Books with author Jessa Sparkes

Lauren is a teenager. She likes sewing, music, geography and can memorise almost anything in lightning speed. She is also autistic and starting at a new school after bullies made her decide to move away from her old one. She needs a fresh start. A new beginning. Lauren has never felt so nervous as she walks through the school gates her first day. Will she make friends?Join Lauren as she navigates friendships, lessons and learns the important of being herself. This is Lauren's story.

Marra never heard of Birr Elixir. But when Drail sees the potion in her dead mistress's book, she agrees to make it. Even lacking the right ingredient. And after drinking it, Drail and his men defeat a Skullan team - something no one has ever done before. Marra is offered a place as his traveling potions mistress. Full of doubts of her own ability, she takes the chance to escape her slave-like existence. Then her potions woke a man who was not supposed to wake. Now every day draws more attention from the True Masters. And their motives - and morals - are not for the faint of heart. If they discover the truth ... The Legend of The GamesmenMore than a sport, the gamesmen stand for an idea - that humble men can win the day. That the lowly are not so low, and the least of men may yet succeed. A fable told across the three continents.This is the tale that launched the legend.

Lauren is a teenager. She likes sewing, music, geography and can memorise almost anything in lightning speed. She is also autistic and starting at a new school after bullies made her decide to move away from her old one. She needs a fresh start. A new beginning. Lauren has never felt so nervous as she walks through the school gates her first day. Will she make friends? Join Lauren as she navigates friendships, lessons and learns the important of being herself. This is Lauren's story.

"WINNER OF SILVER IPPY AWARD" When a young apprentice makes a mysterious elixir from a recipe in an old book, she's suddenly the talisman for a daring Gamesman - and the weapon in the conspiracy against a prince. Marra never heard of Birr Elixir. But when Drail sees the potion in her dead mistress's book, she agrees to make it. Even lacking the right ingredient. And after drinking it, Drail and his men defeat a Skullan team - something no one has ever done before. Marra is offered a place as his traveling potions mistress. Full of doubts of her own ability, she takes the chance to escape her slave-like existence. Then her potions woke a man who was not supposed to wake. Now every day draws more attention from the True Masters. And their motives – and morals – are not for the faint of heart. If they discover the truth … "The Birr Elixir keeps readers hooked. … proves to be an outstanding author with this light-hearted fantasy tale. She makes creating a believable, likeable world look easy … for a fun story with an imaginative world and an exciting sport, look no further than Jo Sparkes’ book The Birr Elixir. " - Andrew Keyser, Portland Book Review AWARD WINNING YA FANTASY

Agben had stood for a thousand years. A mysterious school housing more than students, it was the seat of the powerful Women of Agben, and the center for harnessing the potency of herbs. Few knew all that transpired within the walls. And now Marra stood at its gate. With friends and support stripped from her, the fragile life she’d built for herself now lay in tatters. And the source of this evil hunted her like a deer culled from the herd. The gateway before her was her only hope. For as the city itself crumbled, all depended not on a prince trying to save his people, nor the valiant men who’d brought them this far. Everything depended on finding a magic powder in the vaults of Agben itself. Everything depended on her. Book 2 of The Legend of the Gamesmen

Blossom is very excited to be getting ready for the new year with Laura. Fairyland is holding a big party to celebrate and there are so many preparations that Blossom finds herself very busy. The location of the party must be decided and the food and decorations must be set up. There's also Rosa's birthday party to get ready for, but when something important goes missing, Blossom is worried. Can she and her friends get everything ready on time?

Blossom, a young fairy in training, is helping with the preparations for the annual Fairyland Festival when she gets a very special surprise. Her seven year old human friend, Laura, is allowed to come too! Laura is so excited to be granted such a wonderful opportunity and she can't wait to see the land that she's always dreamed about.Join Blossom, Laura and all their friends in a day filled with fun, laughter and magic as they make new friends, show Laura their amazing home and discover that their friendship and teamwork can solve anything.

The Women of Agben use herbs to heal and enhance only. Yet Marra saw a third use, one with a brew that can detect a prince and a potion to hide a creature's appearance. A forbidden art being wielded against the throne.Its source thrives on the Dim Continent.Journeying with her mentor to this fabled place, Marra stumbles on another secret. Agben includes Terrin females - the same hairy creatures that kidnapped a king. Now the trust binding them together is rapidly corroding.She doesn't know Prince Tryst has pursued the traitors to this wild, dangerous land. Or that Drail travels with him, providing gamesmen cover.In a land of strange beings and dangerous animals, the three friends must again pool their skills. This time not just to save themselves - but to save all their people. The fate of Skullan and Trumen alike hinge on defeating a powerful enemy, with a centuries-old plot. The final battle looms in the heart of his power - the Dim Continent. The Legend of The GamesmenMore than a sport, the gamesmen stand for an idea - that humble men can win the day. That the lowly are not so low, and the least of men may yet succeed. A fable told across the three continents.This is the tale that launched the legend.

Blossom, a young fairy in training, discovers Christmas for the first time and adores it. Everybody is so joyful and generous and Blossom is honoured to be part of it. Her human friend Laura has a very special wish and Blossom is hopeful that she can grant it, but she is not sure it is possible. Follow Blossom as she learns the true meaning of Christmas and realises that, with a little help from her friends, she can make amazing things happen!