Hazel Allan

“Bree McCready and the Half-Heart Locket” is a fast-paced and exciting adventure story with soul. It is about a threesome of twelve-year-old children who uncover a magical book and are subsequently thrown into a world of self-discovery and danger. However, there is a tender undercurrent that runs throughout the story, a subtle message about friendship and love that reminds us not to give up even when all hope is lost. The main characters in the story have in some way all been touched by grief and this is a thread that runs throughout the story. I have tried to cover the subject in a sensitive way and the book finishes with an uplifting message that hopefully shows that it is possible to survive through even the most testing of times. Bree’s story is told in a way that a younger audience will find easy to understand but also written in a way that the more mature reader will identify with at a deeper, allegorical level. At the beginning of the book we meet a quiet, unpopular girl who is locked in her grief and struggling to accept herself for who she is. However, as the story progresses we see some subtle changes occurring within Bree. She shows great courage and strength of character and by the end of the book we see how she has not only learned to deal with her heartache but also how she has come to terms with, and learned to love, the person she is. The first and most obvious theme that runs through this story is the enduring struggle between good and evil. “Bree McCready and the Half-Heart Locket” offers the reader a perfect balance of action and emotion and covers many topics that I believe are relevant for the youth of today - bullying, self image problems, grief, and relationships. Bree’s struggle is one that many young people will be able to identify with and learn from and there are rich opportunities throughout the book for classroom discussion. E.g., Bree is tormented by her classmate, Alice Renshaw. We learn some of the reasons behind Alice’s vile and unacceptable behaviour towards Bree. The intention behind this was never to excuse Alice’s behaviour or to evoke sympathy for her from the reader. It was merely to provide an explanation as to why bullies often behave in the way they do. If this storyline helps just one reader to cope with a similar situation then I will be satisfied that I achieved what I set out to do. Right from the beginning I really wanted Bree to be a heroine for a generation of children from one parent families. The fact that Bree lives on a neglected housing estate was a deliberate attempt to steer away from the stereotypical family life that is often depicted in children’s stories. Nowadays children from all walks of life need to be able to identify with the hero in the story. Bree symbolises struggle and survival against the odds and it is my hope that she will become a hero to all children, regardless of their social class, race or gender. She is a solid role model who shows great courage and determination in the face of extreme hostility and ultimately learns to accept herself, warts and all. About writer's events and projects: I love being part of readings, workshops, discussions and projects with young people aged 9-teenage and those teachers and librarians working with them. When I present I pick up on the many themes in “Bree McCready and the Half Heart Locket” which can be explored and unraveled by children and adults alike – friendship, alienation, loneliness, grief, bullying, change, love and acceptance. Most of these can be discussed with children as young as 9 (and in much more depth with secondary school children). Younger children will enjoy the themes of magic and adventure and the more zany characters who appear throughout the story and I am sure they will love discussing the idea of the seven wishes which help Bree and her friends along the way.