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Linda Newbery always wanted to be a writer, filling exercise books with stories which she hid in her wardrobe, but only began submitting her work once she became a secondary school teacher. She had her first novel published in 1988 and is now a full-time writer. Linda writes for various age groups and has twice been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, for The Shell House and Sisterland and in 2006 won the Costa Children’s Book Award for Set in Stone.
Linda lives in a Northamptonshire village with her husband and three cats. She is an active member of the SAS and on the committee of the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group of the Society of Authors.
Linda on Linda
When I was a child, dreaming that one day I might be an author, I used to gaze longingly at the N shelves in bookshops and libraries, and imagine my own books parked next to E. Nesbit’s. She’s still there, with her classic stories The Railway Children, Five Children and It, and others. Philip Pullman, nearby, takes up an awful lot of space, but sometimes there’s room for me between them.
As a child I used to do a lot of secret writing in my bedroom. I rarely showed anyone, and certainly not my teachers. At that time I was rather unwisely trying to write complete novels. Later, when exams got in the way, I began writing poetry - because poems could be short!
When I was a teenager, there was no such thing as teenage fiction – you went straight from children’s books to adult books. It wasn’t until much later, when I was training to be an English teacher, that I came across teenage fiction, and excellent writers such as K. M. Peyton, Aidan Chambers and Jill Paton Walsh. Before long I wanted to have a go.
Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2020 | Grace is intrigued by the idea of spending the summer in the ancient house that is an important part of her family history. As she learns to heal herself following a life-changing accident and a family breakdown, Grace finds she is also able to help new friends. Like the original Flambards books, this offers at several levels from great story to psychological insights.
Engaging characters handle some very difficult personal issues in a setting that may be familiar to some.
Brings the past brilliantly to life and introduces inspirational women to today's girls. Historically strong, this is a dramatic story with a real sense of atmosphere which in turn sheds an impressively wide light on the social and economic picture of its time. Girls for the Vote was originally published as Polly's March.
Interest Age Teen Reading Age 13 | In a nutshell: inspiring story about women winning the vote | It’s summer 1914 and Lizzy is enjoying a new freedom: she’s saved the wages from her job as an office junior in an insurance company and bought a bicycle. The job and her new bike lead Lizzy indirectly to a meeting of the Women’s Social and Political Union, and more freedoms: inspired by what she hears she joins the Suffragettes, willing – even proud – to be imprisoned for her cause. Linda Newbery brings the suffragette movement to life through the eyes of one vividly drawn young woman, making us all aware of our continuing responsibility to stand up for what we believe, and to use our votes. It’s worth checking out the story of the cover too, specially created by artist Stewart Eaton. Readers will also enjoy Anna Carey’s longer novel The Making of Mollie and Opal Plumstead by Jacqueline Wilson, which also feature Suffragettes. ~ Andrea Reece Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 12+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range. ***If you like historical fiction you might also be interested in Tilt by Mary Hoffman, a novel set in the Romantic era in Pisa, Italy and the puzzle of the leaning tower.
Winner of the Costa Children's Book Award 2006. Set at the end of the 19th century, Linda Newbery has cleverly carved out an incredible mystery that’s full of clever twists and entwined with drama, all manner of emotions and mind-blowingly powerful multi-dimensional characters, that you’ll find impossible to put down and one that is likely to haunt you long after you’ve read it. There aren’t many books that you can safely say that you’ll enjoy even more by reading it a second time but this is certainly one of them. A tour de force. The Judges said..."A novel of intrigue and deception. Newbery's landscape is a joy to walk into.
One of our Dyslexia Friendly Books of the Year 2014 - Interest Age Teen Reading Age 8+ Award-winning Linda Newbery gives a fresh insight into the First World War in this deeply touching story. Village sweethearts Tilly and Harry are both willing to do what they can to help win the war. Harry joins up to serve in France and Tilly trains as a nurse stationed first near home and later in France. Despite their best intentions each of them finds themselves unable to keep promises made in the course of action. Can they still trust themselves? Can they trust each other? Linda Newbery sensitively charts the wider ripples of the war and its effect. A Piece of Passion from the Editor, Ruth Williams ‘I loved working on Tilly's Promise. Tilly's such an appealing narrator – sympathetic, yet matter-of-fact and totally lacking in self-pity. Tilly's own experiences as a nurse are moving enough, but particularly distressing are her concerns for her brother Georgie who has learning difficulties – I'd never before thought about what happened to men who were fit enough to fight, but couldn't understand what was going on.’ Tilly’s Promise is the story of a young volunteer nurse. For more information on nurses and medical care during the War and how the War affected those at home visit www.readingwar.co.uk. There is a wealth of fascinating information plus an introduction to the book from Linda Newbery.
