Garden of the Purple Dragon wins WAYRBA award

News | Posted by Carole on Monday 25 September 2006

I have just returned from three days in Perth. I went there to accept the 2006 WAYRBA Award for Younger Readers for Garden of the Purple Dragon. This is Garden’s first award and it is my first ‘Children’s Choice’ award, so I was thrilled to receive it. I am in esteemed company as Christopher Paolini’s Eldest won the older readers award and Matthew Reilly’s Hover Car Racer won  the Avis Page Award.

A group from Melville Primary School performed a terrific readers’ theatre piece from the book.

I had a very pleasant three days in the West, visiting schools and having a look around Perth. The WAYRBA committee really looked after me and it was a pleasure to meet these hard-working women who give their time to organise this award and promote reading among young people.

I stayed at Miss Maud’s Swedish Hotel in Perth and a lavish smorgasbord breakfast was included. I am now on a diet!

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Comments (11)

Working Title

News | Posted by Carole on Monday 11 September 2006

I’m getting a bit sick of referring to the third Dragonkeeper book as DK3. So here’s the title. Dragon Moon. That’s the working title, anyway. I’d be interested to know if people think it’s a good title. I want it to be short…and memorable.

A lot of people had a problem remembering Garden of the Purple Dragon. It was often “Purple Garden of the…”. “The Purple Dragon”, “Dragon Garden…”. I’m hoping this title will stick in people’s minds more easily.

Speaking of Garden of the Purple Dragon, I am pleased to report that it has been shortlisted for the 2006 Queensland Premier’s Literary Award for Best Children’s Book. Very exciting. Click here to see the other contenders.

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