Ali Sparkes, Monster Makers, Shapeshifters, Dark Summer, Wishful Thinking, Frozen In Time, Miganium

Dear Ali

I have recently read two of your fabulously addictive Shapeshifter books - Finding the Fox and Running the Risk. I love these books. I think this is because they have brilliant plots, amazing characters and the bits I love most are the fact that the characters have wonderful powers. (I tend to really like TV programmes and books that involve people harnessing magical abilities).

I think the set of friends is great with everyone looking out for each other - more parts of your books that are extremely well thought out. Their abilities are also brilliantly thought out and had a big role to play in the fact that I was longing to read the next book after Finding the Fox. I also felt that when reading the books, I was running along beside them in the frantic moments, and that I was sitting around relaxing with the crowd when they were.

I hope that you write more of the books (even though I have only read the first two) and if there was a film I would pay a fortune to see it. I am determined to get the next book in the series. If you had to choose one of the COLA powers, which one would it be?? I think I would want to have Gideon’s power of moving objects with his mind-it would come in very handy.

Gavin, Inverness

I would shapeshift – definitely. All the other powers seem to bring problems with them that I am too wimpy to handle! And yes – more COLA adventures follow in 2012.

Dear Ali

I really love your books. You have really inspired me to write my own stories.

I really love coming home and reading the Shapeshifter books. I heard from my friend that you are writing another Shapeshifter. I would love it if you were! She also told me that you base your characters on real people! That is so clever. And she said that you are using one of the Shapeshifter characters for your new book that sounds amazing I'd love to know who it is.

Yours sincerely

Zoe

Yes, I do put loads of my friends and family into my books in some way – although it’s really just elements of their character or the way they look or speak that go in. The Monster Makers books are all about my sons and quite true to their characters, up to a point. They are also the Teller Brothers in Shapeshifter. Other special people in my life get ‘cameo roles’. A couple of my favourite teachers – Mrs Dann and Mr Tucker - are in Shapeshifter, as is my sister – as Janey, the Fenton Lodge doctor. Laura Trant in Spacemite is THE Laura Trant who reads the news on BBC TV South – the drawing even looks like her. A few people I’ve NOT liked so well over the years are also in there, but names have been changed for legal reasons! :-) And some people I LIKE are baddies in my stories but not in real life - but they love it!

Hi Ali

My school librarian recommended Frozen In Time to my teacher. He's reading it to us at the moment. We're on the bit just after Freddy is on the roller skates. It's really funny!! I always look forward to literacy when our teacher reads Frozen In Time. I enjoy it bucketloads!

As I like Frozen In Time so much I decided to look at some of your other books, but in my town library they didn't have the Shapeshifter series which was one that I'd seen. While I was researching I came across this website, I realized that so many people like your Shapeshifter series, so I can't wait for the library to get them in!!!

I am hoping to become a writer when I am older so I have started writing my own novel following your tips! I need to get my skates on like Freddy and read your Shapeshifter series!!!

Jasmine (10)

It's always worth asking a library to get a book in for you if they don't currently have it. Often they will be able to get it from another nearby library or just put it on their list the next time they get a batch of books in. And if you feel very strongly, contact the Head of Libraries in your county and tell them how you feel. They'll be impressed - and hopefully get that book for you pronto.