A Word With Mel Darbon
Julia Thum • Jun 24, 2019
I am over the moon to welcome Mel Darbon to the site this morning. Mel is the super talented author of August's Book Of The Month, Rosie Loves Jack. You have probably heard about Mel's wonderful debut but if you've somehow missed the hullabaloo surrounding its publication, check out my review on The Bookshelf. It's currently my #1 contender for Book Of The Year- it's a beautiful story brilliantly told and it got so far under my skin that when I reviewed it on BBC Berkshire I got a big lump in my throat and had to try very hard not to cry!
I am also absolutely delighted to be welcoming the fantastic group of Student Librarians from Wycombe High School, who got together with me to discuss Rosie Loves Jack and came up with these brilliant questions for Mel. So, without further ado, I will hand the metaphorical microphone to them:-
What motivated you to write Rosie Loves Jack - was it the story you wanted to tell or Rosie's voice you wanted to get across?
It was a combination of both, but primarily the voice I wanted to get across. This was so important to me because of my background and experience with people with Learning Disabilities.
I think it’s hugely important to have a first person narrator with impairment, as I wanted my reader to be able to view the world from the perspective of someone with Down’s syndrome, because we should never assume that someone who has difficulty communicating has nothing to say; we need to look beyond the labels and focus on ability and not disability. I wanted my reader to really feeland understand what it’s like to have assumptions made about you because of the way you look by ‘putting on Rosie’s shoes’ and walking with her on her journey. It’s a very intimate perspective that works well for a teenage /young adult reader.
How did you 'get into character' and keep Rosie's voice so clear and distinct?
I’ve discovered on my writing journey that one of the best things you can do is a very in depth character analysis for every person in your book. If you do this then it is easy to understand the way each character will respond to certain situations and then they develop organically through the story. It ‘brings them alive’ to the degree that they will take you by the hand and lead you through the story – often to places you would never have thought of by yourself! I felt Rosie was inside my head. For instance, my character Rosie has a brother called Ben. I decided that Ben broke his back as a small child, which meant that the continued focus on Rosie stopped for a period of time. This gave her a chance to make decisions for herself and be much more independent than she might have been otherwise, even though her mother and grandmother are determined that she will live as normal a life as is possible. This helps her navigate her journey to Jack more adroitly.
Doing this also helped give Rosie’s voice such clarity. After I’d mastered writing down the way she spoke – running words together at times, ‘okaythankyou’ and using her own unique way of seeing things, ‘An orange segment moon’ it was easy to keep her voice clear and distinct.
Did you seek editorial feedback from readers with Down's syndrome?
Yes! It was really important to my publishers, Usborne, that we did this and to me too. They used what is called a sensitivity reader. I wanted to give an honest and accurate portrayal of someone with Down’s syndrome, so that they instantly recognised themselves in my book. My sensitivity reader was called Rula and she wrote the most wonderful, insightful report, which concluded that Rosie was a very accurate portrayal of someone with Down’s syndrome and that at times she had felt that Rosie was her, Rula, in the book. I couldn’t have been more delighted!
How long did it take you to write the book (and how many drafts?)
Two years from when the seed of the idea came to me on my Creative Writing for Young People MA. It always takes much longer to get the first book out. My second book will have taken a year and is out in September 2019.
All together there were five drafts, but that was partly because the manuscript originally started in a dual narrative between Rosie and Jack. I hadn’t wanted to do this but my personal tutor on the MA said she didn’t think it was possible to do it all in Rosie’s voice. As soon as I handed in the final work for marking I started to write it the single narrative of Rosie’s voice. I’m so glad I did.
Did you ever suffer from writers block?
Not if I’m passionate about what I’m writing; but everyone has periods when it doesn’t flow at all. You have to push through it or give into it and walk away for a bit and ‘recharge your batteries’. For some people that means doing something completely different, for others writing something else for a bit, even if it’s just some writing exercises. The key is not to panic and accept that it is impossible to keep going relentlessly.
