Don't get me wrong, there were interesting parts and the characters and intrigue were nice but the story seemed a bit messy like it was telling you lots of things without focusing on one. But maybe that's just a good reflection of real life. Sometimes things get in the way of your goals. In this case it was the Americans. Sure signs that the creative wells are running dry at last, the Captain’s ninth, overstuffed outing both recycles a villain (see Book 4) and offers trendy anti-bullying wish fulfillment.

The book gave me a variety of emotions to ponder on. Some, even extreme emotions of wishing death. Lols I think it goes with the age and my angst with the kupal na Amerikano sa mundong ibabaw. Bone Talk is set in the magnificent highlands of the Philippines – a region called the Cordilleras, populated by impressive folk who carved rice fields out of vertiginous mountains and, for three hundred years, repulsed invasions by both Filipino lowlanders and colonizers from Spain.Elizabeth Laird, author ofThe Garbage King. A wonderful novel ... will stay with me for a long time.

And then, there is Luki. Irrepressible and persistent, she is Samkad's best friend. It is through her that social class and the roles of Bontoc women are presented. How she defies and disobeys them not because she is a bad girl. Luki is smart and perceptive, protective of her family and friends. She knows who she is and where she belongs. These are all evident in the dialogues she has with Samkad implying that, even girls or women, can fight for the people and the place they love. You often tell your stories through the use of dual narratives. Why is this? When writing dual narratives, do you write the stories alongside each other, at the same time, or write one at a time? What does the planning process look like? What an amazing book. It took six years to write and now it is out in the world - the uncovering of a buried past that will touch the lives of all of us, but be particularly poignant to those from a heritage of colonialism. With its vivid description and clear words, the story makes me feel as if I'm on the highlands of Bontok, too. Samkad's journey is told through powerful simplicity and engaging scenes. The story taught me to be more aware of the world outside of my own, to value my family and friends, and to face the challenges that will make me into a better person. "Bone Talk" was an awesome read.It was such a mixing bowl, churning with people of every colour, every story ever told, every work ever spoken. So easy to dive in, mix in, disappear into that melting pot. No fingers pointing, nothing to hide…’ Bone Talk is set in a period that has been allowed to fade away in many memories. In 1899, the United States invaded the Philippines. At the time there were still headhunting tribes, and my story is told from the point of view of Samkad, a ten year old boy who is looking forward to becoming a man when he will be given his own shield, his own spear and an axe to chop off the heads of his enemies. His best friend is Little Luki, who also dreams of becoming a warrior … except she’s a girl and in that society, girls do not become warriors. Then strangers begin arriving in their isolated village and slowly, they realise that the world is not what they thought it was. This is why I love reading Candy Gourlay. She is capable, with great effect, to show her characters as they are: strong yet flawed, willful but yielding, good and bad. She does so in situations that test these characters. She makes use of images, symbols and metaphors. A music box and a book as gifts from Mister William. A gun and camera as tokens from Colonel Quinlan. This literary technique opens up discussions of a larger scale. The cultural exploration within this little gem allows young readers to explore how others lived, happily, without western culture forcing itself on them. However, it also tells the age old story of a privileged and advanced society taking advantage of the local civilization they've invaded.

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books. I loved this book in so many ways. It's diverse, very challenging and really made me think. I feel as if I have lived every moment of the story ... This is a great young-adult read that strikes away from the norm. It certainly shook me from my reading perch as it was enjoyable on so many levels. Read the review Kate Ashton, Suffolk Libraries. I really enjoyed this book. The tale is gripping and the theme is universal: what willyou do when change and responsibility is thrust upon you? Candy Gourlay’s evocativedescriptions of the landscape and atmosphere make you feel as if you are there,walking the paths behind Samkad and Luki. When the story starts, Samkad is most worried about receiving the Cut (something similar to circumcision that happens to boys in their tenth year on the cusp of manhood) and his slightly complicated friendship with a girl called Luki. He has never met anyone from the world outside of his tribe. We are thrilled to welcome author Candy Gourlay into The Reading Realm today to discuss Bone Talk, Shine, and Is It A Mermaid?Years ago in a homestay's balcony overlooking the handsome Maligcong Rice Terraces was when I briefly met the author through my friend innkeeper. Unaware of her penned stories as I had never read one from her before, I intently listened to her share she was on that trip in the process of writing this fiction called Bone Talk, a play on the very town's name we were at, 'Bontoc'. Candy's first novel for primary school children, Tall Story, was nominated for the Carnegie Medal, the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, the Blue Peter Book Award and the Branford Boase Prize. Her second book, Shine, was shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Book Prize, and both novels won the Crystal Kite Prize. Other books by Candy include Bone Talk, a historical novel set in the Philippines, and picture books Is It a Mermaidand Mike Falls Up. And that's why the author wrote this story, so that maybe she could put a solution to the problem. And the book is her version of a solution. It had a good plot, a good setting, a good writing style, but the main character "Samkad" was just not connecting with me, somehow. I didn't quite find myself relating to this kid. It didn't bother much to me what was happening as I was following his story. The stakes were somewhat, let's say, not too high for me to care.

The dreary prospect of spending a lifetime making caskets instead of wonderful inventions prompts a young orphan to snatch up his little sister and flee. Where? To the circus, of course. That being said Candy's use of language is impressive. The descriptions are beautiful and a picture is painted for you so its easy to imagine this place that feels so removed from the world we see around us now. Samkad’s story is told so sensitively, so lightly and so truthfully that you are completely transported (heart in mouth) to another time and world– until Samkad’s concerns are your concerns and you’re with him every step of the way.

What are the main differences and similarities between writing for older children and writing picture books? Do you have a preference for one type of writing?