CHOCOLATE BOX WRAP PARTY!

Reader Millie writes about the day she attended the very special CHOCOLATE BOX GIRLS 'Wrap Party' at Puffin Towers in London!

Millie says:

It was Saturday 13th June and I'd never been so excited in my life. Today I would meet my favourite author, Cathy Cassidy, along with my best friend Sharlize. As part of an activity in my school's creative writing club, I had written some interview questions for Cathy which were then sent to the Guardian - newspaper. Then came the news that instead of having the questions answered by email or video I was to go down to London to meet and interview Cathy at a special 'Wrap party' for her CHOCOLATE BOX GIRLS series! We took the train to London and walked to Puffin HQ where we were given security passes. So many questions were flying around my head. How many other children would there be? What would we do? Would I be able to take photos?

A lady from Puffin books led us down a marble-lined corridor; I think Puffin HQ has to be the poshest building I've ever been in! We whizzed up to the 10th floor where there were stunning views of London, and Cathy was there to greet us. She talked to everyone, and then we found a seat and began making and decorating our own name tags. Cathy made an inspiring speech about her new book Fortune Cookie and told us how she writes and where her ideas come from. Then there were lots of fun activities to try while Cathy moved around the room chatting and signing books on every table. My favourite task was icing chocolates in the style of the iced truffles on the covers of Cathy's books.

The winners of the My Best Friend Rocks comp was announced - the finalists were all guests too! Everyone was given a goodie bag with Cathy's four most recent books inside - LOOKING GLASS GIRL, FORTUNE COOKIE, SWEET HONEY and CHOCOLATE BOX SECRETS, along with a magazine, some posters ad a fortune cookie! Sharlize and I went to grab some fruit to dip in the chocolate fountain and then we took some photos with Cathy on the balcony, which had a stunning view of London and the Thames behind. The icing on the cake for me was that this all took place on Cathy's birthday. A delicious chocolate cake was brought out and we all sang Happy Birthday. Cathy was so genuine and down to earth, spending so much time with each person.

Thank you so much Cathy for writing these amazing books and being such a lovely person. Thanks to Guardian Children's Books for giving me the opportunity - I loved every minute and wish it was possible to go back in time and replay those amazing two hours!

Here is a video I made at the party: Meeting Cathy!

Here is the article me and Sharlize wrote for the Guardian, along with the interview! The Guardian article.

Cathy says:
Thank YOU, Millie, for this fab, fab feature… a perfect reminder of one of my very fave days this summer! You were all awesome… it was a real honour to meet you. What is YOUR fave memory of the summer? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!

MY AWESOME HOLIDAY: DUBAI DREAMING!

Reader Deborah writes about her dream holiday in Dubai… 

Deborah says:

When my family first decided to go to Dubai, I was a bit sceptical. I didn't think I would much enjoy a six hour flight to visit a country built on a desert… but my mindset completely flipped when we got on the plane! There were movies, TV shows and modern music as part of the entertainment… I was content for the whole six hours there and back! The hotel we stayed at was really nice too… they did an awesome breakfast with waffles and a pancake making machine. The whole hotel had great air conditioning so you never even felt the heat until you went outside.

There were so many places to go and things to see… we took a tour around Abu Dhabi and saw the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world), the spice market, and a hotel with floors below sea level. All of that was amazing! We also went to the beach, which was very different (and very hot!) and I got to collect some seashells. There was an antique shop that looked like a museum at first - we got some jewellery and trinkets from there.

The shopping mall was a lot like an ordinary London shopping mall, with all the UK brand shops and the same kind of things on sale. The main thing that was different was the fact that there was a huge aquarium in the centre of Dubai's main mall/// it had sharks, sting rays and all kinds of other fish! I think the shopping mall was my favourite part of the trip, because although things looked the same as in the UK the experience was very different. The shop assistants would greet you, recommend things to you and were just generally very helpful. I managed to get some things for my Sweet Sixteenth birthday and a few cool presents for my friends. If you ever get the chance to travel to Dubai, go for it… you really won't regret it!

