Writing to Make A Better World
Susanne Gervay OAM
M.Ed (UNSW), M.A (UTS), Dip Ed, B.A. (Sydney Uni)
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...
Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” Atticus Finch.
― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
Susanne is one of Australia's most respected authors, writing about issues affecting womenand children. Sunday Telegraph.
Author Susanne Gervay provides an insight into the complex and exciting times of growing
up and family relationships. The Sun-HeraldEmotionally engaging in story, can be a pathway to making a better world.
Susanne Gervay’s books range from picture books to young adult books and are endorsed byassociations including The Cancer Council, Life Education Australia, The Alannah & Madeline
Foundation, keeping children safe from violence; The Children’s Hospital Westmead (Sydney), Roomto Read, IBBY, Variety, the children’s charity and schools and educational organisations acrossAustralia.
Pictures Books
Ships in the Field – refugees, Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 15.
‘Ships in the Field is a moving exploration of the migrant experience.’ Canberra Times

Richard Fielder interviews Susanne Gervay – ABC National Radio, Australia & SE Asia.
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/11/15/3066754.htm
Inside ‘Ships in the Field’ interview with Susanne Gervay.
http://www.writingbar.com/2012/03/interviews-with-writers/videos/video-interview-with-suzannegervay-author-of-ships-in-the-field/
Gracie and Josh – special needs children, families facing challenges.
‘Gracie and Josh is about sticking together – through good and bad. It is about unconditional loveand support, about resilience and about never giving up. It is a book that will make you turn toyour family members and hug them. It is a book that you won’t easily forget.’ BUZZ WORDS

Children’s Books – the JACK books
I Am Jack – anti school bullying
Super Jack – blending families, aging grandparents
Always Jack – cancer, refugees‘Tackling the touch issues with a light touch
In I Am Jack , Jack battled bullies at his school and won. In Super Jack, Jack faced the trails of a
newly blended family. Now, in Always Jack, our hero faces a challenge bigger than he’s ever facedbefore … Gervay’s storytelling: encapsulates the realism of a young boy’s life, yet still deal with bigissues such as cancer. Death. Divorce, grandparents, sibling rivalry, friendships, refugees and theVietnam War.
How does Gervay deal with so many issues in relatively short children’s books? The answer is that
she treads lightly. Jack is Gervay’s vehicle for spreading words of wisdom but at no time does shepreach. Eternally, Jack and his story remain wholly believable. Readers will not only empathise withJack but love his sensitive introspection and his wisecracks designed to alternately entertain andannoy his family.
Part survival manual, part therapy, part autobiography, part fiction …. Jack will make you laugh andmake you cry. Guaranteed … Jack’s story will stay with readers always.’ Sun Herald
Adapted into an acclaimed play by Monkey Baa Theatre – www.monkeybaa.com.au – touring
Australian theatres, USA tour in 2014. Currently in preproduction for a feature
Responses to JACK:
Kevin:-: “When I knew I AM JACK was true, I imagined myself in Jack’s shoes. I felt sorrowful andsad as Jack had to put up with bullying for a long time. It would have been a burden forever if I wasJack.”
Lisa (mother):- My son was a victim of a false gay rumour at a school camp … by a very gifted boy
with his peer group which spread through his year. Why? My son was different-poor social skills but
has a good sense of humour. They studied "I am Jack" this term. My son's teacher told me thatPatrick finished the book before the class did. Participated in the class discussion which he isnormally very shy in doing all because he identified with Jack.
Lowana: I am writing about a current book I have bought and read, I AM JACK. I get bullied atschool almost every day and it makes me sick. I just didn't feel like going to school. I pretended to besick and stay home for the day. I've talked to the School Councillor, I've tried to tell my mum, I've
thought of getting back at the bullies, but all these things don't seem to work. But I AM JACK

inspired me to tell everyone that I am being bullied. It makes me feel great and today I treated mymother with respect (I wasn't doing that ….)
Rita,a teacher emails: ‘The cemetery scene really resonated with Maisam as both his parents died inAfghanistan. He is comforted by the thought that they are watching over him and that he can talk tothem at anytime, just like Nanna and Jack do with Grandad.’
George McCormick, Youth Development Officer, Walgett Shire Council:- ‘with approximately 90%
of indigenous young people delighted … and in Lightning Ridge with 58 different nationalities theyoung people were totally engaged … in social issues.’
Young Adult Novels
Butterflies – disability and inclusion
Butterflies is a story ‘where disability is part of the fabric of life, but not life itself. The main character
Katherine would be burnt but never be a one-dimensional stereotype. Katherine would be complex
like all human beings with a real family, a background and a personality that reaches from the page
into the lives of readers. Katherine's life would show that disability does not separate burn survivors
from the community, but unites them in the common bond of humanity. Butterflies would be good
literature and a powerful tool in understanding disability. Disability Studies Quarterly
Winter 2004, Volume 24, No. 1; www.dsq-sds.org; the Society for Disability Studies
The Cave – anti bullying and positive choices for male youth
This is an epic story beautifully written with clear spare prose and the ability to go right to the heart ofyoung males in modern society. Carole Kayrooz PhD, MAPS, Pro Chancellor, University ofCanberra
That’s Why I Wrote This Song– search for identity
This story will move readers the length and breadth of the turbulent waves of adolescent emotion andincessant pressures. Department of Education, Queensland.
Titles
Ships in the Field by Susanne Gervay illustrated by Anna Pignataro Ford Street Publishingwww.fordstreetpublishing.com ISBN 9 781921 665233
Gracie and Josh by Susanne Gervay illustrated by Serena Geddes, Ford Street Publishingwww.fordstreetpublishing.com ISBN9 781921 665844*I Am Jack; Super Jack; Always Jack, Published by Kane Miller Books USA www.kanemiller.com*Butterflies, Published by Kane Miller Books USA www.kanemiller.com*The Cave*That’s Why I Wrote This Song by Susanne Gervay with lyrics & music by Tory Gervay*Published by HarperCollins Australia www.harpercollins.com.au
Conversations with Richard Fidler - www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/11/15/3066754.htm
youtube: www.youtube.com/user/sgervay Website - Susanne Gervay: www.sgervay.com