Falkner, Brian
IN BRIEF
Born and raised in Auckland, Brian Falkner writes children’s books. His first action-packed book was well received by critics and his subsequent books have been equally admired. Falkner’s Super Freak, about a boy who must decide whether to use his powers for good or evil, was nominated in the Junior Fiction category of the 2006 New Zealand Post Book Awards. The Tomorrow Code was published in 2008 in Australia, the USA and Canada. It was nominated in the Young Adult Fiction category of the 2009 New Zealand Post Book Awards, and the 2009 LIANZA Children's Book Awards.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Falkner, Brian (1962 –) writes children’s books. Falkner was born and raised in Auckland. Professionally, he has worked as a radio journalist, radio copywriter, computer consultant and as a graphic designer.
Writing about Falkner’s first book, Henry and the Flea (2003), Claire Buckley says, ‘I wasn’t just pleasantly surprised, I was quite blown away, for a first novel for children … the author really tapped into the way children think and their perspective on the world.’ Doris Mousdale on Newstalk ZB called the novel ‘a spiffing read. Fun for adults to read without being condescending to serious young readers.’ In a review on the Radio New Zealand National Programme, Kate De Goldi said 'I think the really good thing about the book is it's incredibly persuasive writing, he's a sharp, varied, quite nuanced writer.'
When the three people in the entire world who know the secret formula for Coca-Cola are kidnapped, the giant American corporation is in deep trouble. But the kidnappers didn't count on the extraordinary abilities of a boy from Auckland, New Zealand. The Real Thing (2004) is another action-packed story.
Super Freak (Mallinson Rendel) was published in 2005. It is a funny and intriguing read for 8 to 14 year olds about a boy whose amazing super power means that he must decide whether he will be a superhero or a supervillain. Super Freak was nominated in the Junior Ficton category of the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2006.
The Tomorrow Code, was published in the US and Canada by Random House in October 2008. Called 'Exciting and thought-provoking' by a reviewer for Kirkus Reviews, it was nominated in the Young Adult section of the 2009 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. It was also nominated for the 2009 LIANZA Russell Clark Award.
Brainjack (Walker Books, 2009) is set in a world where technological advances mean you no longer need anything except your brain to use your computer. Teenage hacker Sam Wilson finds out the hard way that this isn't necessarily a good thing... Called 'Fascinating and enjoyable' in the Australian Bookseller + Publisher magazine, it will be published in the US and Canada by Random House in 2010.
Brainjack is a finalist in the Young Adult section of the 2010 NZ Post Children's Book Awards.
(Last updated: November 2009)
writers in schools information
Brian Falkner participates in the Book Council's Writers in Schools programme. He is happy to speak to students aged 5-18 years, and can take sessions with 20-200 students, with a maximum of 300 students. He can participate in tours outside of his region. Falkner can speak about writing teen fiction and being a screenwriter/playwright.
Brian also has two special sessions he can do as part of a visit: 1) A 90 minute talk with a bigger group of students about his writing. Brian runs either a Taste Test or a Freak Out competition as part of this session, which are linked to his books The Real Thing and Super Freak. 2) A 60 minute-long workshop with a smaller group of keen writers who have already attended the talk. Brian is happy to give his prepared talk once or twice in a morning session, and once in an afternoon session. Workshops can be of any duration, and slotted in to suit. Find out more about how Brian runs these sessions on his website.
Media links and clips
- www.mallinsonrendel.co.nz
- Henry and the Flea features in the Spring 2003 Issue of BRAT: Books for Readers and Teachers.
- Visit Brian's website
- An Interview with Brian