Cathy says:
What a holiday! I've passed through Dubai when working at a book festival in the emirate of Sharjah, and I remember how modern it was… and how HOT! What is YOUR most memorable holiday? COMMENT BELOW to tell us all!

A LITTLE PRINCESS...

As Queen Elizabeth II becomes the longest reigning British monarch, reader Josie delves into her early years…

Josie says:

Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on April 21st 1926, the eldest child of the Duke and Duchess of York. Her grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary, were the king and queen, but although Elizabeth was third in line to the throne after her uncle and father, it was never expected that she would ever become queen; her uncle, Edward, was expected to succeed to the throne when the time came. In 1930, Elizabeth's little sister, Princess Margaret Rose was born. The family lived in Piccadilly, London, and also at White Lodge in Richmond Park.

Princess Elizabeth's quiet childhood came to an abrupt end in 1936 when her grandfather King George V died. As expected, her uncle came to the throne as King Edward VIII but a few months later he gave up the throne to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee; as king, Edward would never have been permitted to marry a divorced woman. This meant that suddenly, Princess Elizabeth's father was to become King George VI: in 1937 the two princesses watched the coronation of their parents take place in Westminster Abbey. Princess Elizabeth was now herself next in line to the throne.

The princesses were educated at home, with a series of French and Belgian governesses and religious studies lessons from the Archbishop of Canterbury. Princess Elizabeth also studied art and music and learned to swim and to ride. At eleven, she joined the Girl Guides and later the Sea Rangers. In 1939, life changed again when Britain declared war on Germany; Britain had entered World War II. During the London Blitz, it was suggested that the sisters should go to Canada, but this plan was not to be; the family did not want to be so far apart, and so the princesses were moved to the safety of Windsor Castle for the rest of the war while the king and queen stayed at Buckingham palace to keep public morale high.

In 1945, Princess Elizabeth joined the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service. At the end of the war, the two teenage princesses went out by themselves to join in the celebrations anonymously. Elizabeth later said: 'We asked my parents if we could go out and see for ourselves. I remember we were terrified of being recognised… I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of happiness and relief.' Princess Elizabeth had had a crush on a distant cousin, Prince Philip of Greece, since the age of thirteen. She eventually married him in November 1947 and Philip was given the title Duke of Edinburgh. In 1952, King George VI died and Elizabeth, then aged 25, was crowned Queen Elizabeth II. She has now become the longest reigning monarch the UK has ever known.

Cathy says:
Wow… I am not a royalist, but there are lots of things there I didn't know about Princess Elizabeth… what a fascinating life! What do YOU think of the story of her princess years? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!

RISHI: I DON'T WANT TO WASTE MY LIFE...

It's problem page time again and reader Rishi has a question for Summer Tanberry… will you agree with the advice?

Rishi says:
I am thirteen and I have always said that when I'm old I won't just sit there baking cookies - I will travel the world and live life to the full and not care what anyone thinks. But lately I go on and on about my dreams; I want to be an artist, author, reporter, singer and much more, but I do not know where to start on achieving any of this. A while ago I felt like I'd had enough of trying and since then I have been filled with laziness and confusion. I don't want to waste my life because I wasted my childhood caring too much what others might think of me. I have journals to write in but I can't even begin; I just don't know where to start on with planning my life. It all feels too difficult.

Summer says:
Don't be too hard on yourself, Rishi. You are probably a bit impatient, like my big sister Honey… you want results fast, but life isn't like that. To achieve your goals, you have to be sure of what they are… and when we're young, those goals can change all the time. I've spent most of my life dreaming of being a prima ballerina, but the buzz I get from teaching and helping young dancers is actually way more rewarding for me… it just took me a while to see that. My advice is to enjoy your teens and work hard at school so that you keep all of your options open for later. If you love singing, join a music group or theatre club, or take lessons; if you want to write, try journalling or write a short story next school holiday. If art appeals, carry a sketchbook with you and draw when you have any spare time; if being a reporter is your dream, start a school magazine or blog and get some experience now. Tiny steps can bring your dreams closer, and if some don't work out then perhaps they weren't the right dreams to be chasing. Focus on school, friends, having fun - you're thirteen, so enjoy your teenage years and let go of the anxiety of what might happen next. I have a feeling that a career, travel and adventure are all ahead for you - but be patient and let the future unfold slowly.

