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Natasha Farrant has worked in children’s publishing for almost twenty years, running her own literary scouting agency for the past ten. She is the author of the Carnegie longlisted and Branford Boase shortlisted YA historical novel The Things We Did For Love, as well as two successful adult novels.
She grew up in London where she still lives with her husband, their two daughters and a large tortoiseshell cat. She is the eldest of four siblings and has never dyed her hair pink.
Photo credit © Sam Armstrong.
UKLA Longlist Book Awards - 2019 | When Alice's family home has to be sold, she and her father Barney will do whatever it takes to buy it back - even if whatever it takes isn't strictly legal. Both hilarious and heartfelt, this is the classic adventure story brought bang up to date, and told in Natasha's inimitable voice.
Longlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award In a nutshell: Dances | Dreams | Determination Younger sister of Lizzy and Jane, Lydia Bennet is one of literature’s great catalysts. Her actions are fundamental to the story of Pride and Prejudice, but there we never learn exactly what lead up to her shocking elopement with Wickham. Natasha Farrant fills in those gaps, drawing Lydia as impetuous, bold, determined, a breathing teenage girl, much more likeable than she’s allowed to be in Austen’s novel. She gives Lydia some 21st century sensibilities, showing her frustrated by society’s constraints on women and dreaming of escape and independence. Her relationship with her sisters is warmly and wittily described, as is her relationship with Wickham – they are surprisingly honest with each other, and he is much more sympathetic as a result. In fact this story is full of surprises, a fresh, sharp but faithful reimagining it will delight readers, whether they know the original or not. ~ Andrea Reece A Piece of passion from Publisher, Barry Cunningham It’s no secret that Pride and Prejudice has captured the hearts of readers for centuries. But what’s been under wraps, until now, is the life and voice of one of its more minor characters – Lydia, the youngest Bennet sister – who’s anything but minor in this funny and fresh reimagining of the beloved novel.Lydia is spirited, witty and independent – a modern girl before her time. Through her diary entries and letters, we see a young woman trying to break free, trying to get what she wants, but who just . . . CAN’T. But there’s romance and adventure on her horizon, and with it a life that she would have never thought possible. Not to be too Austentatious, but I think there’s a lot of Lydia in me. The author has told me she thinks there’s a lot of Wickham in her. And I KNOW that readers will love seeing themselves in these much-loved characters . . . brought to life in the modern age in a way like never before.
In a Nutshell: Sibling shenanigans | Family frenzies | Everyday miracles Humorous, generous-hearted fourth and final novel in a heavenly series that just keeps on giving. The winds of change are whooshing through the Gadsby household. The siblings have a new pink-haired, fairy-wing-wearing nanny. Flora is off to theatre school in Scotland. Sensitive Twig has taken up rugby. Poetry-writing Jas is being bullied by the callous Cupcake Crew, and the ponies from the stables under the motorway are being relocated to Devon. Life is pretty much business as usual for documentary-making Bluebell, until enigmatic artistic Marek Valenta arrives from Prague and sprinkles more than a little magic and Central European chic on her world. They're both artists, individuals who “see things differently”, as Marek describes it. When Marek’s money-driven dad decides to banish him to a distant posh school, where the cruelties of cross-country running are de rigueur, Bluebell comes up with a “crazy impossible” plan that might just fix all their problems, and set her on the road to making history. Ideal for younger teen fans of funny, thoughtful, family-focussed fiction, this is a richly rewarding book about finding your way, making mistakes and sticking together. It’s layered with moments that bring a lump to the throat (such as when Bluebell returns to the hill that was beloved by Ivy, her lost twin), and moments that induce hysterical howls (like the disastrous disintegration of the Halloween parade). And all the inimitably madcap, life-affirming, love-filled Gadbsy gatherings give a warm glow to the soul. ~ Joanne Owen
Longlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Book Award 2014 - One of our Books of the Year 2013 - July 2013 Book of the Month Ebullient, life affirming, witty and utterly convincing and tinged with credible sadness, thirteen year old Bluebell Gadsby’s diary is a brilliant teen diary in the mode of Dodie Smith’s classic I Capture the Castle. The complications of family and romance swirl around Blue and she records all both on film and in her diaries. Blue’s entertaining record captures the dramas of her noisy family, which includes a nest of pet rats, and her own stirrings of love for Joss, the ‘bad boy’ from next door under the lax supervision of Zoran, the young temporary babysitter their parents have bought in while they are away, busy with their own lives. But all is tempered by Blue’s deep grief caused by the recent death of her twin sister. Have the rest of the family really forgotten? Natasha Farrant tugs all manner of heart strings in her emotionally rich rendition of family life.
A welcome return of the large, artistic and somewhat chaotic Gadsby family as they are charmingly and wittily observed by Bluebell Gadsby on video and in her diary. This time Bluebell turns her attention to falling in love. While Bluebell dithers over whether she is or isn’t going out with Jake, Flora falls head over heels in love with Zach and even Twig seems to be interested in a girlfriend. Meanwhile Jas is becoming a budding poet and Mum and Dad have a very big secret of their own. Natasha Farrant is exceptional at capturing the details of family life and the swirling emotions that surround them.
