Children’s Fiction

Author interview – Victoria Carless

June 17, 2022 by Karen Comer 1 Comment

Dear readers, I met the lovely author Victoria Carless online, and then read her recently released middle-grade novel Gus and the Starlight. Victoria kindly agreed to answer some of my burning questions about her book and her writing process.

The blurb states:

A spine-tingling and heart-warming story about friendship and finding your special place in the world.

Gus doesn’t want to make friends. She also doesn’t want to be intrigued by the cat-lady teacher at her new school, or the Riley’s Comet project that she and her seaweed-eating science partner are working on together.

And she definitely doesn’t want to fall in love with her job as the projectionist at the Starlight, a drive-in movie theatre that her family is reviving.

Because, knowing Gus’s luck, she and her family could be moving on in a day, or a week, or a month. When the ghosts that haunt Mum catch up with them. Or if the Starlight doesn’t succeed.

Then she’ll have to say goodbye. Again.

And saying goodbye is too hard.

KC: What was the first idea for your book? Was it about Gus, her family, the Starlight or something else?

VC: The idea for the story came from the setting, a drive-in movie theatre in a small town, which the locals say is haunted. I knew I wanted to write about The Starlight a year or so before I had the characters. Then an image of Gus and her family in a car came to me. I got the sense things were getting desperate for them, that they had to leave, and fast. When Gus said in the first scene that ‘she was getting really good now at not making any friends at all’ I realised they had moved around a lot and became completely invested in her story. I knew I had to find a way to help her. The Starlight drive-in became integral to her family’s safety and happiness.

KC: I loved all the movies Gus chose to show at the Starlight – The Princess Bride is one of my all-time favourite movies! How did you choose the movies?

VC: I am so glad you liked them. I am a child of the 1980s and my parents took my siblings and I to the local drive- in quite often, as we didn’t have a VCR player, so I had a lot of lived experience to draw on! Seeing a movie felt really special then, like an occasion, as opposed to now when you can stream anything you like, any time.

The drive-in movie theatre in this story still screens 35mm films on reels, instead of files on a hard drive like cinemas today, so that meant that I had to choose films that were distributed in that format, generally anything pre 2000s. At first Gus is guided in her selection of the movies by a local boy Stevie, who hangs around the drive-in, so he’s something of an expert. As Gus’s confidence grows and the stakes to bring more customers to the drive-in get higher, she begins to pick films that she thinks will resonate with the local community. It turns out she is quite good at it and their audience grows. The family are trying to revive the Starlight and also make money to survive and a fresh start for themselves. I also wanted the films Gus screens to parallel or echo Gus’s circumstance in real time, so I looked for films that worked in this way. Oh and some were also my favourites growing up.

KC: Gus’s world is a beautiful mix of a quirky family trying to make a new start with a ghostly mystery that has a surprising twist, woven together with a lot of feeling and humour. (I particularly liked Gus and Nicole’s science presentation!) How did you keep the balance between the humour and lightness – and the sadness and worries?

VC: I always love it when writers walk the line in this way, so I’m humbled you felt that way about ‘Gus and the Starlight’. I think Meg Mason treads this balance in her novel ‘Sorrow and Bliss’ so well and I have always loved the way children’s author Karen Foxlee’s books are whimsical and heartbreaking at the same time.

To be honest, trying to write moments of both humour and pathos is probably something I do to keep myself entertained, while grappling with the big-ticket items when drafting a novel, like plot and character arcs! And hopefully if you are entertained while writing, someone else will be too while reading it. Hopefully! You’ve got further drafts to resolve any writerly indulgence. You are your first reader. Robert Frost said it best when he said: ‘no tears in the writer, no tears in the reader’. He also said: ‘no surprise for the writer, no surprise for the reader.’

KC: Deirdre, who thinks she is the owner of the Starlight, is such an exaggerated character with her italics – was she fun to write?

VC: Oh my gosh, she was totally fun to write – I really had the best time with her and she was a nice distraction from the social issues and sadness experienced by Gus’s family, at times. Deirdre is the self-appointed Artistic Director and lead actress of the local Amateur Dramatic Society and she takes herself and her job very seriously. If only the rest of the community did too…

I was a playwright for ten years before moving into fiction, so have spent a bit of time in rehearsal rooms. Deidre is a heightened version of some interesting personalities I encountered. Perhaps there’s some of my own inner dramatic artiste in there as well.

KC: Did you do much research for your book?

VC: I did quite a bit of research into how drive-in movie projection technology worked. Having never actually seen a drive-in projector up close, I wasn’t even sure how they worked, so I did quite a bit of online reading to understand the terminology and watched YouTube videos about how to load 35mm film, etc. I also consulted with the owners of a drive-in in North Queensland who were very kind and answered some of my specific questions, such as how sound is heard in the projector room.

