Mel Darbon
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Mel Darbon spent a large part of her childhood inventing stories to keep her autistic brother happy on car journeys. She won’t mention the time spent with him standing by level crossings waiting for the InterCity 125 to go past as she wouldn’t want to be labelled a train spotter.
Life took her in many different directions working as a theatre designer, a freelance artist, teaching young adults with learning disabilities and running creative workshops for teenage mums, young offenders and toddlers (though not all together). Mel now writes young adult novels and is a recent graduate of Bath Spa’s MA in Writing For Young People, where she found a channel to give voice to young people who otherwise might not be heard. Mel moved to Bath in 2014 with her husband, son and their dog, Alfie. All her other children claim to have left home but she doesn’t believe them. Neither does her fridge. But she wouldn’t have it any other way. |
You can find Mel on Twitter - @DarbonMel. Her debut novel, ROSIE LOVES JACK was published by Usborne in September 2018 to a phenomenal response. So much praise that it's hard to know where to start! But, here goes nothing:
In addition to which, Rosie was named BOOK OF THE MONTH on publication in:
Then there has also been:
And then there's the quotes:
"Rosie's voice is unique and disarming"
"Very teenager should read this"
"Feels totally authentic"
Branford Boase Award panel
“Brave, unique and optimistic, it’s like nothing I’ve ever read before.”
Fiona Noble The Bookseller
“Tamsyn LOVES Rosie Loves Jack! Binge-read it on my flight – couldn’t put it down until I reached The End. Everyone needs to read this book.”
Tamsyn Murray, award-winning author of Instructions for a Second Hand Heart.
“I’ve just read the author’s note at the beginning of this book and I am in pieces already”
- S.M.Wilson, author of The Extinction Trials
“A pure joy from start to finish, Rosie Loves Jack is a dazzling and dizzying narrative that remains with you long after reading it. Mel Darbon has created a character in Rosie who you will undoubtedly adore and written a book that you will undoubtedly love.”
Brian Conaghan, Carnegie Medal and Costa Book Award shortlisted author of When Mr Dog Bites and The Bombs That Brought Us Together
"A beautiful story about love in the face of adversity. Rosie's journey to find Jack is as unforgettable as her extraordinary character and courage. Brave, unique and optimistic, it’s like nothing I've read before. A wonderful debut novel from a hugely talented writer.”
Liz Flanagan, critically-acclaimed author of Eden Summer
“Finished Rosie Loves Jack and all my heart has gone. I couldn't read anything else for quite some time afterwards, as I just knew nothing else could be as good. Rosie Loves Jack is the best thing I've read this year and Rosie is right up there in my top 10 heroines of all time.”
Lu Hersey, MsLexia award-wining author of Deep Water
BLOG REVIEWS AND TWITTER RESPONSE:
“Darbon gives voice to a girl seldom heard in YA fiction in an impressive, thought –provoking debut.”
- Kirsty at The Overflowing Library
“This is the best YA book I have read in a long while. So well done and an absolute page-turner. I loved it.”
- BookGig @bookgig
“This book is just beyond beautiful. I’ve never read a character like Rosie before and I can’t wait for everyone to meet her in September.” - Rebecca Hill @rebeccashill
“This book totally blew me away @DarbonMel’s Rosie Loves Jack is a true game-changer in UKYA.”
- Stephanie King @beretgirl
“If I could I would give it all the freaking stars in the world! DEFINITELY TOP FAVOURITE OF 2018 @Usborne @DarbonMel - you just got a fan for life.”
- Pavi @FictionalWorm
“Only 31 pages in to Rosie Loves Jack by @DarbonMel and I'm already in danger of public crying. Not from sentimentality, but from relief. The teenagers I have worked with are complex and wonderful humans and I've never heard voices like theirs in #ya before. Stories matter.”
- Deidre Sullivan @propermissthi
“This book needs to be hyped up more, y’all. Add this to your TBR.”
