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Magenta McPhee
Life is treating Magenta McPhee pretty well. She's writing the next great fantasy trilogy, and she's going to be in her mom's upcoming wedding. But what to do about her dad, who lost his job months ago and just mopes around the local library? Magenta decides to go to an online dating service, playing the role of her father, until her good intentions backfire. As Magenta comes clean to her father and the woman she inadvertently strung along, she realizes that her dad may not be totally hopeless. While job hunting in the library, he's caught the attention of a certain librarian. Here is a touchingly realistic tale about relationships, good intentions, and growing up.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2010
4 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Bateson
19 books16 followersCatherine Bateson has won the CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers twice and received three Honour Book Awards, including one for Older Readers. She teaches in the Professional Writing and Editing course at TAFE but is also available for school visits, to talk about both fiction writing and poetry.
Where were you born?
I was born in Sydney, but grew up in Brisbane where my mother owned a secondhand bookshop.
What other jobs have you had?
I’ve been an incredibly bad waitress, but otherwise my work has all been within the arts and education sphere.
What themes are recurring in your work?
The theme of family is strong in my work – the families we make ourselves, rather than are born into. I put this down to being an only child – and also my father’s death when I was nine.
What have been the highlights of your career?
Without doubt, the highlights have been winning CBCA awards and the Queensland Premier’s Children’s Book Award. Having my third collection of poetry published in an environment that is financially hostile to poetry is also a highlight.
http://bookedout.com.au/find-a-speake...
Where were you born?
I was born in Sydney, but grew up in Brisbane where my mother owned a secondhand bookshop.
What other jobs have you had?
I’ve been an incredibly bad waitress, but otherwise my work has all been within the arts and education sphere.
What themes are recurring in your work?
The theme of family is strong in my work – the families we make ourselves, rather than are born into. I put this down to being an only child – and also my father’s death when I was nine.
What have been the highlights of your career?
Without doubt, the highlights have been winning CBCA awards and the Queensland Premier’s Children’s Book Award. Having my third collection of poetry published in an environment that is financially hostile to poetry is also a highlight.
http://bookedout.com.au/find-a-speake...
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 16, 2020
Posted this review in Children's Books' group Fiction Club August 2020.
It's Australian, so the child is a little more world-wise in some ways than kids in most American MG books. And it's just a teeny bit too happy to be real. I, personally, loved it, however.
And I really like how Magenta learned more about writing as she was learning more about how to be a good friend and daughter. So many interesting characters, not really a cliche among them, whether adults or children. Mostly funny, but some moments of poignancy, too.
I thought the scene with the wombat especially funny, and am impressed that Australia's version of the black bear is easier to deal with, though so many of their creatures are more dangerous than those in the US.
Question, though. A deal was made about library fines. I understand that in the US most libraries don't charge them anymore, and are reluctant to suspend accounts for relatively small amounts of money. Is it different in Australia?
I will def. look for more by the author. And if she were a real person, I would read her own novel, too. Oh, and I will read The Tough Guide to Fantasyland too.
It's Australian, so the child is a little more world-wise in some ways than kids in most American MG books. And it's just a teeny bit too happy to be real. I, personally, loved it, however.
And I really like how Magenta learned more about writing as she was learning more about how to be a good friend and daughter. So many interesting characters, not really a cliche among them, whether adults or children. Mostly funny, but some moments of poignancy, too.
I thought the scene with the wombat especially funny, and am impressed that Australia's version of the black bear is easier to deal with, though so many of their creatures are more dangerous than those in the US.
Question, though. A deal was made about library fines. I understand that in the US most libraries don't charge them anymore, and are reluctant to suspend accounts for relatively small amounts of money. Is it different in Australia?
I will def. look for more by the author. And if she were a real person, I would read her own novel, too. Oh, and I will read The Tough Guide to Fantasyland too.
January 11, 2010
This is a 2.5 from me.
Aspiring writer Magenta creates an internet dating profile for her father. Then she has to pretend to be him when a woman responds.
