About This Author
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Please note: Deborah is fully booked for August 2024. However does have availability in the weeks around it.
Deborah trained as a teacher before becoming writer/producer of a national children’s TV show at Network TEN. She then went to Africa where she was harassed by monkeys, got caught in a desert sandstorm and thrown in jail twice. Since then, she’s become an internationally published and awarded author of 28 books including her climate change trilogy, Grimsdon, New City and Final Storm. TheStupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee and The Most Marvellous Spelling Bee Mystery were inspired by her grade 4 teacher. Her latest books are the CBCA Notable books, Bear in Space, and The Book of Wondrous Possibilities, her love letter to books, booksellers and librarians and how they save us when we feel lost. Deb’s won awards for her work but mostly hopes to be as brave as her characters.
Books by Deborah Abela

The Book of Wondrous Possibilities
Best Suited 9-11 Years
Arlo Goodman lives with his Uncle Avery in a run-down flat above their bookshop. He has no friends, except for his pet mouse, Herbert.
But when a girl called Lisette bursts into the shop and begs him to hide her from a murderer, Arlo’s life changes forever.
He’s swept up into an adventure involving kidnappers, car chases and a story in The Book of Wondrous Possibilities, where Arlo and his skymouse battle dragons. But can Arlo find the courage to battle an even greater enemy, who threatens to destroy everything he loves?

Bear in Space
Best suited 4+Years
Bear has plans to change his world, one space adventure at a time, and discovers just how far you can go with someone by your side.

Grimsdon
Best Suited 9-13 Years
Grimsdon is in ruins. Three years ago a massive wave broke its barriers and the sea flooded this grand city. Most were saved, some were lost – and some were left behind.

New City
2020 YABBA Shortlisted
Best Suited 9 – 13 years old
A new city offers a new life – but what kind of life will Isabella and her friends find?

Final Storm
Best Suited 9-13 Years
Isabella, Griffin and their friends have settled into New City, enrolled in school and are making new friends. When someone from Isabella’s past returns, loyalties are tested. Who is watching her from the shadows? And can Isabella and Griffin’s friendship survive this furious final storm?

The Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee
Best Suited 8-12 Years
India Wimple can spell. Brilliantly. Every Friday night, she and her family watch the Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee. When the Wimples suggest she enter the next Bee, India says she’s not good enough – but her family won’t hear it and encourage her to sign up.

The Most Marvellous Spelling Bee Mystery
Best Suited 8-12 Years
Just when India Wimple’s life is returning to normal after competing in the Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee, she’s invited to London for an international spelling showdown. But how can she go without her family? The Yungabilla community might have a solution!