- @Afterthoughts
“Truly spectacular. Stunning book ... Snuggled in bed this morning until I finished this touching masterpiece of a debut novel. It was PERFECT and it taught me so much and I loved every second of reading it. Keep this one on your radar, guys. You NEED to read it ... Aaah, Mel. Your book was PERFECT and I’m struggling to find the words to describe it in my review.”
- Aditi @AditiNichani A Thousand Million Words a Million Books
“It melted my sceptic heart.”
- thelonelybooklover
“I’ve just been on the most epic journey with Rose Tremayne and just wanted to say THANK YOU for making that possible.”
- @BookswithClare
“Wow what an amazing book!! Rosie Loves Jack is a fantastic read and me and my mum both have read it in a day! It has made us both cry and I only wish that I could give Rosie a hug @DarbonMel please say there is a book two!” “I just finished the extraordinary Rosie Loves Jack by @DarbonMel! This story is heartbreaking but easily the most beautiful and eye-opening story I have read in a long time. I encourage everyone to pick this book up and give it a read! I will be reviewing it on my blog very soon!”
- Amy’s Book Box @Amy94542609
“Oh! I’ve just finished reading #RosieLovesJack and even my neck is wet with tears. Wow @DarbonMel! Amazing. Thank you. PS It has also made me laugh. And bite my own hand in sheer terror. World, read this book!”
- @KirtleySophie
“@DarbonMel I’m bleary eyed this morning, as I couldn’t leave Rosie on her journey. HAD to read it to the nail biting end…which led way past my bedtime. Still thinking about #RosieLovesJack. Review for @mybookcorner coming asap.”
- @_EmmaPerry
(SELECTED) REVIEW QUOTES:
“Rosie is such a wondrous character; it’s so refreshing to see the world through someone else’s eyes. Albeit quite harsh at times. Mel writes in such a raw relatable way, and some parts of this book really did hurt to read.
Rosie teaches us that human emotions are the same in everyone, whether you’re able or disabled. We all want to be loved and we’re all capable of loving. She’s determined, independent and brave, she proves that love can sometimes overcome the most challenging circumstance. She’s an inspiration. This book shows humans at their worst, but also at their best, and highlights small acts of kindness and understanding can really go a long way.
A fantastic debut, I honestly can’t recommend it enough.”
- The Northern YA Literature Festival - @NYALitFest
“I thought I knew a little about teenagers with special needs but this extraordinary book completely changed my perspective, It’s an important ( and entertaining) story and Rosie’s incredible voice has echoed around my mind ever since I finished reading.”
- Juliathum.co.uk
“Strong, heart-wrenching, beautiful, like Rosie.”
- thelonelybooklover.wordpress.com
“Rosie Loves jack is a WONDROUS debut novel…I have nothing bad to say about this book, so please be aware that this review consists entirely of me gushing about the perfection that is Rosie Loves Jack.” f
- athousandmillionwordsamillionbooks.blogspot
“I enjoyed this book so much that it’s hard for me to put it down.”
- stefiereads.com
“Amazingly touching book debut from @meldarbon…so glad I won this book…it was a highly anticipated read and didn’t disappoint.”
- beinguniquebooks
“The book’s AMAZING”
- Ellieinbookheaven.wordpress.com
“Looking for a YA recommendation that you will fall in love with? #RosieLovesJack by @DarbonMel is a beautiful love story with an inspiring protagonist. “
- @EnglishBookWor1
“A book which smashes down stereotypes regarding Down’s syndrome, this is an astounding debut bound to fill you with raw emotion.”
- thebumblingblogger.co.uk
"Mel has written a brave and uncompromising novel. At its heart it is a simple and touching love story, but what makes it unique and special is the voice and character of Rosie, a girl with Down syndrome. She is a wonderful character, beautifully drawn, engaging the teen/young adult reader at a deep emotional level. Read this book! You will love it."
Julia Green, author of This Northern Sky, The Wilderness War,
Course Director, MA Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University
“An ambitious and powerful love story, which deserves to be read by a wider audience.”
