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Sarah Moore Fitzgerald was born in New York in 1965 but grew up in Co.Dublin. She is a professor and associate vice president at the University of Limerick in Ireland, specialising in psychology and effective pedagogy in higher education, and has published several non-fiction books on teaching, learning and academic writing. She runs regular writers' retreats for academics and students in Ireland and internationally.
In a Nutshell: Taking a chance | Choose your own path | A heart-warming tale about friendship and finding yourself, with added horse-driven adrenalin. There are two outcasts in Minty’s class, Ned and Martin. Neither of them speak and they both “disappear at random times of the day for no obvious reason”. Martin stops coming to class after a horse-riding accident, which makes King of School Brendan snort with mocking laughter. From the moment Ned tells Brendan not to “talk about things you don't understand” things begin to change, especially for Minty. Firstly, she finds out that her parents are splitting up, which prompts ever-frequent trips to the refuge of Nettlebog Lane, a magical out-of-bounds place that gives her a “mad, free kind of feeling that makes you want to shout”. Minty’s deeper exploration of Nettlebog Lane leads to a second big change, for she discovers that Ned and his kindly gran live here in a caravan. Minty finds herself drawn to him, awed by the freedom he radiates, and by his affinity with horses. In fact, Ned’s talents are such that he’s planning to enter the local Ballycross Race. While Ned is seen by most as a delinquent, he has another ally in “sparkly and magic” teacher Serena. She tells the class that in her hometown, Siena, Ned would be worshipped for his riding prowess. Serena’s majestic description of the dramatic race that takes place in Siena’s Piazza del Campo has Ned and Minty enthralled. But not everyone in town is able to see past their misguided prejudices, and it’s going to take something – and someone - pretty special to save what Ned holds dear… Minty evokes the magic of Nettlebog Lane with sensory wonder: yellow flowers are “butter-coloured blankets of bloom”; pink blossoms are “mini bundles of candy floss”. And both Ned and Minty are characters you warm to completely. How can your heart not melt when Minty realises, through Ned, that, “you don’t have to accept anyone else’s version of you. It’s much more exciting to invent your own version. You get to decide what that version is like”. This lovely life-affirming, lyrical tale is perfect for bridging the path between middle grade and teen fiction. ~ Joanne Owen
A touching and funny story about being an outsider which is illuminated by touches of magic. Oscar and Meg are next-door-neighbours and best friends. But, when Meg moves away everything changes. Now Paloma Killealy lives next door and Oscar gets advice of a very different kind. When things begin to spiral out of control – partly because of the apple tarts - Oscar takes drastic action. Can Meg find out what has gone wrong and begin to put it right?
What doesn't kill you makes you ... stronger? A poignant and gripping story about the power of fear, the resilience of love and the magic of food - from bestselling Waterstones Children's Book Prize shortlisted author Sarah Moore Fitzgerald. Gripping, with an incredible twist that you simply won't see coming - Louise O'Neill A Strange Kind of Brave is all kinds of wonderful. I was right there on every page, laughing, crying and unable to put it down - the twist is glorious! Be warned! If you start this book in bed, you're in for a sleepless night - Kit de Waal This tale of friendship, betrayal, love, loss, revenge and obsession, written by a master storyteller, is quite literally unputdownable - Donal Ryan, Booker Prize shortlisted author I thought I had my top ten favourite novels decided, but now I think it will need some reworking, because A Strange Kind of Brave definitely deserves a place - Sadb, aged 16 Jake McCormack is the villain of Clanfedden. He's just killed a boy - deliberately run him over with his truck, on the bridge, in front of everyone. And he knows he'll get away with it. Luca, 14, is the new boy in town. He's looking for a fresh start after a terrible thing that happened at his old school. Clanfedden is a small forgotten town, but Luca and his mum are going to give it a go. They're opening an exciting restaurant, and Allie Redmond is coming to work there. Allie is honest and kind and Luca knows they're going to be friends. Allie has lived in Clanfedden all her life and these should be happy days - Luca is the best thing to have happened in years. But she's haunted by shadows of her own, and more than anyone she knows the danger of Jake McCormack. She needs to warn Luca. She needs to prevent disaster. At least she needs to try...
