Monday, 26 September 2011
Victoria goes to Uni!
Friday, 16 September 2011
Comment from Malaika Rose Stanley
Thank you, 'Miss Cheetham'. This is such a lovely, warm post about my visit to EGA yesterday that it actually brought tears to my eyes. I was really impressed by the Bookaholics' introduction to Skin Deep and by how interesting/interested and engaged all the girls were at the launch. They did me proud! (Malaika)
Skin Deep review
'When 13 -year-old Destiny enters the Bright Sparks beauty contest behind her (ex-model) mum's back, she is determined to prove she has a talent and brans - and that she is not just a pretty face.' (Book blurb)
Skin Deep is a fun enjoyable book which tells the story of Destiny and her cousin Keisha and her two friends Ebyan and Bee. Disaster strikes when Destiny develops an illness when she is about to take part in the final of the Bright Sparks competition, where she is due to showcase her cello playing. Along the way she has to deal with Bella the Bully, negotiate her mother and her neighbour and deal with a sudden drop in her confidence.
Girls will love this uplifting book about a group of friends and the message it puts across about self worth and appearance and the different attitudes people have.
The book is the first in a series featuring the four likeable characters and drawing on the feedback from the students who have read the book; it promises to be a big success. The cover alone (fabulous illustrations by Sarah Coleman aka Inkymole) is eye-catching and has a definite appeal for young readers. We look forward to the next in the series!
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| Malaika Rose Stanley & The Bookaholics at the Skin deep launch |
Malaika Rose Stanley and the 'Skin Deep' launch at EGA 15/09/11
I was thrilled to be asked last summer to host the launch of Malaika Rose Stanley's new book for pre teenage girls, 'Skin Deep.' Preview copies were sent to me last July and I recruited some Year 7 students to read the manuscripts. They were excited to get to read a book that was not yet published and the manuscripts themselves were attractive; A4 size with a colour cover page replicating the actual book cover. A few girls even finished the book before the term was up and really enjoyed reading it.
Yesterday Malaika visited EGA and we held the launch in the hall. Her audience were a mixture of Year 7 and 8, plus the Year 9 'Bookaholics' reading group. Rosanna had made a lovely banner, which Malaika liked so much she took it home with her and the 'Bookaholics' did a short introduction to the book, reading as the four main characters in the book. Khadra was the star with her French accent, which caused much amusement.
Malaika introduced her talk by wondering how she could follow in the footsteps of Michelle Obama, who visited the school in 2009. The answer is - easily. The girls thoroughly enjoyed her talk and asked and answered questions about female role models, what their achievements in life are and the qualities they value in a friend. It was a very inspiring session and Malaika also talked about her career as a former teacher and now a writer.
The reading from the book was the highlight for me, read in a thick Brummie accent, the books really came alive when read aloud. When Malaika stopped reading, one girl sighed 'Oh' out loud and I think she echoed the general feeling in the room; we didn't want her to stop! She obliged and read a bit more!
After the talk Malaika signed copies of her book which were available for purchase at a reduced price and there was a long queue at her desk, illustrating the success of Malaika and 'Skin Deep.'
Thursday, 8 September 2011
Skin Deep Book Launch
Skin Deep –launch at EGA on Thursday 15th September 2011
BIG ambitions, BIG problems, BIG bullies
The first book in the newly-launched Sugar and Spice series, this is pre-teen girly fiction at its best: well-written, thoughtful and great fun.
When 13-year-old Destiny enters the Bright Sparks beauty contest behind her (ex-model) mum’s back, she is determined to prove she has talent and brains – and that she is not just a pretty face.
Together with her cousin, Keisha and best friends, Ebyan and Bee, Destiny deals with every challenge life throws at her – including scary eyeball-to-eyeball confrontations with bully-girl Bella and secret winks from heart-throb, Joel. And then real disaster strikes...Ideal for fans of Jacqueline Wilson and Cathy Cassidy, this series will appeal to girls aged 9+.
Malaika Rose Stanley used to work as a teacher, but was forced to give up her job supporting children with special needs because of her treatment for cancer. In only two years as a full-time writer, she has four children’s books to her name and is Tamarind’s most prolific author. In 2010, The Independent listed Spike and Ali Enson as a Book of the Year and Miss Bubble’s Troubles was listed as a 2011 World Book Day Recommended Read.
The Skin Deep launch will take place in the EGA Hall at 2:00 pm on Thursday 15 September at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School. Copies will be available to purchase for £3.30
Sugar and Spice: Skin Deep
144-page paperback
Published by Tamarind/Random House on 1st September 2011, £4.99 or less
Read the first chapter:
Watch the video trailer:
For review copies and further press/publicity information, please contact:
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