The Haunted Hills now sent to the publisher!

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Article/page published: 16 March 2020

Last updated: 16 March 2020

What a glorious morning it is today! Before I came up to my writing room I went for a walk and saw two dippers in the stream, and a pair of bullfinches in the hedge.

Now, I have just sent the copy-edits of my new book, The Haunted Hills, to the publisher. This is the last stage before it goes to the printer, and my last chance to make it as perfect as I can. It’s such an exciting process, probably the most satisfying in the whole journey of writing a book.

Photo: Richard Harland Photography

School visits so far this year

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Article/page published: 16 March 2020

Last updated: 17 March 2020

My visits this year have included Barnston Junior School, in the Wirral. I was very pleased indeed to visit that school because I lived in the Wirral from the age of 4 till I left to go to Durham University when I was 18. I love it. In the school I was speaking to children from Year 5 about Street Child and Far From Home, and then they read me some of their own writing based on Jim Jarvis. I was absolutely bowled over by their imaginative use of language. And I have to say, when so many children have such amazing literary skills, the teachers have played a huge part in nourishing and encouraging it. So, many thanks indeed on behalf of all creative children, to Emma Nichols and her team.

Another lovely event was a visit to Hope Valley College to hear and judge students from year 8 taking part in the National Poetry by Heart Competition. I was so impressed and pleased to hear poetry promoted in this way. I hope that, having learned these poems off by heart, the students carry them in their memory for the rest of their lives! The winner was Tom Sambridge, who recited Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky. It’s a really hard poem to recite, because it’s what’s called a ‘nonsense’ poem full of odd words, but Tom made perfect sense of them! Sadly, he didn’t reach the national final, but it was a great recitation. The runners-up were Scarlett Richards and Molly Bradwell, also pictured here with teacher Jo Powis.

Granny Was a Buffer Girl inspires chef on BBC’s Great British Menu

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Article/page published: 16 March 2020

Last updated: 16 March 2020

Granny was a Buffer Girl has inspired one of the chefs who will be competing in The Great British Menu on BBC2. The series starts on March 18th at 8pm and Granny will appear on the penultimate show, on May 7th, when one of the North East chefs has chosen to celebrate it on the main course! I can’t wait to see what’s on the menu that day!

By the way, Granny was a Buffer Girl is soon to be re-issued with a lovely new cover. More later.

Deep Secret reissued in a luscious new cover

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Article/page published: 03 February 2020

Last updated: 05 February 2020

Hello and welcome to 2020!

The year is beginning really well for me, I’m happy to say. First, January saw the re-issue of one of my personal favourites, Deep Secret, with a luscious new cover. Here is a lovely review which appeared in lovereading4kids in January:

“Deep Secret is a beautifully told story of people, place, changing times and lasting memories. At its heart are two young girls, identical twins Grace and Madeleine, but it’s just as much the story of their community, the people of a small Derbyshire village. It’s 1945, a time of change for the whole country but particularly for the characters in the book; the valley in which they live is to be flooded for a reservoir and they must all leave their homes. Even before the waters arrive, stories float to the surface and we learn so much about the people of the valley and their history. It’s a wonderfully touching description of a lost way of life, and when a tragic event occurs drama and pain follow before final aceptance and understanding. This is the kind of story that resonates with the readers long after the final page, and highly recommended.”

– Andrea Reece, lovereading4kids, 2020.

Deep Secret is published by Andersen Press. When it was first published (Puffin) it was nominated for the Carnegie medal and shortlisted for the BookTrust teenage fiction award. To find out more about Deep Secret click here.

Recent letters winter 2019–2020

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Article/page published: 03 February 2020

Last updated: 13 March 2020

Thank you to all the children who have written to me recently, including class 6LW from Tollgate Junior school in Eastbourne. All were beautifully written, especially Erin’s thoughtfully presented letter. Erin, one day I think you’ll be a book reviewer or possibly a writer! Also thanks to Class 7 of St. Joseph’s primary school in Antrim, Oliver Parsons and Alice from Yalding Primary School, and class 6H from White Woman Lane School, Norwich. If I went to a school with that name I would definitely write a ghost story about it! One of my favourites from that school is from James Clayton, who begins his letter: “I highly admire your book Street Child. It’s probably (definitely!) better than most of the books I’ve read (even Michael Morpurgo!).” Wow, James. Praise indeed! They all sent lovely chapters and letters inspired by Street Child.

Clara Elderkin, London, loves Far From Home. “Out of the corner of my eye I spotted your book, read the back cover and knew I wanted to read ‘Far From Home’. As soon as I started to read the book I knew I would love it. I have read ‘Far From Home’ so many times I know it off by heart but I would read it again and again!’” That’s so lovely Clara. Thank you!

Thank you as well to Leila Podina from the Wondrous Writers’ Club at Blackheath Preparatory School in London.

Recommended books February 2020