WHEELS shortlisted for SAKURA AWARD, JAPAN

My novel for teenagers, WHEELS, has been shortlisted for the SUKURA AWARDS in Japan. This award has been created by librarians of international schools in Japan and will be decided next year. To look at the short list of middle school novels check out the link below. I was honoured to be selected and you'll find WHEELS is in excellent company.


> http://www.issh.ac.jp/download/Sakura%20Medal%202008%20-%20MS%20Books.

On another note my new book with AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE is ready to be printed soon. I received the proofs this week and was delighted with Tom Kurema's depiction once again of characters Rachel and Tim. The brumby he created was also lovely. It is an exciting story that reflects last years summer of drought, bushfire and storms and tries to capture the hardship experienced by farmers as well the animals, domestic and native, who share farm life.

You can find out more about the wonderful AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE series at Blake Educations website.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Delwyne

Aussie Reviews - The Copperhead

Children's Book Review: The Copperhead, by Delwyne Stephens

Reviewed by Sally Murphy http://www.aussiereviews.com/

Part of the Aussie School Books series.


"Rachel was scared, too. She was so scared she could hear her heartbeat thundering in her ears. She knew what type of snake it was from the colour. It was a copperhead. Copperheads were deadly."

Rachel is always getting into trouble for not thinking before she acts. When she and her brother Tim go searching for blue-tongue lizards, she is determined not to get into any more trouble. But when Tim grabs hold of a snake's tail, thinking it’s a lizard, Rachel knows she must stop and think before doing what needs to be done.

The Copperhead is an easy to read chapter book for primary school aged readers. Set on a country Australian farm, and featuring one of Australia’s most dangerous animals, it will appeal to Australian kids. Part of the Aussie School kids series, The Copperhead is 48 pages long and has plenty of illustrative support for readers new to the novel format.

Good stuff.

The Copperhead, by Delwyne Stephens, Aussie School Books, 2007

Australian Family Therapists' Award for Children's Literature

WHEELS was listed as a recommended read in the Australian Family Therapists' Award for Children's Literature. I was thrilled because WHEELS was one of ten 'recommended reads' from a strong field.

The winners in the older readers catergory were Sue Lawson for "Allie McGregor's True Colours" (Black Dog Books) with highly commended going to "Destroying Avalon" (Kate McCaffrey, Fremantle Arts Centre Press) and "Ten Things I Hate About Me" by Randa Adel-Fattah published by Pan Macmillan.

Also, hello to the students from the remote Western Australian High School who wrote me some wonderful letters last week. It was fabulous to hear what you thought about WHEELS. I'm so pleased you liked it. Delwyne :-)

Just Kidding Magazine

May, 2007: Check out this months edition of JUST KIDDING magazine. JUST KIDDING is a sensational magazine for primary school children distributed to schools throughout Australia. Packed with colour and useful information (plus the latest 'cool' stuff) kids love it. And, the best bit is THE COPPERHEAD is featured in this months mag! You can see THE COPPERHEAD in the mag, plus if you are eligible (ie a school kid) you can enter a prize to win one of five signed copies. Good luck! The web address for JUST KIDDING is www.justkidding.com.au.

Delwyne

Rachel from the UK loves The Copperhead!

I received this review of THE COPPERHEAD all the way from the UK! It was a real thrill. Thanks Rachel, I'm glad you liked my book.

Rachel R. of Black Combe Primary School, Millom, Cumbria U.K. (May, 2007)
'The Copperhead was awesome!'

The Bushfire Brumby

THE BUSHFIRE BRUMBY. Aussie School books will be bringing out another of my books in the Aussie Aussie Aussie series in January 2008. THE BUSHFIRE BRUMBY is again set at Roger's farm, with the characters of Rachel, Tim and Roger returning for another action packed adventure.