Emma Norry is a compelling and important voice in contemporary children’s literature, known for her heartfelt and imaginative storytelling for middle grade readers (8-12). Emma was born in Cardiff, and grew up in the care system, experiencing life in children’s homes and foster placements across various parts of the UK. Writing under the names E. L. Norry and Em Norry, Emma draws deeply on her personal experiences to inform her work.

Emma's first book for children was Son of the Circus, part of the Voices series, which explores authentic stories of the lives of British immigrants throughout history. Emma's recent books include the Fablehouse series, a spectacular magical adventure steeped in Arthurian legend, and Runaways, a moving story of two children who meet by chance in Waterloo Station.

Emma balances her writing career with work as a screenwriter, and as a Wellbeing Coach and Safeguarding Officer at a further education college. Emma is also a regular judge for the Coram Voices Creative Writing competition for children in care and young care leavers across the UK.

We are proud to welcome Emma Norry to LoveReading4Kids as our Guest Editor.

Hello. I’m E.L. Norry, an author and screenwriter, and I’m really delighted to be this month’s Guest Editor here at LoveReading4Kids – a brilliant resource if you’re looking for your next epic read!

I loved reading when I was a child. I couldn’t get enough of all the many different types of stories there were out there – exciting adventures, interesting historical, magical lands, stories told by animals.

My favourite people in the world are teachers and librarians. Libraries are THE BEST place to find new books because you can take out loads and it doesn’t cost you anything! So if you don’t like a book, you can just take it back and try something utterly new!

Q. Your most recent book Runaways deals with themes of belonging and resilience, and difficult subjects of drug use, family crisis and homelessness. Why is it important for you to write about these real life issues, and what do you hope your readers will take from this book?

A. In an ideal world, children and young people would be protected from the harsher aspects of life. In an ideal world, children wouldn't have to deal with poverty, homelessness, war, violence, abuse or neglect. But we don't live in an ideal world. I work in safeguarding and wellbeing with teenagers and many of the issues they face are very difficult. Sometimes adults prefer to gloss over what the reality of life may be like because it's painful to consider and no-one likes to feel helpless when it comes to the safety and wellbeing of children. There are topics adults believe children should be protected from, or that they can 'deal with when they're older' but, if you're a teacher, or a librarian, you might have no idea what life is like for a child at home. Offering books which may contain difficult topics mean that a child may be able to read about something that affects them, and they might not feel so alone. Maybe it will encourage them to speak up to a trusted adult. Children don't always recognise that their situation might be able to be changed, that there is help out there, that what they are going through may not be normal. They might not have any idea that they aren't the only ones dealing with something. If you can reflect their world in a book, show them characters who they might recognise and connect with, then that can have a positive influence. Just because childhood can represent a time free of adult responsibilities doesn't mean it's a simpler or safer time for many. I will always write about the realities of life, but by writing with sensitivity and understanding, I like to think I give readers hope, as well as lessons in empathy.

Q. Jamie and July each have quite different reasons for wanting to escape. Can you tell us a bit about their reasons for running away.

A. When I was writing Runaways, what I tried to focus on was the idea that July is running to someone and Jamie is running away from someone. 

July is back home living with her mum after a period in foster care and kinship care. She's really hopeful that this time things will be different but when Mum gives her some bad news and an old friend turns up, July feels she has no choice but to run off to get help. 

Jamie's Mum has gone away on a short break, and he can't ask her for help so his decision to run is more panicked and made in the heat of the moment. 

Q. Why did you decide to tell the story through a dual-narrative of both Jamie and July’s points of view? 

A. I really enjoy stories where we see different points of view. I also think offering different perspectives is a way to experience more empathy, which underpins everything I write. I'm fascinated by the way that even though people may share common experiences — going to the same school, being the same age, living in the same town — we experience life and our surroundings so differently. Two people can interpret the exact same event in totally different ways. I wanted to write about two children from very different backgrounds but I wanted them to become friends. They might not ordinarily believe that they had anything in common and wouldn't be drawn to one another in a usual setting, but amazing friendships can be found when you step out of your comfort zone!

