“* This hopeful, heartfelt novel will give teens an understanding of what it means to have a reason to be self-conscious. Librarians won’t be able to keep it on the shelf.” - School Library Journal (Starred Review)
‘Heart wrenching and beautiful are the two words that immediately came to mind as I read “Butterflies’ …
Gervay paints a picture of Katherine as she grows and changes allowing the reader to believe in her as a real person. Unlike other teen angst books, Katherine does not dwell in her angst, but moves beyond it and chooses to leave the misery and find joy in her daily life.
Gervay allows Katherine to win at the end- not because she suddenly becomes amazingly beautiful, but because she always was beautiful and knew that within herself.
…. Kudos to Gervay for painting the reader a picture of a self-reliant teen girl who does not depend on a boy to make herself feel valuable. Highly recommended for libraries- school, public and personal- who want to add to their girl power collections.” -
SWON Libraries Royal Reviews; http://www.swonlibraries.org/royal-reviews?a=dr&id=6255
A retreat in the country, some of Australia’s most renowned authors with women writers – it’s all wonderful with a dash of spirituality at the Brahma Kumaris Inner Space Centre a retreat overflowing with roses, bush walks, lakes, birds.
President of Society of Women Writers Bridget Mckern welcomed us. She led the Shibashi in the gardens where we moved and stretched into this special sense of peace.
Love it!
Highlights:-
Dr Maria Hill, historian and author of ‘Diggers and Greeks’ who totally engaged us in creative history.
Dr Mark Tredinnick multi award winning poet of collections including ‘Fire Diary’, ‘The Blue Plateau’, ‘The Lyrebird’ – he has the voice of a Shakespearean actor and when combined with his evocative poetry, it held us all captive.
Libby Hathorn international and national award winning author inspired many to write.
All the speakers were inspiring – Catherine Hammond, Sally Swain, Jan Cornall. Special thanks to talented author Lindsay Lewis, Peg McColl, Maria Hill and of course Bridget McKern for organising a fabulous weekend.
I loved speaking about the inspiration for my writing from ‘I Am Jack’ to ‘Butterflies’ to ‘That’s Why I Wrote This Song’.
Sooooo….. much excitement with our own Lesley Vamos winning the illustrators’ pitch with her fabulous; Sarah Davis & Chris Cheng making a splash with ‘Sounds Spooky’; gifted Priscilla Burris illustrator and Illustrator coordinator SCBWI, talks by the greatest children’s authors & illustrators; friends from all over the world.
Love the Internationals from france, Hong Kong, Germany, Canada, Mexico — everywhere.
Time out has been cool to – my secret escape to Orogold – pure decadence of a moment of LA stardom – and I looked good aftrewards -www.orogoldcosmetics.com – nearly as good as Frane taking a pit stop on the poolside banana lounge.
Loved speaking to the LIVEWIRE parents of kids who are facing prolonged hospitalisation, and fighting illness. There were lots of parents online. It was a special experience.
Loved sharing my book ‘Butterflies’ with them.
Right now in Australia, Livewire estimates there are 50,000 young people experiencing social isolation, lower peer support and lower wellbeing as a result of living with a serious illness or disability.
Livewire is a free and safe online peer support program connecting socially isolated individuals affected by a serious illness, chronic condition or disability – Kids, teens, parents, siblings, community.
Thankyou to Mark Wang Deputy Chairman Museum of Chinese Australian History for organising this special collection of Australian children’s and young adult books to the Shanghai library in an act of friendship and thanks.
Shaun Tan’s ‘The Arrival’
A Collection of Australian Children’s Books presented to Shanghai Library
MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
The Government of Victoria is delighted to support the Melbourne-
based Museum of Chinese Australian History’s participation in
Shanghai World Expo 2010, and warmly endorses the