Told in diary form – interspersed every so often with transcripts of her own video films – Bluebell Gadsby’s life story continues to provide some of the very best reading for young teens: funny, perceptive and genuinely heartwarming. In this third book in the series, Bluebell and two of her five siblings, Twig and Jas, are spending summer – as they so often have – in the country with their grandma. But this year everything is different. Mum has chosen to stay at home with thebaby baby, Dad is away filming in New Zealand and the eldest sister Flora is with him. Blue is worrying about her feelings for her new baby brother, and the arrival of two boys at Grandma’s neighbours stir things up even more. It’s a subtle, touching portrait of family life, ever-changing as children grow up, and adults grow old, and it’s written with real skill. ~ Andrea Reece
Longlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Book Award 2014 - One of our Books of the Year 2013 - July 2013 Book of the Month Ebullient, life affirming, witty and utterly convincing and tinged with credible sadness, thirteen year old Bluebell Gadsby’s diary is a brilliant teen diary in the mode of Dodie Smith’s classic I Capture the Castle. The complications of family and romance swirl around Blue and she records all both on film and in her diaries. Blue’s entertaining record captures the dramas of her noisy family, which includes a nest of pet rats, and her own stirrings of love for Joss, the ‘bad boy’ from next door under the lax supervision of Zoran, the young temporary babysitter their parents have bought in while they are away, busy with their own lives. But all is tempered by Blue’s deep grief caused by the recent death of her twin sister. Have the rest of the family really forgotten? Natasha Farrant tugs all manner of heart strings in her emotionally rich rendition of family life. ~ Julia Eccleshare
A welcome return of the large, artistic and somewhat chaotic Gadsby family as they are charmingly and wittily observed by Bluebell Gadsby on video and in her diary. This time Bluebell turns her attention to falling in love. While Bluebell dithers over whether she is or isn’t going out with Jake, Flora falls head over heels in love with Zach and even Twig seems to be interested in a girlfriend. Meanwhile Jas is becoming a budding poet and Mum and Dad have a very big secret of their own. Natasha Farrant is exceptional at capturing the details of family life and the swirling emotions that surround them. ~ Julia Eccleshare
Bluebell Gadsby is 13 but that's the least of her problems. Both her parents seem more interested in their careers than the family, leaving Blue and her three siblings as well as their three pet rats (who may or may not be pregnant), in the care of Zoran the au pair.
A welcome return of the large, artistic and somewhat chaotic Gadsby family as they are charmingly and wittily observed by Bluebell Gadsby on video and in her diary. This time Bluebell turns her attention to falling in love. While Bluebell dithers over whether she is or isn’t going out with Jake, Flora falls head over heels in love with Zach and even Twig seems to be interested in a girlfriend. Meanwhile Jas is becoming a budding poet and Mum and Dad have a very big secret of their own. Natasha Farrant is exceptional at capturing the details of family life and the swirling emotions that surround them.
A welcome return of the large, artistic and somewhat chaotic Gadsby family as they are charmingly and wittily observed by Bluebell Gadsby on video and in her diary. This time Bluebell turns her attention to falling in love. While Bluebell dithers over whether she is or isn’t going out with Jake, Flora falls head over heels in love with Zach and even Twig seems to be interested in a girlfriend. Meanwhile Jas is becoming a budding poet and Mum and Dad have a very big secret of their own. Natasha Farrant is exceptional at capturing the details of family life and the swirling emotions that surround them. ~ Julia Eccleshare
Longlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Book Award 2014 - One of our Books of the Year 2013 - July 2013 Book of the Month Ebullient, life affirming, witty and utterly convincing and tinged with credible sadness, thirteen year old Bluebell Gadsby’s diary is a brilliant teen diary in the mode of Dodie Smith’s classic I Capture the Castle. The complications of family and romance swirl around Blue and she records all both on film and in her diaries. Blue’s entertaining record captures the dramas of her noisy family, which includes a nest of pet rats, and her own stirrings of love for Joss, the ‘bad boy’ from next door under the lax supervision of Zoran, the young temporary babysitter their parents have bought in while they are away, busy with their own lives. But all is tempered by Blue’s deep grief caused by the recent death of her twin sister. Have the rest of the family really forgotten? Natasha Farrant tugs all manner of heart strings in her emotionally rich rendition of family life.
Longlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Book Award 2014 - One of our Books of the Year 2013 - July 2013 Book of the Month Ebullient, life affirming, witty and utterly convincing and tinged with credible sadness, thirteen year old Bluebell Gadsby’s diary is a brilliant teen diary in the mode of Dodie Smith’s classic I Capture the Castle. The complications of family and romance swirl around Blue and she records all both on film and in her diaries. Blue’s entertaining record captures the dramas of her noisy family, which includes a nest of pet rats, and her own stirrings of love for Joss, the ‘bad boy’ from next door under the lax supervision of Zoran, the young temporary babysitter their parents have bought in while they are away, busy with their own lives. But all is tempered by Blue’s deep grief caused by the recent death of her twin sister. Have the rest of the family really forgotten? Natasha Farrant tugs all manner of heart strings in her emotionally rich rendition of family life. ~ Julia Eccleshare
Bluebell Gadsby is 13 but that's the least of her problems. Both her parents seem more interested in their careers than the family, leaving Blue and her three siblings as well as their three pet rats (who may or may not be pregnant), in the care of Zoran the au pair.