Steve Voake, author of The Dreamwalker’s Child and Bloodhunters
Course Tutor, MA Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University
- WINNER of the 2019 Leeds Book Award in the 14-16 category
- SHORTLISTED for The Branford Boase Award 2019 (judges' feedback below)
- SHORTLISTED for The 2019 CrimeFest Awards - Best crime novel for young adults (Ages 12-16)
- A WORLD BOOK NIGHT choice for 2019
- A YA BOOK OF THE YEAR in the Sunday Times Culture Section
- A BOOK OF THE YEAR also for Book Trust and The Reading Zone
- The featured title for The 2019 Sussex Schools Big Summer Read, where kids, teachers and parents across Sussex will be encouraged to read it and schools will base their schoolwork around it
In addition to which, Rosie was named BOOK OF THE MONTH on publication in:
- Guardian - October 2018, with review also in The Observer
- Mail on Sunday - September 2018
- Booktrust Bookmark - November 2018
- The Reading List - November 2018
- Down the Rabbit Hole – September 2018 (episode 53)
Then there has also been:
- Article in Femail of The Daily Mail 18/10/2018
- Review on @BBCBerkshire 25/09/2018 as book choice for The Book Shelf
- Book of the week @Petersbooks 21/09/2018
And then there's the quotes:
"Rosie's voice is unique and disarming"
"Very teenager should read this"
"Feels totally authentic"
Branford Boase Award panel
“Brave, unique and optimistic, it’s like nothing I’ve ever read before.”
Fiona Noble The Bookseller
“Tamsyn LOVES Rosie Loves Jack! Binge-read it on my flight – couldn’t put it down until I reached The End. Everyone needs to read this book.”
Tamsyn Murray, award-winning author of Instructions for a Second Hand Heart.
“I’ve just read the author’s note at the beginning of this book and I am in pieces already”
- S.M.Wilson, author of The Extinction Trials
“A pure joy from start to finish, Rosie Loves Jack is a dazzling and dizzying narrative that remains with you long after reading it. Mel Darbon has created a character in Rosie who you will undoubtedly adore and written a book that you will undoubtedly love.”
Brian Conaghan, Carnegie Medal and Costa Book Award shortlisted author of When Mr Dog Bites and The Bombs That Brought Us Together
"A beautiful story about love in the face of adversity. Rosie's journey to find Jack is as unforgettable as her extraordinary character and courage. Brave, unique and optimistic, it’s like nothing I've read before. A wonderful debut novel from a hugely talented writer.”
Liz Flanagan, critically-acclaimed author of Eden Summer
“Finished Rosie Loves Jack and all my heart has gone. I couldn't read anything else for quite some time afterwards, as I just knew nothing else could be as good. Rosie Loves Jack is the best thing I've read this year and Rosie is right up there in my top 10 heroines of all time.”
Lu Hersey, MsLexia award-wining author of Deep Water
BLOG REVIEWS AND TWITTER RESPONSE:
“Darbon gives voice to a girl seldom heard in YA fiction in an impressive, thought –provoking debut.”
- Kirsty at The Overflowing Library
“This is the best YA book I have read in a long while. So well done and an absolute page-turner. I loved it.”
- BookGig @bookgig
“This book is just beyond beautiful. I’ve never read a character like Rosie before and I can’t wait for everyone to meet her in September.” - Rebecca Hill @rebeccashill
“This book totally blew me away @DarbonMel’s Rosie Loves Jack is a true game-changer in UKYA.”
- Stephanie King @beretgirl
“If I could I would give it all the freaking stars in the world! DEFINITELY TOP FAVOURITE OF 2018 @Usborne @DarbonMel - you just got a fan for life.”
- Pavi @FictionalWorm
“Only 31 pages in to Rosie Loves Jack by @DarbonMel and I'm already in danger of public crying. Not from sentimentality, but from relief. The teenagers I have worked with are complex and wonderful humans and I've never heard voices like theirs in #ya before. Stories matter.”
- Deidre Sullivan @propermissthi
“This book needs to be hyped up more, y’all. Add this to your TBR.”