Prize-winning author Linda Newbery has written a lyrical and imaginative story about the power of believing in the unknown. Lucy loves spending time with her grandfather as he potters around his garden. He introduces her to Lob, his mysterious helper in the garden. Is he real or not? Grannie Annie scoffs at the idea of the hidden green man but Lucy believes and, when things begin to go wrong, she knows she can turn to the mysterious Lob for comfort.
Join Barney the Boat Dog – the little dog with a big heart and even bigger adventures in Linda Newbery’s heart-warming series set on the canals. Little dog Barney lives on a narrowboat with his owner, Jim. The pair are inseparable until they get separated. Barney loves his life on the canals but the one thing he's frightened of is tunnels. So when Jim sets off into a tunnel without him, Barney is distraught. In their efforts to be reunited, man and dog just keep missing each other until poor Barney is completely worn out. However, finally brave dog Barney has to overcome his fear and enter the nasty tunnel - alone. Click here for the next in the series.
Jim and Barney are in trouble on their narrow boat. The boat's engine won't start and they've got to get to Jim's grandson's birthday party, so they get a big, strong horse named Puzzle to give them a tow. Barney and Puzzle become firm friends, with Puzzle trusting Barney to help him along the way until that is Puzzle is spooked by some pigs and runs away. Can he be found and caught in time to save the birthday party? Click here for the first in the series.
A beautiful observation of the many different moods and behaviours of an irresistibly attractive kitten. Told in a simple rhyming text matched by wonderful expressive illustrations Posy is shown in all her different poses as ‘Playful wrangler, knitting tangler’, ‘Mirror puzzler, ice-cream guzzler’ and many more. A must for cat lovers everywhere. Click here written by Linda Newbery. Click here to see more books by Author / Illustrator Catherine Rayner.
Thoughtful and touching, Flightsend delicately traces the complex emotions that surround 16 year old Charlie. Linda Newbery is especially good at capturing the heightened intensity of teenager’s feelings as Charlie sifts through what she feels about her mother’s former boyfriend, the rather creepy teacher who she at first finds attractive and then dismisses as well as her relationships with her friends. To view other novels by award-winning Linda Newbery click here.
This is a gripping, fast-paced and at times heart-stopping read about a 13 year old boy's search for identity by the winner of the 2006 Costa Children's Book Award. Hal's exclusion from school leads him to a period of discovery and reflection down on the coast with a great aunt. Here his anger subsides and his thoughts are for his father he's never met. Down on the beach he hears voices and is sure he sees someone - he's certain it's his father, but is it? Newbery is an incredibly accomplished children's novelist and this one, written with sparing prose brilliantly captures the highs and lows of a boy leading into adolescence. That said, girls will devour it too. Be sure to check out Nevermore by the same author and for younger readers (7+)her terrific Cat Tales titles.
Early readers will enjoy Linda Newbery’s Cat Tales series. In Smoke Cat, Blue is a shadowy cat who seems to vanish into a puff of smoke whenever he is called. The old lady who is his owner is mysterious, too. Simon enjoys the detective work of finding out just what is going on. In her Cat Tales titles Linda Newbery gives her cats strong roles and real personalities. Why not check out Shop Cat as well.
Early readers will enjoy Linda Newbery’s Cat Tales series. In Shop Cat, Hattie has a strange feeling that it is the cat Twister who is bringing success to her uncle’s toyshop. Can a cat really a make a toyshop work? In her Cat Tales titles Linda Newbery gives her cats strong roles and real personalities. Why not check out Smoke Cat as well.
When Tizzie’s mum takes a new job in a mysterious house in the middle of the country, Tizzie finds herself far from her friends and everything she’s known before. Lonely and bored, Tizzie begins asking questions about the house. Why is empty? And what will happen to it next? An exciting story about its past – and her own past unfolds. This is a totally up-to-the-minute story, in the spirit of the highly-acclaimed CATCALL and as atmospheric as Linda's acclaimed teen fiction. And like many of Linda Newbery's novels, it reaches into the past to complete the patchwork of her richly-drawn characters' lives. Other titles by Linda Newbery include Nevermore, Catcall, Set in Stone, and Lost Boy.