I also went to a drive-in while editing the book to make sure I captured the atmosphere correctly, for myself anyway, as this story is set in contemporary times and my last experience going to the drive-in would have been in the early 1990s! Drive-ins have upgraded to digital format now, so things have changed somewhat.

I also did some research into comets, as there is a (fictional) comet due to appear in the night sky not long after Gus and her family arrive in town. This is also what Gus and Nicole’s science project is based on. My memory of primary school astronomy had failed me and it was fun re-learning about comet behaviour and what they are made of – basically the leftovers of the solar system.

KC: Are you a plotter or a pantser?

VC: I would say I’m somewhere in between. When writing the first draft of a story I usually know the key plot points and what will happen a few scenes ahead and also the ending, but there’s often still a question to be answered or a few gaps in the story, usually of a metaphorical nature. I have tried to plan everything out in advance on a number of projects before and found that once I know what is happening in every scene I get bored and think well I don’t need to write it now, I know what’s ging to happen. I need to wade into the fog or have a problem to solve to keep me interested in the story. I’ve learnt to trust my process, I guess.

But over the years as playwright and author I have also learnt that every project is different. The form and how I approach it usually depends on what the story is concerned with, or the question at the heart of it.

KC: What is a typical week like for you as an author?

VC: At the moment I write on Mondays and also any time I can scrape together in the evenings and on weekends. It’s not enough. It’s never enough. I have met a lot of writers who struggle with the time issue. But if you want to finish your story, you’ll make it happen. It’s a challenge though and not without some sacrifice.

KC: What’s your favourite stage of writing – ideas gathering, writing the first draft, revising?

VC: I think writing the first draft is my favourite as it’s the first time you get to hear the characters’ voices and experience their world. If you’re lucky they’ll take you along for the ride.

That said, my first drafts tend to be sketches and I try not to look back, but just go with the momentum and get the ideas down. The real work happens in the second version – filling in the obvious plot holes and taking a more macro view of the character arcs etc, as well as actually using punctuation.. Scene maps are the perfect tool for this.

Yet the kernel or the heart of the story and the reason you wrote it, above all the other projects swimming around in your head, is in that first draft, for better or for worse.

And that kernel or heart – the reason you write the story in the first place – is what will get you through editing your manuscript through the next five to 100 times!

KC: Are you working on a new project?

VC: Yes I am. It’s for Middle Grade readers and is set in an alternative lifestyle community called Passing Waters. The main character Lani is a real STEM girl and the recent tree change instigated by her mother is very challenging, as is the curriculum at Lani’s new school which features biodynamic gardening and something called eurythmy (interpretive dancing). I am also weaving in a thread of quantum physics. Or trying to, anyway! I will keep you posted on my progress with that!

KC: Where can we find you online?

VC: I am on both Twitter (@VCarless) and more recently on Instagram (@victoria.carless). The kid lit and Midde Grade communities on Instagram are just so welcoming and I’m enjoying meeting so many lovely writers online. You can also visit my website at: https://www.victoriacarless.com/

The way of dog – book review

June 3, 2022 by Karen Comer 1 Comment

… for this story is LOUD
it’s made to be growled
to be bellowed and roared to be
freed from your jaws to
travel Wind-wide and find those ears and
souls all waiting.

I adored this middle-grade verse novel, The way of dog, by Zana Fraillon. It’s told from the perspective of Scruffity, a dog born in a puppy farm. There are less than ideal conditions for Scruffity and his Manpup, the farm’s owner’s stepson. So both Scruffity and Manpup run away, hoping to find a new home with family by the beach. Along the way, Scruffity has all sorts of adventures and mishaps, and meets a few characters, both human and animal.

Because this story is told from Scruffity’s viewpoint, young readers will love his use of words – shoe-legs for humans, FlashingMetalBeasts for cars and Muncher for train. From the very beginning, Scruffity’s voice is strong and authentic. I felt like I had a much better understanding of our own dog, Cleo, after reading it!

And as you can see from the photo, Cleo clearly enjoyed the book as well!

Like all good verse novels, this one has lyrical language and rhythm which draw readers in. Readers 9-12 will find this book a page-turner, and it would be an excellent resource in the classroom. I’m thinking – lists of favourite words, poems about dogs, pictures about dogs, dog language, plus themes of belonging, home, safety, empathy, connection.

As Megan Daly and Alison Tait pointed out in their latest podcast, Your kid’s next read, it is important to know whether a dog story ends well. This one does. There’s certainly a few heartbreaking moments but – spoiler alert – Scruffity and his Manpup are reunited.