- @Afterthoughts
“Truly spectacular. Stunning book ... Snuggled in bed this morning until I finished this touching masterpiece of a debut novel. It was PERFECT and it taught me so much and I loved every second of reading it. Keep this one on your radar, guys. You NEED to read it ... Aaah, Mel. Your book was PERFECT and I’m struggling to find the words to describe it in my review.”
- Aditi @AditiNichani A Thousand Million Words a Million Books
“It melted my sceptic heart.”
- thelonelybooklover
“I’ve just been on the most epic journey with Rose Tremayne and just wanted to say THANK YOU for making that possible.”
- @BookswithClare
“Wow what an amazing book!! Rosie Loves Jack is a fantastic read and me and my mum both have read it in a day! It has made us both cry and I only wish that I could give Rosie a hug @DarbonMel please say there is a book two!” “I just finished the extraordinary Rosie Loves Jack by @DarbonMel! This story is heartbreaking but easily the most beautiful and eye-opening story I have read in a long time. I encourage everyone to pick this book up and give it a read! I will be reviewing it on my blog very soon!”
- Amy’s Book Box @Amy94542609
“Oh! I’ve just finished reading #RosieLovesJack and even my neck is wet with tears. Wow @DarbonMel! Amazing. Thank you. PS It has also made me laugh. And bite my own hand in sheer terror. World, read this book!”
- @KirtleySophie
“@DarbonMel I’m bleary eyed this morning, as I couldn’t leave Rosie on her journey. HAD to read it to the nail biting end…which led way past my bedtime. Still thinking about #RosieLovesJack. Review for @mybookcorner coming asap.”
- @_EmmaPerry
(SELECTED) REVIEW QUOTES:
“Rosie is such a wondrous character; it’s so refreshing to see the world through someone else’s eyes. Albeit quite harsh at times. Mel writes in such a raw relatable way, and some parts of this book really did hurt to read.
Rosie teaches us that human emotions are the same in everyone, whether you’re able or disabled. We all want to be loved and we’re all capable of loving. She’s determined, independent and brave, she proves that love can sometimes overcome the most challenging circumstance. She’s an inspiration. This book shows humans at their worst, but also at their best, and highlights small acts of kindness and understanding can really go a long way.
A fantastic debut, I honestly can’t recommend it enough.”
- The Northern YA Literature Festival - @NYALitFest
“I thought I knew a little about teenagers with special needs but this extraordinary book completely changed my perspective, It’s an important ( and entertaining) story and Rosie’s incredible voice has echoed around my mind ever since I finished reading.”
- Juliathum.co.uk
“Strong, heart-wrenching, beautiful, like Rosie.”
- thelonelybooklover.wordpress.com
“Rosie Loves jack is a WONDROUS debut novel…I have nothing bad to say about this book, so please be aware that this review consists entirely of me gushing about the perfection that is Rosie Loves Jack.” f
- athousandmillionwordsamillionbooks.blogspot
“I enjoyed this book so much that it’s hard for me to put it down.”
- stefiereads.com
“Amazingly touching book debut from @meldarbon…so glad I won this book…it was a highly anticipated read and didn’t disappoint.”
- beinguniquebooks
“The book’s AMAZING”
- Ellieinbookheaven.wordpress.com
“Looking for a YA recommendation that you will fall in love with? #RosieLovesJack by @DarbonMel is a beautiful love story with an inspiring protagonist. “
- @EnglishBookWor1
“A book which smashes down stereotypes regarding Down’s syndrome, this is an astounding debut bound to fill you with raw emotion.”
- thebumblingblogger.co.uk
"Mel has written a brave and uncompromising novel. At its heart it is a simple and touching love story, but what makes it unique and special is the voice and character of Rosie, a girl with Down syndrome. She is a wonderful character, beautifully drawn, engaging the teen/young adult reader at a deep emotional level. Read this book! You will love it."
Julia Green, author of This Northern Sky, The Wilderness War,
Course Director, MA Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University
“An ambitious and powerful love story, which deserves to be read by a wider audience.”
Steve Voake, author of The Dreamwalker’s Child and Bloodhunters
Course Tutor, MA Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University
