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Discover why Cecily Anne Paterson’s award-nominated novel Invisible has over 2400 5-star Amazon reviews.
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Books for bravehearts.
Stories that stay with you. Characters that become friends.
Cecily Paterson is the author of nine novels for girls aged 10-14, including the award-nominated Invisible series, the Coco and Charlie Franks series and the Kangaroo Valley School series. She is also the co-author of the Pet Sitters series for junior readers.
Cecily is working on a graphic novel and an Australian historical fiction for women.
What the readers say
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![Claire Zorn review of Cecily Anne Paterson's How Not To Be Popular]()
A story of the courage and honesty it takes to be who we truly are, and the invaluable power of true friendship that can be found when we allow others the same.
Claire Zorn, two -time winner of Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of The Year, Older Readers
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“You’re by far my favourite author.”
Amazon Review
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![Love and Muddy Puddles by Cecily Anne Paterson review]()
I loved this book I couldn't get my eyes off of it!! you are an excellent author!! 5 stars to you!!!
Makayla, Amazon Review
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This is much more than a teen novel. It's well-observed and beautifully written.
Diggingfordiamonds, Amazon Review
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I have just finished reading Being Jazmine and I was hooked from the first chapter.
Sheryl, Amazon Review
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If you are a parent, teacher, family member or a youngster you definitely need to read Mrs Paterson’s books. ALL of them.
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My child was recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Lola is the closest thing we have to a friend with T1D.
Katherine, Amazon Review
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![Invisible by Cecily Anne Paterson reviews]()
Such a fantastic book, definitely a keeper that I'll read again and again.
CJ, Amazon Review
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This wonderful little book is set in Australia in Kangaroo Valley. This is definitely a good read for 4-6 grade girls struggling with identity.
Jothebookgirl, Amazon Review
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Highly recommended. Brilliant. This is phenomenally good. The author delivers right up to the last line. Simply superb.
Lauren, Amazon Review
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Great story by this talented author. Coco learns about that's important in life and what real friends are. Good story.
CG, Amazon Review
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Middle grade readers with an interest in realistic fiction will appreciate the elements of friendship, family, and pets included in this enjoyable story.
Riverdancer, NetGalley review
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"A great grandma loved this book. I found Coco and Charlie to be delightfully entertaining. It was refreshing to again read a book without drugs, alcohol, and cussing in my 80th year."
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Perfect for any reading list
Jazmine and her new friends are deaf but this is not a book about deafness. With a wonderful garden metaphor that resonates throughout the series, Being Jazmine offers believable characters and an unpredictable plot that would be perfect to add to any reading list. The series tackles teen relationships, mean girls, family secrets, fitting in, identity, and characters finding themselves."
Dr Sharon Pajka, English Professor, Gallaudet University, Washington DC
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Wonderful sequel to Invisible
There are a lot of great lessons in this book but it is not an overbearing, boring, moral lesson; it is a terrific story with good character development, plot tension and resolution, which also happens to have some very important lessons for young ladies.”
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An 'exquisitely written story' and ' a stunning account of the reinvention of a compelling and sympathetic character'.
Publisher’s Weekly
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Lots of fun
The narrator is entertainingly bratty and superficial, but her character develops nicely, and the book doesn't glorify disrespect and rebellion. The book deals with issues of peer pressure and self-image in an enjoyable, appropriate and entertaining way. This is a YA novel that many adults will enjoy too.
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Believable, relatable, surprising
Reminded me of Jane Austen's Emma. I didn't like the main character much as first but she changed and grew as a person throughout the book. I thought the characters and the issues were believable, and relatable, and relevant - and how things played out was both surprising and realistic. Throughout the book, you can tell that the author respects and cares about kids.
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The author's best work
I won't go into the plot, other than to say this is a great story of a young girl's personal growth. So I'll gush about the writing instead, which is excellent. I highly recommend this book. It's awesome. I think it's the author's best work.
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Inspirational
Lola in The Middle is an inspirational story, about getting through tough times and standing your ground, despite what people and circumstances might say. I highly recommend it to anyone going through something difficult as Lola's story proves that survival is always attainable.
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A fun read
Description g"This was a very cute and sassy story that was CLEAN!! I loved the range of emotions and everything this book covered. It was a very fun read and I have since shared it with my girls. I love it when I can share a book with my girls and not be afraid of the content. We had a lot of laughs and serious discussions about this book and the books that follow it.oes here
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I love Cecily Anne Paterson's work. This was another endearing story about growing up and the difficulties one can face.
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Love these books
LOVE THESE BOOKS. I TRULY LOVE ALL THE CHARACTERS IN THESE TWO BOOKS. THEY ARE SO GOOD, I CAN'T PICK A FAVORITE ONE. I HOPE THIS ISN'T THE END OF THIS SERIES, I COULD READ MORE.
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Age-appropriate, clean, entertaining
As a Middle School teacher, I love that in her books, Cecily introduces children to essential social skills, without lecturing. Her books are highly entertaining, age appropriate and clean, offering some helpful tips for our children at such a crucial age. Cecily's books are the ones that you just can't put down and the first I recommend to my 'popular girls'. They love them and they learn from them. Highly recommended.
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Appeals across the age generation.
The appeal of this book is not only for young people, or for deaf people… it is for everyone (even my age) who have ever felt inadequate, different or out of touch with the ‘in’ things. It’s for anyone who has ever wanted to fit in, but discovered it would betray who they are, inside
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Wholesome teenage fiction
Another gem of wholesome teenage fiction. Of the Cecily Anne Paterson books I have read so far, Charlie is the character I have most identified with. Most of my life I have been A-Ok too - an insightful journey into how to cope when all is NOT A-OK is so helpful for young (and older!) minds to think about. Cecily has a real gift for understanding teenage relationships, in all their complicated, and frustrating beauty.
