Phoebe finds her voice

Anne-Marie Conway

Anne-Marie Conway is a primary school teacher specializing in drama and also runs her own children’s theatre company, Full Circle. She lives in London with her husband and their two sons. Anne-Marie’s first book, Phoebe Finds Her Voice, was shortlisted for the inaugural Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition and picked for the Summer Reading Challenge 2011. Since then she has written two more books in the Starmakers series and the bestselling novel Butterfly Summer.

Visit www.annemarieconway.com to find out more.

Press & Blog Reviews

New tween series set in a drama club. Tackling issues of family and friendship, it’s warm and accessible and spot on for the Cathy Cassidy market.
The Bookseller

I really enjoyed this book – in fact I will never forget reading this book! I thought the character of Phoebe was really believable. The characters are like people in real life: mean people, emotional people, happy, nervous, self-conscious, shy people. My favourite part was when Phoebe joins a drama club and sings about her friend forgetting all about her. The book was packed full of drama, emotions and laughs and it made me want to join Star Makers Drama Club! I am so glad to have read this book and would rate it 9/10 and would definitely read another book by Anne-Marie Conway.
Bookbabblers review by Emily

Anne-Marie Conway makes an accomplished debut with this feelgood story with a gentle moral about self-belief. From phobic Phoebs to class clown and maybe-boyfriend Monty B, from klutzy Ellie whose scripts become hamster bedding to Polly, the bully-with-a-secret, Conway has created a cast of endearing characters. Good fun – with no nasty twang of High School Musical.
Jewish Chronicle

I really enjoyed this book – in fact I will never forget reading this book! I thought the character of Phoebe was really believable. The characters are like people in real life: mean people, emotional people, happy, nervous, self-conscious, shy people. My favourite part was when Phoebe joins a drama club and sings about her friend forgetting all about her. The book was packed full of drama, emotions and laughs and it made me want to join Star Makers Drama Club!
I am so glad to have read this book and would rate it 9/10 and would definitely read another book by Anne-Marie Conway.

Bookbabblers online book group for children and young adults

My favourite book is about Phoebe who is very shy and joins a drama club called Star Makers. She’s being bullied by Polly and her old neighbour Monty B keeps embarrassing her in front of everyone. It gets really exciting at the end because first her sister is really ill, then the costumes go missing, and then you just don’t know if Phoebe will manage to sing her song in the production. It is such a funny and sad book and you really feel like you get to know the characters. By the end of the book I wanted to join Star Makers myself and I can’t wait to read the next one in the series!
The Guardian G2 Kids Page - Review by Ellie Smith, age 9

A super impressive debut for any little (or big) heart that is aching to be a star. Phoebe’s mum and dad have split up in this book, so reading this story raised some interesting (and necessary) questions about family. I liked that it did. I liked that Phoebe was such a real and genuine little girl. But I especially loved the firm message of the importance of friendship that seeps from this book. This warm read is a definite one for 7-10 year olds.
Caroline Smailes

Reader Reviews

Do you agree or disagree with the reviews below? Why not write your own?

A Book on my Doorstep!
Hi, Anne-Marie is my neighbour but one and I read not knowing what to expect but I loved it to bits! I read it all in a day and got the 2nd for xmas! I cannot put it down! Fiona
Fiona, 27th December 2010

Love it!
Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down! I love all of the characters and I love how it's about normal people but it's still exciting, and some of the things that happen are totally unexpected. I'm looking forward to the next one :)
Sascha, 26th June 2010

Extras

• Anne-Marie Conway's writing tips
  Read Anne-Marie's writing tips produced for the Usborne Young Writers' Award story-writing competition.
• If you are older than 13, you can follow Phoebe finds her voice on Facebook.
• See Anne-Marie Conway talking about Star Makers Club at Hay Festival 2011
  Tuesday 31 May 2011. Suitable for 7 years +
• Video clip interview with Anne-Marie Conway
  Watch a video clip of Anne Marie Conway talking about her books and how she writes, and giving writing tips for young writers.
• Visit Anne-Marie Conway's website