This was a somewhat cute story. The parts I liked best were Magenta trying to write her fantasy "Chronicles" straight through without editing. First her characters can't get anywhere because the castle is so large and they have to speak in such flowery prose that it takes forever for anything to happen. Then she can't figure out how to make them kiss because she hasn't kissed anyone in real life. But the funniest part comes after she reads a book by Diana Wynne Jones on how to write fantasy where she says that no one talks about socks in fantasy. Then Magenta feels like she has to work in socks in every scene as much as possible. That was very funny. The main storyline was just eh.
For grades 4-6.
Aspiring writer Magenta creates an internet dating profile for her father. Then she has to pretend to be him when a woman responds.
This was a somewhat cute story. The parts I liked best were Magenta trying to write her fantasy "Chronicles" straight through without editing. First her characters can't get anywhere because the castle is so large and they have to speak in such flowery prose that it takes forever for anything to happen. Then she can't figure out how to make them kiss because she hasn't kissed anyone in real life. But the funniest part comes after she reads a book by Diana Wynne Jones on how to write fantasy where she says that no one talks about socks in fantasy. Then Magenta feels like she has to work in socks in every scene as much as possible. That was very funny. The main storyline was just eh.
For grades 4-6.
January 30, 2011
Magenta McPhee is a budding author. Her letter requesting advice appeared in a magazine and she is writing a fantasy trilogy. However, since her parents divorce she's been worrying about her dad. Her mom will be happily marrying Trib, but her father has secluded himself at home and the library. Magenta decides to cheer up her dad by getting him a date and with the help of her friend sets up a profile for him on an online dating site. Impersonating her father, she begins communicating with a woman on the site. Magenta finally admits to her father what she has done and he is less than pleased. After fessing up to her father's would-be suitor (named Spooky) they end up going camping with Spooky and her son. But Spooky and her dad don't fall magically in love like the characters in her fantasy/romance novel and Magenta has to face reality. This is an enjoyable realistic fiction read. I especially liked that Magenta's future step-father wasn't portrayed as evil like many step-parents in literature.
September 18, 2010
Magenta plays matchmaker for her dad and ends up meeting the boy of her dreams. After posting an online dating ad to find her dad a new gal, Magenta finds out that matchmaking isn't as easy as one might think. While her mom is getting ready to marry a younger man, her dad is feeling down not only because he is single, but also because he is unemployed. Maybe her matchmaking skills don't work out as planned, but her love life perks up and she bonds a little more with her dad. This is a sweet tale or a daughter trying to hook dear old dad up with a gal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2016
Magenta and best friend Polly are too precocious by half, what with dialog like this: "I'm telling you, that woman has already cost me years of income in future therapy." Adults sharing this with young friends will likely get more out of the sophisticated humor and adult themes (which will go straight over kids' heads), but kids will understand Magenta's desire to make her father happy, in this case by finding him a girlfriend via an online dating service. Very amusing.
February 10, 2014
Magenta's mother is about to remarry and very happy. Her father on the other hand is unemployed and alone. The obvious solution to Magenta and her friend, Polly, is to sign Dad up, without his knowledge, for Internet dating. This is actually more successful than one would have any reason to expect. Cute girl book.
May 24, 2010
Magenta's story is breezy, funny and fast-paced - problems of growing up without all the angst! Cleverly crafted with pages from the fantasy novel that Magenta is writing that includes characters and situations similar to her own.
Read
August 6, 2011A cute read for tween girls with a feisty heroine.
Magenta and her friend try to set her dad up by finding him a date online and discover that they don't always know what's best.
Magenta and her friend try to set her dad up by finding him a date online and discover that they don't always know what's best.
September 6, 2010
Great character!
March 4, 2012
The ending was uber abrupt.
May 12, 2014
A mint read for tween girls with a feisty heroine.
Magenta and her friend try to set her dad up by finding him a date online and discover that they don't always know what's best.
Magenta and her friend try to set her dad up by finding him a date online and discover that they don't always know what's best.
May 15, 2014
The most boring book I've probs read
May 15, 2014
I don't really like this book and it' said little bit weird and it's not my type of story I would read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews