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The Summer of Lily and Esme by John Quinn....25 years

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This year marks the anniversary of the publication of an extraordinary book. In 1991, Poolbeg published The Summer of Lily & Esme by John Quinn and in the 25 years since, it has never been out of print. The Summer of Lily & Esme tells a quiet story, filled with compassion, friendship, memory and heart. It is the story of Alan, an 11-year-old boy who has moved from the city into a house in the countryside; in the middle of nowhere.The house is old and extremely large and immaculate; and there is a locked, boarded over attic room that is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young boy who died tragically. Alan is not too pleased with this move and becomes even less thrilled when he discovers his closest neighbours, in fact his only neighbours, are a pair of elderly sisters, Esme and Lily, who seem to be suffering from dementia.  When Alan falls down a hill of brambles and weeds, the sisters, who believe they themselves to be children, mistake Alan for th...
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The Rights of the Reader

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The Rights of the Reader; Daniel Pennac, illustrated by Quentin Blake Summer is here and we do encourage summer reading with numerous incentives and programmes. It is important for children (of all ages) to 'keep their reading up' outside of school time. This is the time when kids develop their own taste in books and can be free to read books of their own choosing. And this is the single most important factor in young people developing a lifelong reading habit. But how do we, as the 'gatekeepers' of kids reading, encourage them properly without running the risk of thrusting pressure and our own ideas on them? Do that and you'll run the risk of pushing them away from reading, and there are already so many distractions for the young reader to contend with that can tempt them elsewhere. Published by Walker Books; 9781406300918 In 1992, French writer Daniel Pennac originally published this little gem of a book; The Rights of the Reader. I highly recommend ...
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Leo's War Blog Tour: Interview and Review!

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It's....the Leo's War Blog Tour! I am delighted to be here, celebrating the publication of this intriguing, exciting addition to the Hands On History series by Patricia Murphy, Leo's War. I was even more delighted when Patricia agreed to answer a few interview questions for Fallen Star Stories. Her answers are fascinating and generous;  giving an insight into this writers' life and adding another dimension to the telling of Leo's War (and, her other books as well.) Let's jump right in.... Hello, Patricia. Thank you for taking the time for this interview. Let’s start with a very basic question, but one I always find interesting. How long have you wanted to be a writer for young people? What got you started? -I think I have always wanted to be a writer. For me it was a natural extension of storytelling. I am the eldest of six and therefore was often left in charge of my younger siblings. I used to tell them stories to keep them amused.   They were b...
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