Finn and the Pen - by David Lawrence (Paperback)

About the Book

"When Finn buys a magic pen at a market stall, it seems like all his problems are solved... but the good times don't last in this action-packed adventure featuring life on the run, basketball battles, family secrets and more moral conundrums than you could shake a pen at. Eleven-year-old Finn lives with his four foster siblings and the TERRIBLE Mr. and Mrs. Grimshaw. Everything might look okay from the outside, but at home the Grimshaws lock Finn in the basement, and reign terror over his little brothers and sisters. Will the power of a magic pen help Finn save himself and his siblings from their nightmare foster parents, and find out the truth about his past? Join Finn on an adventure beyond his wildest dreams, armed with a pen that makes everything he draws come true. From defeating a bully in a basketball match, to stealing the limelight and serenading the guests at a fancy hotel, Finn discovers he has the power to do anything! But soon, the consequences to his actions start to mount up. Can Finn resist the temptation of an easy fix and save the day without the increasingly dangerous help of the pen? Find out in this fast-paced, engaging story about family, jealousy, morals, and the importance of being kind to others."--

Book Synopsis

When Finn buys a magic pen at a market stall, it seems like all his problems are solved... but the good times don't last in this action-packed adventure featuring life on the run, basketball battles, family secrets and more moral conundrums than you could shake a pen at.

Eleven-year-old Finn lives with his four foster siblings and the TERRIBLE Mr. and Mrs. Grimshaw. Everything might look okay from the outside, but at home the Grimshaws lock Finn in the basement, and reign terror over his little brothers and sisters. Will the power of a magic pen help Finn save himself and his siblings from their nightmare foster parents, and find out the truth about his past?

Join Finn on an adventure beyond his wildest dreams, armed with a pen that makes everything he draws come true. From defeating a bully in a basketball match, to stealing the limelight and serenading the guests at a fancy hotel, Finn discovers he has the power to do anything! But soon, the consequences to his actions start to mount up.

Can Finn resist the temptation of an easy fix and save the day without the increasingly dangerous help of the pen? Find out in this fast-paced, engaging story about family, jealousy, morals, and the importance of being kind to others.

Review Quotes

"In a sharp test of heart and conscience,
a mistreated foster child finds a pen that grants any wish. ... An entertaining
tale that poses a knotty dilemma and offers a pleasing resolution" - Kirkus

About the Author

Like most children's authors, David Lawrence started out as a financial analyst! He went from
creating profit-and-loss statements to performing stand-up comedy and TV
writing, including comedy festival shows in 2002 and 2003
about running the Melbourne marathon.

David penned his first book in 2007. Since then, he has written another 13 fun-filled

children's books aimed at engaging reluctant readers. Titles include the Ball
Stars series written in collaboration with Basketball Australia, and the Maxi
the Lifeguard books, written with Trent Maxwell, aka Bondi Rescue's Lifeguard
Maxi.

David is passionate about children's literacy and is a proud ambassador of the Indigenous Literacy

Foundation. As an ambassador he works with children in remote communities to
help them tell their own stories and write their own books.

David lives in Melbourne, Australia.

PJ Reece is an Australian illustrator whose past work includes illustration for Blake Education, and
designing greeting cards which sold at various retail outlets. His traditional
pen/pencil and wash style illustrations have evolved into digital illustrations
using an iPad and drawing app.

PJ's previous picture books include A Boy,

His Bear and a Bully and The Humongous Humdingle Family
and the Tiny House, both with EK Books.

PJ lives in Tomerong, Australia.