Maria Farrer crafts stories for children and young adults, drawing from her background in speech and language pathology and a Master's in Writing for Young People. Her work often explores themes of language and literacy, informed by extensive experience with children facing communication challenges. Farrer excels at creating engaging narratives that captivate young readers, focusing on relatable characters and compelling situations. Her popular series featuring a large, clumsy, yet helpful polar bear is a testament to her ability to blend warmth and adventure.
When Mister P stumbles through Arthur's front door an interesting and fun new friendship is born. Arthur could do with someone to talk to and Mister P is a good listener - as well as being amazing at football, scared of spiders, extremely messy at eating, and the best at hugs when you need them! There are times when only a polar bear will do . .
It is the story of a brilliant young violinist, her determination and struggle to achieve her dreams and the discovery that she is at the center of an extraordinary secret that has pulled apart her family for two generations. Jess, a talented 17-year-old violinist, suffers from stage-fright as she auditions for a place at a prestigious music school. Her family do not have enough money for her to continue to study so when she fails, she vows not to play again. Until her wealthy grandmother - estranged from her family since Jess's mother fell pregnant - shows up at their doorstep and promises six months of tuition in exchange for Jess moving to live with her. Once ensconced in her grandmother's rich, but empty, life she starts to uncover the mystery of why her grandmother never spoke to her mother again, and the secret which tore her family apart.
Amber is convinced that her brother's death is her fault. It happened on the day that she'd taken something of his, something precious, the very thing that gave him his luck. Weighed down with grief, guilt and pressure to be the perfect daughter, Amber turns to the one boy who can make her feel better. But Tyler is in with the wrong crowd, and Amber finds herself in big trouble: trouble that would never usually happen to a girl like her. Only with her life having crashed around her will Amber find a way to rebuild it, and to finally find out what part she really paid in her brother's death.