Where do ideas come from?

February 25, 2022 by Karen Comer 2 Comments

Thank you so much to all the new blog readers, especially the year seven students who have signed up – I really appreciate your support!

My middle-grade verse novel Y is a crooked letter will be published next year and I’ll start working on the structural edit in a couple of months. I thought I would explain where some of my ideas for this book came from.

It’s a story for 9-12 year-olds, set in Melbourne, about a girl called Freya (aged 12) who is passionate about basketball and fearful about lifts. The book opens with a scene of Freya and her mum moving house, from their home in Eltham to an apartment in Abbotsford. Freya can see the neon sign of the Skipping Girl from the apartment’s balcony.

Basketball – for quite a few years, my three kids played a lot of basketball. This meant that my life involved driving them to training, supervising training sometimes and watching their games. Because the thud thud thud of the basketball became the soundtrack to those years, it naturally wove itself into my story. I’d never played basketball and I never intended to write about basketball but I thought that Freya needed to have a sport so I gave her basketball. Then it turned out that not only did she play basketball but she loved it. It was her favourite thing in the world! So although I intentionally included basketball in my book, I had no idea it would feature so prominently.

Skipping Girl – one of my school friends, Kathryn, had told me years ago that when she was a little girl, she loved driving past the Skipping Girl sign at night a few times a years when her parents would drive home from a city excursion. She loved seeing the Skipping Girl lit up at night – it was something to look out for, something special. Another friend had a small son who would climb on to their wheelie bin, hold on to the fence, crane his neck and just make out the Skipping Girl in the night sky. Again, she was special. When I was thinking about Freya moving house, and how she had left behind a part of her family, all of her friends, her basketball team, I thought she might need something that represented stability and certainty to her. I can’t even remember how the Skipping Girl sign came to me but once I thought of it, I knew she would be important in my book.

So that’s how two of my ideas for Y is a crooked letter came about! I’m writing my third book now, and it still feels the same, like I’m a magnet attracted to everything I need for my book, even if I don’t know exactly what I need.

We need a lot of dreaming time to allow ideas to rise up to the surface. If we’re constantly on screens, constantly being passively entertained by screens, constantly filling our heads with other people’s words and ideas, then there’s no room for our own ideas to fill our heads. I try to be as mindful as I can – I walk every day and I make sure I only spend half my walk listening to a podcast so the other half is for dreaming. Sometimes I drive in silence when I’m alone in the car, no music, no radio, no podcasts, no calling a friend. Ideas come in the gaps of our days – when we’re in the shower, walking, washing dishes, on the tram.

I hope you are filled with ideas in your week ahead!

Elsewhere girls – book review

May 14, 2021 by Karen Comer 1 Comment

Last week, I went to the book launch for Elsewhere girls, a middle-grade novel by a pair of well-known Melbourne writers, Emily Gale and Nova Weetman.

Their book was launched at Bargoonga Nganjin, North Fitzroy Library by Leesa Lambert from The Little Bookroom, with sparkling wine and cupcakes, beautifully decorated with images of the characters.

Jane Pearson from Text Publishing introduced the writers. She told us it was a publisher’s dream to have writers of Emily and Nova’s talent approach her with a ‘thing’ they’d written, wondering whether Text would be interested.

Emily and Nova gave us a glimpse into their collaborative writing process with the way they laughed and chatted together. They spoke of their different approaches – Emily’s organised approach versus Nova’s wing-it ways – and their research trip to Sydney, which involved swimming in Wylie’s Baths.

Elsewhere Girls is the story of two swimmers living in different times. Fanny Durack is from the Sydney of 1908 – she lives over a pub with her parents and eight siblings and regularly escapes the chores of skinning rabbits and washing bedlinen by hand to swim instead. Cat Feeney lives in Sydney, 2021, getting up early every morning for squad training, even though she’s not as committed as she should be. Thanks to an old timekeeping watch, they somehow swap bodies and timeframes. While both are swimmers, their lives are different and each girl has a greater understanding of her own life while living someone else’s.

The story is told in first person with alternative chapters from Fan and Cat. Often a dual narrative means a reader will like one character over another. I loved Fanny and Cat equally! Fanny’s general all-round-loveliness and her kind, loud, hard-working family were delightful company and Cat’s uncertainty about her swimming future, and her courage in facing a new home, school and friends makes her an endearing character.

While I am in no way, shape or form a swimmer (I used to pretend to be sick on swimming days at primary school, thanks to a nasty, inappropriate male swimming teacher) I did enjoy all the swimming threads – the beach swimming, Wylie’s Baths, squad training, early starts. It was told so vividly, I could almost smell the chlorine!