How many rejection letters did you get?
Five rejections. Strangely I got accepted and then rejected by three of these because they decided that they simply didn’t know how to confidently edit the voice of a girl with Down syndrome. They have since regretted this decision! One publisher didn’t take stories that went to such dark places and another publisher, ironically, was desperate for me to do it in a dual narrative with Jack, but they were the only ones. They called my agent five times trying to persuade me otherwise. Usborne ultimately won the battle of the book as I love the fact that they champion diverse books, were so passionate about Rosie and that their Fiction Director has a brother with Down’s syndrome. I knew I was in the right hands. They were really pleased to be the first to publish a YA book with a girl with Down’s syndrome.
How many times did the title change?
It didn’t! Somehow I happened on a title that stuck and seemed to work, though I expected it to change. I already know that I’ll be changing the title of the second novel.
Did you disagree with any of the editorial changes?
Surprisingly there were hardly any editorial changes. I had to develop the character of the father more and expand the ending, which I was a hundred per cent in agreement with. Apart from that it was tweaking certain scenes, which definitely needed tweaking. I think this lack of editing was luck. I was so passionate about what I was doing that it came out far more easily than some stories might. My second book is going to need a lot more editing than that!
What is your favourite part of the story?
That’s a difficult one. I think maybe my favourite part is where Rosie goes into the grooming house, though perhaps favourite isn’t quite the right word. I hate that she had to go through this, but what I loved was the understanding and love that grew between Lisette and Rosie and that their view of each other is completely changed. I found it very hard to write but very moving because I know there are so many girls like Lisette out in the real world (my daughter worked with young girls who have been groomed) who are completely misunderstood. I wanted my reader to learn to love her. I hope to write her story one day. I also wanted Rosie to see the world through different eyes and realise that she isn’t the only one who can suffer because of the way society thinks and behaves at times.
Did you have any input into the cover art?
Yes I did, which was amazing. Usborne were so determined to get the cover to perfectly reflect the content of the book. Throughout the process I was allowed to say what I felt, and why, and they always listened. I didn’t want a sugary, fluffy cover design that screamed love and romance, it had to be contemporary one with an edge, as the story does go to dark places. The final design, which was number four, was spot on and very striking. Whilst being aware that it is a love story, it is clear that it is no ordinary one and from a design point of view it is very eye-catching.
We made a list of books we could think of which broach the subject of mental illness:- Face, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, One Memory of Flora Banks, Still Alice and Wonder. Did any books influence you in the writing of Rosie Loves Jack?
I’ve read all of these books except for Still Alice, which is in my very large tbr pile, but I have seen the film - and I think they’ve probably all had a very slight influence on me. The Curious Incident because of the outstanding voice of the protagonist, Christopher; Wonder because it was so moving and uplifting; Face because of the strong voice and exceptional dialogue and The One Memory of Flora Banks because of the darker edge.
I always loved Of Mice and Men and have carried that voice of Lennie with me for many years. More recently Nathan Filer’s, Shock of the Fall had a huge impact on me as it was funny, compelling and heartrending. Finally, The Inheritors by William Golding – my book that I’d take on to my desert island. It is all voiced through Neanderthal man and I am in awe of Golding, who made it possible for me to really imagine how it felt.
There are no other YA books that are written through the voice of a girl with Down’s syndrome, so I was stepping out into new territory and doing something unique. It was exciting but terrifying, as I so wanted to get it right.
What can we expect from you next?
I don’t want to give too much away about my next book, but I can tell you it’s another love story, which touches on our drinking culture and features a severely autistic teenager – oh and a double decker bus.
Fascinating stuff and I for one can't wait for your next book. Thank you so much Mel, and thanks to the wonderful Wycombe High School Librarians for your great questions.
