Gavin Alexander Chambers was deeply interested in the inner lives of young people, exploring their journeys toward self-discovery. His narratives often delve into themes of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning, rendered through a distinctive and evocative prose style. Chambers skillfully captured the complexities of adolescence, presenting characters who grapple with significant emotional and existential questions. His commitment to fostering a love for literature extended beyond his writing, as he actively worked to promote children's and young adult books.
Before the accident, Nate would run. But that was before. A bike collision lands him in a hospital bed, but the people he meets on his ward make him realise that it's not the end, not yet.A beautifully written story with true depth, that tackles the mess that is life head on. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 12+
The book explores a provocative debate between Ditto and Morgan, where Ditto challenges Morgan to prove that literature is worthless. This confrontation ignites a transformative journey for Morgan, forcing him to confront deep-seated beliefs about fiction and its relevance. As Morgan presents charges against literature, claiming it to be a sham, the narrative delves into themes of perception, value, and the impact of storytelling on life and identity.
In this provocative collection of short stories, Aidan Chambers explores moments of truth, when a character or an event suddenly reveals an often surprising meaning: a girl loses her humanity when she takes a summer job as a theme-park character; a boy tries to save a girl from a fiery death, only to discover the same event happened one hundred years before. And the titular story, in which an innocent game takes a fatal turn, will haunt the reader for a long time. These thought-provoking stories lend themselves beautifully to discussion, and once again Chambers treats us to his fiercely intelligent, finely crafted prose and incisive understanding of the wonderings of young people on the verge of adulthood.
But Karl is dyslexic, and convinced that if Firella finds out, she will think he is stupid, and unworthy of her, and leave him. So Karl asks a local writer to help him construct his replies - and an unlikely, but extremely touching, friendship develops between the two men.
William resents going on a 'boring' holiday to Wales, but while there he is let into a big secret by Gwyn, a local boy. Gwyn has found a seal pup and has it hidden in a cave. He makes William promise never to tell anyone about it, and plans to breed it on a farm. William is determined to let it go free, and 'borrows' a leaky dinghy to take it out to sea. The story ends with an exciting rescue.
Lucy's life is being made hell by Melanie Prosser and her bullying sidekicks - the present takers - who threaten her every day at school for presents and money. But when push comes to shove, there's only one thing to do: take on the present takers at their own game, to silence them once and for all.
Tell Me is companion to The Reading Environment.
Cordelia Kenn recounts her life from age fifteen to twenty in a series of formats, such as letters, diaries, poems, and short stories, to be read in the future by her daughter.
Jacob arrives in Holland, aged 17, travelling alone for the first time. He is there for the commemoration of the Second World War Battle of Arnhem, where his grandfather had fought. Jacob's exploration of contemporary Amsterdam and the fascinating people he meets there interweaves with the passionate story about his grandfather he learns from Geertrui, an elderly lady whose family is linked to Jacob's in a way he never suspected. A beautiful, multi-layered novel about love, discovery and betrayal, which will enrapture young adult readers.