This would be a perfect book for a 9-12 year-old reader, particularly sporty kids or those readers who love a time-slip story. Happy reading!

Christmas wishlist – Christmas books

December 7, 2018 by Karen Comer Leave a Comment

Our Advent calendar is a white wooden frame with twenty-four little doors, each with a different Christmas picture on it. It’s about ten years old now, and some of the doors are a little wonky. I created a collection of shipping tags with a Christmas stamp and a suggestion of something Christmasy to do. The kids take it in turns to open it. If it’s your day to open the Advent calendar, it’s also your day to light the Advent candle – thank goodness the 24 days before Christmas are divisible by three!

Some days the tag tells us to make Christmas cards or decorate the gingerbread house or bake shortbread biscuits. Occasionally there’s three chocolates in there. Sometimes, the tag reminds us to be kind to someone!

Today I had planned to put in the tag with the suggestion that we could read a Christmas book – BUT – I can’t find our collection of books!

You would think that a big tub of books would be fairly easy to find. I’m hoping that my husband – when he’s back from an interstate trip – will be able to rummage more thoroughly and successfully in the attic space than I did.

So here’s a post from a couple of years ago about Christmas books for kids of all ages.

The fourth king, the story of the other wise man, written and illustrated by Ted Sieger – the other king, King Mazzel, lives in a tiny kingdom with only his camel, Chamberlain, to keep him company. He has been watching the stars for a sign, so he would know when the King of Kings was born. Finally, he sees the star, and leaves to meet up with the other kings so he can travel to Bethlehem with them. Except that along the way, there are many people and children who need his help. King Mazzel is deeply disappointed that he did not meet the baby King. However, he hears a voice speaking, ‘”King Mazzel, you have not come too late! You were always with me. When I was lost, you showed me the way. When I was thirsty, you gave me water. When I was captive, you freed me. When I was in danger, you saved me. You were always there when I needed you, and I will be with you for ever.'” This is a lovely picture book for 4-8 year-old kids, with two fun foldout pages in the middle of the story.

Little dog and the Christmas wish, written by Corinne Fenton, illustrated by Robin Cowcher – This story is simple and sweet, about a lost dog looking for his Jonathan in the rain. The illustrations showcase Melbourne’s city streets – you’ll recognise lots of landmarks. A great read for kids aged 2-6.

Wombat Divine, written by Mem Fox, illustrated by Kerry Argent – one of my favourites, which I have read to my kids since they were two. Wombat is that childlike character, who desperately wants to be part of the nativity play. But he is just wrong for all the various parts. ‘”Cheer up, Wombat! Don’t lose heart. Why not try for a different part?”‘ But there are no parts left. Luckily, one of the other animals remembers they still need someone for the role of baby Jesus. This is a gorgeous picture book for 2-6 year-olds, reminding them never to give up, and that there is room for everyone.

The Polar Express, written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg – the film for this book is almost mandatory watching during December for our family. The film may be a little scary for some children but the book doesn’t have any scary scenes. The story centres around a little boy who believes in Santa and goes on a magical train ride to the North Pole. He is chosen by Santa to choose the first Christmas gift – ‘I knew that I could have any gift I could imagine. But the one thing I wanted most for Christmas was not inside Santa’s giant bag. What I wanted more than anything was one silver bell from Santa’s sleigh.’ Beautifully illustrated picture book for 2-6 year-olds.

Applesauce and the Christmas miracle, written by Glenda Millard and illustrated by Stephen Michael King – one of my favourite author/illustrator combinations. This is a modern, Australian take on the traditional Christmas story, seen through Applesauce the pig’s perspective. Love the language – ‘night fell as dark as burnt toast … her heart felt as small as a gumnut … dry creek-beds, burnt bushland and fenceless paddocks … that orange summer evening, tiger-striped with blackened trees’. Applesauce does not feel very Christmasy as she is still mourning her home which was burnt in a bushfire. She is feeling sad that her owners, Joe and Marigold, will not receive any gifts. But as a wise owl reminds her, ‘Christmas comes from the heart’. Lovely and relevant picture book for all Australian kids, aged 2-6.

Mary’s little donkey and the escape to Egypt, written by Gunhild Sehlin – this is a children’s novel for older kids, maybe 8-12 years. It begins with a lazy but proud donkey, who makes friends with Mary. The story is the traditional Christmas story, about Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus. It continues with their escape to Egypt, lest King Herod find them and kill their baby boy. It is a beautiful story of faith in God, faith in their donkey and faith that they will be looked after and their simple needs met. Kids will like the animal influences. ‘For three nights, the boy played with the animals in the desert. He had the same fun each time, and more and more animals came along. On the last night the lions took him to a little oasis miles away, where little monkeys picked tasty fruit for him. In the morning no one in camp believed his story, but when he brought out a bunch of dates they were all amazed. The head driver said: “We used to be amazed that Mary’s little donkey could see angels, but this child is even more amazing. Is he an angel that has come down from earth? Who else could be as safe among the wild beasts as he is on his mother’s knee?”‘

The night before Christmas, written by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Eric Puybaret, performed by Peter, Paul and Mary – the traditional poem, with gorgeous, gorgeous illustrations. There’s a CD, with Mary from Peter, Paul and Mary, reciting the poem. Wonderful, timeless classic! Perfect for kids aged 2-6 – and probably older as well.

