This Summer Australia has turned into a sort of hell on earth with bushfires raging all around the country. I can’t imagine there is anyone who hasn’t been affected by the devastation of our beautiful country. Of course not all of us have been in the line of fire, but we have friends and family who have been impacted. Personally, my parents live on the mid north coast and saw months of smoke and fires before Christmas – thankfully they and their home are fine but down south we have good friends in Tumbarumba who had the fire tear through their farm, resulting in the loss of sheds and fences – fortunately their house and stock are okay. I have friends in fire areas on the south coast who have lived on tenterhooks for weeks and now the beautiful Southern Highlands and Kangaroo Valley are in danger too. My brother in law, Trent Lawrence is an inspector with the NSW Fire Brigade and has been working crazy hours coordinating the thousands of brave men and women on the front line. It feels as if it’s never going to end and I think many of us have a sense of helplessness. The tragic loss of life is incomprehensible and it’s also impossible to imagine the sheer numbers of animals that have been killed.
Over on Twitter the authors and illustrators of Australia have banded together to do a fundraiser for the Country Fire Authority. It has just started today and runs until 11pm Saturday 11 January. There are lots of great books and experiences you can buy and all of the money is going to the fire fighting effort. It’s something small that we can do but it’s important. To read more about how it all works please check out THIS LINK.
I am offering a signed copy of the brand new beautiful hardback edition of Alice-Miranda at School which celebrates 10 years of the series. It will be released at the beginning of February. I’m also offering a one hour writing workshop – either for a class of students or individually, via Skype or in person depending if I can get to where you are. I’ve pledged to match the winning donation (which I will send to the Australian Red Cross Bushfire Appeal) up to $500.
So if you’d like me in your classroom, or your child’s classroom – or as a special experience for your child, please check it out and get on board.
And let’s hope that the rain comes soon and the fireys can go home to their families and people can start rebuilding their lives.
Love to you all,
Jacqueline Harvey x
Thank you for your support of so many people who are struggling. We have fond memories of you coming out to Wingello school and unfortunately Wingello has been hard hit – though the school is fine, thankfully.
Hi Katherine,
I was thinking of you all when I heard that the fires had come to Wingello. Terrible news about people’s homes but glad that the school is okay. Lots of difficult days ahead and my heart goes out to you all.
Jacqueline x
I want you at my school right now
Take a journey to Feilding, New Zealand and yeah
Hi Mrs. Harvey,
For the very first time, I write to you as emily! 🙂
I just came here to talk about my love for your writing (particularly your Alice-Miranda series) but when I discovered about the fires going on in Australia I got as upset as you are. It’s awful that so many people’s homes and health conditions are suffering. It’s such a beautiful region to live in and I’m sure something like this destroying it must be like nightmare fuel. I feel so glad that even though most people my age are unable to help, a fundraiser like the one you’re contributing to can help us play a part. Unfortunately I am nowhere near Australia and can’t contribute to it, but I do sincerely hope that things get better for all of you, especially those living in NSW and Victoria, where I hear they are experiencing a mega blaze.