Q. Many of your books focus on themes of identity, history, and belonging. Why are those important to you? 

A. Sometimes certain themes emerge from a writer's work even if they aren't consciously exploring that particular topic. One of the reasons I write is to understand what I think and feel. For me, the topics of identity, belonging and history are important because of the way I grew up. As a mixed-race Jewish child in care, there were many aspects of my identity that I had no knowledge or understanding of. 

Q. What changes would you like to see in the publishing industry when it comes to inclusion?

A. Inclusion is ensuring that people feel valued, respected and have their voice heard and in order for this to happen, we really still need more diversity at higher levels in the industry which is mainly white and middle-class. Publishing is a competitive industry but when entry-level salaries are low, then only the already financially stable can really access and afford to stay in the profession. If there were more diverse agents, commissioning editors, publishing directors — this would affect who and what is being published and supported marketing-wise too.

Q. Were you a big reader when you were younger and who influenced your book choices? 

A. I was a huge reader as a child and would often read a book a day. I don't remember anyone influencing my book choices and sadly, I don't ever remember being read to either. Children's fiction didn't really exist then as it does now.

I would just pick up whatever was on the shelves around me which often led to some odd discoveries - being obsessed with a Walter de la Mere poetry collection I found when I was about seven is one example! I was a fan of libraries and from seven until I was around eleven, I was really drawn to the classics. I probably got some recommendations from librarians and my English teachers. I was just fascinated with books altogether. I remember reading the blurbs and first page and then if that sounded interesting, I'd read it. When I had my first crush,  around twelve, I just copied what he read — he was a big Stephen King fan.

Q. If you could step into any time in history for a day, where would you go and why? 

A. I'm a film buff (studied Film at University and later, Screenwriting) and if I was only going to spend one day in another time period then I'd have absolutely loved to have been in the audience in December 1895 for the first showing of the Lumiere brothers screening — I think that must have been extraordinary! 

Q. What does LoveReading4Kids mean to you?

A. I've been a fan of LoveReading for years and used to review books even before I became published! LoveReading4Kids supports reading for pleasure, and reading for pleasure is the most important thing. I love how you now donate 25% of the cover price to schools and have the school fund — supporting that reading is and should be accessible for everyone.

As for five books I’d like to recommend? I’m a huge fan of verse novels as well as graphic novels and here is what I’ve really loved recently.

1. Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt – an amazing verse novel told by Selah who is autistic and how she navigates the world and struggles around her. Sensitive and poetic.

2. My Life on Fire by Cath Howe – a realistic contemporary novel that deals with the aftermath of when Ren’s family home burns down. It’s told in two different points of view – Ren and Caspar and is filled with friendship and hope.

3. Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson – 12-year-old Astrid loves roller derby and signs up to do it at camp. She thinks her best friend will too, but when she doesn’t… this graphic novel explores the dynamics of friendships and the power of perseverance.

4. You’re a Bad Man Mr Gum by Andy Stanton – I read these books to my children when they were younger and we’ve never laughed out loud at anything quite so much, or ever again. Mr Gum hates just about everything, including children, animals and fun.

5. Nate Yu's Blast from the Past by Maisie Chan – Really enjoyed this fast-paced story about Nate Yu Riley who has just moved to a new city with his two mums and is starting a new school – he isn’t too sure about either, or his Chinese heritage that he doesn’t know anything about! But, he knows a lot about ants!

Emma has picked Dance of Resistance: The Josephine Baker Story as her Guest Editor's Choice Book of the Month 

Catherine Johnson writes brilliant historical novels for children. This newest one is a biography in the first person all about the life of activist and performer, Josephine Baker, born in the USA in 1906. The focus here is on how important dance and performing were to Josephine – she danced the Charleston with her pet cheetah! -- but also how she was a spy for France (her new home during the war) and was a voice in the fight for equal rights in the US alongside MLK, right up until her death fifty years ago. The resilience and perseverance demonstrated by Josephine throughout her life is incredibly inspiring and will captivate younger readers. Catherine manages to tell us about some difficult and unpleasant parts of Baker’s life but in a way that fans of both fact and fiction will enjoy and be able to understand. Barrington Stokes books are ideal for struggling readers to. The format and language is accessible and engaging.

With huge thanks to E. L. Norry - our Guest Editor of the Month, September 2025.

Find Emma's books below, including a selection of short story collections to which she has contributed.