Heroes of the Secret Underground

As a child of refugees, books were a safe and special place for Susanne Gervay to explore the world and ideas. She wants that for all young people. You'll find her planting mangroves in Kiribati; in Istanbul speaking to thousands of kids about no bullying; in remote indigenous schools bringing literacy to kids; touring with her I Am Jack play, adapted by Monkey Baa Theatre across Australia and the USA. Susanne's acclaimed books are widely endorsed by the Cancer Council NSW, Variety and The Children's Hospital Westmead. She is an ambassador for Room to Read, bringing education to the children of the developing world; a role model for Books in Homes, taking books to disadvantaged and indigenous children in Australia; and a literacy ambassador for many campaigns. Susanne is also Regional Advisor for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), promoting the community of writers and illustrators in Australia and internationally. She has been awarded the Lifetime Social Justice Literature Award by the International Literacy Association, an Order of Australia, and was nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. www.sgervay.com Author photo by Jessica Higgins