Room for a little one, written by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Jason Cockcroft – this is a beautiful pairing of author and illustrator with lovely language and dreamy pictures. It’s the story of animals seeking shelter in a stable on the night Jesus is born. ‘”Come inside,” Kind Ox said. “There’s always room for a little one here.”‘ The book’s theme has become family vocabulary for us – whenever we are squashed together on a couch or around a table, we manage to squash up some more for another kid to fit, saying ‘There’s always room for a little one!’ Problem is, soon I will be the little one in our family – I am predicting I will be the shortest in our family within five years! Lovely picture book for 2-6 year-olds.

Slinky Malinki’s Christmas crackers, written and illustrated by Lynley Dodd – if your children are fans of Hairy McClary, they will enjoy this picture book where Slinki Malinki gets into all sorts of trouble around the Christmas tree – ‘Glimmering, shimmering, brilliantly bright, the tree was a truly MAGNIFICENT sight. But …’ Lynley Dodd uses language and rhythm in such a way that it extends kids’ vocabulary by introducing sophisticated words in wonderful word patterns. A funny book for 2-6 year-olds.

Father and Son, written by Geraldine McCaughrean, illustrated by Fabian Negrin – this book holds such a beautiful concept. It is a picture book but it is ageless, and I imagine many young kids won’t understand it. Definitely one to read together and discuss. The story is Joseph’s reflection on how best to be a father to Jesus. Here’s an example of Joseph’s thinking – ‘What stories can I tell him? He wrote the whole history of the world.’ Or ‘what games shall we play, boy, you and I? I mean, how can you rough-and-tumble with someone who pinned the ocean in place with a single, tack-headed moon?’ Even though this is a Christmas book, it would make a lovely gift for a new dad.

I hope you and your kids are enjoying some Christmas stories at this time. Which Christmas book is your favourite?

September holidays writing workshops for kids

August 31, 2018 by Karen Comer 6 Comments

Photo credit: Mandy Couzens

Do you have any imaginative and creative children or grandchildren who would like to spend a few hours in the holidays writing a story?

I’m running four writing workshops for kids in the September/October school holidays. I’ve presented these workshops in primary schools but this is the first time I’ve run them in the holidays.

The workshops are for children in grades 3-6. They’re invited to unlock their imaginations and craft a story, using writing techniques, art and games. Writing stories with both heart and technique is a life-skill in communicating with others and using language to express purpose and emotion.

Young writers can create a fantasy world where characters go on a quest to find something or save someone AND/OR create an ordinary character with extraordinary qualities that help to save the day in a modern setting.

They will learn how to:

– create characters
– plan their story
– write with passion
– use art and games to spark ideas

Writer’s Notebook

Each child will work in a special Writer’s Notebook, which contains prompts for further writing, reading suggestions, editing tips and much more. The Writer’s Notebook is a useful tool to take home for writing at school and home.

The writing workshops cater for children who are passionate readers and writers, as well as children who need a little more encouragement.

Dates

Tuesday 25th September – 9.30-12.30 – grades 3 & 4 – fantasy – quest theme
Thursday 27th September – 9.30-12.30 – grades 5 & 6 – fantasy – quest theme
Tuesday 2nd October – 9.30-12.30 – grades 3 & 4 – contemporary – heroes theme
Thursday 4th October – 9.30-12.30 – grades 5 & 6 – contemporary – heroes theme

Venue
All workshops will be held at Side Door – 72 Willsmere Rd, Kew. It’s a fabulous space, with an indoor section for writing and an outdoor section for breaks and games, and is next door to Flatiron, fashion and homewares store. For more information about Side Door, please see www.flatironmelbourne.com.au/side-door/ or email Emma Bangay at emma@flatironmelbourne.com.au

Logistics

BYO – drink bottle and snack.

All writing materials will be supplied.

Cost for each workshop is $50. Payment must be made by Friday 21^st September.

Karen Comer
Acc. no: 1119 3537
BSB: 063-791

Please email me at karen@karencomer.com.au to register your child and bring the signed form – link here – to the workshop.

