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Catherine Forde is one of Egmont's new star authors. Her first Egmont book, Fat Boy Swim, received critical acclaim for its honest portrayal of growing up in today's world: 'Fat Boy Swim should be force-fed to every secondary chool child in the country', said Dinah Hall (Sunday Telegraph). Before turning to writing full time, she worked as a lexicographer for Collins and taught in secondary schools. She currently lives in Glasgow with her husband and two sons. Catherine's next novel, Skarrs, is published this August.
Mel, Alan and Ben love filming their crazy stunts and putting them up on YouTube. But they want to go further and get one of their stunts on a cool TV Show. All they need is a decent camera...Will they be able to pull it off and have their stunt shown on National TV? Crazy comedy particularly suitable for dyslexic, reluctant and struggling teen readers.
Forget romance, Jane tells the story of how she made sure that her sister’s wedding was a truly bad wedding. From the bridesmaid dress through the hen night to the actual wedding itself, Jane makes sure nothing goes according to plan. But sometimes, even catastrophes, can have surprising and successful endings… A great title for reluctant or struggling readers in particular as it’s short and straightforwardly written.
'Powerful, empowering... crackles with teenage anger and pain' - The Times From award-winning author, Catherine Forde, comes Fat Boy Swim, a story that will make you realise that anything is possible. Jimmy Kelly is fat. Lardy. Ginormous. Clinically obese. Inside, Jimmy doesn't feel like Smelly Kelly, Fat Boy Fat. He's just normal. His bedroom's a pit. His feet stink. He hates getting up on school mornings. If any of his classmates bothered to talk to him, instead of slagging him off, they'd find he was just as clued up as they were on films, on books, on telly, even on sport. But he wouldn't tell them that his secret talent is cooking. And Jimmy has another secret that even he doesn't know yet. A secret that will change him forever. Catherine Forde - author of Sugarcoated, Skarrs and Firestarter returns with a brilliant, bittersweet story of first love, forgiveness and a family coming to terms with the past. A gripping, emotive and insightful book for young adults. Perfect for readers who enjoyed Judy Blume's Blubber and fans of Annabelle Pitcher. Should be force-fed to every secondary school child in the country - The Sunday Telegraph This is a moving, tumultuous, roller-coaster, acid-etched story (with) a galaxy of distinctive, memorable characters - Bookseller Catherine Forde was discovered on the slush pile. Before turning to writing full time, she worked as a lexicographer for Collins and taught in secondary schools. She lives in Glasgow with her husband and two sons. All her books have received wide acclaim and Fat Boy Swim won the Grampian Children's Book Award and was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Award and Booktrust Teenage Prize.
"e;Firestarter"e; is an edgy and raw thriller from award-winning author Catherine Forde.Keith's new next-door neighbour Reece is strange and obsessed with fire. Reeesss who pronounces his name like gas leaking. Reece who makes three-year-old Annie laugh. Then burns her favourite rag doll. Keith knows he should ignore Reece but Reece is like smoke: he pervades every aspect of Keith's life. One night Keith wakes up choking on thick black smoke...
From award-winning author, Catherine Forde, comes The Drowning Pond, a gritty, fast-paced thriller for young adults.Nickys the least popular girl in school, and the glossy friends who were briefly interested in her are bored. Shell do anything to keep them. Nicky can get back in with the It crowd by picking on Loopy Loner Lizzie. Halloween at the Drowning Pond is about to become pure evil. Another chilling tale from the master of the gripping book for young adults, Catherine Forde. Warning: contains some violence.Praise for Catherine Fordes books for young adults:True to form, Sugarcoated is a caustic, abrasive thriller that burns to the heart of adolescent angst The Bookseller on SugarcoatedAnother gripping story . . . from an author who never disappoints Independent on Tug of WarA gripping and edgy thriller The Bookseller on FirestarterA novel that is both troubling and inspirational Guardian on SkarrsShould be force-fed to every secondary school child in the country Sunday Telegraph on Fat Boy Swim
From award-winning author, Catherine Forde, comes Fifteen Minute Bob, a coming-of-age story for the social-networking generation.Me and Dad? Well, were on opposite sides of a gaping fault-line . . . No actually were on different planets.Rorys dad is a struggling singer-songwriter and obsessed by one particular music legend. Despite years of failure, his music is all that matters nothing else: not job, not money, not even family. So Rorys home life is unpredictable enough. But when his two best mates hook up with his dad to release a music viral, everythingflips.Once again, Catherine Forde cooks up an authentic and moving book for young adults. Tackling troubling subjects such as family separation and loss, its an abrasive page-turner in the same vein as her other awards-nominated titles Firestarter and Skarrs.
