Books with author Judith H. Clarke

For two weeks, Pixie Hollow has been in a terrible dry spell. Everyone is frazzled, especially Rani and the other the water-talent fairies. When the dry spell finally ends, Queen Clarion decides it's time for a treat—a fairy treasure hunt! But on the day of the treasure hunt, Rani wakes up late. Her friends all have partners already, so Rani is stuck with the slowest-moving sparrow man around. To make things worse, she has a bet with Vidia. If Vidia finishes before her, Rani will have to do whatever the fast-flying fairy wants. This is one contest Rani can't let herself lose!

Messy, creative Bess is perfectly happy creating her paintings in her out-of- the-way studio, never worrying about what the other fairies think. But after she unveils a new portrait of Tinker Bell, she finds herself in a whirlwind of attention. Every sparrow man and fairy in Pixie Hollow wants her to paint his or her picture! With hundreds of fairies to please, suddenly Bess's talent seems more like a chore than a joy!

This wholly satisfying Michael L. Printz Honor Book is told from multiple points of view. Lily Samson both loves and is embarrassed by her eccentric family. Her grandmother has an invisible friend; her grandfather is a racist (she believes); her mother brings elderly clients home from work for dinner; and her older brother keeps dropping in and out of school. Lily wishes her family could be “normal” for just one day. Then serendipity strikes. Through a series of surprising encounters, Lily’s family members all reach new understanding about themselves and make changes for the better—and Lily gets her dream of one whole and perfect day.

Neema's great grandmother, Kalpana, is coming to visit. She's been dreaming of flying again, and now she's ready to leave her village in India. Neema and her friend, Kate, have just started at Wentworth High. For English they have pale Ms Dallimore; everyone calls her the Bride of Dracula. Ms Dallimore wants her students to think, and imagine - and learn to fly! At first, Neema is awkward with Kalpana. Kalpana doesn't speak English and Neema doesn't speak Hindi. But when they meet the flying boy, they both remember something they had lost long ago.Judith Clarke writes with tenderness and humour in this story of coming together and finding the essence of who you are. Clarke's quiet wisdom and keen understanding will touch hearts and stimulate imagination'Wolf on the Fold - Publishers Weekly US

Winner:2001 Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award for Older ReadersWinner:2001 Arts Queensland Steele Rudd Australian Short Story AwardKenny is fourteen. His dad has just died and, to keep the family together, Kenny must find work. 'Be careful going through the flatlands,' his mother warns him. 'Don't stop for anyone.'But Kenny does stop, and what happens next will define the man he becomes.'a beautifully crafted, thoughtful and rewarding book' Viewpoint'to be read and re-read' Australian Book Review'This book bridges generations, races and countries, showing that emotions are universal and fear exists in many forms...it all rings true.' Magpies'Clarke reminds us that history is about people and that the consequences can ripple on for years' Guardian Education

In this Michael L. Printz Honor Book, Lily wishes she could be like the other girls in her class. But how can she? As the only sensible person in her family, she never has time to hang out with friends. Someone has to stay home to look after her brother. Maybe she should fall in love! What could be less sensible that that? When her grandmother invites the whole family to a party, Lily cannot imagine how they will make it through the day. Her mother is always bringing home strange people. Lily doesn't even know her father. Her grandfather has disowned her brother. Her brother has a new girlfriend that no one has met. To top it all off, that day when her eye caught Daniel Steadman's just for a moment, she felt all woozy inside. If that was love, she isn't sure she likes the feeling. As the party approaches, all Lily can hope for is one whole and perfect day. Is it too much to ask?

One more year. That’s all Gunnar has to wait until graduation. More importantly, it’s one more year until he’ll feel safe to come out. Gunnar has kept his sexuality a secret — only his twin sister knows he’s gay. Coming out now would make him the target of homophobic bullies at his school. But a year is a long time, especially when life starts moving at its own pace, and Gunnar meets guys he wants to date.Set in rural Alberta, Under the Radar is the uplifting story of a teen who dreams of a life in which he can be himself.

In this Michael L. Printz Honor Book, Lily wishes she could be like the other girls in her class. But how can she? As the only sensible person in her family, she never has time to hang out with friends. Someone has to stay home to look after her brother. Maybe she should fall in love! What could be less sensible that that? When her grandmother invites the whole family to a party, Lily cannot imagine how they will make it through the day. Her mother is always bringing home strange people. Lily doesn't even know her father . Her grandfather has disowned her brother. Her brother has a new girlfriend that no one has met. To top it all off, that day when her eye caught Daniel Steadman's just for a moment, she felt all woozy inside. If that was love, she isn't sure she likes the feeling. As the party approaches, all Lily can hope for is one whole and perfect day. Is it too much to ask?

One more year. That's all Gunnar has to wait until graduation. More importantly, it's one more year until he'll feel safe to come out.Gunnar has kept his sexuality a secret -- only his twin sister knows he's gay. Coming out now would make him the target of homophobic bullies at his school. But a year is a long time, especially when life starts moving at its own pace, and Gunnar meets guys he wants to date.Set in rural Alberta, Under the Radar is the uplifting story of a teen who dreams of a life in which he can be himself.

When Fan was little, she dreamed of magical countries in the far-away blue hills. As she grew up she dreamed of love, and the boys came after her one by one.Clementine thought her cousin Fan's house in the country had a special smell: of sun and dust and kerosene, and the wild honey they ate for breakfast on their toast. But then there were the feelings: the anger that smelled like iron, and the disappointment that smelled like mud.Still, Fan was strong and beautiful, and Clementine thought she'd always be like that. But Fan was seeking something, and neither she nor Clementine knew exactly what.With sharp, poetic prose, insight and compassion, Judith Clarke tells a moving and beautiful story as she traces the lives of two young women separated by circumstance, but linked forever by blood and friendship.'Brimming with tenderness and intrigue.a moving story about how friendships can shape lives.' Sunday Age'Judith Clarke's writing shines - every page contains something worth savouring.' Australian Book Review'Moving and beautifully written.a haunting story.' Sydney Morning Herald

Clementine thinks her cousin Fan is everything that she could never be: beautiful, imaginative, wild. The girls promise to be best friends and sisters after the summer is over, but Clementine's life in the city is different from Fan's life in dusty Lake Conapaira. And Fan is looking for something, though neither she nor Clementine understands what it is. Printz Honor Winner Judith Clarke delivers a compassionate, compelling novel with the story of a friendship between two young women, and of the small tragedies that tear them apart from each other, and from themselves.