Cathy says:
I think that's great advice for Rishi from Summer… tiny steps are the way to make any journey, and even things that don't work out can be a useful life lesson. What would YOUR advice be? COMMENT BELOW to have your say...

CARLY: FIRST DAY BACK BLUES...

Reader Carly writes about her first day back at school… not the perfect first day, alas!

Carly says:

Everyone wants their first day back at school to run smoothly. You want to make a good impression, look cool and organised. Well… let's just say my first day back at school was kind of tragic. I usually walk in with a friend, but she was running late so I had to head in on my own… it turned out later that she'd got to my house just about the same time I got to school, so it was a good job I didn't hang on, but it was a stressful start. The school decided to give us new black binders - they were cheap and smelled like those paddling pools you had when you were little. We were told to go easy on the decoration and make it subtle, but… well... that just isn't my style. I adore art and my mentor is an art teacher, so I just let my imagination go crazy. I'll probably be in big trouble by this time tomorrow… sigh.

At break time, a boy I knew from last year unzipped the pocket of my bag and and took out my new ruler… well, I love my stationery and I was NOT having that. I chased him, slipped, fell over the football table and dropped my chocolate bar. I ended up losing a ruler and a chocolate bar too… and when I slipped I really hurt my leg. It feels like I have a bit of bone sticking out under the skin… ugh. To add insult to injury, I was late to my first class. My friend and I didn't realise we had a room change and waited with a Year Seven class (we're Year Eight…) for half an hour before we finally realised. Oops! Year Eights are meant to know their way around… but not me, clearly.

It turned out in the end we had been given the same seating plan for everything, and typically, I seem to be stuck on the Table of Death… everyone on that table hates me with a passion and gives me an evil stare every time I breathe. Nice. Things can only get better, right? Well, maybe. I was glad to get home… but just to top off my disastrous day my PE bag split in half. Well, it's not like I need it or anything… arghhh!

Cathy says:
Some days are just doomed from the start… I feel your pain, Carly! Hope things look up soon! Have YOU ever had a day of non stop disasters? COMMENT BELOW and tell us more!

WHAT READERS THINK ABOUT THE REFUGEE CRISIS...

Readers share their feelings on the refugee crisis and families fleeing from war-torn Syria; it makes for powerful and heartfelt reading…

Sarah says:
I live in France and every day on National Information we have things about immigration. I want to do something to help all of them but I am too young. When I am getting older, if this continues, I swear I am going to do something. I want to do something. I have the opportunity to grow up with no civil war. I have the opportunity to grow up with no poverty. I can go to school. I can have a book and read. Not every child can do this. France is a land of liberty. Also, the European Union is a symbol for the poor in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. I hope they can have a better life in our union. I want to do something to make this happen.

Emily says:
Every time I see something like this I think about when me and my friends are moaning about bot having enough money to go into town and buy the latest clothes and make up when there are some people who don't even have a safe home any longer. In places like the UK we should all be more thankful that we can go to school and not have to live our lives in fear. It is so unfair that where you are born affects your whole future so strongly, because that is something none of us can control.

Abigail says:
It is really heartbreaking seeing pictures of dead children on beaches. I wish I could do something to help, but I am too young and I have no money. If I could, I would do all I could. Currently I am living with my granddad and I hate it when he yells at the TV that the refugees should go back to their own countries. It is even worse when you see 'friends' share pictures that tell the refugees to stay away and try to claim that all they want is money. I watched a documentary about Calais and it was heart wrenching. The police brutality there is extreme. I read somewhere that many millions of people have fled countries affected by war and ISIS terrorism, but that only a tiny fraction have arrived at Calais.

Hannah says:
It makes my blood boil to hear people saying 'refugees are not our problem because we need to look after our own.' They are humans too, they ARE our own! Just imagine the bad fortune to be born in a country that finds itself torn apart by war. That's all it boils down to, luck of birth. If the shoe were on the other foot, we'd be screaming for people to do something. These people's lives are in danger and our nation shames itself by its response.

Hope says:
I feel very upset when I see people - even friends sometimes - saying that refugees are not wanted in Britain. I feel this because my parents are immigrants also, and when people say bad things about the migrants it hurts. I know we are not English, but Britain is our home and we love it. I would not let the refugees from Syria drown trying to find a safe place to live. They are living in tents with no food and no supplies except what others can spare for them. And soon the bad weather will come. What then? I think we could make them welcome, all across Europe, show them that we care. When I see some things people write and say and what the newspapers print, it makes me ashamed and also frightened. We are all people, aren't we?

Photos with thanks to UNHCR & UNICEF.
Those who wish can donate via Save The Children, Red Cross or CalAid. To donate blankets, toiletries, food etc, check to see if your area has a collection point for refugee relief.

Cathy says:
I know my readers are pretty awesome but these comments make me so very proud of the young people of Britain and France. You have the biggest hearts ever. Hope says it all when she says 'we're all people, aren't we?' Put yourself in the shoes of those families fleeing from extreme danger and you can't help but feel sympathy. COMMENT BELOW if you want to add to Sarah, Emily, Abigail, Hannah and Hope's messages of support...

EMILY: A NEW START

Reader EMILY, aged fourteen, is one of the winners of my 'DIFFERENT' themed writing comp with this topical and emotional story about a refugee coming to Britain…

A New Start by Emily T, age 14

Her body filled with a sense of anxiety as she gazed up, her green eyes fixed on her new school building. She could hear the children's voices around her but she didn't dare join in, for fear of muddling up her English. She stared around blankly and saw the cars in the car park covered with a blanket of fresh snow. She saw the forgotten trees in the distance, their branches bare. Everything she had ever dreamed of seemed so pointless now; she had left all her friends, all her dreams behind.

Crystallised snowflakes clung to her new uniform. A cold sense of frost lingered in the corridor as she trudged into her new classroom. She saw the Christmas tree in one corner of the room, an angel sitting proudly on top. The classroom was lit with festive lights flickering from colour to colour; for the first time, she felt almost excited about her new life in England. A huddle of blonde haired girls came up to her, their fluffy scarves wrapped around them. They asked her to be friends, asked why she had moved here so late in the year.

She told them about the bombs that had hit her home town and of her family's journey to get here. They  sympathised, their blue eyes wide with shock - but she didn't want sympathy because she knew that didn't matter anymore.

She knew things here in England would work out.

To read the other winning entries, click here…

Illustration by Cathy

Cathy says:
The standard in the writing competition was, as always, very high. I wanted to share this story because it is very much of-the-moment… and so powerful and moving. Great work, Emily! Do YOU love to write? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!

MY AWESOME HOLIDAY: IN CORNWALL!

Reader Katerina shares her story of a cool summer break in Cornwall… and tells us about the new friends and new skills she discovered there!

Katerina says:

This summer my dad went to a reunion of the friends he was at university with. We travelled down to Cornwall and stayed at a place called Treharrock, a giant house that used to be a hotel… one of my dad's friends owns it, I think! The house has 14 bedrooms, 3 showers, 4 bathrooms, 3 living rooms and a giant kitchen, as well as a utility room and dining room. We filled up quite a bit of it as Dad's university friends had families too - there were lots of children and teenagers to get to know! Mum and Dad had visited Treharrock in 1994 but I never had, so it was all very exciting. The adults shared to cooking and there was a party atmosphere every night. Everyone was great, and I made friends with three really nice girls (the daughters of some of Dad's uni friends). We shared a room and before long we bonded, and formed the Squid Squad! (Loooong story including inside joke!)

