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Ann Turnbull
Ann Turnbull believes in ghosts! She loves telling stories about
people from the past that haunt the present.
Ann Turnbull started writing when she was six. By the
time she was ten she had decided that she wanted to be a
writer.
Ann worked as a secretary before training as a
teacher, which she hated! She then went on a course about
children's books, which inspired her to try writing
herself.
Her first book was The Frightened Forest, published in
1974, and since then she has written over 25 books for
children.
Ann loves circle dancing and exploring the
countryside. She is particularly interested in local history and
folklore. Pigeon Summer, No Friend of Mine and Room for a Stranger
are set in Shropshire, where she now lives with her husband. She
has two grown-up children.
House of Ghosts
The paints and painting that Grace finds hidden in their new home link her to a ghostly presence. What is the unhappy story of the ghost girl who comes into Grace's room without an invitation? Gradually, Grace unravels the sad story of Clem and her dog, Brush. (9+)
Published by Walker Books Ltd
Room for a Stranger
Imagine sharing a room with a complete stranger! For the first time in her life Doreen has a room of her own. But then Mum decides that they should take in an evacuee as their contribution to the war effort. Rhoda is a year older than Doreen but more sophisticated in every way and Doreen hates everything about her. Can the two girls become friends? (9+)
Published by Walker Books Ltd
Pigeon Summer
Mary loves her father's racing pigeons and looks after them when he goes away from home to find work. But keeping the pigeons leads to a bitter struggle with her mother, who has other plans for the birds - including eating them! (9+)
Published by Walker Books Ltd
No Friend of Mine
Sick of being bullied at school, Mary's younger brother Lennie finds himself a secret hideout, but then finds that someone else - Ralph - is using it as well. Lennie's father is dying of pit dust. Ralph's father owns the mines. Can the two boys be friends? Anne Turnbull explores the deep divisions in a mining community. (9+)
Published by Walker Books Ltd
The Serpent's Cave
Maisie's life is in danger. The wicked Queen Inga, who has eyes of ice and a little harp made of bone that plays magical and ensnaring tunes, has locked her in the serpent's cave. Can Hugh rescue her? A story of bravery and magic as brother and sister fight for their lives. (7+)
Published by Hodder Children's Books
The Fairy Cow
Do fairies keep cows? Up by the magical lake Megan sees the fairy cattle. By mistake, she tells her father who snatches one and brings it home. “She'll make our fortune,” he says. Megan looks after the fairy cow alongside her beloved Bluebell, Buttercup, Daisy and Celandine. But the fairies want Stray Horn back! Only Megan knows the danger she and her father are in and exactly what she must do to stay safe from the angry fairies. (7+)
Published by Hodder Children's Books
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[ Windows Media Clip 1- House of Ghosts ]
[ Windows Media Clip 2- I was a lonely child ]
[ Windows Media Clip 3- What you get from books is a flash of recognition ]
[ Windows Media Clip 4- Nearly all my stories are about families ]
