Twelve days. Five kids. Many special effects. One giant mystery. How to Make a Movie in 12 Days is a delightfully charming love song to movies, friendship and summer holidays, penned by Readings’ own bookseller and crime specialist, Fiona Hardy.
If you needed any more persuading (you totally don’t), read on for some of our staff members’ thoughts on this wonderful novel for kids aged 9+.
‘I read How to Make a Movie in 12 Days. What a bright, funny book about endeavour and perseverance! My grandkids are definitely getting a copy!’ – Mark Rubbo
‘The kids I know and meet are hugely imaginative, creative and surprisingly savvy about all sorts of artistic processes, much more than I was at the same age. So I absolutely loved reading about Hayley taking on the huge project of her debut movie, and I really felt for her as obstacles sprung up from left, right and centre. Hayley seems like the perfect director: organised right up until she has to start flying by the seat of her pants, a great commander of her team until she becomes stressed and over-emotional, and possessed of a strong creative vision that means I will never walk close to a rose bush ever again. This is such a funny and unique book – it was so entertaining reading about a group of ordinary-extraordinary kids tackling an ambitious task, bravely and imperfectly. Also, Hayley’s little sister Jennifer is an adorable FREAK and needs her own spin-off novel immediately.’ – Leanne Hall
‘I felt like I was reading myself; Hayley’s voice will ring true with every adult’s inner child with a big dream. How to Make a Movie in 12 Days is warm, engaging and exciting. What’s more, I found Hayley’s passion and drive absolutely contagious. You and your kids/siblings will be grabbing the iPhone or GoPro and heading out into the backyard immediately.’ – Georgia Brough
‘ How to Make a Movie in 12 Days made me laugh, sob and read till the early hours of the morning. Fiona’s is a witty new voice that definitely deserves to be read again and again.’ – Claire Atherfold
‘This is exactly the kind of book I would have loved as a nerdy and creatively-fired-up child. Hayley is such a terrific heroine – determined, hard-working, innovative, passionate – and it’s impossible not to love her. How to Make a Movie in 12 Days is a sweet, action-packed and chunky story that will appeal to all budding young filmmakers.’ – Bronte Coates
‘I absolutely loved Hayley and her movie-making friends. It is a delightful and utterly engaging novel for middle-grade readers from an author who is unquestionably here to stay.’ – Judi Mitchell
‘I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It even comes with a ‘Summer Holiday Program Study Guide’ at the end for all budding film makers and, given that it’s almost impossible to read this book and NOT want to go out and immediately make your own summer movie, this will be very handy!’ – Dani Solomon