On the first day we all went to the beach and explored giant caves… then we sunbathed for hours! The next day we went surfing… it was my first ever time and it was so much fun! We had a lesson and it was very difficult, but worth the hard work. The first part of the lesson we spent surfing on our tummies which was easy enough… but then we had to stand up. I FINALLY managed it and it was brilliant!

That night was the last night… we did a giant treasure hunt that was so interesting and difficult, followed by a general knowledge quiz and finally we all played a mad game called Sardines! Sardines is basically one person hiding and if you find them, you have to hide with them, but all in the dark! I got to hide once and it was so much fun! Our summer was full of adventures and trips to friends and relatives, travelling all around Britain… but the two days in Cornwall were just unforgettable. I cannot believe how lucky I was to be a part of it all!

Cathy says:
Wow… I am so jealous! Treharrock sounds like a real-life Tanglewood, come to life… and the new friendships and surfing lessons sound just perfect. Have YOU had a holiday to remember this summer? COMMENT BELOW to tell us more!

COLOURING IN… NOT JUST KID'S STUFF!

Have you caught on to the new craze for adult colouring in yet? Is it 'mindfulness', 'therapy' or just plain fun? Readers share their opinions!

Jetta says:
My mum is addicted to the adult colouring in books and it has definitely helped her to de-stress. It's her birthday soon and I have got her a very cool book from Waterstones. Some of the designs are amazing! I'd give it a go, but sadly I'm more addicted to my iphone!

Violet says:
Not to sound like a hipster, but I was colouring in years before this craze. It's something that calms me down. I coloured in illustrated books (including a few CC books!) and anything else I could get my hands on. Mum found me a steampunk colouring book and this Christmas I got  colouring book entitled 'Unicorns are Jerks.' I even drew my own pictures to colour in. I have four packs of felt pens. When the craze started up. I rolled my eyes and cursed the fact that felt pens would probably shoot up in price. I don't care for the adult colouring books on sale in the shops just now - I like pictures, not patterns. I feel a sense of achievement in finishing a picture and making it look pretty, and that's just as important as the colouring in itself, which is a nice calm exercise.

Amber says:
They're great! They help your mind relax, and they're better than sitting in front of a screen, whether that's a phone, computer or TV… your eyes can be harmed by them. I use electronic devices practically all day, so I asked for a colouring book for my birthday. I picked The Enchanted Forest which looks amazing! Rather than a video game that's soon forgotten, you have a physical reward for the time spent… you could even frame it on the wall!

Maya says:
No… they're not for me. They're just more complicated versions of children's colouring books. Although it's not my thing, I think people should do what they want, and if they like these books then great. I guess it's sort of cool, because it's a relaxing thing… and who says colouring should be just for kids?

Valerie says:
Like Violet, this is not a new thing for me! I'm a school librarian and every break time there are lots of youngsters wanting to colour… a great way to relax and chill out before the dreaded bell goes again. Sometimes we set a theme - Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day etc… it's all good fun!

Liana says:
I am all for the colouring craze, because I think it will encourage people to be more creative and to do things that are 'real' things and not just on-screen. For me personally, I get more out of drawing and doodling, but that's just my preference, and once I start filling in the colour to my designs the effect is much the same! I am all in favour of anything that encourages people to explore the imaginative, creative side of their personalities; why should that be something reserved only for small children? The older you get, the more you need that creativity - our lives get very regimented the older we get. We need an escape!

Kellie says:
I have been into these books for a while. They're perfect for when you are wound up or stressed because they switch off all the anxiety. A friend saw one of my books in my bedroom in February or March this year… she made fun of me for being a 'baby'. She didn't mean to be horrible, she just genuinely didn't get it. I tried to explain but I knew she didn't understand. Just last week, I was at her house and guess what I saw on her desk… a colouring book and a set of new crayons. I had a bit of a smile, but I didn't say 'I told you so!'

Cathy says:
I love art, and though like Liana, I'd rather draw than colour, I the new pattern and artwork books are a brilliant idea… for all the reasons listed above! Are YOU hooked on the new cool colouring craze? COMMENT BELOW and share your views!

