Leahs_Universe

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Leahs_Universe

Leah’s Universe is a new YA book trilogy by author, environmentalist and philosopher, Mark Ballabon.

The first book in the series is called Home: My Life in the Universe and it will be published in the UK on 22 April 2022.

22/10/2022

Happy Birthday Leah! She's a Libra.

Libra likes: Harmony, gentleness, sharing with others, the outdoors

Libra dislikes: Violence, injustice, loudmouths, conformity

They are also "concerned with attaining balance, harmony, peace and justice in the world".

That is so Leah!

What does your say about you?

Sources: www.astrology-zodiac-signs.com and Times of India

10/10/2022

Feeling at home, within yourself, means that you don’t have to keep comparing yourself and competing with everyone else. It means that you can genuinely be who you are, without fear, enabling you to build self-confidence and self-trust.

For 14-year-old protagonist Leah, the discovery of home becomes a thrilling, confronting and ultimately liberating journey about herself and her mental health.

05/10/2022

In the run up to World Mental Health day, we're thinking about the way mental health is explored in Home...

The concept of the book is that ‘home’ is not just your postcode. To author Mark Ballabon: "‘home’ begins inside a person – it is a place where you feel well in yourself, at peace, safe. It’s where you feel good inside your own skin."

How do you feel inside yourself today?

21/09/2022

We are having so it's time to curl up with a blanket and some hot chocolate at to reread Mark Ballabon's book. (See what we did there!)

What are you ? Where do you love to ?

14/09/2022

If you're a teacher or school librarian, you might be interested in our guided reading pack for Home: My Life in the Universe. The pack is a totally free resource and can be downloaded from the link in our bio. It includes ideas for exercises, discussions and activities that draw out lots of the themes within Home - from the climate crisis and protecting our environment, to building self-confidence and learning to handle conflict. Take a look today!⁠
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07/09/2022

'Some stories take you to a different world. Like when Taka, my best friend, hung this giant, full-colour poster of the Andromeda galaxy above her bed – that’s the nearest big galaxy to our own. It’s a close neighbour… only trillions of miles away from us! Looking up at its great sparkling spiral of billions of stars... it takes you to another world.'

From Home by Mark Ballabon (Out Now - link in bio to buy)

Image credit: NASA/JPL/California Institute of Technology

31/08/2022

Which books have you loved this summer? If you're looking for something to read to take you into the new school year, then Home: My Life in the Universe is available on the Kindle store for just £3.99!⁠
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24/08/2022

Are you taking part in the Home Summer Activities?

Here's an extra activity for you all to try:

Cut an apple in half through the middle and see if you can see a star pattern. It's a pentagram! When Maia shows this to Leah she does it to explain 'how important it is to look inside things, to discover their magic or their 'essence'.'

Amazing isn’t it?! Enjoy eating your magical apple!!

17/08/2022

Where are you up to? Did you know that Home: My Life in the Universe doesn't have chapters? Instead, each traditional chapter is called a 'window' and has its own illustration giving some insight into what is about to happen. If you're reading Home, take some time before you start each chapter to look at the illustration and imagine what you think might happen as you read on... ⁠
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10/08/2022

Do you love star gazing? Have you ever seen the Summer Triangle?

It is visible for most of the year, but in July and August it shines directly overhead at around midnight. In Home, Leah sees the triangle for the first time at summer camp when Helena from Denmark points it out.

“If you look again at the Great Bear... well, those two stars near the handle... they point almost directly to that bright star Deneb. Can you see it now? If you can, you’ll see how it forms a large triangle with two other stars – that one and that one. It’s called the Summer Triangle. Isn’t it beautiful? It’s like a portal into the whole galaxy,” she said, spellbound.

03/08/2022

Although technically for teens, Home can be enjoyed by adults too! This review from an adult reader has to be one of our very favourites: comparing Home to I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. Have you ever read it? What did you think? ⁠
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I Capture the Castle is a classic novel about growing up, with another protagonist who keeps a journal, just like Leah. The famous first line of the book is: "I write this sitting in the kitchen sink." Would that draw you in and make you read on?⁠
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30/07/2022

"Taka was the bold, brave and popular one at school – her long colour-streaked curly hair said that she was not to be messed with. Whereas I was often to be found eating lunch on my own or reading at the back of the library. It’s changed though. I’m still the quieter one, but I’m more outspoken in my views now. Everyone says we’re like sisters'

From Home by Mark Ballabon
Buy now - see link in bio

27/07/2022

Have you read Home: My Life in the Universe? Please leave us a review if you have! We read every review and it means so much to hear from readers who have enjoyed the book. You can review Home on Amazon, Goodreads, Waterstones or anywhere that you buy your books online. ⁠
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20/07/2022

in 1969, the first happened. Science is incredible...

But as Leah finds out in Home, we haven't just filled our planet with our rubbish; we've also filled the universe too with 'Space Junk'.

We need to think of ways to stop this happening so we keep our universe, our world, our home safe and clean for the future

18/07/2022

The summer holidays are almost here and a lot of teens will be looking forward to weeks of care-free fun, but there's also a lot going on in the world at the moment that could be causing anxiety or worry in young people. ⁠
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We love this review of Home that sums up exactly what we hoped this book would be - some light in the darkness, and an opportunity for young readers to see some of their concerns and worries addressed, in a way that hopefully makes them feel more manageable. All wrapped up in a great story, of course!⁠
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Author Mark Ballabon has said: "Just in the last few years, younger generations have been increasingly confronted with world crises, which have fundamentally undermined their confidence, belief and hope for the future. First the climate crisis, then a pandemic, and now the recent war.⁠
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Home shows how Leah deals with and processes some of these big issues, as well as daily pressures related to bullying and her own self-confidence. Leah’s story not only highlights these challenging social and world issues, but also aims to offer some practical and original solutions."⁠
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11/07/2022

We loved Young Adult Literature Convention this weekend! It was great meeting so many passionate and and bringing to the convention for the first time.

