The Back Page DownLoad Wacky Facts and Brain Teasers The official newsletter of the Fletcher Tuatara Club

January 2006

is a t? Welcome. The launch of the Fletcher at lgis Wh nto aeo Tuatara Club on December 1st was a pal Bo great success. With his characteristic b ok e s u humour radio DJ Mike Baird introduced c so s io p e t u re o the club to all the children and parents w s t - er he Th ch e o y er who attended. Plus they got to shake a f a e in te ‘ch is Did you know e n l a sti the hand (or was it foot) of Fletcher d ibr in ll u ar that the moon p. H y’ Tuatara, our founding member. Everyone er in C efo is 384,400 at rd had a great time and 33 children joined E he ngl dr kilometres a al, our new club on the day. nd away. What’s it all about? Fletcher Tuatara Club

Can there be such a Become a member – get ‘The Card’. thing as the largest Share the LowDown on your latest number? If so what is reads by joining our cool book club, meet it—if not why not? some awesome New Zealand authors and The word DINOSAUR literally take part in creative writing workshops, means ‘ TERRIBLE LIZARD ’. Plus there’s a themed monthly event, discounts on selected Library items and events, related merchandise and much, much more. Come to the library or visit our website www.rotorualibrary.govt.nz Dinosaurs first for details on how to join. Free member- inhabited earth ship for all children aged 5 - 11 years, about 225 million who have a current library card. Amazing!! There is a meteor years ago and the crater , in Arizona that was last dinosaurs died INSIDE THIS ISSUE: An Interview with David Hill created about 49,000 years out some 65 million Book Reviews ago by a meteor colliding years ago. Brilliant new books just arrived @ your Library with earth. The crater is 150 Highly recommended Talking Books

feet wide. Lit Quiz challenge - stir up those brain cells What’s Around The Corner The Back Page: Wacky Facts & Brain Teasers An Interview with DAVID Hill What’s Around The Corner

What’s the best thing about being a writer? Making things. [another brilliant New Zealand children’s author] once talked about the realisation, after getting up from your chair at the end of a morning's work, that you have made something that never existed before .

When did you decide that you wanted to be a writer? I wrote a lot during my primary school years and was always aware of a vague ambi- tion to become a writer. It was during the early years as a high school teacher that WOW!!! The Captain Reading Logs are zooming in at the speed of light. The this vague ambition edged closer to becoming a reality. total of reading hours stands at an amazing 1800 hours. If you have read 8 Do you write everyday and is there a pattern to your writing day? hours or more you will soon receive an invitation to the Grand Finale to I do write everyday (or almost everyday) Monday to Friday with a little bit in the receive your free book and goodies bag. But…..keep reading as we only have weekends. I find I suffer withdrawal symptoms if I don’t! I write usually from 8am to about 1.30pm and then some in the afternoon. until the 21st January to bring Fletcher back to earth, he’s still out there somewhere. I understand you don’t use the computer to write but still use long hand. Does this help in the writing process? Fletcher Tuatara Club ––– Book Club I find there is nothing like the movement of the pen across paper to make ideas come. Also, I find it much easier to dart about the page making changes using pen For children aged 9 to 12 years and paper and it enables me to leave in multiple versions of words which I can then First gathering: Wednesday 18 th January @ 4.00pm revisit and select from later. Next meeting: Wednesday 15th February @ 4.00pm Do you listen to music while you write? If so what? Then Book Club will meet on the third Wednesday of every month No, but I do talk to myself during the writing process – mutterings, usually in the @ 4.00pm. form of expletives, exhortations, or cheers, expressing how my writing is progress- ing. Venue: Children’s Department in the library

