Over the edge

A novel for younger children, for a specific education market, commissioned and published as part of a series. It is 'Applied Research' in that it is 'creative writing in an applied context' produced to meet requirements of the National Literacy Strategy. Over the Edge was commissioned by Pearson for its Streetwise series. Its originality lies in the content: an original story with a school setting, dealing with issues of bullying and identity. Its significance lies in the way those themes are addressed for a specific audience: children in the last year of primary with only limited confidence as readers. Rigour is addressed in matching content, style and language to the needs of a specific and designated reading age, and by the author's close contact with schools. It is supported by the editing process which involved specialist literacy consultants.