From the author of October, October , winner of the Yoto Carnegie Medal, comes a heartbreaking and heart-warming story about sisterhood, found family and accepting love in the most unusual and unknown places. Fen and Rey were found curled up small and tight in the fiery fur of the foxes at the very edge of the wildlands. Fen is loud and fierce and free. She feels a connection to foxes and a calling from the wild that she's desperate to return to. Rey is quiet and shy and an expert on nature. She reads about the birds, feeds the lands and nurtures the world around her. They are twin sisters. Different and the same. Separate and connected. They will always have each other, even if they don't have a mother and don't know their beginning. But they do want answers. Answers to who their mother is and where she might be. What their story is and how it began. So when a fox appears late one night at the house, Fen and Rey see it as a sign - it's here to lead them to their truth, find their real family and fill the missing piece they have felt since they were born. But the wildlands are exactly wild. They are wicked and cruel and brutal and this journey will be harder and more life changing than either Fen or Rey ever imagined ... My Thoughts Reading this book is like disappearing into a wonderful dream. Beautifully written in a mesmerising voice, the setting feels so real you can feel the leaves brush by you and the chill wind down your spine. The characters are skilfully drawn with both sisters telling us their story and sharing their emotional arc from the beginning to the end of their adventure with the author seamlessly and very effectively flitting between the two girl's inner life. The story itself is full of hope, and keeps the reader turning the pages to find out what happens to these two fascinating girls. A roller coaster of a tale with heart warming and heart stopping moments, much intrigue and joy and a hugely satisfying ending. I strongly recommend this book to readers of all ages, particularly middle grade readers with an interest in natural settings.
From the Costa Award winning author of Voyage of the Sparrowhawk comes an epic adventure with a call to arms: we must fight to save the most treasured things on our planet. On the top of the hill, overlooking the sea, that's where you'll find a magical place . . . To Bea and Raffy, Ravenwood is home. In its own way, the house rescued them, even if it did have a fallen-down tree taking up most of the kitchen. So the idea that it could be sold. Demolished even. Well, that's unthinkable. Then again, it's not like the children get a choice. But the truth is, we can all make our own choices, especially if we care enough . . . My Thoughts To me, this is a perfect book. A thrilling story, beautifully written, all about having the courage to hold onto what's precious, and fiercely guard the extraordinary natural world we are privileged to share. Everything about this story will delight young readers who look for adventure and escape in their books. The author effortlessly carries us into a beautiful and eccentric world where relationships between people and nature are complicated, and very precious. With themes of grief, friendship and courage, and an ending that literally had me punching the air with delight, The Rescue of Ravenwood is simply not one to be missed.
Explore the incredible place we call home! Marvel at the physical planet, learn how the weather works, meet some of the most influential people from the past and present, and much more. Examine every corner of the Earth, from outer space to underground and from the Maasai steppe to Manhattan. My Thoughts This gorgeous book is divided into four large sections, Physical Earth, Life on Earth, Earth Regions, and Human Planet. There are lots of colourful maps and fascinating facts about various places, species, and behaviour, showing the wonderful diversity of life on this planet and hopefully helping readers understand the need to protect it.