From award-winning author, Catherine Forde, comes Fifteen Minute Bob, a coming-of-age story for the social-networking generation. Me and Dad? Well, we're on opposite sides of a gaping fault-line ...No actually we're on different planets. Rory's dad is a struggling singer-songwriter and obsessed by one particular music legend. Despite years of failure, his music is all that matters - nothing else: not job, not money, not even family. So Rory's home life is unpredictable enough. But when his two best mates hook up with his dad to release a music viral, everything flips. Once again, Catherine Forde cooks up an authentic and moving book for young adults. Tackling troubling subjects such as family separation and loss, it's an abrasive page-turner in the same vein as her other awards-nominated titles Firestarter and Skarrs.
Sulky teenager Alan's new room contains an unwelcome guest-with a message he needs to listen to. Ghostly horror. Barrington Stoke specialise in books for reluctant, struggling and dyslexic readers.
From award-winning author, Catherine Forde, comes Tug of War, a heart-warming story about one girl's choices. In 2012 The Emergency begins as terrorist bombs shatter cities around the UK and wreak havoc on normal life. Molly's parents decide to send her and her brother, John, away from Glasgow to safety in the countryside. Molly is sent to Paradise Farm where she is cared for by Pernilla, who has always wanted a child, and gives Molly everything she desires. Pernilla's youthful enthusiasm is in stark contrast to Molly's own frumpy, daggy mum. Molly is so caught up in her new life that she fails to take action when her friend, Fergal, tells her that John has been sent to live with an abusive farmer. It is not until her mother comes to visit that Molly realises how important her family is, and how close she is to losing them. But now she has to make a choice: Eeny-Meeny Miny mum. Who will Molly choose? Praise for Catherine Forde's books for young adults: 'True to form, Sugarcoated is a caustic, abrasive thriller that burns to the heart of adolescent angst' - The Bookseller on Sugarcoated 'Another gripping story ...from an author who never disappoints' - Independent on Tug of War 'A gripping and edgy thriller' - The Bookseller on Firestarter 'A novel that is both troubling and inspirational' - Guardian on Skarrs 'Should be force-fed to every secondary school child in the country' - Sunday Telegraph on Fat Boy Swim
'Powerful, empowering... crackles with teenage anger and pain' - The Times From award-winning author, Catherine Forde, comes Fat Boy Swim, a story that will make you realise that anything is possible. Jimmy Kelly is fat. Lardy. Ginormous. Clinically obese. Inside, Jimmy doesn't feel like Smelly Kelly, Fat Boy Fat. He's just normal. His bedroom's a pit. His feet stink. He hates getting up on school mornings. If any of his classmates bothered to talk to him, instead of slagging him off, they'd find he was just as clued up as they were on films, on books, on telly, even on sport. But he wouldn't tell them that his secret talent is cooking. And Jimmy has another secret that even he doesn't know yet. A secret that will change him forever. Catherine Forde - author of Sugarcoated, Skarrs and Firestarter returns with a brilliant, bittersweet story of first love, forgiveness and a family coming to terms with the past. A gripping, emotive and insightful book for young adults. Perfect for readers who enjoyed Judy Blume's Blubber and fans of Annabelle Pitcher. Should be force-fed to every secondary school child in the country - The Sunday Telegraph This is a moving, tumultuous, roller-coaster, acid-etched story (with) a galaxy of distinctive, memorable characters - Bookseller Catherine Forde was discovered on the slush pile. Before turning to writing full time, she worked as a lexicographer for Collins and taught in secondary schools. She lives in Glasgow with her husband and two sons. All her books have received wide acclaim and Fat Boy Swim won the Grampian Children's Book Award and was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Award and Booktrust Teenage Prize.