INSPIRING QUOTES… AS CHOSEN BY YOU!

Readers pick out their favourite inspirational quotes to share… is YOUR favourite here?

Robyn says:

'When I was five years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down 'happy'. They told me I didn't understand the question, and I told them they didn't understand life.'
John Lennon

Charlie says:
'When people hurt you over and over, think of them like sandpaper. They may scratch and hurt you a bit but in the end you end up polished and they end up useless.'
Andy Biersack

Fay says:
'Nothing is impossible. The word itself says "I'm possible"'
Audrey Hepburn

Morgan says:
'That's the real problem with the world; too many people grow up…'
Walt Disney

Michaela says:
'Creativity is a gift… it doesn't come through if the air is cluttered.'
John Lennon

Kym says:
'I do believe imperfection is underrated.'
Helena Bonham Carter

Hannah says:
'The people that mind don't matter and the people that matter don't mind...'
Dr Seuss

Kristina says:
'Fake it till you make it!'
Carrie Hope Fletcher

Alison says:
'We know what we are, but know not what we may be…'
William Shakespeare

Jasmine says:
'Embrace your differences and the qualities about you that you think are weird. Eventually, they're going to be the only things separating you from everyone else.'
Sebastian Stan

Vicky says:
'Even though we're all outcasts in our own way, we all do belong in this world and we all fit in.'
Gerard Way

Cathy says:
Lots of inspiration there… do YOU have a fave inspirational quote? COMMENT BELOW to share it!

THE WRITE STUFF: AGATHA CHRISTIE

Agatha Christie is one of the world's best-loved crime writers. Her books include the famous Murder on the Orient Express, and she created memorable detective characters like Poirot and Miss Marple… but what do we really know about her life?

She was born Agatha Miller, into a wealthy, upper-middle class family in Torquay, Devon in 1890. She had two older siblings, but they were often away at school and so Agatha spent much of her childhood alone - reading avidly and playing with her pets. In her autobiography, Agatha describes how having time alone helped to develop her imagination and creativity. When she was eleven, her father died, and a few years later Agatha was sent to finish her education in Paris. She began writing short stories soon afterwards, and met and married her first husband, an army officer called Archie Christie. When Word War One broke out, Agatha joined the war effort as a voluntary VAD nurse.

Agatha's first detective novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, featuring the now famous detective Hercule Poirot, was published in 1919; the same year, Agatha gave birth to her first and only child, a daughter, Rosalind. More novels followed, and for a time the family led a happy, privileged life. Tragedy struck when Archie fell in love with someone else and asked his wife for a divorce. Soon after hearing this news, Agatha went missing; her car was found parked above a chalk quarry along with an expired driving licence and some clothes. There was a public outcry and her disappearance even made the front page of the New York Times. Ten days later, after a massive nationwide manhunt, Agatha was found in a Yorkshire hotel, registered under a false name and claiming no memory of what had gone on before… it could almost have been a scene from one of her own novels. Later, when writing her autobiography, Agatha made no reference at all to her disappearance… and the mystery seems destined never to be solved.

In 1930, Agatha married again, this time to an archeologist, Max; the marriage was happy and lasted until her death in 1976. She continued to write bestselling novels, often setting stories in places she had visited with her husband Max, such as Istanbul, Luxor, Mesopotamia and Jerusalem as well as  various UK locations. During World War Two, she worked in the pharmacy at University College Hospital in London, and learned about some of the poisons she was later to include in her stories. Agatha Christie wrote 66 mystery novels and 14 collections of short stories, as well as six romances under a pen name and some non-fiction. Countless films and plays have been made of her work, and she remains one the best-loved authors the UK has ever produced.

Cathy says:
I was fascinated by Agatha Christie's autobiography when I was a teenager - I wanted to know every detail of her life, because she was a real writer! Are YOU a crime or mystery fan? Or is there a particular author you would like to see profiled on DREAMCATCHER? COMMENT BELOW to have your say...