It's February 1974 and working class families have been hit hard by the three-day week. The reduced power usage means less hours for people to work, and less money to get by on. Thirteen-year-old Jason feels the struggle keenly. Ever since his parents died, it's just been him and his older brother Richie. Richie is doing his best, but since he can't make ends meet he's been doing favours for the wrong people. Every day they fear they won't have enough and will have to be separated. One thing that helps distract Jason is the urban legend about a beast in the valleys. A wildcat that roams the forest three villages up the river from their bridge. When Jason's friends learn of a reward for proof of The Beast's existence, they convince Jason this is the answer to his and Richie's money problems. Richie can get himself out of trouble before it's too late and the brothers can stay together. And so a quest begins ... Starting at the bridge of their village and following the river north, the four friends soon find themselves on a journey that will change each of them ... forever. My Thoughts Lesley Parr has the wonderful, rare, and hard-earned skill of writing sublime stories that, on the face of it, seem sensationally simple but, like an onion, reveal later after layer after layer to the reader long after the book has been put down. Like The Valley of Lost Secrets, Where The River Takes Us is primarily about brotherhood and friendship, and beneath that there is grief, loyalty, fear, and - most importantly for young readers - a lot of food and a fabulous adventure. The setting, Wales 1974, is sublimely drawn and the issues - poverty, strikes, social care, bullying - are as relevant today as they were fifty years ago. The characters feel alive and individual, each one representative of people we have all met along the way, and the author illustrates the deep love between them without once - as far as I can remember - actually using the L word. Where the River Takes Us is a thought-provoking, exciting, tear-jerker of an adventure To be enjoyed by free readers aged 8-11 and a great one to read together at bedtime.
R un away from what they see. Discover who you are. Maudie and Jake's family is falling to pieces - their mum's been struggling with her grief since they lost Dad and one night she vanishes. When Jake is put into care, Maudie can't take it any more. She comes up with a wild plan to pull their family back together - by kidnapping Jake. On the run in Cornwall, Jake and Maudie each find something they hadn't expected - freedom and love. But can they find Mum and a way to heal together?A powerful and insightful novel about grief, disability and first love; a story about getting lost and finding yourself. My Thoughts A wonderful, heartbreaking, tender, hopeful story of grief, love, and acceptance. What the World Doesn't see is a is all-consuming, with distinct voices that suck the reader into its vortex of emotion, grief, fear, and joy. Mel Darbon's characters are multi-dimensional and technicolor, so vivid they stay with you long, long after you finish reading the book. The story is gripping - I had to make myself slow down so that it lasted longer - and the emotional intelligence behind it all is extraordinary. If you read just one book this year, make it this one.
Lily and Tom travel the county with Ma Hawker, enthralling crowds with their amazing collection of curios. Always on the lookout for new wonders, Lily is tricked into buying a worthless bag of rubbish. But hidden within is a special piece of scrimshaw. A young woman called Flora Meriweather is desperate to buy the scrimshaw, hoping it can help her solve a mystery surrounding her late mother. But someone else also wants to get his hands on the scrimshaw and ensure that secrets stay hidden in the past. Can the Curio Collectors help the truth come to light? My Thoughts This book is sublime! From the gorgeous title, cover illustrations and production quality to the absolutely delightful story, The Curio Collectors is a joy to behold. I always enjoy Eloise Williams' novels; she is a master storyteller w ith a delightful lexicon that enriches the story and the reader, with not a word wasted. In The Curio Collectors Eloise has pulled off a blinder, creating a seemingly simple tale that is rich with history, multi dimensional characters, complex relationships (I love the dynamic between Lily and Tom), and conflict. And y ou only have to hea r the fabulous name ' Horatio Pinch ' , and g lance at Anna Shepeta's brilliant illustration, to know all you need to know about the badd y who instantly put me in mind of Ian Fleming's terrifying Child Catcher. Barrington Stoke (the publishers) list this title as having a reading age of 8, and with a dyslexia-friendly layout, typeface and paperstock so that even more readers can enjoy it. Certainly I can imagine it appealing to younger readers as a challenge, and older readers as a relaxing, easy read. I am 203, absolutely loved it and can vividly see nine-year-old me carrying it around, stroking the cover, copying the pictures and reading and reading it again. Fantastic stuff!