Does a little bit of your own personal history settle in your books or do you write An Interview with Janeen Brian about events, problems etc that happen to others? A mixture really based on what is happening. I think it is inevitable, as when writing you are constantly thinking about what a character would do in a certain situation In next month’s copy of DownLoad check out the interview with Janeen and the character I know best is me. Particularly since many of the main characters Brian. Janeen is an Australian children’s author who is currently living in in my books are boys and the boy I knew best was me. Rotorua. She has had 62 children’s books published todate. To what extent has your teaching experience influenced your writing? A LOT. As a high school teacher I observed events, kids, tone of voice and behav- iours. Getting the tone, the cadence right is important to make the characters realis- tic/ acceptable to the audience. The Rotorua Public Library would like to

Do you re-write as you go or do you revisit your work at a certain point? thank The Friends of the Library for their With novels I write a chapter a day and re-read this first thing the next morning to commitment and generous sponsorship of remind myself of events etc and to make a few quick changes at this stage. Once the the Fletcher Tuatara Club. Their support has first draft of the novel is complete I do MANY edits, and A LOT of changes then I made this very exciting and dynamic pro- will do a more thorough edit which is often followed by a few more changes. I'm an gramme possible. endless self-editor. Challenge those brain cells and CHECK OUT YOUR LIT SKILLS Why do you write for children and teens and do you find one of these audiences more challenging to write for? No I don’t, though I agree with Brent Southgate, past 1. In Deltora Quest One: The Forests of Silence , what was in the centre of the editor of the School Journal, that writing for 5 year olds is very difficult as each word circle protected by the knight? must be right. Each word must hold enough meaning yet not be too challenging for the child’s vocabulary. 2. In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , Susan was attacked at the Stone Table by what sort of creature? A number of your books, for example See Ya Simon , Cold Comfort and Running Hot

3. Who wrote the classic The Secret Garden? are appreciated by children aged 11 to late teens. Do you have an age group in mind before you start writing or is the final readership defined during the books creation? 4. In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , which one of the following was No I don’t think of this when writing – it just happens not a creature the Queen called to battle: the Cruels, the Hags, the Spectres or the Trolls? Do you test your manuscripts out on children before submitting them for publica- tion? 5. In Deltora Quest One: The Lake of Tears from what does the topaz I didn’t as a teacher but I do now. Every manuscript I write I give to teenagers to protect its wearer? read (and I pay them) to comment on. They are great at guiding and directing in

6. What sort of creature was Maugrim in The Lion, the Witch and the terms of cutting down blunders and endorsing strengths. I ask them to put a tick Wardrobe ? along anything they think is right, a cross besides what they consider to be boring or wrong in some way and a question mark if they don’t understand something. Most 7.Who wrote the series in which the main character is a young boy called important is that the characters are convincing. It is great when I get comments from Charlie Bone? these teenagers about how they perceive particular characters almost as if they were real. 8. In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , what item does Alsan insist the Queen leave behind if they are to meet? Do the complex themes that your books often address – self discovery, responsibil-

9.In Deltora Quest One: The City of Rats, what was unusual about muddlets? ity, death, and illness, emerge as the characters evolve or do you begin writing with an issue in mind? 10. What is the current name of the award given to New Zealand authors I usually start off with a setting or a group of people that interest me. Working and illustrators of children’s books that was once known as the Aim Book through certain concepts creates ideas for relationships and events. I discover a lot as Awards? I write and put a lot of these discoveries into my books. Though I do have to be careful that I don’t write a university paper instead of a novel as an editor once ob- 11. Which New Zealand author wrote the book See Ya Simon ? served me doing commenting about a recent manuscript of mine “David, this isn’t 12. In Deltroa Quest One: The Shifting Sands , what was it that Lief had that Archery 101’. I do think, however, that boys in particular like to learn from reading the Hive in the Shifting Sands was after? fiction and this motivates a lot of the non-fiction content in my work.

Sources: How do you relax? Gifford, Clive: So You Think You Know Narnia?, Hodder Children’s Books, I read a lot. I enjoy archery, astronomy and gardening. Plus I have two wonderful 2005 grandsons aged 4 and 6 years.

