Katharine Quarmby – författare

The shocking poignant story of eviction, expulsion, and the hard-scrabble fight for a homeThey are reviled. For centuries the Roma have wandered Europe; during the Holocaust half a million were killed. After World War II and during the Troubles, a wave of Irish Travellers moved to England to make a better, safer life. They found places to settle down – but then, as Occupy was taking over Wall Street and London, the vocal Dale Farm community in Essex was evicted from their land. Many did not leave quietly; they put up a legal and at times physical fight. Award-winning journalist Katharine Quarmby takes us into the heat of the battle, following the Sheridan, McCarthy, Burton and Townsley families before and after the eviction, from Dale Farm to Meriden and other trouble spots. Based on exclusive access over the course of seven years and rich historical research, No Place to Call Home is a stunning narrative of long-sought justice.

SHORTLISTED: NEW ANGLE PRIZE'Soft, swelling story-telling' Australian Women's Weekly'A well-crafted and intensely dramatic novel, with characters you care about facing circumstances so dire a contemporary audience might strain to fully imagine them' Sydney Morning Herald 'The Low Road is a beautifully written novel ... testament to Quarmby’s dedication to her craft and her commitment to delivering an immersive and captivating story' The Tasmanian Times 'A darkly gripping picaresque tale of cruelty, courage and kindness as an orphaned girl survives poverty and injustice to seek love on the other side of the world’ Maggie Gee'An engrossing and beautifully written novel. All sorts of horrors are to be found here, but also love and bravery and hope. A must for lovers of historical fiction’ Adele Geras Norfolk, 1813. In the quiet Waveney Valley, the body of a woman – Mary Tyrell – is staked through the heart after her death by suicide. She had been under arrest for the suspected murder of her newborn child. Mary leaves behind a young daughter, Hannah, who is sent away to the Refuge for the Destitute in London, where she will be trained for a life of domestic service.It is at the refuge that Hannah meets Annie Simpkins, a fellow resident, and together they forge a friendship that deepens into passionate love. But the strength of this bond is put to the test when the girls are caught stealing from the refuge’s laundry, and they are sentenced to transportation to Botany Bay, setting them on separate paths that may never cross again.Drawing on real events, The Low Road is a gripping, atmospheric tale that brings to life the forgotten voices of the past – convicts, servants, the rural poor – as well as a moving evocation of love that blossomed in the face of prejudice and ill-fortune.

When Abdul flees his home, leaving everyone he loves behind, he thinks he will find an easier life in England. But when his asylum application is rejected, he ends up living on the streets. Abdul is determined not to give up, but then he becomes the victim of a vicious hate crime. Will he lose everything that he's worked so hard for?This engaging and thought-provoking series offers a powerful opportunity to open conversations, challenge bias and prejudice, foster a sense of community, and build resilience. These titles can act as 'mirrors', reflecting the reader's own experiences to help them feel heard and understood, as well as 'windows', where students are given an insight into lives different from their own. Set in an inner city school, each book looks at the experience of a student who is going through a difficult time. The books navigate the reader through hardships and signpost how to access, or offer, help. Although the books can be hard-hitting, the subjects examined are expertly and sensitively handled. The titles in this series of Hi-Lo books for students aged 13+ include books for reading ages 9-10 years and utilise a range of dyslexia-friendly features to support pupils' reading. Windows and Mirrors are printed on off-white paper and incorporate an easy-to-read font and text separated into bite-sized chunks, along with carefully considered letter and paragraph spacing that can reduce visual stress. While these books have instantly appealing characters and gripping storylines, the language and sentence structure are intentionally written so that students who are reading behind their chronological age can succeed in reading them.

Caz never knew she could fancy girls until she met Jo. But when Jo thinks the football team will discover their secret relationship, she ends things in the worst possible way. A vicious rumour about Caz blazes through school and the bullies close in. All alone, Caz has no one she can turn to. Will anyone step up and be on Caz's side?This engaging and thought-provoking series offers a powerful opportunity to open conversations, challenge bias and prejudice, foster a sense of community, and build resilience. These titles can act as 'mirrors', reflecting the reader's own experiences to help them feel heard and understood, as well as 'windows', where students are given an insight into lives different from their own. Set in an inner city school, each book looks at the experience of a student who is going through a difficult time. The books navigate the reader through hardships and signpost how to access, or offer, help. Although the books can be hard-hitting, the subjects examined are expertly and sensitively handled. The titles in this series of Hi-Lo books for students aged 13+ include books for reading ages 9-10 years and utilise a range of dyslexia-friendly features to support pupils' reading. Windows and Mirrors are printed on off-white paper and incorporate an easy-to-read font and text separated into bite-sized chunks, along with carefully considered letter and paragraph spacing that can reduce visual stress. While these books have instantly appealing characters and gripping storylines, the language and sentence structure are intentionally written so that students who are reading behind their chronological age can succeed in reading them.

