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Brooke, Amy
Writer's File

Amy Brooke

Nelson - Whakatū
Brooke, Amy
In brief
Amy Brooke (formerly known as Agnes-Mary) is a children’s author whose books are focused by imaginative story-telling and informed by science fiction fantasy. She has written books for children as well as young adults. For several years Brooke published The Best Underground Press - Critical Review and has worked as a feature writer and columnist. Her book, The Mora Stone (2000) was included on the Children's Literature Foundation Notable Books list that same year and was nominated for the US Mythopoeic Awards for children's fantasy literature.
Bio

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brooke, Amy is a Nelson-based children's writer whose books have been described as being 'in the mould of the much-loved C.S. Lewis classics.' She is interested in classic imaginative story-telling, rather than what she describes as 'the writer as social worker.' She has also written poetry, non-fiction and is a regular contributor to The Spectator Australia.

Her titles include A Ring Around the Sun (1991); Night of the Medlar (1992); The Owl, the Two and the Medlar (includes 'The Last Chance' and 'The Keeper Sleeps') (1996); The Mora Stone (2000); The Duck Who Went to Heaven (2000); Dragon Moon (2001); Jasper and Granny May (2001); A Ring Around The Sun, The Little Brass Bell (2001); From Whatever Shadows They Come (2002); Deep Down Things: Collected Poems (2008); The 100 Days: Claiming Back New Zealand (2013).

The Mora Stone was included on the 2000 Children's Literature Foundation Notable Books list and was nominated for the US Mythopoeic Awards for children's fantasy literature.

The Press writes of The Owl, the Two and the Medlar: 'Amy Brooke's latest children's classic ... is imaginative and exciting.'

'The skilful blend of Greek legend and local events and people propels the story along ...' writes Bruce Morris in The Dominion of Night of the Medlar.

For several years Amy Brooke published The Best Underground Press - Critical Review. She has won a Fletcher Challenge Commonwealth Media Award as Runner-up in the Best Columnist category.

The Little Brass Bell (2001) is a collection of gentle stories in the European tradition, spiced with magic.

From Whatever Shadows They Come (2002) is a sci-fi fantasy for senior readers. It maps the quest of three brother, the Princes Dragos, Gerwin and Meer, in a race against time and other ages. Ann Macrae describes it as 'A wonderful read ... exciting ... intellectually stimulating.'

Amy Brooke's book, Who Will Speak for the Dreamer?, is a fascinating story of parallel worlds and deep magic.

Deep Down Things: Collected Poems (2008) is her first collection of poems.

The 100 Days: Claiming Back New Zealand (2013) is described by Brooke as exploring 'what has gone wrong and how we can control our politicians.'

LINKS