Tamelas, Ultimate Deltora Quiz Book, Scholastic Australia, 2004 Were there any teachers you particularly remember?

Check out the answers in next month’s issue of DownLoad. Yes, a teacher at Napier Boys High School, Brian O’Connor. He was my English teacher for three of my five years there and he recognised that I could write (if I was- Answers to December’s Quiz n’t so lazy) and encouraged me to send my writing to the school magazine for pub- 1. Edmund; 2,.Aunt Josephine; 3. The Chocolate Room; 4. The wardrobe lishing. He was a great motivator. floor; 5. Mr Poe; 6. Jingling bells; 7. Filing cabinets; 8. ten; 9. She always tells awful jokes; 10. It cracked in two; 11. Grandpa Joe; 12. Black with silver moon & star embroidery Is there any one book – either children’s or adult – that has had the greatest influence New Books to Check Out @ Your Library on you? There are a number of influential authors, such as , , Jack Fiction Lasenby and Maurice Gee but one particular book does remain at the forefront of my The Boy From London The Freaky Joe Club: The Mystery of the Disappearing Dinosaurs by P.J.McMahon memory. by Peter Lethbridge. It is about a young boy, alone in London just after WWII. It ‘worked’ because of the ingredients, e.g. a child with- The Book of Changing Things and Other Oddibosities by Odo Hirsch. A weird The Beresfords in out parents, and adventure. There was a sequel called and wonderful story. Tarndale but it paled in comparison and demonstrated to me how disappointing sequels can be. Mudlark by Michael Stephens

I was so impressed by the formula of the book that I was motivated to find out more The Usbourne Big Book of Fantasy Quests. Contains four action-packed about the author but even though I have contacted his publisher I’ve been unable to adventures: Dragon Quest; Knight Quest; Sword Quest; Star Quest. find anything out about him. The search continues. Fire Pony by Rodman Philbrick—author of Freak the Mighty Which of your books do you personally like the most? See Ya Simon will always be a very special book because it has close family signifi- Pigeon Summer by Ann Turnbull cance. But I like all of them. In fact a book I wrote called Afterwards was so enthusi- astically picked up by the publisher that I wrote my acceptance speech for when it Circle of Dreams : Runeweaver by Linda McNabb won the New Zealand Post Book Awards. Unfortunately, it wasn’t even nominated - Non-Fiction but I still have the speech. What’s Older Than a Giant Tortoise ? By Robert E. Wells And finally – and I just have to ask this – What is you most favourite food, movie, author and time of day? Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece by Peter Ackroyd Favourite food: Fried potatoes – I grow potatoes. Favourite movie: Magnificant Seven – classic from the 1960s, Dino War : Discover the deadliest dinosaurs, bloodiest battles and super sur- Favourite author: Aldous Huxley, who wrote Brave New World, has always been one vival strategies of the prehistoric world by Jinny Johnson. of my most favourite authors. Favourite time of day: I don’t have any particular favourite time of day but I do like Dazzling Discoveries: The Explosive Story of Science by Mary & John Gribbon. rainy late afternoons and clear mornings at about 6.30am. And, I wait in anticipation An awesome book that looks at the fascinating stories behind the scientists for the post every day – you never know what might arrive. who shaped our world.

Even More Things You Need to Know About the World by Simon Eliot designed David Hill has written numerous books and illustrated by Timon Maxey for children and teens and is a reviewer and playwright. His work has been nom- Atlas of Ancient Egypt by Delia Pemberton inated for many awards and he has won And many, many more…..Check out our catalogue.. the 2002 Children’s Literature Founda- tion for See Ya, Highly Recommended Talking Books

Simon , and the 2003 LIANZA Esther The Ghost of Thomas Kempe by Penelope Lively Glen Medal for Right Where It Hurts. We hope to be able to bring David Hill Goldkeeper by Sally Prue back to Rotorua as a visiting author for The Time Warp Trio: Knights of the Kitchen Table by Jon Scieszka the Fletcher Book Club Tom’s Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce

Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda (author of the Deltora Quest series)

REVIEWS REVIEWS

Raspberries on the Yangtze by Karen Wallace Raspberries on the Yangtze by Karen Wallace

Told by the main character, Nancy, this is a sto- Told by the main character, Nancy, this is a sto- ry about one summer in which everything ry about one summer in which everything changes for her and her friends. It is both changes for her and her friends. It is both humorous and utterly absorbing. A wonderful humorous and utterly absorbing. A wonderful story about friendship, family and growing up. story about friendship, family and growing up. Raspberries on the Yangtze, short-listed for the Raspberries on the Yangtze, short-listed for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award, is a touch- Guardian Children’s Fiction Award, is a touch- ing tale for mature readers aged 11+ ing tale for mature readers aged 11+

The Lost Thing by Shaun Tan The Lost Thing by Shaun Tan

The poor thing! It’s completely lost and nobody The poor thing! It’s completely lost and nobody seems to have noticed! Rather surprising really, seems to have noticed! Rather surprising really, considering the bizarre way that it looks…..big, considering the bizarre way that it looks…..big, metallic and bulbous, with strange twisty bits metallic and bulbous, with strange twisty bits that flap around and a small sad voice. Luckily that flap around and a small sad voice. Luckily there is one person that cares. there is one person that cares. Suitable for children aged 7+ Suitable for children aged 7+

Belonging by Jeannie Baker Belonging by Jeannie Baker

If you believe that you can make a difference to If you believe that you can make a difference to the world you live in you will love this story. the world you live in you will love this story. There are no words but the collages are so There are no words but the collages are so detailed and lifelike you can spend hours detailed and lifelike you can spend hours enjoying them. This is a story about life, change enjoying them. This is a story about life, change and hope that any age will enjoy over and over. and hope that any age will enjoy over and over.

Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say Caldecott Medal Book Caldecott Medal Book Do you ever feel torn between different places Do you ever feel torn between different places and experiences? Do you ever wonder about the and experiences? Do you ever wonder about the life your grandparents might have led and how life your grandparents might have led and how they became who they are? they became who they are? This is a heart warming story about journeys This is a heart warming story about journeys across seas, beautiful lands and the places that across seas, beautiful lands and the places that steal our hearts. steal our hearts. Sophisticated picture book. Sophisticated picture book.

Magyk by Angie Sage Magyk by Angie Sage Book One of the Septimus Heap series Book One of the Septimus Heap series You will be drawn into this richly imaginative You will be drawn into this richly imaginative fast-paced adventure story as soon as you open fast-paced adventure story as soon as you open the cover. This highly atmospheric novel is a the cover. This highly atmospheric novel is a story of “confused identities, magyk and may- story of “confused identities, magyk and may- hem” . Fantastic! I couldn’t put it down. Look hem” . Fantastic! I couldn’t put it down. Look out for the sequel. A must for all fantasy readers out for the sequel. A must for all fantasy readers aged 9+ aged 9+

Sam and the Griswalds by Emma Barnes Sam and the Griswalds by Emma Barnes Sam is fed up with his rather dull and Sam is fed up with his rather dull and unevent- uneventful life and no matter how much he tries ful life and no matter how much he tries to get to get away from the neighbourhood bullies— away from the neighbourhood bullies—the the Bullocks—he just keeps bumping into the. Bullocks—he just keeps bumping into the. But But then the Griswalds move in next door and then the Griswalds move in next door and Sam’s life becomes a rollercoaster ride of unex- Sam’s life becomes one rollercoaster ride of pected adventure as they all join ranks to outwit unexpected adventure as they all join ranks to these bullying fiends. This riveting and very outwit these bullying fiends. This riveting and humorous read is filled with sport antics, very humorous read is filled with sport antics, rivalry, friendship and even a bit of subterfuge. rivalry, friendship and even a bit of subterfuge. Great for readers aged 9+ Great for readers aged 9+