Here are a few of our highlights from the weekend... What were yours?

06/07/2022

We are REALLY looking forward to this Friday when Mark Ballabon will take part in the Earth Day, Every Day 🌎 panel at !

Mark can’t wait to speak to fellow authors and about writing the climate in YA fiction, THIS FRIDAY at 2pm.

If you’ve never been to YALC before, it’s a three day celebration of YA and YA readers, with panels and events on a huge variety of topics.

Come to Mark’s panel event and visit Eminent Productions on Stand 32 for discounted copies of Home and LOTS of swag and competitions!

Who’s coming? 🙋🏻‍♀️

25/06/2022

"Mark Ballabon’s Home (Eminent Productions Ltd £9.99) is a thought-provoking and delightful read about an emotionally intelligent girl, Leah, who is on a journey of exploration to understand what “home” means... Grant MacDonald’s mesmerising illustrations perfectly depict the connection between people and place."

Have you seen the review of in .scotsman? Thank you for picking us as one the best YA fiction books for summer!

.macdonaldo

23/06/2022

This week is , a UK-wide festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.

Home: My Life in the Universe explores and addresses the modern refugee experience through the character of Tanguy, who Leah meets at summer camp.

Author Mark Ballabon spent time with real people who inspired Tanguy’s character, including speaking with the amazing charity through their Experts by Experience action group.

Mark said “My conversations moved me to tears. I listened to stories about the violence and trauma of fleeing your home country, and found the sheer bravery of all people who have to undertake this incredibly moving.

I read some of Tanguy’s words from Home, to ask if his voice was authentic and was so pleased that the people I spoke with found him an authentic character.”

Reading and talking about Home: My Life in the Universe could be a great way to stimulate young teens to think more about the experience of people who have to flee their countries, and the journeys they undertake to find safety.

We stand in solidarity with all refugees and people seeking sanctuary across the world and hope that the story of Home reflects that 🌍

Visit refugeeweek.org.uk to find out more about how you can engage with

23/06/2022

Are you a teacher, or ?

We’re very excited to launch our latest promotion!

✨✨ These activity booklets contain 10 brilliant themed challenges for young readers to complete over the , with a prize draw at the end ✨✨

Contact [email protected] if you would like some free booklets sent to your school, library or bookshop 📚

If you’re a reader who would like to take part, follow the link in our bio for a digital copy of the booklet!

21/06/2022

Another shoutout for to two fantastic shops who welcomed us in May: in and

Support your wonderful Independent bookshop - everyone is special and full of great books to discover.

18/06/2022

Today is the start of . We ❤️ .

In April, Mark visited the fantastic in to talk about Home. Check it out if you live near by or are in .

Support your local bookshop this week by buying your copy of Home and lots of other lovely .

15/06/2022

Thank you for this lovely review of Home: My Life in the Universe. We love to hear teacher’s and librarian’s opinions of Leah’s story - the first in Mark Ballabon’s YA trilogy!

Did you know you can read an extract of Home on Reading Zone too? Link to read the full review and check out the extract in our bio.

08/06/2022

We loved the we did in April and May. So… if you are a , or in or area get in touch for your chance to have Mark Ballabon visit and talk about Home, , and so much more. Email [email protected] to book a school visit for 2022.

PLUS keep your eyes peeled for our special content coming soon!

03/05/2022

week 2! Mark Ballabon is on tour for the second week in a row and this time he is travelling over 280 miles in just four days:

📚Day 1: Nottingham with (books coming from
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📚Day 2: Newcastle to , Burnside Community College and
📚Day 3: Durham @ parkviewcls and North Gosforth Academy
📚Day 4: Edinburgh Broughton High School and

28/04/2022

Have you got your copy of Home? Check out the gorgeous illustrations from .macdonaldo. Did you know that Grant suggested the title of the book to Mark? That's what we call team work!

25/04/2022

***BREAKING NEWS*** Mark Ballabon will be at this year. He will be on Earth Day Every Day Panel on Friday 8th July and signing books. Get your YALC tickets now; see link in bio.

25/04/2022

This week is the beginning of the Home . We are starting in the South East:

📚Day 1:
📚Day 2: The Astley Cooper School
📚Day 3: .school
📚Day 4: at and
📚Day 5: Reading and our final stop this week is at 6pm

23/04/2022

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the of Home at on yesterday. Enjoy reading your copy of the book!

Address

The Centre, Bath Place
Barnet
EN55XE

Website

https://www.leahsuniverse.com/

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Happy ebook publication day to Home: My Life in the Universe, which is now available to purchase from the Kindle store, with a special promotional price of £1.99! 🎉 Download the ebook today and once you’ve fallen in love with Leah’s story, you might want to pre-order the beautifully illustrated paperback, coming on #EarthDay - Friday 22nd April. 🎧 To celebrate the release of Home on Kindle, here’s a brilliant review of the book from podcast, Lounging with Books (EP 110). #reviews #YAbooks #podcast #loungingwithbooks #librarians #publicationday #teenreads #bestbooks2022 #yabooks #yabookstagram #bookaholic #kindle #kindlebooks #kindlereads #ireadya #bookreview #newbooks

We are really excited to see Home: My Life in the Universe in the April Children's previews in @_TheBookseller today! Thank you @fionanoblebooks for the feature. Home is publishing on 22 April 2022, proofs are available to request on @netgalley now. #YAbooks #YAbookstagram #yabook #books #reading #bookaholic #newbooks #thebookseller #newreleases #booknews #ukpublishing #independentpublisher #booksellersofinstagram