When Tizzie’s mum takes a new job in a mysterious house in the middle of the country, Tizzie finds herself far from her friends and everything she’s known before. Lonely and bored, Tizzie begins asking questions about the house. Why is empty? And what will happen to it next? An exciting story about its past – and her own past unfolds. Be sure to check out The Sandfather by the same author.
Winner of the 9-11 Nestle Silver Award 2007. This is a gripping and beautifully told atmospheric novel full of psychological tension and fast-paced action. It’s Linda Newbery, who is also the winner of the Costa Book Award with Set in Stone, at her most compelling and insightful. You’re in for a treat. Other titles by Linda Newbery include Nevermore and Lost Boy.
The Historical House is a unique collection of six intertwining novels by three highly regarded, award-winning authors. Each novel charts the life and times of the house at 6 Chelsea Walk, London, and the girls who lived there through some very different but fascinating and important periods of history. Historically strong, these are also dramatic stories with a real sense of atmosphere. Each novel sheds an impressively wide light on the social and economic picture of their time and each one stands alone but girls from 8 through to 11 or 12 will I feel want to read them all given the experience of my girls as together they create a powerful tour de force. The three new titles in the series, out now in addition to Andie’s Moon, which is set in 1969 are Cecily’s Portrait, set in 1895 and Mary Ann and Miss Mozart, which is set in 1764. The three backlist titles published a couple of years ago and reissued now to coincide with the new titles are equally inspiring are a girl’s desire to be a gardener at Kew around the time of its opening, Lizzie’s Wish, Polly’s March picks up on the suffragette movement in the early 20th century, whilst Josie under Fire features a girl caught up in the Blitz in 1941.
Winner of the Costa Children's Book Award 2006. Set at the end of the 19th century, Linda Newbery has cleverly carved out an incredible mystery that’s full of clever twists and entwined with drama, all manner of emotions and mind-blowingly powerful multi-dimensional characters, that you’ll find impossible to put down and one that is likely to haunt you long after you’ve read it. There aren’t many books that you can safely say that you’ll enjoy even more by reading it a second time but this is certainly one of them. A tour de force. The Judges said..."A novel of intrigue and deception. Newbery's landscape is a joy to walk into." Other titles by Linda Newbery include Nevermore, Catcall, and Lost Boy.
A cleverly wrought mystery that entwines the past and the present together in a moving and completely compelling way. The hook for the story – a roadside memorial cross – provides a contemporary and realistic feel to the story alongside some well drawn characters. Sometimes frightening but always completely gripping you’ll soon realise what a good writer Linda Newbery is. Other titles by Linda Newbery include Nevermore, Catcall, and Set in Stone.
Winner of the Costa Children's Book Award 2006. Set at the end of the 19th century, Linda Newbery has cleverly carved out an incredible mystery that’s full of clever twists and entwined with drama, all manner of emotions and mind-blowingly powerful multi-dimensional characters, that you’ll find impossible to put down and one that is likely to haunt you long after you’ve read it. There aren’t many books that you can safely say that you’ll enjoy even more by reading it a second time but this is certainly one of them. A tour de force.The Judges said: "A novel of intrigue and deception. Newbery's landscape is a joy to walk into." Other titles by Linda Newbery include Nevermore, Catcall, and Lost Boy.
The Historical House is a unique collection of six intertwining novels by three highly regarded, award-winning authors. Each novel charts the life and times of the house at 6 Chelsea Walk, London, and the girls who lived there through some very different but fascinating and important periods of history. Historically strong, these are also dramatic stories with a real sense of atmosphere. Each novel sheds an impressively wide light on the social and economic picture of their time and each one stands alone but girls from 8 through to 11 or 12 will I feel want to read them all given the experience of my girls as together they create a powerful tour de force. The three new titles in the series, out now are Andie’s Moon, which is set in 1969, Cecily’s Portrait, set in 1895 and Mary Ann and Miss Mozart, which is set in 1764. The three backlist titles published a couple of years ago and reissued now to coincide with the new titles are equally inspiring are a girl’s desire to be a gardener at Kew around the time of its opening, Lizzie’s Wish, Polly’s March picks up on the suffragette movement in the early 20th century, whilst Josie under Fire features a girl caught up in the Blitz in 1941.
