By EMMA KELLY
RUMOURS, jealousies and misunderstandings among schoolgirls all come together in a book penned by a former Doveton resident.
Lenora Girl’s School: The Scholarship Kid by Leeanne Vernon is her first self-published children’s book. The novel, which hit book stores last month, is the first in a planned series set at an all-girls high school.
Vernon, who now splits her time between Beaumaris and Broome, describes holding the book for the first time as a mind-blowing experience. “To go and pick up a copy, your heart’s racing,” she says.
The story revolves around students Mia and Carli, who become friends while competing for the school’s 100-metre sprint title. Mia lends Carli her running spikes as Carli, a scholarship student, cannot afford new shoes.
“Carli starts beating everyone at the school, so the other girls become jealous,” Vernon says. “They spread a rumour that Carli stole the spikes and she is expelled. Mia then has to explain the truth and face the consequences.”
Vernon plans to continue the series. “My aim is to follow the characters through high school. Hopefully, there will be plenty more books to follow.”
She says her time in Doveton and at St John’s Regional College influenced the story. “I had a scholarship when I was a student. I associated a lot with Carli as being out of place and having to go without.”
Her love of writing developed during her schooling. Since then, Vernon has completed a diploma of professional writing and editing and co-written a series of three books, Netball Dreamz.
Writing her first solo novel was a challenge, but she followed her passion. “When you’re writing with a partner you have feedback and can discuss what works and the direction of the story,” she says. “When you’re by yourself you have to make these decisions for yourself.”
For all the latest breaking news, visit greaterdandenongweekly.com.au. Follow the Greater Dandenong Weekly on Twitter @DandenongWeekly.
