Kevin Brooks - Children's Author

It was the publication of Martyn Pig that changed everything. After being turned down by a number of publishers, Kevin Brooks sent his manuscript to The Chicken House, who jumped on the chance to publish it. They released Martyn Pig in the spring of 2002. In the U.K, the book went on to be short-listed for the Carnegie Medal and win a Branford Boase Award for a first best novel. And in the United States, it was named a Publishers Weekly Flying Start and an ALA Book of the Year, among its many accolades.

One of Brooks' favorite genres is the detective novel, and this shows in his writing, "I think my awareness of plot comes from having read a lot of crime fiction. When Martyn Pig came out, the reviewers were saying things such as 'well plotted' novel. I found that surprising because I didn't have any idea that I could plot or structure a story. I do plan, but I'm not consciously aware that I'm building a plot that creates good suspense; it comes naturally because I've soaked myself in those sorts of plots."

Why did he decide to write for children? "There are not many differences, I don't think, between writing for children and writing for adults," Brooks says, "because children aren't that different from adults. But I would say the story is the main thing, with children. With adults you might use different styles and structures, perhaps indulge in fiddly niceties. Writing for children brings you down to basics."

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Featured Books, with extracts by Kevin Brooks

Naked
Kevin Brooks
A Lovereading4kids 'Great Read' you may have missed 2011 selection. Probably THE author of YA/teen fiction that has more of a cult following than any other.  His novels are controversial but utterly gripping and this one is no exception.  It's the...
Featured in: 14+ readers | Books for Boys | eBooks
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/10/2011
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Killing God
Kevin Brooks
A thrilling, thought-provoking novel from the critically acclaimed Kevin Brooks. Dawn Bundy is fifteen. She doesn't fit in and she couldn't care less. Dawn has other things on her mind. Her dad disappeared two years ago and it's all God's...
Featured in: 14+ readers | Books of the Month | eBooks
Format: Paperback - Released: 25/06/2009
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Black Rabbit Summer
Kevin Brooks
Shortlisted for the Carnegie Award 2009. Pete and his childhood friends meet up one last time, for ‘old time’s sake’. But old times are full of secrets, tensions, bitterness and unhappiness. And everyone sees it a bit differently. And not...
Featured in: 14+ readers | Book Awards | eBooks
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/08/2008
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Being
Kevin Brooks
One of our 'Must Reads'. Who is Robert? When he goes in for his operation, Robert is sure he knows exactly who he is. But, things look different when the surgeon opens him up. It leads Robert to set off...
Featured in: 14+ readers | eBooks
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/03/2008
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Being
Kevin Brooks
One of our 'Must Reads'. Who is Robert? When he goes in for his operation, Robert is sure he knows exactly who he is. But, things look different when the surgeon opens him up. It leads Robert to set off...
Featured in: 14+ readers | Bookshelf Essentials | eBooks
Format: Hardback - Released: 01/03/2007
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The Road Of The Dead
Kevin Brooks
Shortlisted for the Carnegie Award 2007. This is a book that will have you gasping for breath, gripping your chair and biting your teeth all at once and from the very start.  The characters are so realistic you...
Featured in: 14+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 08/01/2007
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Martyn Pig
Kevin Brooks
Award-winning novelist Kevin Brooks made his mark with this, his debut novel. A black comedy is something of a rarity in children’s books but here Kevin Brooks shows how it can be done. Martyn hates his father – and he...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 14+ readers | Reluctant Readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/03/2006
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Lucas
Kevin Brooks
Bound to capture your imagination right from the start, Lucas is the thriller that follows Caitlin, a 15-year-old girl who falls in love with a mysterious and beautiful boy with tragic consequences. The plot is gripping, thrilling and heartbreaking all...
Featured in: 14+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/03/2006
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