Pete and the Persian Bottle is the story of nine-year-old Peter (Pete) Bartlett, an average boy from an average town, whose biggest wish is to stand out in the crowd. Just when he thinks his life couldn’t get any more boring, he finds a mysterious bottle and releases a long-trapped genie. Now his troubles have really started. Pete and the Persian Bottle is set in the fictional rural Australian town of Boney Ridge. The story runs across 12 chapters and is aimed at junior grade children (early readers), but may also be of interest to those in the middle grades. The story covers themes of confidence, friendship and cultural sensitivity.