What makes this book special is the way Susanne has woven the song lyrics written by Tori through the novel. They capture the tender feelings of identity confusion, the need to be heard and the desire to be loved. Survival, for several of the characters, comes through listening to, and writing, song lyrics. As the book developed, Tori’s songs are also developed by the character, Pip, and have actually been produced to be released with the book – an interesting story in itself as Susanne conveyed to the delight of the conference audience.

Many of us who are parents admired the way in which she and Tori were able to work together on such a project – well aware of the sometimes fragile emotions of the teen years. Reading the book you also appreciate and identify with the sometimes angst-ridden teen years, and the impact on family and friends.

More detail about the book (with links for a download of the songs)  is available at: http://www.sgervay.com/. So check it out and get your hands on this book/video!

If you have read it, leave a comment here, and send one also to Susanne - she loves to hear from readers and will most certainly get back to you.

You can vote via the web or SMS for both the Gold Inky (for Australian authors only) and the Silver Inky (a list which includes international authors). Check out the lists and details for voting at Inside a Dog and cast your vote!

Of course, there are categories for Younger Readers, Early Childhood, Picture Book and the Eve Pownall Award for Information Books. Among many of these, we see some old favourites, like Jackie French and, no surprises, Shaun Tan. Alongside there are also some interesting titles – like All Cats have Aspergers, Woolvs in the sitee, and Doodledum Dancing! Also available from the CBCA website is a list of 91 notable books for 2007.  This provides a great selection of books from which to choose for those who are participating in the school’s Reading Challenge. All good reasons to view the lists at: http://www.cbc.org.au/short07.htm

The CBCA also announced the opportunity for readers to participate in voting this year.In a new initiative, the Council launched the CBCA JUNIOR JUDGES PROJECT – a development to encourage children to take part and judge this years’ short list, based on the criteria used  by the CBCA judges. Therefore, students from all over Australia can be involved in this year’s judging process!! Will you take the opportunity to vote?

Interestingly, 5 of the 6 authors who are shortlisted this year for the ‘Older Readers’ category have had the honour of being shortlisted in the past. Do you think that is why they were chosen? Or has their success in the past encouraged their writing? Are they simply good writers?

Image from: news.bbc.co.uk

Children’s writer, Geraldine McCaughrean, has written ’Peter Pan in Scarlet’ after being  chosen from loads of other authors. In the official sequel to the book, the story continues 20 years after the last trip to Neverland. Wendy is a wife and mother, and the spirit of Captain Hook is stalking Neverland. New characters are introduced and old ones sometimes play just a small part, but hopefully, the spirit of Barrie’s ‘Peter Pan’ remains to entertain a new generation. 

This offical sequel has been authorised by Great Ormond Street Hospital, the hospital which has received copyright royalties from Barrie’s ‘Peter Pan’ – a dedication from the author before his death. The idea to release an offical sequel means that this legacy should continue. Many other unauthorised sequels, prequels and adaptations of Peter Pan have existed over time.

Do you think it is possible to write in someone else’s voice after their death? How would you do this?

Much of her drive and inspiration undoubtedly comes from her family background:

“My mum is an English teacher, and so is my dad, my aunt and my uncle. I have grown up with family writing competitions and I can’t remember a birthday or Christmas present that didn’t include books.” (SMH 27/10/06)

In signing a 2 book deal with the publishers, Alexandra has achieved what many would-be authors can only dream of – acceptance of an unsolicited manuscript. In spite of the lengthy and frustrating wait, Alexandra is over the moon with her deal. In her own words:

“It’s hard but if you really want to write you make the time and you work on the weekends and find time for homework as well. It can be done,” she said. (SMH 27/10/06)

Is it your dream to write? Does Alexandra’s story offer you hope? We wish her well and look forward to her book!

According to the Guardian, of September 19, 2006: Christopher Tolkien has worked for 30 years on an edited version of ‘The Children of Hurin’, a story set in the legendary land of elves, hobbits and dwarves depicted by his father in the epic trilogy, The Lord Of The Rings. The tale itself was abandoned by Tolkien but his son felt that there was much he could retrieve and develop from the writing left to him. (Parts of the story have been published previously).

This, of course, is not the first of Tolkien’s books to be published after his death – as ‘the Silmarillion’, ‘Bilbo’s Song’ and ‘Unfinished Tales’ are earlier examples. Tolkien is also not the first fantasy writer to have his notes developed by others after death. Frank Herbert left a rich posthumous legacy for his readers. He left behind notes for both the history of the Dune universe before the events of Dune which have been used by his son, Brian Herbert for a series of books. (See http://www.scifi.com/sfw/issue350/interview.html for an interview with Brian)

Christopher Tolkien was said to be unhappy with the portrayal of his father’s works in the movie adaptations of ‘Lord of the Rings’. Will others be happy with his adaptations of his father’s abandoned works? Tolkien fans will naturally be drawn to these books to make comparisons.

Why do you think Tolkien put his work aside and left it unfinished? Do you think it is right for people to finish off the work of others?

Unlike her previous novels, this one is set in rural Australia, and deals with the struggles of Taylor Markham, the leader of boarders at Jellicoe School. Again, Melina investigates the trials and tribulations of growing up as students at the school (boarders, cadets and townies) battle to take their place. This story is also more complex and detailed than her previous stories with appeal to those who enjoy mystery and adventure. It will be interesting to see how well it is received by her past readers. 

In an interview in the Courier Mail recently, Melina admitted that her work as a teacher has greatly influenced writing enabling her to write the talk of teens: 

“You’d have to be an idiot not to be able to capture those voices when you hear them all the time,” she says. “You get the smartest of their lines, you put them together and you get a winning character – that’s being a writer.” 

On previous occasions, she also alluded to the interesting situation of having her book (Alibrandi) studied by the HSC students at her school. Students, of course, remain keen to identify themselves or others known to them in her writing. What great luck for those students to have the author in their midst! 

For more interesting insights to Melina’s writing and ‘On the Jellicoe Road’ see the Courier Mail article, ‘Change of Pace’, from September 9, 2006.  Melina is to be interviewed on Life Matters on ABC National tomorrow,  Monday September 11, about her new book and her passion for teaching English.

## Once you have read ‘On Jellicoe Road’, leave a comment here to let others know what you think of Melina’s latest creation!

Although the final full stop in his draft manuscript was made 5 years ago, it has been a long road from there. Cameron advises that promising authors develop a great deal of patience and perseverance if they wish to be published. He also recommends developing a certain amount of respect for the task of editors along with faith in their professional ability. Support of family and friends was also a key element in helping a budding author survive the rigours of  producing a first novel.

While ‘Shadows..’ is selling well, Cameron also hopes that some of the messages he conveys in the tale might provoke readers. Thus, the success of the novel can be measured on a number of levels – especially if it gets people thinking.

See more details (including Teachers’ Notes) on: http://www.bdb.com.au/books/shadows_in_the_mirror.htm

‘Shadows in the Mirror’ deals with teen issues, and more specifically with the problem of bullying and loyalty choices. Cameron hopes that while the novel may not provide the absolute solution to bullying, it could be a vehicle for discussion amongst its readers, either as individuals or within class groups.

Image source: Black Dog Books http://www.bdb.com.au/ (Teachers’ Notes available here.)