From award-winning author, Catherine Forde, comes Sugarcoated, a gripping, skip-a-heartbeat thriller for young adults. Cloddy - the Utter Lost Cause Of A Daughter - is stuck in her dad's optician's shop working for twenty-five quid every Saturday, bored out of her brain in the middle of Greenwood Shopping Centre - or Deadsville as she prefers to call it. One Saturday she closes the shop to get some peace and quiet to eat her lunch, but as she's picking at her sultana scone, a trio of 'yooths' skulk out of Gluehead Alley down the side of her dad's shop. Out of nowhere a massive hand gushing blood is splayed across the window of the shop. And then a head is thumped against the window. Neither the victim nor attackers see Cloddy, but she sees everything. Afraid for her life, she decides not to tell anyone what she's seen. Who wants to think about such things anyway when there's gorgeous Stefan to think about? Stefan who is cool and charming and has plenty of cash. Stefan who has come out of nowhere and sweeps her off her feet. Stefan who wouldn't normally look at a girl like Cloddy, let alone make her his girlfriend. At her most vulnerable time he'll look after her - or will he? A chilling spiral of events with an ending that will shock you from the master of gritty urban books for young adults, Catherine Forde. Warning: contains some violence. Praise for Catherine Forde's books for young adults: 'True to form, Sugarcoated is a caustic, abrasive thriller that burns to the heart of adolescent angst' - The Bookseller on Sugarcoated, 'Another gripping story ...from an author who never disappoints' - Independent on Tug of War, 'A gripping and edgy thriller' - The Bookseller on Firestarter, 'A novel that is both troubling and inspirational' - Guardian on Skarrs, 'Should be force-fed to every secondary school child in the country' - Sunday Telegraph on Fat Boy Swim.
Firestarter is an edgy and raw thriller from award-winning author Catherine Forde.Keith's new next-door neighbour Reece is strange and obsessed with fire. Reeesss who pronounces his name like gas leaking. Reece who makes three-year-old Annie laugh. Then burns her favourite rag doll. Keith knows he should ignore Reece but Reece is like smoke: he pervades every aspect of Keith's life. One night Keith wakes up choking on thick black smoke...
This is a gripping, powerful, and heart-warming story about one girl's choices. In 2012, The Emergency begins as terrorist bombs shatter cities around the UK and wreak havoc on normal life. Molly's parents decide to send her and her brother, John, away from Glasgow to safety in the countryside. Molly is sent to Paradise Farm where she is cared for by Pernilla, who has always wanted a child, and gives Molly everything she desires. Pernilla's youthful enthusiasm is in stark contrast to Molly's own frumpy, daggy mum. Molly is so caught up in her new life that she fails to take action when her friend, Fergal, tells her that John has been sent to live with an abusive farmer. It is not until her mother comes to visit that Molly realises how important her family is, and how close she is to losing them. But now she has to make a choice: Eeny-Meeny Miny mum. Who will Molly choose?
Me: John Blue. Sixteen. Six pack. Likes: music and girls, in that order. Dislikes: The Two Cheeses, Danish Blue and Dairy Lee. Them: The Two Cheeses, Dane and Lee. Spotty. Greasy. Geeks. Likes: Star Wars and making my life a misery, in that order. Dislikes: Washing. Clean underpants. Having a life. What a couple of L-L-L-LOSERS...A riotous, laugh out loud comedy.
When Reece - strange, blue-haired, fire-obsessed Reece - moves in next door, Keith is worried. Not least because Annie, his three-year-old sister, really likes him. Funny Boy, she calls him. Reece is clearly trouble, but the problem is, Keith feels sorry for him. So he doesn't make him go away. And he doesn't tell his dad what's going on. Not even when Reece burns Annie's doll Raggy beyond recognition. Keith knows he should ignore Reece, but he's like smoke. He pervades everything, every aspect of Keith's life. Then one night Keith wakes up choking on thick black smoke...
You're the least popular girl in school, and the glossy friends who were briefly interested are bored. And you'll do anything to keep them. Nicky finds picking on the new girl is easy: everyone thinks she's weird anyway. But when does 'weird' become 'witchy'? When Bella's skin breaks out like a plague? When Mags and Janet land up in hospital? Normal teen stuff, or evidence of witchcraft? As Nicky's plan winds up to its shocking conclusion, she finds not only has she lost her friends, she's unleashed something truly evil.
What's the hook? A humorous novel driven with gritty realism and thrilling imagination. The good mix of girl and boy characters make this book great for whole class work. What are the themes? Social issues such as bullying, self-image and confidence make Fat Boy Swim suitable for cross-curricular use in PSHE Teaching points? Scottish setting and the use of Scottish dialect expressions make it ideal for exploring dialect and cultural diversity.
Declan's snake escapes and the whole family are enlisted to find it. All you need to know about snakes coupled with a hilarious picture of family life. Irresistible reading! Barrington Stoke specialise in books for reluctant, struggling and dyslexic readers.
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