A poignant and big-hearted story about love, loss and believing in the magic of the imagination. The fourth novel from bestselling Waterstones Children's Book Prize shortlisted author Sarah Moore Fitzgerald, following BACK TO BLACKBRICK, THE APPLE TART OF HOPE and A VERY GOOD CHANCE. Grace knows the difference between what's real and the strange ideas that float around in her little sister's mind. Their parents died - that's real. A secret hotel on the cliff-top where their parents are waiting - definitely NOT real. So when grief strikes again, Grace is determined not to let her sister's outlandish imagination spiral out of control. But the line between truth and fantasy is more complicated than it seems... 'Completely beguiling, and funny and tender and wise, with a heart as big and deep as the sea' - Piers Torday 'Poignant' - The Sunday Times 'A sparkling tale ... about loss, family and believing in magic' - Sarah Webb writing for the Irish Independent 'A book full of warmth, hope, and wonderfully unforgettable characters' - Zana Fraillon, author of The Bone Sparrow
Gluck ist (k)ein WunderUnten am Fluss liegt das Gluck. Genauer gesagt im Wohnwagen am Flussufer. Er ist einer dieser wenigen Orte auf der Welt, wo man sagen kann, was man denkt und sich nicht verstellen muss. Dort wohnt Ned. Er ist neu an Mintys Schule und so ganz anders als alle anderen. Die Mitschuler finden ihn seltsam, wollen nichts mit ihm zu tun haben. Aber Minty ist fasziniert. Ned traut sich, ganz er selbst zu sein, egal, was andere denken. Im Gegensatz zu Mintys Eltern, die sich gerade getrennt haben und so gar nicht sie selbst sind. Durch ihre Freundschaft zu Ned sieht Minty, was so vielen verborgen bleibt: Wir entscheiden selbst, wie wir die Welt sehen. Gluck ist kein Wunder, wir haben es selbst in der Hand.Authentisch, einfuhlsam und mit ganz viel Herz.
In a Nutshell: Taking a chance | Choose your own path | A heart-warming tale about friendship and finding yourself, with added horse-driven adrenalin. There are two outcasts in Minty’s class, Ned and Martin. Neither of them speak and they both “disappear at random times of the day for no obvious reason”. Martin stops coming to class after a horse-riding accident, which makes King of School Brendan snort with mocking laughter. From the moment Ned tells Brendan not to “talk about things you don't understand” things begin to change, especially for Minty. Firstly, she finds out that her parents are splitting up, which prompts ever-frequent trips to the refuge of Nettlebog Lane, a magical out-of-bounds place that gives her a “mad, free kind of feeling that makes you want to shout”. Minty’s deeper exploration of Nettlebog Lane leads to a second big change, for she discovers that Ned and his kindly gran live here in a caravan. Minty finds herself drawn to him, awed by the freedom he radiates, and by his affinity with horses. In fact, Ned’s talents are such that he’s planning to enter the local Ballycross Race. While Ned is seen by most as a delinquent, he has another ally in “sparkly and magic” teacher Serena. She tells the class that in her hometown, Siena, Ned would be worshipped for his riding prowess. Serena’s majestic description of the dramatic race that takes place in Siena’s Piazza del Campo has Ned and Minty enthralled. But not everyone in town is able to see past their misguided prejudices, and it’s going to take something – and someone - pretty special to save what Ned holds dear… Minty evokes the magic of Nettlebog Lane with sensory wonder: yellow flowers are “butter-coloured blankets of bloom”; pink blossoms are “mini bundles of candy floss”. And both Ned and Minty are characters you warm to completely. How can your heart not melt when Minty realises, through Ned, that, “you don’t have to accept anyone else’s version of you. It’s much more exciting to invent your own version. You get to decide what that version is like”. This lovely life-affirming, lyrical tale is perfect for bridging the path between middle grade and teen fiction. ~ Joanne Owen
Ein wunderbares Buch uber das Anderssein, uber wahre und falsche Freundschaft und daruber, dass die Rettung manchmal von unerwarteter Seite kommtOscar ist Megs bester Freund. Er hat ein besonderes Gespur fur seine Mitmenschen und ist mit seinem Apfelkuchen stets zur Stelle, wenn er gebraucht wird. Doch als er selbst Hilfe braucht, ist Meg am anderen Ende der Welt. Und auch sonst ist niemand fur ihn da. Oscar verschwindet spurlos - und alle befurchten das Schlimmste. Alle, bis auf Meg. Sie ist fest entschlossen, herauszufinden, was wirklich passiert ist ...