All of that heaviness aside, I still have to talk about my love for your books! I never dug too deep into Clementine Rose. It just wasn’t for me and I never got to complete the series, but I do have a sneaking suspicion that Clementine’s real mother is Eliza. It could be true, or it’s just me being a terrible detective trying to decipher a code that never existed. As for Kensy and Max, I have yet to read the series. It has me tempted, so I think I’ll give it a try! A spy life where everything moves like the New York metro yet you’re the one living in slow motion sounds like my kind of read! The real highlight for me however, is Alice-Miranda. I think I mentioned that earlier, but it never hurts to make yourself clear. She is such an inspiring personality! she’s the perfect example of how not all heroes wear capes. I’ve read every last one of the 18 books and every single time I snuggle down in my bedroom in a sweater, a mug of hot chocolate in my hand and my blinds up so that the sunshine can pour onto the pages. It usually takes me a couple of hours at most to finish one of them, but I think I spend most of my time speculating what it will all lead to. And of course, re-enacting the moments in my head like it’s a movie. I have something called photographic memory (also known as Eidetic memory) where my mind is like a camera that snaps shots on instinct. That sort of thing usually spares me a whole lot of time when studying from my textbooks, but it also makes the imagination path seem foggy (it’s ironic, I know). But it’s all the more reason for me to think and explore and smile because this is where emotions get precious. I absolutely love AM, Millie, Chessie and Sloane, but interestingly my favorite character is Jacinta. I think that resilient would be an understatement when it comes to describing her. She spent her early years of life trying to fill in the biggest gap in her life; her parents. Or to be more specific, desperately searching for the right fit. Her mother was always busy partying with her superstar friends and climbing the social status ladder. You can actually just change the name to the never ending ladder because, as I like to think of it, such things begin and end with desire, greed and insecurity. Jacinta’s dad was always busy working on some billion dollar deal and did not care for his daughter. I like how Jacinta matured and bloomed just like a flower, and even though she found it hard to let go of her past resentments even with the amazing friends she had, she eventually reached a point where she could help herself. Not to say her friends didn’t contribute, of course. I’m very fond of Lucas too, by the way! I was thrilled when I read keeps the beat where they played bigger parts because I felt like in Holds the Key, Hollywood and Scotland we didn’t get to see much of them as people to pair it with the couple aspect (pun intended). I also do wonder what happened to Lucas’ anger issues- we still get a glimpse of the person Sloane used to be, as with Jacinta but I feel like Lucas is an entirely different person now. For a second I really thought that when Jacinta told him that he was lying to her because his mom was getting married and he didn’t like the guy (that was funny: I really have no idea where that bold assumption came from considering it was Jacinta’s own observation that Blair and Lucas were getting on really well) that he would snap. His patience with her is astounding. I also found it adorable that she indirectly told him that she loved him. I wonder what comes next for lucinta in the outback. Actually, I just want to know what will happen to AM and company in general in the outback. Is it a school trip, or another family type trip like they did in the alps? Or something related to Aunty Gee, perhaps? I’ll find out what happens in due time of course, patience is a virtue but at the same time I’m excited because this one must be close to your heart considering where it takes place 😀
I could honestly go on forever about how amazing everybody is but I still have to talk about the Alice-Miranda Movie! AM Friends Forever! The cover for the movie script is just gorgeous. The characters are just as I imagined them but just a quick question; Why do Sloane and Sep look different? I re-read the early books and I’m pretty sure they’re both blonde. Also, Alethea looks an awful lot like Caprice. Not that there’s anything wrong with it! I just want to know if it plays along with the poetic license or if it was your decision. There’s just one problem- I haven’t watched the movie yet. I’m not Australian so I don’t have access to Stan nor channel nine. Do you know if it will come on Netflix or if it will be released on youtube? I really want to watch it but I have no idea how to go about it.
I’m so sorry if my comment turned out WAY too long and I truly apologize if I gave you a headache!! Lots of hugs,
Emily, 12 years old (looking forward to know more about Alice-Miranda in the Outback!)
Hello Emily,
Thank you for the message, I’m glad to hear that you love the books I write and are quite a big fan 🙂
Yes, the fires were terrible but it shows how strong communities are across Australia to provide so much support in this devastating time. The Alice-Miranda movie is also available on iTunes. I hope you enjoy Alice-Miranda in the Outback, it was a lot of fun to write.
Happy Reading,
Jacqueline
The Australian Bush fires are horrible and are spreading quickly. I’m glad that I have a house and a roof over my head. Sadly some people don’t. I do not live in Australia, but I’ve seen pictures. It is a beautiful place and I’m very sad it is like this at the moment. Hopefully it will stop eventually.
Thank You Jacqueline for posting this so everyone can donate.
I really do hope that we raise enough money.
I seriously have $106.60 in my wallet, and about $784 in my bank, so I will be donating some
That is very kind of you 🙂
Hi Kyla,
Yes, this was a very sad time for Australia and unfortunately many communities are still suffering.
