Info for teachers, parents and librarians on reading and Ian's books

Which of Ian's books are suitable for my child / my students / me?

Ian writes books for both children and adults. If you're a teacher, parent or librarian and want to know whether Ian's books would be suitable for your child or students, a brief overview is set out below.

 

ABOUT IAN

Ian has loved books and reading since he was a little kid, so much so that when he was naughty, aged five or six, his Mum would punish him by telling him he wasn’t allowed to read anything for a week! He sneaked off and read when she wasn’t looking, of course.

Ian thinks that reading is one of the most important skills any child can learn and is delighted that his books have, in some small ways, encouraged children to read. He doesn’t write ‘issues’ books – Ian writes fantasy and adventure with compelling plots and strong, likeable protagonists in all sorts of trouble who have to save the day through their own persistence, courage and cleverness.

For more about Ian, see About Ian and his Bio.

Blurbs, Reviews and first chapters can be found in the sub-menus under "Ian's Books" and Reviews.

 

CONTACTING IAN

Ian is happy to answer questions or respond to messages left on his Facebook wall:

http://www.facebook.com/ianirvine.author?v=wall

or by email at ianirvine@ozemail.com.au

 

CHILDREN'S BOOKS

The Grim and Grimmer Quartet (Scholastic, 2010 – 2011).

Humorous fantasy adventure for upper primary and lower secondary readers, though also enjoyed by adults. Full of wordplay, whimsy and unusual characters.

• Book 1 - The Headless Highwayman. Out now.
• Book 2 - The Grasping Goblin. Out now.
• Book 3 - The Desperate Dwarf. Out March 2011.
• Book 4 - The Calamitous Queen. Out June 2011.

Humorous, action-packed adventure stories. 280 pages and 45,000 words each. For more information see Grim and Grimmer.

 

The Sorcerer’s Tower Quartet (Scholastic, 2008).

Fantasy adventure for primary readers.

Small books (80 pages, 10,000 words each) gorgeously illustrated in black and white by award-winning artist and writer DM Cornish. Teachers and librarians have often commented that these books are just right for reluctant readers in middle primary school.

• Book 1: Thorn Castle
• Book 2: Giant's Lair
• Book 3: The Black Crypt
• Book 4: Wizardry Crag

For more information see Sorcerer's Tower.

 

The Runcible Jones Quartet (Penguin Puffin, 2006-2010). Fantasy adventure for upper primary and lower-mid secondary readers, but also read by adults. Also available as Ebooks.

• Runcible Jones and The Gate to Nowhere
• Runcible Jones and the Buried City
• Runcible Jones and the Frozen Compass
• Runcible Jones and the Backwards Hourglass

420 pages and 105,000 words each. Runcible Jones and his friends battle Lord Shambles on both our world and the fantastical world of Iltior. For more information see Runcible Jones.

 

2. BOOKS FOR OLDER READERS

The Three Worlds Series. Ian's internationally bestselling epic fantasy series, published in many countries and languages, has sold over a million copies. These books are aimed at readers aged 15 to adult, though they are often read by good readers as young as 12. 185,000 to 265,000 words each book. For more information see The Three Worlds.

The View from the Mirror Quartet(Penguin, 1998-1999)

• A Shadow on the Glass
• The Tower on the Rift
• Dark is the Moon
• The Way Between the Worlds

The Well of Echoes Quartet(Penguin, 2001 – 2004)

• Geomancer
• Tetrarch
• Scrutator
• Chimaera

The Song of the Tears Trilogy(Penguin, 2006 – 2008)

• Torments of the Traitor
• The Curse on the Chosen
• The Destiny of the Dead

 

3. BOOKS FOR ADULT READERS

The Human Rites Trilogy (Simon & Schuster, 2000-2004; new editions 2008 – 2010). Action-packed, and sometimes grim, eco-thrillers about a world in the grip of catastrophic climate change. 125,000 to 145,000 words each book. For more information see Human Rites.

• The Last Albatross
• Terminator Gene
• The Life Lottery