@DarbonMel

Author. YA Debut: #RosieLovesJack: Sunday Times YA Book of the Year #WhattheWorldDoesntSee Shortlisted for Waterstones Prize for older Readers Agent: BIA

 England, United Kingdom
Joined March 2016
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  • Followers2.2K
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I couldn’t be more delighted to have been shortlisted for this wonderful award, not just for me as a writer, but for the voice it gives to people with learning disabilities. Thank you to the dedicated booksellers who work so hard to promote our books #WCBP24 @waterstones 🙏🏻
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If you want someone to really annoy you today ... I'm there for that. Here I am ranting away on the New Statesman pod youtube.com/watch?v=bTvdDYZ1…

" We've already screwed one generation" - Frank Cottrell-Boyce | The Exchange

Over two years visiting schools, prisons and asylum hotels, Frank C...

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On train back from Manchester with the mighty MC Grammar having been on #bbcbreakfast to talk about our book ‘Ridiculous Raps and Rhymes’ . He says I should be MC Grandpa.
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Larry the Cat
@Number10catMay 1
Cat check: Boris Johnson has fathered 9 (nine) children that we know of.
Boris Johnson
@BorisJohnsonMay 1
Falling birth rates aren’t a disaster, they’re the best bit of global news in a long time mol.im/a/15782963

BORIS JOHNSON: Falling birth rates AREN'T a disaster

In the hilltop villages of Tuscany, where I was recently, the bells are tolling for far more funerals than weddings.

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Birdlands by #AnthonyMcGowan published by @RocktheBoatNews is a very special book indeed. I’m so grateful to @danniestar for sending me a copy ahead of publication on 14 May 2026. Here’s my review #UkKidLit vsviewfromthebookshelves.hom…

#MG Review: Birdlands by Anthony McGowan, illustrated by Keith Robinson

Cover image by Keith Robinson, published by Rock the Boat, 14 May 2026, ISBN: 978-1836431800 Three birds, an adventure fraught with danger, one very special book! I finished reading Birdlands, the …

vsviewfromthebookshelves.home.blog
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Jon Biddle@jonnybidApr 26
When you look closely at the exceptional quality of books that Knights Of produced over the past few years, it's hard not to feel a real sense of loss. We need more diverse and representative independent children's publishers, not fewer.
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Here are the seven authors shortlisted for this year's #BranfordBoaseAward. In the National Year of Reading, it feels more important than ever to highlight new voices to catch the attention of today’s young readers. Congratulations to them all 🎆 branfordboaseaward.org.uk/
Graphic showing the seven authors on this year's Branford Boase Award shortlist, presented to the author and editor of the year's outstanding debut novel for children. They are Becki Jayne Crossley, Ella Dove, Janeen Hayat, Asli Jensen, Jack Mackay, Harry Trevaldwyn, Kenechi Udogu. The award is supported by Walker Books and ALCS.

ALT Graphic showing the seven authors on this year's Branford Boase Award shortlist, presented to the author and editor of the year's outstanding debut novel for children. They are Becki Jayne Crossley, Ella Dove, Janeen Hayat, Asli Jensen, Jack Mackay, Harry Trevaldwyn, Kenechi Udogu. The award is supported by Walker Books and ALCS.

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Liverpool Playhouse (2) Chair, suitcase, rucksack, script, glasses case, glasses, bloke.
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Mel Darbon retweeted
Jon Biddle@jonnybidApr 10
The Norfolk Children's Book Centre @NorfolkCBC is 40 years old this year! They're a wonderful organisation that have had a big impact on children's reading. They've just launched a Crowdfunder to aid their move to a new site. Do consider supporting them. crowdfunder.co.uk/p/norfolk-…
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Being honoured by my home town is one of the sweetest things I can think of. a chance to say thank you to all the teachers, health visitors, early years workers, and Kingsley & Co who are making the Year of Reading mean something here .. sefton.gov.uk/mysefton-news/… a
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Mel Darbon retweeted
Jon Biddle@jonnybidMar 27
The most popular reading material in class this term has been this collection of song lyrics. With volitional reading in decline, we need to start paying attention to what children are telling us about their reading preferences and valuing the texts they're already drawn to.
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Happy St Patrick’s Day from Shaun and the flock! ☘️ #HappyStPatricksDay #LuckOfTheIrish #StPatricksDay
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Mel Darbon retweeted
David Almond@davidjalmondMar 15
There's still time to enter a story for this great award. Anyone aged 14-18. A story up to 1000 words. Pass on the info. Get writing.
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Mel Darbon retweeted
sufiya ahmed@sufiyaahmedFeb 28
Fab day @WaterstonesE17 signing books for children and so chuffed to see #EscapeFromTheChildSnatchers in the window recommendation ...all copies snapped up 🤩
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Maz Evans@mazevansauthorFeb 27
Absolutely BRILLIANT night at the Ruth Rendell award, deservedly won by the incredible @MrMCGrammar So proud to be in a room with so many people doing so much good - thanks @ALCS_UK and @Literacy_Trust for a wonderful night xxx
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Government's inaction has done nothing but shackle every single household in England to the continuing abuse, exploitation and greed of the water industry. It's gotta stop, now.
SOS Whitstable
@SOSWhitstableFeb 25
Unhappy with your bank, phone provider, or electricity supplier? Switch. Unhappy with your water company? Tough. No competition. No price control. No opt out. A state-protected cartel profiteering from ecological ruin with total impunity. #DirtyBusiness
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Our Draw a Songbird competition is open and the entries are great. #UKPrimaryTeachers - enter your class and win books for your school library. Link in bio to enter. #PrimarySchool #SchoolLibrary #ChildrensBooks #ReadingForPleasure #ClassroomReading #ArtCompetition
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"Dirty Business review – if this doesn’t incite righteous anger over our filthy water then nothing will." Ain't that the bloody truth. If you haven't watched it already do it now, all 3 episodes now available from channel4.com theguardian.com/tv-and-radio…
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Isle of Wight booklovers and halfterm holiday-makers!! Come and join me this Saturday at the Isle of Wight Story Festival! Perfect for families and all booklovers / budding writers age 9+ Book your tickets here: iwstoryfestival.com/lucy-str…
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1 million views, deserves 1 billion more. 👏👏👏👏
Tolkien World
@TolkienWorldGFeb 5
Sir Ian McKellen at 86 expertly reciting Shakespeare last night!
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You'll never believe it but parts of Sussex and Kent are still under a hosepipe ban. That's what 35 years of privatisation gets you. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj9r…

Hosepipe ban remains despite nearly double average rainfall

An MP writes to South East Water asking it to "take immediate steps" to review the hosepipe ban.

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