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Martin Waddell
Martin always wanted to be a professional footballer. And he
almost was!
Martin was born during a bombing raid on Belfast in
the middle of the Second World War. The first night of his life was
spent under a table with a metal top sheltering him from the
bombs.
Martin writes all kinds of stories for children,
including picture books. His books used to be published under two
names: Martin Waddell and Catherine Sefton. His Martin Waddell
books he describes as 'for amusement only'. He used the pseudonym
Catherine Sefton so that he could write serious books that often
look at how people relate to one another, and how they deal with
different situations. Now all the books are published under the
name Martin Waddell.
Martin has lived in Newcastle, County Down, not far
outside Belfast for most of his life. As a result, and using his
home town as a background, he has written several novels describing
how growing up in an era of political unrest affects the lives of
ordinary people and especially teenagers.
Martin also writes ghost stories, largely for the fun
that a ghost can add but also to show how the past always affects
the present.
The Beat of the Drum
Brian has good reason to hate the Catholics. After all, it was an IRA bomb that killed his parents and left him disabled. Nevertheless Brian doesn't hate the Catholics, only the bigotry and prejudice that fuels the divisions in his society. But can he stop the beat of the drum or escape the dangerous rhythm it keeps? A sequel to Frankie's Story. (11+)
Published by Walker Books Ltd
Frankie's Story
Against a background of violence in the Northern Ireland of the 1980s, Catholic Frankie has strong opinions about the rights and wrongs of the two sides. Her loud mouth, coupled with taking up with a protestant boy, make her an easy target for trouble - and it's not long in coming. Frankie is in danger, but is anyone there to help her? (11+)
Published by Walker Books Ltd
The Ghost and Bertie Boggin
Smallest and youngest of the Boggin family, Bertie has nothing to do when his big brother and sister won't play with him. That is until he finds the ghost. Bertie and the ghost quickly become best friends celebrating birthdays, Christmas and especially Halloween in the spookiest way possible. (9+)
Published by Walker Books Ltd
The Kidnapping of Suzie Q
A quick trip to the supermarket and Suzie's life is turned upside down. One minute she's a normal teenager, the next minute she's been kidnapped. Bundled into a car, Suzie is held hostage and needs all her courage and cleverness to survive this nail-biting experience. (11+)
Published by Walker Books Ltd
The Ghost in the Blue Velvet Dress
Jane loves reading. It's her way of escape. So, when left behind by her parents in a bookless house, she feels completely lost. Then, one day, a book appears beside her bed. Where has it come from? Then there's another. And another. A new book appears every day. Who is the ghostly girl who brings the books and what does she want? (9+)
Published by Walker Books Ltd
Little Obie and the Flood
Four connected stories about Little Obie, who lives with his grandparents in a cabin at Cold Creek on the Rock River. The stories tell of a long-lost way of life where everything from keeping warm and clean depends on hard work, and where surviving in ferocious weather is the biggest job of the day. (9+)
Published by Walker Books Ltd
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[ Windows Media Clip 1- The Ghost and Bertie Boggin ]
[ Windows Media Clip 2- I feel passionate about what I write ]
[ Windows Media Clip 3- I was absolutely hopeless at school ]
[ Windows Media Clip 4- Read what you like! ]