Shortlisted for The Branford Boase Award 2013 A beautiful and bittersweet love story set in the real village of Oradour-sur-Glane which was cruelly and apparently randomly destroyed during the Second World War. Teenagers Luc and Arianne meet and fall in love. Ari is willing to do anything to stop Luc from joining the French Resistance movement but will it be enough? The absolute romance of first love is touchingly captured and made all the more poignant by the terrible circumstance in which it arises. ............................... The Brandford Boase Award is given annually to the author of an outstanding debut novel for children. The seven shortlisted titles were: After the Snow by SD Crockett The Things We Did for Love by Natasha Farrant Daylight Saving by Edward Hogan A Hen in the Wardrobe by Wendy Meddour Black Arts by Andrew Prentice & Jonathan Weil A Boy and a Bear in a Boat by Dave Shelton A World Between Us by Lydia Syson ****The Winner was A Boy and a Bear in a Boat.
March 2012 Debut of the Month. A beautiful and bittersweet love story set in the real village of Oradour-sur-Glane which was cruelly and apparently randomly destroyed during the Second World War. Teenagers Luc and Arianne meet and fall in love. Ari is willing to do anything to stop Luc from joining the French Resistance movement but will it be enough? The absolute romance of first love is touchingly captured and made all the more poignant by the terrible circumstance in which it arises. Faber, the publisher of this brilliant debut novel, is looking for short stories, poems or opinion pieces on the theme or love or war (or both). For more details on this take a look on www.facebook.com/thesparkpage - n.b. if you 'like' it you will be able to see all the content.
Here are eight princesses for the Rebel Girls generation: bold, empowered, full of curiosity, adventure and determined to be true to themselves. Natasha Farrant's original stories are set in different times all around the world, blending modern and traditional storytelling with glowing full colour illustrations by debut artist Lydia Corry in a glorious gift book. 'Mirror, mirror on the wall... what makes a princess excellent?' An enchantress flings her magic mirror into our universe. Reflected in it are princesses who refuse to be pretty, polite or obedient. Through the centuries and around the world these girls are fierce, brave, and determined to do the rescuing themselves. The desert princess protects her people from the king with the black and gold banner. The forest princess takes a crocodile for a pet. An island princess explores the high seas. A mountain princess puts kindness above being royal. And in a tower-block in a city, Princess saves her community garden from the hands of urban developers.
Here are eight princesses for the Rebel Girls generation: bold, empowered, full of curiosity, adventure and determined to be true to themselves. Natasha Farrant's original stories are set in different times all around the world, blending modern and traditional storytelling with glowing full colour illustrations by debut artist Lydia Corry in a glorious gift book. 'Mirror, mirror on the wall... what makes a princess excellent?' An enchantress flings her magic mirror into our universe. Reflected in it are princesses who refuse to be pretty, polite or obedient. Through the centuries and around the world these girls are fierce, brave, and determined to do the rescuing themselves. The desert princess protects her people from the king with the black and gold banner. The forest princess takes a crocodile for a pet. An island princess explores the high seas. A mountain princess puts kindness above being royal. And in a tower-block in a city, Princess saves her community garden from the hands of urban developers.
When Alice's family home has to be sold, she and her father Barney will do whatever it takes to buy it back - even if whatever it takes isn't strictly legal. And when Alice is expelled and sent away to an isolated boarding-school, she'll do whatever it takes again to get away. But Stormy Loch Academy isn't quite what she expected. With its strange rules and eccentric headmaster and rag-tag mix of students and teachers, it has a way of growing on you. Still, when Barney goes missing (all that not strictly legal business) she knows she has to rescue him. Armed with two new friends, she sets off on an epic quest through the wild Scottish highlands and islands to finally get her heart's desire - but does she know anymore exactly what that is?Both hilarious and heartfelt, this is the classic adventure story brought bang up to date, and told in Natasha's inimitable voice.
A spirited, witty and fresh reimagining of Jane Austen's Prideand Prejudice! Lydia is the youngest Bennet sister and she's sick of country life - instead of sewing and reading, she longs for adventure. When a red-coated garrison arrives in Merryton, Lydia's life turns upside down. As she falls for dashing Wickham, she's swept into a whirlwind social circle and deposited in a seaside town, Brighton. Sea-bathing, promenades and scandal await - and a pair of intriguing siblings. Can Lydia find out what she really wants - and can she get it?
Bluebell and her siblings are beginning a new school year. Suddenly everyone is freaking out. Twig has taken up violent team sports, poor Jas is being bullied by the ghastly Cupcake Crew and Blue has a big decision to make.There are fights and crying fits. Halloween parades gone wrong and secret graffiti artists. Confusing friendships and life-changing choices. But there is also laughter and above all, there is love - and that's what being a family is all about.
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