'A moving and poignant tale about the redemptive power of friendship' - Louise O'Neill, bestselling author of Asking for It Oscar Dunleavy is missing, presumed dead. His bike was found at sea, beyond the pier, and everyone in town has accepted this as a teenage tragedy. Except for his best friend, Meg. Oscar's kind, always cheerful, and makes the world's best apple tarts. Meg knows he isn't dead ... ... and she's going to prove it.
A touching and funny story about being an outsider which is illuminated by touches of magic. Oscar and Meg are next-door-neighbours and best friends. But, when Meg moves away everything changes. Now Paloma Killealy lives next door and Oscar gets advice of a very different kind. When things begin to spiral out of control – partly because of the apple tarts - Oscar takes drastic action. Can Meg find out what has gone wrong and begin to put it right?
The stunning debut novel from DUBRAYS No.1 Bestseller and SUNDAY TIMES Children's Book of the Week Winner Sarah Moore Fitzgerald. Partnered with ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH this is a compassionate, humorous and moving story which tackles some big questions. 'The ghosts in your life don't ever really go away. Every so often they will whisper to you ... Don't worry about it too much.' When Cosmo keeps his promise to his granddad to go to Blackbrick, he finds himself in the forgotten corner of a distant past, one that his granddad has, strangely, never really talked about. Here friendships come to life, there are new beginnings, a lifetime of memories and everything is still possible... An extraordinary debut novel with a fantastic voice perfect for fans of Annabel Pitcher and Siobhan Dowd.
Seit einiger Zeit ist Cosmos Grovater seltsam vergesslich und erinnert sich nicht einmal daran wer Cosmo uberhaupt ist. In einem kurzen, klaren Moment uberreicht er seinem Enkel einen Schlussel und bittet ihn nach Blackbrick zu fahren. Mitten in der Nacht macht Cosmo sich auf den Weg und steht plotzlich allein vor einem verfallenen Tor, hinter dem er ein dusteres Anwesen erkennen kann. Als er den Schlussel im Schloss herumdreht, offnet sich das alte Tor knarrend und fur Cosmo beginnt eine aufregende Zeitreise in die Vergangenheit seiner Familie. Kann er das Vergessen aufhalten und seine eigene Zukunft verndern?
Cosmo's brother Brian died when he was ten years old. His mum hides her grief by working all the hours God sends and Cosmo lives with his grandparents. They've been carefree days as Granddad buys him a horse called John and teaches him all he knows about horses. But the good times have to come to an end and although he doesn't want to admit it, Cosmo knows his Granddad is losing his mind. So on one of the rare occasions when Granddad seems to recognise him, Cosmo is bemused that he gives him a key to Blackbrick Abbey and urges him to go there. Cosmo shrugs it off, but gradually Blackbrick draws him in... Cosmo arrives there, scared and lonely, and is dropped off at the crumbling gates of a huge house. As he goes in, the gates close, and when he turns to look, they're rusty and padlocked as if they haven't been opened in years. Cosmo finds himself face to face with his grandfather as a young man, and questions begin to form in his mind: can Cosmo change the course of his family's future?
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