By Luke Voogt
Wandana Heights’ Brook Blaney is on a quest to win a publishing contract after writing a book to take on schoolyard bullies.
“My dream is to find someone who will publish it,” the 12-year-old said.
“I believe this book should be available in all primary schools.”
Brooke’s book The One That Was Different tells the story of April, who the other characters bully because of her orange hair.
Her own struggles against bullies had inspired the character, the grade six student revealed.
“They’d call me an orangutan and they’d pretend to catch me like an endangered species,” she said.
But she and some classmates stood up to the bullies.
“Some other people told the teacher when they saw it happened,” she said.
Brooke used fingerprints to tell the story of April who, like her, overcame her tormentors.
“My story has an important message about stereotyping,” she said.
“April finds out everyone is different in their own way.“
Brooke presented the book at a school exhibition night and the positive reaction gave her confidence to pursue her dream of being a published author.
“Many people, both adults and children, have identified similarities to themselves in the story,” she said.
“I like coming up with all the characters and how they each have their own story. I can express my ideas and I can give people messages in my books.”
Carolyn Blaney was proud of her daughter using words to overcome bullies and stereotypes.
“(The bullying) was horrible,” she said.
“This is her way of taking action.”
