The Writers of Wales Database

CALDECOTT, ELEN

Email: contact@elencaldecott.com
Website: http://www.elencaldecott.com/

Elen is a writer for children and young people. While she is currently based in Bristol, she grew up near Llangollen in North Wales in a bilingual family. On leaving home, she studied first at Birmingham University and later at Bath Spa University where she gained an MA in Writing for Young People.

Her first novel, How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant, was written during the MA course and was published by Bloomsbury in 2009. A varied work history – as an archaeologist, trainee nurse, theatre manager and museum security guard – inspired the novel; the heroine steals the stuffed elephant from a museum in order to hold the city council to ransom. The work was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and longlisted for the Carnegie Medal. Her second novel, How Ali Ferguson Saved Houdini was published by Bloomsbury in July 2010.

She specialises in contemporary adventure stories for 8-12 years old; stories that see ordinary people do extraordinary things. Elen is a Member of The Welsh Academy.

Reviews:
With respect to How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant (Bloomsbury, 2009)

"…Its ingenious ideas, humour and clear, unfussy style keep the pages turning speedily to the feel-good conclusion…"
Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times

"…This is a funny, lively and touching book, with a very English humour and written in a smart, witty style that will appeal to pre-teens (marrows taste like "dinosaur-skin wrapped around snot"). Caldecott has created a thoroughly modern heroine in Kirsty Jenkins..."
Stephanie Merritt, The Observer


Selected Publications:
How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant (Bloomsbury 2009)
How Ali Fergson Saved Houdini (Bloomsbury 2010)
Operation Eiffel Tower (Bloomsbury, 2011)




How Ali Ferguson Saved Houdini (Bloomsbury 2010)

How Ali Ferguson Saved Houdini is a funny and moving story about three children making friends and working out their problems, while solving a mysterious case of missing mammals.

Ali Ferguson has just moved into Lever Tower with his mum. It’s not long before he meets Caitlin and the Alsatian dog she looks after, Falcon, who doesn’t take too kindly to being walked on a lead. Caitlin introduces Ali to her best friend, Gez, and together the three set out to discover, firstly, why the foxes have disappeared from the area, secondly, why the owls have appeared and, thirdly, why Miss Osborne has, it seems, vanished...And how exactly her disappearance is related to the previous two.

To purchase this title from LoveReading.com please click on the front cover