Jacqueline x
That is terrible
I donated money when I went to Kmart
hi Jacqueline,
That is so nice of you since the bushfires in Australia is so bad. i live in SA so it isn’t that bad like in VIC or NSW, but i’m still so scared, because my friend had to evacuate because she lives in the hills of loberthel. i’m also tryinng to donate to every donation collections tthat support the bushfires. just one question, is the signed copy going to be in the bookshops or do we need to win it?
PS: Happy NEW YEAR!!! 2020 HERE WE COME!!!
Hope you have a great 2020 🙂
Thank you so much for recognising and supporting those who have been affected by the fires. I know a lot of my family live in some of the areas in Victoria that were affected badly.
Also – I just saw the cover for ‘Alice-Miranda in the Outback’ it looks so good! Alice-Miranda looks amazing – I can’t wait to read it! I can’t wait to find out who she’s going with, like with school, or with her parents. I’m so excited!
Hello Frankie,
Yes, it has been terrible – I hope your family are ok. The cover is very nice and there is a super fun adventure to accompany it 🙂
Happy reading,
Jacqueline
hi jacqueline,
i’m sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited for am in the outback. do we have some sort of connection? cuz i’ve started writing am in the outback since last year. i’ve nearly finnished it but whoo it’s so hard. goes to show you are a true superwomen. anyways, my book is about am and the girls and boys form fayle are doing a bushfire relief fundraiser but am is hurt badly and cannot help. in LA jacinta and lucas is doing a exchange in the same school. there is a boy causing trouble. it is sooooooooooooooooooo long. thats about it.
Did you write like a fanfiction on AM? If you did. . . that’s so cool! There is not nearly enough fanfiction on Alice Miranda and her friends. Your plot sounds so good! Seriously!
Hi Clair,
I’m almost done! It’s an exciting story set partly in Coober Pedy and then on an imaginary station called Hope Springs. There are lots of mysteries and people going missing and thieves and well – I can’t give it all away but Lucas and Jacinta are there along with Alice-Miranda and Millie and some new friends Larry and Hayden (Larry is a girl whose real name is Illaria but she hates it and only answers to Larry). It’s been a lot of fun to write but I have about 6 chapters to go. It’s due on Sunday night so I’d best get on with it.
All the best with your story too – it sounds very exciting.
Jacqueline x
Hi Jacqueline. It is so nice of you to have a bushfire program for us people in Australia. I don’t live near the fires but here in Melbourne it is sometimes pretty smoky that it’s toxic. So we have to keep a constant eye on the smoke levels. I feel sorry for my friend Maddy who lives near the fires and so do my cousins. Thank you so much for doing this you are a true hero!!
Stella
Hi Stella,
I live in Australia too. It’s just that I divide my time now between Sydney and Queenstown – but we’re still in Australia for longer each year. I was so happy to read that as of tonight all fires in NSW are officially under control (mostly out). I hope that the same is true in Victoria. It’s been such a horrible Summer and now there have been floods and an ex tropical cyclone is about to create some more problems. The weather is definitely all over the place.
Hopefully we won’t have anything like this season again.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Hey when is the Alice Miranda movie in nz
And when is the freefeall book out
hi Lexie, thank you for saying that what I’m doing is cool!!!
SORRY I SPELLED YOUR NAME WRONG LEXI!!!
I love your books. I just wondering are you still writing Clementine Rose?
Hi Sherry,
I’m taking a break from writing Clemmie books at the moment.
Happy reading,
Jacqueline
hello jacqueline
my name is sophie and i love all your books alice miranda and clementime rose
i just saw the cover for AM in the out back and it looks amazing
one thing though actually two things 1 how old is AM in the outback book 2 shes really tall
i LOVE to read your books but idont have them all so when i read one that is the next book but i dont have thelast book it gives it away a little bit
you know what i mean !
i love the to the rescue one i just finshed reading it
i love how the wedding was planned so that mr plumpton and ms reedy could get away for somthing “special” but it was just to get away earlier it was so funny
Love Sophie 12 yars of age pappinbarra australia
Hi Sophie,
Alice-Miranda is 10, nearly 11 when she is in the Outback.
I’m thrilled to hear that you love reading my books 🙂
Happy reading,
Jacqueline