Books with author Karen J. Donnelly

A humorous, poignant and heartwarming story of four girls and their exasperating parents, from the Queen of Tween, Jean Ure.“People always fall out after they’re married. I’m going to stay single.”Jasmine, Laurel, Rose and Daisy. Four very different sisters, four very different attitudes! As if living with each other wasn’t bad enough, living with their parents is worse – particularly parents who are both actors. Please!But after the Great Row, the girls find themselves living with Mum, while Dad has gone to America to find work. How are the sisters going to achieve their own personal ambitions: become an actress, model, writer, vet… when they can’t even achieve their joint ambition – to reunite parents who are on different continents?

Every kid dreams of having super powers. So when 12-year old Max Daely realizes he can read minds, he can’t believe his good luck. Then reality hits. His new powers not only control him, they attract a nefariously delicious cast of villains and wretches, all with dark designs on how Max can help them take over the world.This page-turning thrill-ride captures every twist and turn, transforming suburban Connecticut into an unforgettable arena of mystery and mayhem. In the rich tradition of reluctant superheroes, Max Daely is the Peter Parker of the Facebook generation – and Mind Splinters a story that speaks to the fantastical side of all of us, no matter how old we are. So, if you've ever wondered what you would do with the power to move minds, this is one you don't want to miss.

Danny loves dancing, but not the funky, popular variety that would have his friends green with envy; no, Danny loves Ballet. A ‘Billy Elliot’ for younger readers by this renowned ballet-loving author.Danny loves ballet, but he daren’t admit it to his mates. But one of his teacher’s knows, and she casts Danny in the starring ballet role in the end of term show at school. But Danny is also in the school football team and the rehearsals for the show clash with team nights. How can be maintain his cool with his peers and still star in the performance. Mixups and mayhen ensue as several fibs are told to parents, friends and siblings. But at the end of the day, is Danny sick as a parrot or over the moon? On performance night, Danny is simply DAZZLING!

The Mind Splinters story continues, with all the twists, turns and mind bending mysteries you've come to expect from Max Daely and his menacing band of foes. In this action-packed adventure, Max finds an ancient journal left behind by a powerful telekinetic from the golden age of telepathy. The journal sets off a furious tale, featuring Max's inimitably annoying sister Freyia, a Mind Splinter-tracking robot, and the return of the baddest man this side of The Joker, Jakob Wicksin. In what's quickly becoming a Mind Splinters signature, the fast-paced action culminates with a huge finish. Will Max and company prevail over Jacob Wicksin and his twisted ways? You'll be thrilled to find out in this worthy sequel.

Danny loves dancing, but not the funky, popular variety that would have his friends green with envy; no, Danny loves Ballet. A ‘Billy Elliot’ for younger readers by this renowned ballet-loving author.Danny loves ballet, but he daren’t admit it to his mates. But one of his teacher’s knows, and she casts Danny in the starring ballet role in the end of term show at school. But Danny is also in the school football team and the rehearsals for the show clash with team nights. How can be maintain his cool with his peers and still star in the performance. Mixups and mayhen ensue as several fibs are told to parents, friends and siblings. But at the end of the day, is Danny sick as a parrot or over the moon? On performance night, Danny is simply DAZZLING!

Rags to riches story of a young orphan who becomes a famous actress. A Roaring Good Read launch title.Daisy is brought up in a foundling's hospital in Victorian times. At ten she is sent into service as a skivvy at the Dobell Academy.There she watches all the pupils learning how to be young ladies, wearing fine clothes and learning how to read, write and… dance. Daisy dreams of being like them one day and painstakingly teaches herself to read with the help of one kind teacher. She is caught dancing in one of the piano rooms and is and reproved for having 'ideas above her station', but undaunted she perseveres with her dream to be a 'beautiful lady on the stage.' Daisy even makes up a stage name – Marguerite Dobell. One night, in her attic bedroom, she sees a ghost – an old lady sitting in a rocking chair looking through a scrapbook of photos and theatre programmes. The woman is strangely familiar.When the young ladies of Dobell Academy put on their end of term dancing display, Daisy risks being caught again and does her own dance in the corridor -spotted by two late-comers who realise that Daisy is the perfect little dancer to play the part of Dolly in their production Little Dolly Daydream.That night, in her attic bedroom, Daisy is revisited by her ghost looking in old theatre programmes – she spots the name of the production, it is Little Dolly Daydream and there in the cast list is the name Marguerite Dobell. Daisy has seen into the future, the ghost is none other than herself as an elderly and once famous actress. Her dream will come true.A wonderful unashamedly sentimental rags- to-riches story which young readers from 7 and upwards will adore, and one which will be timeless and backlist well. My Fair Lady meets The Little Match Girl from a prize-winning author.

A humorous, poignant and heartwarming story of four girls and their exasperating parents. Reissued in the Jean Ure branding.“People always fall out after they’re married. I’m going to stay single.”Jasmine, Laurel, Rose and Daisy. Four very different sisters, four very different attitudes! As if living with each other wasn’t bad enough, living with their parents is worse – particularly parents who are both actors. Please!But after the Great Row, the girls find themselves living with Mum, while Dad has gone to America to find work. How are the sisters going to achieve their own personal ambitions: become an actress, model, writer, vet… when they can’t even achieve their joint ambition – to reunite parents who are on different continents?