Please forward this post on to your friends and family. I’m really looking forward to working with your children to create some amazing stories!

The extremely inconvenient adventures of Bronte Mettlestone – book review

February 2, 2018 by Karen Comer 2 Comments

I read a lot of fabulous books over the summer holidays, and this book, The extremely inconvenient adventures of Bronte Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty, was one of my favourites. Miss 11 received it for Christmas, and demolished it over a day or two. And yes, Jaclyn Moriarty is Liane Moriarty’s sister – the latter wrote Big little lies and Truly, madly, guiltily among other books.

Perfect for girls aged 9-12, this book is about ten-year-old Bronte, who finds out that her parents were killed by pirates. As her parents left her with her Aunt Isabelle when she was a baby, Bronte is not exactly heartbroken by this news. But she’s alarmed when her parents’ will states she must visit her eleven aunts and bring them a small, specified gift.

This inconvenient adventure means Bronte must travel alone, visit aunts she hasn’t met, eat certain foods, be at particular places – all carefully orchestrated for reasons that Bronte can’t understand. If she doesn’t follow her parents’ instructions to the letter, her home town will fall apart.

The eleven aunts are all interesting, original characters who sail the seas, look after dragons or run small countries.

I loved the whimsical blend of realism and fantasy with such an original concept. It’s a wonderful quest story, and the ending brings together all the clues – and the aunts – scattered throughout the book.

It’s a thick book with a gorgeous blue and gold cover – enticing to readers who want a long book. I would encourage more reluctant readers to give it a go as it’s a satisfying read.

Readers might also be interested to know that Jaclyn wrote most of this book in a chocolate shop! You can hear more about how Jaclyn wrote her book in an interview on the So you want to be a writer podcast.

It’s always good to be reminded that chocolate can help creativity!

Christmas book ideas for 5-8 year-olds

November 17, 2017 by Karen Comer 4 Comments

For 5-8 year-old readers, I have a list of book series. Kids at this age love to read books again and again. They’ll begin with listening to an adult read the whole book, then they might take it in turns to read a few pages, then they can read it to themselves.

Kids are avid collectors, so introducing them to a series they like is a way to encourage a love of reading. If you’re not sure whether your child or grandchild will like a particular series, you can always borrow the first book from the library before buying some of the series. (My wise Mum borrowed the first Billabong book for me, then surprised me with the complete set for my 11th birthday!)

Diary of a wimpy kid – The Getaway by Jeff Kinney – this is the latest book in this series about Greg, who doodles in the pages of his diary as he records his life’s adventures. This book, number 12 in the series, is about Greg and his family on holidays – perfect summer reading!

Juliet, nearly a vet by Rebecca Johnson – I haven’t read these books but I flicked through them in a bookshop this week, and I love the concept of a little girl who wants to be a vet and has to practise looking after animals.

The bad guys by Aaron Blabey – now we’re up to book 6. These books are well illustrated so kids won’t be daunted by a lot of text on the page. A great series for boys about Mr Wolf, Mr Piranha, Mr Snake and Mr Shark who are trying so hard to be the good guys instead of the bad guys – pretty difficult when your name and looks come with such a reputation!

Famous Five collection by Enid Blyton – there are some lovely box sets of The famous five and The secret seven books available. If you want to share your childhood reading favourites with your own kids, one of these box sets might be a present for you and your kids!

Weir Do by Anh Do – another series suitable for both boys and girls. Anh Do has now published his 8th book in this series. Comedians do have a fantastic way of crafting a story – both on the page and on stage – and Anh Do is no exception. Lots of humour, big illustrations and relatable situations for this age group.

How to tame a dragon by Cressida Cowell – your kids might be familiar with these books even if they haven’t read them because of the movies. There are now 12 books in the series about Hiccup, a reluctant hero, and his dragon Toothless. The text is interspersed with lists, book pages and instructions so it’s a great ‘bigger’ chapter book for proficient 7-9 year-old readers.

Billie B Brown gift sets by Sally Rippin – Billie B Brown needs no introduction. This box set might be a lovely surprise in a Christmas stocking. There are also box sets with single books and a tie-in toy, like a skipping rope as well. We have many, many Billie B Brown books at home – Miss 11 read them again and again and again.

Tashi by Anna Fienberg – all my kids loved Tashi. He’s such a loveable character and has so many amazing adventures. This is a beautiful box set.

Tiny Timmy by Tim Cahil – this series focuses on a small kid called Timmy, who wants to be a soccer star. Lots of sport specific information and positive messages – perfect for the budding soccer star!

Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor – Miss 11 and I loved, loved, loved Fancy Nancy. We started off reading about Nancy in picture books when Miss 11 was a toddler, then she graduated to the Fancy Nancy I can read series when she started school. This is such a wonderful series for girls who are practising reading

I hope you find a new series or are inspired to add to an existing set. Please forward on this post to any friends who might also be looking for some Christmas book ideas.

Christmas book ideas for 9-12 year-old girls

November 3, 2017 by Karen Comer 2 Comments

It’s seven and a half weeks until Christmas – gulp! In order to make your Christmas shopping a little easier, I am putting together a few lists of books to buy for different age groups over the next few weeks.

A book is an easy thing to buy – it doesn’t take up a lot of room if you need to hide it. It doesn’t require batteries. It won’t make a noise. It can be shared. It’s a conversation starter. It will entertain for hours. It can be returned to again and again, like an old friend.

Today’s list is for girls aged 9-12 years. Of course, these books may be suitable for girls slightly younger or older. And just because the main characters in these books are girls, doesn’t mean that boys can’t read them.

The girl who drank the moon by Kelly Barnhill – this could almost be my favourite children’s book of the year. It’s about a village who sacrifice the youngest-born baby each year by taking it into the wood and leaving it there for the witch to take. In return, she stays away from the villagers. There is a witch but she’s a kind one and she believes she rescues the babies by taking them to another village on the other side of the bog and giving them to a loving family. One year, she is so enchanted by the baby that she accidentally pulls moonlight down from the sky and ‘magics’ the baby girl. She knows she must keep the girl herself now and teach her how to use her magic wisely. It is such a beautiful story, with lovely language and quirky, loveable characters who draw on their strengths in remarkable ways. Strong readers will gather all the insights and appreciate the language while less confident readers will simply love the story – something for everyone.

The extremely inconvenient adventures of Bronte Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty – I haven’t read this book yet but I heard a great interview with Jaclyn on the So you want to be a writer podcast which made me want to go and read it! Bronte’s parents have been killed by pirates (but she didn’t know them) and she has to follow their wishes and deliver a trunk of presents to ten different aunts – otherwise terrible things will happen to her home. It sounds like an adventure of magic and courage – a fabulous combination for a story. Maybe it sounds so intriguing to me because Jaclyn said she started the book by wroting each chapter in a different cafe but then finished the book by writing in the same chocolate cafe!

The turnkey by Allison Rusby – this is a historical novel, set in London in the middle of World War II. The protagonist is Flossie, a twelve-year-old ghost, who is a turnkey – someone who is in charge of a cemetery, keeping all the souls buried there at rest. This is such an original story. The balance between the history and the story is perfect so kids who don’t know a lot about World War II will enjoy reading it. A fabulous book by an Australian author.

The land of stories by Chris Colfer – I loved the premise of this story. A pair of twins (girl and boy) are in miserable circumstances – their father has recently died and their mother had to sell their house and the family bookshop. Their grandmother gives them their father’s old storybook of fairytales. The twins discover that the book is magic, and jump through the book into the land of stories where all their favourite – and not so favourite – characters live. This book will be made into a movie, and I’m predicting it will do well because author/director Chris Colfer is a Glee actor. While the story is wonderful, the writing is so-so. Miss 11 and some of her friends have devoured this book, and the five that follow in the series, so clearly the writing is not as important as the story for them. This book would also be suitable for 8-9 year-olds who are strong readers.

The little white horse by Elizabeth Goudge – this book was published in 1946 in the UK and is simply delightful. It has that classic children’s book feel. Some young readers may find it is too old-fashioned because of the descriptive language. It’s the story of Maria Merryweather who is forced to leave her home in London and live with her governess and cousin in the country. There is a dwarf who cooks, a dog who can communicate well with humans and a legend of the moon princess who must try to do the right thing and save her people again. This is a fabulous read for imaginative and romantic girls – there are three weddings at the end!

How to bee by Bren MacDibble – Love, love, love this book! It was published this year as a debut novel by an Australian author – you’ll remember it for the distinctive yellow and black cover. The main character, Peony, is determined, stubborn and courageous – she wants to be a bee (someone who picks the pollen from the orchard trees) and she wants to bring her family together. It’s set as a dystopian world, and that world is so well built.

When you reach me by Rebecca Stead – I am such a big fan of Rebecca Stead! I love this particular book because it has such a complex storyline (time travelling) with wonderful characters. It’s set in the 1970s in the US, and follows the story of Miranda. She has an intelligent mother who is trying to win a game show, an ex-best friend who won’t talk to her anymore and some new friendships to navigate. This one is for the more discerning reader who is prepared to think a little about the story. You can read more about Rebecca Stead and her other books here.

