Red House Children's Book Award

Questions & Answers

How do you feel about being shortlisted for the Red House Children's Book Award?

I feel really excited. It means a lot for kids to nominate my book because you're who I wrote it for! Thank you!

How would you describe Love, Aubrey in five words?

I ran out of cheese.

Where did you get your inspiration for your novel?

Same as always - everywhere and nowhere - from the need to include my favourite snack in a novel, from worry about my grandmother after her sister died, from worry about car accidents but most of all from the fact that Aubrey was a great narrator to listen to, and I was curious about what had happened and would happen to her, so I kept listening.

How important do you think it is to discuss loss in teenage fiction?

For those who have lost someone like Aubrey has, having books to read about characters in similar situations can make them feel much, much less alone. For those who haven't, it can be really valuable to have something to read that helps them understand the experiences of others. I meet a lot of adults who express their doubts about loss being an okay subject for young people, but as life itself doesn't deny young people from experiencing loss, I think literature written for them should reflect that.

What is your favourite children's book?

Harry Potter

Where is your favourite place in the world?

My gut answer to this question is Toledo, Spain. It is the first foreign city that I woke up in and that morning I also woke up to an insatiable love for travel. My more-thought-out answer is to choose Italy or Ireland, the two foreign countries I have spent the most time in. I think I like seeing different places so much that I cant pick one favourite place.

What's your favourite joke?

A string walks into a bar. He sits down and asks for a drink. The bartender says, "Get out of here, string! I don't serve string!" So the string goes outside. He loops himself through his own middle, tatters his edges, and goes back in. He sits down and asks for a drink. "Are you that same string from before?" asks the bartender suspiciously. "No, I'm a frayed knot", answers the string.

If you could have any super power what would it be?

Teleporting - while I really like travelling, I would rather not spend my time flying. Instantly getting to my destination would be awesome.

What makes you laugh?

You know when you remember something funny that happened earlier and you start laughing about it out of context? I always end up laughing even more when I realise that everyone around me just thinks I am laughing for no reason.

Who is your hero?

The lead teacher in the classroom I work in. I love the way she teaches and the way she talks to our kids.