mags, Stan discovers a strange radio transmission coming from one of the museum's historic aircraft. The message is brief, desperate, and impossible:

'Help! I'm trapped in a time loop!'

Moments later, a brilliant flash of lightning sends Stan and Mags on a thrilling journey through aviation history, where clues are hidden among legendary aircraft, mysterious symbols, coded messages, and long-forgotten stories.

As the mystery deepens, the pair must work together to uncover the truth behind the message before time runs out. Along the way, they will learn that courage comes in many forms, history is full of remarkable stories, and sometimes the smallest explorers can make the biggest difference.

Inspired by the real Fighterworld Museum at RAAF Base Williamtown, Stan & Mags: Flight to the Past combines adventure, mystery, aviation history, problem-solving, and Australian wildlife in an engaging story that encourages curiosity and discovery.

Perfect for readers aged 7-12, this unique middle-grade adventure offers far more than a traditional chapter book. Readers are invited to become explorers themselves as they follow clues, discover fascinating aviation facts, investigate coded messages, and continue the adventure beyond the final page.

At the end of the book is a series of optional Explorer Missions that encourage children to delve deeper into the real-world concepts woven throughout the story. Young readers can investigate Morse code, uncover hidden coordinates, explore biomimicry in nature and aviation, discover how animals inspired flight, and develop observation, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills through hands-on activities and challenges.

Designed by an experienced educator, these missions transform reading from a passive experience into an active adventure, inspiring curiosity, exploration, and a lifelong love of learning.

Written by former teacher and teacher librarian Susan J. Wright, Stan & Mags: Flight to the Past was created to inspire children to look closer, ask questions, and discover that reading can be an adventure.

Whether you're a young reader who loves mysteries, an aviation enthusiast, a teacher looking for curriculum connections, or a family searching for an exciting story to share, Stan and Mags are ready to take you on an unforgettable journey.

Adventure is waiting.

The clues are hidden.

The mystery is about to take flight.

Join Stan and Mags as they uncover the secrets of the past-one clue at a time.

A portion of proceeds from every book sold supports Fighterworld Museum and helps preserve Australia's aviation heritage for future generations.