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Five stars from me
“Reasons why Smart Girls Don't Wear Mascara earned five stars from me: 1) My eleven-year-old self would have been over the moon about the story line and the characters and the Australian setting. She would have seen a little bit of herself in the story for sure. (She also wasn't a fan of mascara. 2) Complicated, flawed main characters who actually develop into heroines are my favourites. Always. 3) Friendship groups are my second-favourites. 4) Also yay for Annie references and girls who both study hard and dream big. Cecily's novels are more than cute middle-grade fiction: they are kind and empowering and wise. You (or the young girl in your life) should go and read this. :)
Laura -
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Family, friendship, diabetes
“An intelligent and entertaining read, grounded in a relatable reality of Australian life, friendship, family and onset of illness.
Brydie Wright, About the Book Radio Northern Beaches
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‘Lovely… sensitive, hopeful, empowering’
Cathy Cassidy, Author
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Great Ending.
What a great ending to this series. Jazmine finally finds her place in the world .... for the most part ... and comes to terms with her hearing, or lack thereof, and where it places her in her community.
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“Completely delightful ❤️
Kate Gordon, author
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Couldn't put it down
I highly recommend this book. You are transported into the world as Jazmine sees it- an empathetic and revealing read. Couldn't put it down!
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Every novel is wonderful
No matter your age, pick up anything written by Cecily Anne Paterson and you won't be disappointed. She knows how to create relevant and relatable characters that you fall in love with and root for. She also writes with integrity-- both in quality and in content. I hope she keeps on writing.
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Classic Tale of a Teen finding her Identity
This is a classic story of a young teen trying to figure out who she is because her widowed mother just remarried. Jazmine's hearing loss is handled well. I've taught at a deaf school and it rang true - realistic. Good read
Also available at your preferred retailer.
Books for adults
For parents and friends with a young child living with autism spectrum disorder. Love Tears & Autism is the memoir of the five years after Cecily Paterson's son's ASD diagnosis, offering practical help, emotional support and spiritual solace.
Third prize winner in the 2012 Australian Christian Book of the Year (ACBOY) awards.
NEWS AND POSTS
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FAQs
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Cecily Anne Paterson is the author of the Invisible series written for an early YA (age 11-14) audience, including Invisible, Invincible and Being Jazmine. She has also written the Coco and Charlie Franks series and four books for age 9 to 12 year olds in the Kangaroo Valley School series, Lola in the Middle, Smart Girls Don’t Wear Mascara, How Not To Be Popular and The Ava Show.
Cecily Paterson is also joint author of the Pet Sitters series for junior readers, under the name Ella Shine. She writes these books with her friend Penny Reeve.
Cecily Paterson has written a memoir called Love Tears & Autism for adults.
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Cecily Anne Paterson is Australian. From age 3 to 16 she lived in Pakistan as her parents worked there. She went to boarding school in the Himalayan mountains from Grade 6 to Grade 10 before coming back to Australia to finish high school.
These days she lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband and children, together with a very cuddly little black dog.
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Cecily Anne Paterson is working on some new projects in 2024 including a graphic novel and an Australian historical fiction book for adults.
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Cecily loves to receive messages from her readers, and does her best to reply. Please send a message through the Contact page of this website.
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Sorry, she doesn’t have time because she’s busy working on her next projects! However, she’s super happy to see people writing, and suggests joining a writing organisation in your local area or attending a writers’ conference for help and advice.
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You can book an author visit with Cecily Anne Paterson through this website. She can attend in person if your school is in Sydney, Australia. Otherwise, we can talk about online visits or additional travel costs.
Read Invisible for free.
Get started on Cecily Anne Paterson’s books. Download your ebook today.
Need a pet sitter? Cassie and Lina are the girls for the task… as long as Gus the talking cat can keep out of trouble!
This paperback collection of four hilarious Pet Sitters stories by Ella Shine and illustrated by Lisa Flanagan includes the four stories in the Ready for Anything Series and books from the ongoing Dress Ups! series.
Ready for Anything Series
#1 Gus Makes A Fuss
Best friends Cassie and Lina would love to take a pet to the Pet Parade but it's not possible... until they're asked to pet sit Gus the cat next door. The girls might be 'ready for anything' but Gus isn't quite the cat they were expecting.
#2 Purple Panic
Princess Gina’s owner is very fussy but Cassie and Lina think they’ll be able to care for her guinea pig just fine… until Gus runs off with the pet sitting instructions and Princess Gina can’t even be seen!
#3 Tony Takes Off
‘No chaos! And no emergencies!’ says Mum when Cassie and Lina pet sit again. But Tony the miniature pony isn't your average pet… And when Tony disappears from the paddock with Lina's little brother, someone's going to have to fly to the rescue.
#4 Glitter Jitters
Cassie and Lina think Bella the bearded dragon is SO beautiful. Gus is not so sure, and he’s determined to prove it… But no one’s expecting Bella to have some seriously sparkly allergies. Now everyone’s got the glitter jitters, especially Gus!
Dress Ups! series
#1 Train Trouble
Cassie and Lina can't wait to pet sit two adorable mice at the Model Train Show. But Gus the talking cat is acting weird and the mice are mysteriously multiplying! Can the Pet Sitters find out what's happening? Or will there be chaos at the Train Show and just too many mice?
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Looking for an engaging, fun junior series with great values, gorgeous characters and hilarious action, with a sprinkling of the unexpected? You've found it.
This collection includes ALL the Pet Sitters paperback books.