Hello. I’m Sarah. I’ve written three books for young readers, Big Magic and its sequel Magic Awry, and my latest, Run - a survival, adventure story set in the Australian bush.
I write at a desk looking over my wild, subtropical garden (or in my bed) with my dog Louie close by, and I drink far too much tea while I work.
‘Run’ - a survival adventure story
Cas thought running away from home would solve all his problems. But he didn’t count on getting hopelessly lost in the tangled Australian bush.
Alone and afraid, Cas has given up all hope of rescue when he stumbles upon a strange family hiding out in the wilderness. He won’t survive without their help. But when he discovers they are also on the run - from something so big they won’t even talk about it - he realises his problems are just beginning.
“‘With its blend of suspense, emotional depth and thought-provoking themes, Run will resonate with readers aged 10+. The high-stakes plot and social justice angle are age-appropriate, avoiding unnecessary grit or violence and making the story suitable for the target audience.’ ”
“I devoured it in one night. If you want to know what will solve the reading crisis for young males, it’s books like this. Bravo Sarah!”
“Brilliant and original! I was hooked from the start.”
“One of the best middle grade books I’ve read this year ... Run is a book that will spark some great discussion regarding right vs. wrong, and what it means to have your own back when it feels like no one else does. But at the same time, I think it really fits the bill for a story that doesn’t feel didactic or preachy. Your kids won’t know what hit them!”
“A wild survival story full of twists, mysteries and danger. I couldn’t put it down!”
“This is a fast-paced survival story that also manages to thoughtfully address themes of family and forgiveness ... The plot is gripping, yet written with sensitivity and an inclusive approach.
Survival stories (and survival television shows!) tend to focus on someone overcoming difficult conditions alone. This book offers a unique perspective, as characters grapple with relationships to other people, and prove to be just as challenging as the wilderness. Run is an exciting read for ages 9+.”
‘Magic Awry’ – the sequel to ‘Big Magic’
Eleven-year old Tulsi loves using the Big Magic she’s inherited from her mother. But one night, in the middle of her family’s spectacular circus show, something goes wrong with her magic powers - with frightening results.
Tulsi is desperate to stop magic from going awry again and must travel to a parallel universe where she discovers that magic is in danger everywhere.
Buy ‘Magic Awry’ at your local bookstore or online.
“Sometimes reading sweeps you away on an adventure and you just can’t stop. This book was my adventure, with all the ingredients of a perfect page-turner: friendship, magic, family and loyalty. I loved it.”
‘Big Magic’
Eleven-year-old Tulsi comes from a long line of women magicians, but her mother has always forbidden her to learn Big Magic. It’s dangerous, thrilling, and powerful – and Tulsi wants it more than anything. But one hot summer’s night, a magic trick goes horribly wrong, and her mother disappears. Only one person can bring her back, and that’s Tulsi.
But first, she’ll have to learn a lifetime’s worth of Big Magic – in just one month. It’s an impossible task, especially when her teacher – her strange grandmother, Sylvie – was long ago banned from doing any Big Magic at all.
Tulsi is determined to save her mum, but does she have what it takes? And where, exactly, has her mother gone?
2023 CBCA Book of the Year Notable
“An earthy, life-shaking tale of real magic and the responsibilities that come with power. Like Harry Potter, it feels like there’s a treat in every paragraph.”
The cover for Big Magic was designed and illustrated by Julia Murray
Fancy some bite-sized, kid-friendly podcasts on writing craft? My writing group and I put out a weekly pod called ‘Five Writers Five Minutes’. Each week we weigh in on a different topic. eg. Raising the Stakes, Writing Exciting Scenes, What To Do When Writing is Hard, and Brainstorming a Story. The five writers are Deborah Abela, Tristan Bancks, Zanni Louise, Lian Tanner and me. And the five minutes sometimes turns into eight, but we do our best to keep it short and sharp! Check us out on YouTube or your favourite podcast streaming service, like Buzzsprout.
There’s something exhilarating about writing a novel and having absolutely no idea where the story is going. Anything is possible and unexpected twists pop up, seemingly out of nowhere. I once read someone describe writing a first draft as groping your way blindfolded through a strange room.