When the lyrebird calls by Kim Kane – this is a historical Australian book, set in 1900. Madeleine has fallen back in time, and is trying to return to her own time with her grandmother. She spends time with her new friends, and wears their clothes, eats their meals and becomes involved in the women’s lib movement. It’s a wonderful historical novel.

Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo – This is Kate DiCamillo’s latest book, published this year. Most kids will have probably come across her books – she’s a bestselling US author. Raymie’s voice is strong and compelling, the language evocative. You can read a book review here.

Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend – I have ordered my copy of Nevermoor and am waiting for it to arrive! I can’t speak with any authority about it but it would be remiss of me not to mention it here because there has been so much publicity about it. It is said to be the closest thing to Harry Potter!

I hope some of these books find their way into some lucky girls’ Christmas stockings! You can also look at my previous Christmas suggestions for 9-12 year-olds here, here and here. Please forward on this post to friends and family members who may be looking for some help with buying Christmas books.

Carole Poustie – author interview

October 20, 2017 by Karen Comer 2 Comments

I met author Carole Poustie at a meet-up for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). It was my first time there, and I didn’t know anyone. Carole very kindly chatted to me and introduced me to other writers and illustrators.

Her second middle-grade book, In the dark, has just been released. It follows the adventures of Ish, a thirteen-year-old boy, who was nicknamed Ish by his parents in the hospital after his birth because he looked Michael-ish. Ish is spending the summer with his Mum and older sister at his Gran’s place close to the Murray River. He seems set for a perfect summer, except that he discovers a letter his late Grandpa wrote to his Mum, begging her to tell Ish the truth about his identity.

Thank you, Carole, for answering my questions about your writing process!

1. How did you come up with the idea for In the dark?

Even though I have written In the Dark as a stand-alone book, it is actually the sequel to my first novel, Dog Gone, published in 2010. Celapene Press is re-issuing Dog Gone with a complementary updated cover design next month. When I originally finished writing Dog Gone I knew I wasn’t finished with the characters. They stayed with me whispering ideas about what they could get up to next and so there was no choice but to start typing. The setting for the novels in the books is a fictitious place called Mt Selview, but in my mind the actual setting is Corowa, where my grandmother used to live, and where I spent time as a child. Her garden still contained the old cellar from the hotel that used to occupy the site. The cellar was my starting point and the story took off from there.

2. What was the hardest thing about writing it?

Because I hadn’t planned to write a sequel originally, I had to think carefully about the plot of In the Dark, to keep the characters consistent but to allow Ish and his sister Molly to grow up a little bit but with more room to grow over the course of the novel. Knowing how much backstory to include for a reader who may not have read Dog Gone was a challenge.

3. How long did it take to write?

During the time of writing In the Dark I was completing my Masters in Writing and Literature, so although I had the first draft completed reasonably quickly, the revision process took a good couple of years.

4. Describe a typical writing day.

I’m not sure I have a typical writing day but I do know that when I have the time to write I usually take my dog for an early morning walk which helps me to enjoy some reflective, meditative time to clear my mind and to engage my muse. Usually the story starts shaping itself in my head while I am walking. Season permitting, I sit on my back deck to write. I live in a treed area and find that the birdsong and outdoor setting is most conducive to being creative. Fortunately, my study overlooks a park so in winter at least I can see outside. I lose all sense of time and often find myself eating lunch at dinnertime!

5. As a writing teacher for adults, what is the most common question your writing students have about the writing process and how do you answer it?

Many of my writing students are working on creative projects with the hope of becoming published. So, there are always questions on that topic. But of course, you need a good quality product to publish in the first place, even if you are going to publish it yourself. Whether my students are writing fiction or creative nonfiction, I spend a lot of time helping them to grasp the concept of writing in scenes. Many beginning writers present their stories exclusively in narrative. My mantra is leave room for the reader. By helping beginning writers create scenes where something is happening – as it would on screen or on the stage – the reader can become involved in the story and make their own judgments about what is going on. They don’t have to endure a narrator telling them everything.

6. What do you love most about writing?

The best thing about writing for me is when you lose yourself in your work and the characters take you off in directions you never anticipated – sometimes changing course so dramatically the whole novel shifts gear and you find yourself in the passenger seat hurtling towards some unexpected destination you never knew existed.

7. Which middle-grade writers do you admire and why?

Ursula Dubosarsky is an author I have a huge admiration for. Her characters are always authentic and extremely well-drawn. Her books have a certain wonderful sense of unspoken foreboding or mystery about them that, as a background presence, produces a source of tension that drives the story forward. Sonya Hartnett’s ability to produce unique, authentic and stunning characters is to die for.

8. Are you working on a new project?

I’m revising a suite of short stories at the moment and hoping to devote more time to writing some poems. That said, Ish and co have begun to whisper more ideas …

Thank you, Carole!