Things have been hard since Sam's mum died, but his dad has always done his best to make life less of a struggle. When dad gets sick, Sam's world falls apart. Suddenly, he's in foster care, and life as he knows it changes forever. Sam struggles to adopt to his new school as his dad lies in ICU. Then there's the school bully...This engaging and thought-provoking series offers a powerful opportunity to open conversations, challenge bias and prejudice, foster a sense of community, and build resilience. These titles can act as 'mirrors', reflecting the reader's own experiences to help them feel heard and understood, as well as 'windows', where students are given an insight into lives different from their own. Set in an inner city school, each book looks at the experience of a student who is going through a difficult time. The books navigate the reader through hardships and signpost how to access, or offer, help. Although the books can be hard-hitting, the subjects examined are expertly and sensitively handled. The titles in this series of Hi-Lo books for students aged 13+ include books for reading ages 9-10 years and utilise a range of dyslexia-friendly features to support pupils' reading. Windows and Mirrors are printed on off-white paper and incorporate an easy-to-read font and text separated into bite-sized chunks, along with carefully considered letter and paragraph spacing that can reduce visual stress. While these books have instantly appealing characters and gripping storylines, the language and sentence structure are intentionally written so that students who are reading behind their chronological age can succeed in reading them.

Balancing the equation of life is hard for Ash. He feels like everyone is growing up and leaving him behind. Even his little brother has a better social life than him. When a teacher pairs Ash with Jodie to help with maths, she makes his life hell, and Ash can't see any way to escape it. Can Ash find the formula to solve the problem?This engaging and thought-provoking series offers a powerful opportunity to open conversations, challenge bias and prejudice, foster a sense of community, and build resilience. These titles can act as 'mirrors', reflecting the reader's own experiences to help them feel heard and understood, as well as 'windows', where students are given an insight into lives different from their own. Set in an inner city school, each book looks at the experience of a student who is going through a difficult time. The books navigate the reader through hardships and signpost how to access, or offer, help. Although the books can be hard-hitting, the subjects examined are expertly and sensitively handled.The titles in this series of Hi-Lo books for students aged 13+ include books for reading ages 9-10 years and utilise a range of dyslexia-friendly features to support pupils' reading. Windows and Mirrors are printed on off-white paper and incorporate an easy-to-read font and text separated into bite-sized chunks, along with carefully considered letter and paragraph spacing that can reduce visual stress. While these books have instantly appealing characters and gripping storylines, the language and sentence structure are intentionally written so that students who are reading behind their chronological age can succeed in reading them.

People think Sarah has made a mistake. A HUGE mistake. An act of betrayal so big that she has lost every single one of her friends. Things only get worse when her classmates and complete strangers take to social media to destroy her. But it's all Sarah's fault. She deserves it... right?This engaging and thought-provoking series offers a powerful opportunity to open conversations, challenge bias and prejudice, foster a sense of community, and build resilience. These titles can act as 'mirrors', reflecting the reader's own experiences to help them feel heard and understood, as well as 'windows', where students are given an insight into lives different from their own. Set in an inner city school, each book looks at the experience of a student who is going through a difficult time. The books navigate the reader through hardships and signpost how to access, or offer, help. Although the books can be hard-hitting, the subjects examined are expertly and sensitively handled. The titles in this series of Hi-Lo books for students aged 13+ include books for reading ages 9-10 years and utilise a range of dyslexia-friendly features to support pupils' reading. Windows and Mirrors are printed on off-white paper and incorporate an easy-to-read font and text separated into bite-sized chunks, along with carefully considered letter and paragraph spacing that can reduce visual stress. While these books have instantly appealing characters and gripping storylines, the language and sentence structure are intentionally written so that students who are reading behind their chronological age can succeed in reading them.

Two young women. One passionate love. Will their paths ever cross again?Norfolk, 1813. In the quiet Waveney Valley, the body of a woman – Mary Tyrell – is staked through the heart after her death by suicide. She had been under arrest for the suspected murder of her newborn child. Mary leaves behind a young daughter, Hannah, who is later sent away to the Refuge for the Destitute in London, where she will be trained for a life of domestic service.It is at the Refuge that Hannah meets Annie Simpkins, a fellow resident, and together they forge a friendship that deepens into passionate love. But the strength of this bond is put to the test when the girls are caught stealing from the Refuge's laundry, and they are sentenced to transportation to Botany Bay, setting them on separate paths that may never cross again.Drawing on real events, The Low Road is a gripping, atmospheric tale that brings to life the forgotten voices of the past – convicts, servants, the rural poor – as well as a moving evocation of love that blossomed in the face of prejudice and ill fortune.

A Traveller girl creates her own musical instrument from a willow branch and lots of recycled objects. She plays it enthusiastically, but it sounds terrible! Ignoring warnings not to awaken the ogre in the hills, Ossiri goes there to practise playing her instrument. Will she wake the ogre, and will it appreciate her playing? Told by a Romani storyteller and a picture book author, this original tale offers a fascinating insight into Travelling lifestyles and cultures.

When a Traveller family experiences a run of bad luck, an imaginative boy called Yokki lifts their spirits with tales of a magical white horse. A traditional Traveller-family folk tale which inspires hope and celebrates creativity. Told by a Romani storyteller together with a picture book author to positively reflect Travelling cultures.

When a Traveller family experiences a run of bad luck, an imaginative boy called Yokki lifts their spirits with tales of a magical white horse. A traditional Traveller-family folk tale which inspires hope and celebrates creativity. Told by a Romani storyteller together with a picture book author to positively reflect Travelling cultures.