Award-winning Linda Newbery uses the ruins of an old house as a way of unifying two stories about two young men in a thought-provoking view of World War 1. Contemporary Greg comes across the Shell House on a bicycle ride and wonders about the story behind it. Increasingly drawn to it, within its history he uncovers the tragic story of Edmund. The son of the house, Edmund, is scarred by his experiences at the front in World War 1 the horrors of which are made worse by the disjunction between the reality of the conditions endured by the soldiers and the smug and ignorant attitudes of his family and their friends. Greg unravels Edmund’s story bringing his own contemporary views of the war into the frame while also identifying with Edmund as both search for their acceptance of their identity.
An adorable story about the cutest and cheekiest of kittens. Perfect for cat lovers of all ages! She's a whiskers wiper, knitting tangler, cushion clawer, sprawly snorer... Join Posy the kitten as she bounces and pounces through an adventure-filled day. Posy may be one of the cheekiest, most inquisitive kittens around, but that doesn't stop her being one of the most loveable ones too! An irresistible picture book from Costa Children's Book Award Winner, Linda Newbery and Kate Greenaway Medal Winner, Catherine Rayner. Inspired by their own love of cats!
Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2020 | Grace is intrigued by the idea of spending the summer in the ancient house that is an important part of her family history. As she learns to heal herself following a life-changing accident and a family breakdown, Grace finds she is also able to help new friends. Like the original Flambards books, this offers at several levels from great story to psychological insights.
Andie dreams of becoming an artist. Her best paintings are inspired by the moon, and she's excited to watch the first moon landing. She loves staying in Chelsea, with its fashion, music and art galleries. There's even a real artist living in the flat downstairs. But does Andie dare to show him her work - or might it shatter her dreams? This book was previously published as Historical House: Andie's Moon.
Engaging characters handle some very difficult personal issues in a setting that may be familiar to some.
Brings the past brilliantly to life and introduces inspirational women to today's girls. Historically strong, this is a dramatic story with a real sense of atmosphere which in turn sheds an impressively wide light on the social and economic picture of its time. Girls for the Vote was originally published as Polly's March.
When Samuel Godwin, a young and naive art tutor, accepts a job with the Farrow family at their majestic home, little does he expect to come across such a web of secrets and lies. His two tutees are as different as chalk and cheese - the beautiful younger sister Marianne, full of flightiness and nervous imagination, and Juliana, oddly sensible and controlled. Assisted by their elusive governess, Charlotte Agnew, Samuel begins to uncover slowly why Marianne is so emotionally fragile. But his discoveries lead to revenge and betrayal - and lives all around are turned upside down as life and death combat each other for supremacy. Linda Newbery has written a novel in diary style, combining different voices and a different century with her usual brilliance and ease. These are characters full of the same passions as our own today, while living in a less familiar and fascinating time.
Tomas wants to be like his father - strong, brave and fearless. Pappi is a mountain guide, often away from home. He has taught Tomas to love the mountains, but also to fear their dangers - the winds and blizzards, the treacherous paths, the giddying slopes. Above all, Tomas fears the Brockenspectre - a huge, shadowy creature that lives alone in the heights, waiting for unwary climbers. Its looming figure haunts his thoughts and his dreams. When Pappi goes out one day and fails to return, Tomas knows it's up to him to search - up on the high mountain passes, where dangers await. Will Tomas find his father . . . or will the Brockenspectre find him?
Interest Age Teen Reading Age 13 | In a nutshell: inspiring story about women winning the vote | It’s summer 1914 and Lizzy is enjoying a new freedom: she’s saved the wages from her job as an office junior in an insurance company and bought a bicycle. The job and her new bike lead Lizzy indirectly to a meeting of the Women’s Social and Political Union, and more freedoms: inspired by what she hears she joins the Suffragettes, willing – even proud – to be imprisoned for her cause. Linda Newbery brings the suffragette movement to life through the eyes of one vividly drawn young woman, making us all aware of our continuing responsibility to stand up for what we believe, and to use our votes. It’s worth checking out the story of the cover too, specially created by artist Stewart Eaton. Readers will also enjoy Anna Carey’s longer novel The Making of Mollie and Opal Plumstead by Jacqueline Wilson, which also feature Suffragettes. ~ Andrea Reece Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 12+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range. ***If you like historical fiction you might also be interested in Tilt by Mary Hoffman, a novel set in the Romantic era in Pisa, Italy and the puzzle of the leaning tower.
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