Kathryn Lefroy reveals her magical new book for middle readers
Kathryn Lefroy might be a fantasy writer for children, but there’s nothing fantastical about her connection to Jane Austen’s Mr Darcy. Her great-great-great-great-great uncle was Jane Austen’s inspiration for Mr Darcy, one of world’s most lusted after characters – both on the page and on screen.
Given the iconic literary connection, teamed with the fact that she grew up in a household of full of writers, it’s not surprising Kathryn Lefroy turned her hand to the craft. Dividing her time between Fremantle and Hollywood, Kathryn writes novels, screenplays and articles, as well as creating copy for some of the world’s best-known brands.
Kathryn’s debut novel, Alex and the Alpacas Save the World, was shortlisted for the 2020 Premier’s Prize for Writing for Children; her feature film script Hope Skates was a finalist in the ScreenCraft Family Competition in 2023; and she has a number of other films in development with local and international producers.
Despite the accolades and success, Kathryn’s latest book, The Secret of the Stone, is about being careful what you wish for. Drafted in Italy but set in San Francisco, where she lived for a decade, The Secret of the Stone is a heartwarming and humorous contemporary story full of intrigue, mystery and a hint of the supernatural.
Kathryn says, ‘When Olive and her friends find a mysterious stone and discover it grants wishes, they think their lives are made. Sure, they’re going to save the world and all that stuff, but there are a few fun things they want to do first. But when they realise other people are looking for it – people who will stop at nothing until they get it – they must decide how much they’ll risk to make all their dreams come true.’
Written in her signature high-energy, cinematic, and action-packed style, the book combines laugh-out-loud moments with an endearing saga about the importance of family and friendship.
Kathryn says, ‘At its heart, it’s about the importance and challenges of friendship, the foundations of family, and the consequences of power.’
The Secret of the Stone is available in all good bookstores and online.