Set in a world where plants talk, friendship is hard-won and adventure is around the bend of every river ... Orla has lived on her own since Ma died, with only her beloved garden for company. When sickness comes and nature is blamed, Orla knows she must find a cure. Armed with her mother's book of plants and remedies, she steals away on a river boat with two other stowaways, Idris and Ariana. Soon the trio must navigate the rapids of the Inkwater to a poisonous place from which they may never return ... My Thought s This is an absolute dream of a book. Yarrow Townsend is an astonishingly talented writer and in this - her first novel - she takes the reader on a twisty turney journey through the wonders of nature while cleverly weaving a complex and multi-layered story that comes to a fabulously satisfactory and unexpected conclusion. My favourite bit is the plants, who talk to Orla all along the way, begging, cajoling, berating her with their whispered words. This conceit works fantastically, and involves the reader in the very roots of the story. I also love the start of every chapter where the plants are categorised with Latin name and folklore or healing powers. This story really does have everything; nature, a good plot, diverse and interesting characters, twists and turns and a truly original premise. I thoroughly enjoyed it and urge all of you to read it.
Hazel’s new life in England should have been the stuff of fairy tales; after all her aunt’s cottage looked just like a gingerbread house, with a magical garden and whispering fireflies promising quests and adventures. But as Hazel struggles to deal with the challenges of the everyday world – making friends, missing her family – she also learns that every fairy tale has a dark side. And there are terrifying creatures that lurk in the shadows . . . A middle grade book about family, friendship and finding your place, with a delicate touch of magic. Perfect for 9-12 year olds. My Thoughts This enchanting quest by Aisha Bushby whisks the reader into a fairytale world while cleverly addressing the subject of mental health struggles and battling inner demons with enormous sensitivity. Readers can take the story at face value, enjoying a page-turning fantasy with all the wolves and witches we would hope for in a fairy tale, or enjoy the author's powerful metaphor for mental illness and her sensitive exploration of the debilitating effects of OCD. Readers who enjoyed The Night Animals would enjoy this story, with both books delicately dealing with really important topics and sharing the important message that asking for help can make even the bleakest situations more manageable.
Nora's mum has good days and bad days, but the bad days are getting worse. It's been just the two of them for always, and they don't need anyone else. When the rainbow-shimmering ghost animals Nora used to see when she was small start to reappear, she's convinced that they hold all the answers. Along with new friend Kwame, Nora follows a glittering ghostly fox, hare, raven and otter on the adventure of a lifetime, helping her to find the strength she needs to help her family. My Thoughts This is a story of hope. A young girl, struggling to understand her Mum's PTSD diagnosis is guided through her journey to acceptance by a range of delightful rainbow ghost animals who only she can see. It is a wonderfully gentle introduction to discussing mental health issues, and shows the power of asking for help, and trusting others with our fragile feelings. I loved Kwame and his grandad who brought joy to what is at times a very sad story, and the animals, which were beautifully written. I feel like this would be a particularly lovely book to read together, if talking about stuff is difficult. It would probably bring tears, and much needed conversations and that would be all to the good. But as well as the deeper themes and meanings, this is also a sweet tale that any young reader would enjoy. Highly recommended.
A dark, gothic adventure set in the Bavarian forest, with angels and owls and magic and a boy who isn’t all that he seems to be… A cherub is blown into Cassie Engel’s bedroom during a thunderstorm, triggering a series of terrifying events. Cassie must discover if its arrival was an accident or part of something more sinister. With a self-obsessed opera singer for a mother, a strange taxidermist father, and a best friend who isn’t quite what he seems, Cassie is forced to unearth the secrets of her family’s past. As the dark forces gather around them, can Cassie protect all that she holds dear? My Thoughts I couldn't put this haunting book down. A fantastic blend of mythology, and mystery, the story carries you along in a trance, with no idea where you are going, but the knowledge that you must follow the fairytale type adventure through to the bitter end. I adored Cassie's house - a character in its own right - and loved the way it played into the denouement, bringing together all the story threads and demonstrating no part was eccentric for eccentric sake, rather more everything was ingeniously plotted to create tension, atmosphere and clues. The story is dark and mysterious, and it takes courage to go into the woods with Cassie. I would imagine readers of Skellig or The Lie Tree might enjoy this beautiful story which I urge you to read.
