GRAHAM WHITLOCK
writer
"Graham Whitlock takes readers on an a wistful, clever and hilarious adventure into the perilous world of the past! It's quirky and dark. And so much fun".
Carrie Jones, New York Times best-selling young adult author.
Welcome! Here you can buy a personalised signed book or eBook, find out more about YOUR Crystal Palace writing competition, find out about my writing projects, and sign up for my mailing list so I can share exclusive extras from The Crystal Palace Chronicles.
Join teenager Joe on a rollercoaster adventure travelling back in time to the heyday of Victorian Crystal Palace.
Joe is lonely, and bored. His best friend moved away, he’s stuck looking after his annoying little sister and Dad spends every hour in their struggling restaurant, Paradise.
But Joe's world is turned upside down when he discovers a shattered compass among the brambles where the Crystal Palace once stood and time travels through the maze back to 1888.
With help from the teenage H. G. Wells and Samuel Coleridge Taylor, daredevil Iris Blondin, the creator of Sherlock Holmes and the Queen of the Gypsies, Joe must foil dangerous diamond thieves to uncover dark secrets about the ‘People’s Palace'. Standing on boundaries between worlds, its secrets are tied to the fate of his family.
Will Joe be trapped in the past with his new friends, find a way back to his family or can he somehow have both?
REVIEWS FOR
CRYSTAL PALACE CHRONICLES
“Fantastic fo adults and kids alike.”
Ken Kiss, Curator, The Crystal Palace Museum
“It’s a story about realising what true friendships are. What I found really good was the way Joe met up with famous people that were to become successful like Samuel Coleridge Taylor and Bertie who becomes H. G. Wells. It taught me much more about Crystal Palace and it’s a really entertaining book.”
Abdurehaman aged 13
“I would recommend it to all my friends because it’s good to know more about where you live.”
Spike aged 11
“Even when you feel you don’t love your family you love them deep inside especially if you’re away from them.” Maia aged 12
Reviews
YOUR CRYSTAL PALACE writing competition
This competition marks 85 years since The Crystal Palace burned down and is a partnership between Upper Norwood Library Hub, the Crystal Palace Museum and Parakeet Books
kindly sponsored by estate agents Martin & Co.
If the Palace rose again today, what would YOU show there?
Tell us in up to 700 words (feel free to add drawings). Video and audio entries are also welcome
Age categories; Ages 7-9 (Year 3 & Year 4), Ages 9-11 (Year 5 & 6), Ages 11-14 (Years 7, 8 & 9)
PRIZES Winning entries will be exhibited at the Crystal Palace Museum and Upper Norwood Library Hub, and prizes include free books and vouchers, fab goodies from Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs and the chance win an iPad for your school! An award ceremony at The Crystal Palace Museum will be held 5:30pm-7:30pm on Tuesday 30 November, the anniversary of the fire, including a VIP guided tour about the fire.
Download the Resource Pack
YOUR CRYSTAL PALACE writing competition
YOUR CRYSTAL PALACE writing competition
YOUR CRYSTAL PALACE writing competition
WINNERS ON DISPLAY AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE MUSEUM & UPPER NORWOOD LIBRARY FROM 30 NOV
ABOUT
I am a writer, walker, local instigator, dad and born-and-bred Norwood boy who is hopelessly in love with London.
I helped found and run award-winning charity DreamArts which transforms young lives fusing arts and therapy.
I edited the Dev and Olli children’s books by Shweta Aggarwal and my professional writing credits include a stage adaptation of the Shane Meadows film 24/7 and the UKs first immersive musical based on the classic Ealing Studio comedy Passport to Pimlico.
In the arms of my Nan at Crystal Palace Park while my big brother sits under Guy the Gorilla
NEWS & EVENTS
I had the privilege of chatting with Gerald Robinson who shared his memories of that fateful night on 30 November 1936 when flames destroyed the Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace Chronicles Star of Nimrod has launched! It's available in local independent bookshops across South London including;
Bookseller Crow Bookshop // Crystal Palace South London in Crystal Palace
Books | Chener Books | London in East Dulwich
Welcome - Dulwich Bookshop in West Dulwich
The Beckenham Bookshop in Beckenham
Tales on Moon Lane Children's Bookshop in Herne Hill
Herne Hill (claphambooks.com) in Herne Hill
Clapham Books | England | London Bookshop in Clapham
Book Launch Celebration at The Crystal Palace Museum - It was a thrill to share Star of Nimrod in one of the last remaining remnants of the Crystal Palace, surrounded by its past and by people who are as passionate as me in wanting to bring it to life for the young and the young at heart. And to have one of the books main characters Bertie - aka H. G. Wells- lead my Q&A made it a night I’ll never forget (so glad he got his Time Machine working…)
Events - I’d love to come to your event or school to share some of my writing, help bring the fascinating world of Victorian Crystal Palace to life and inspire storytelling in people of all ages, calling on over three decades of running workshops with young people.
I’m happy to tailor-make sessions to suit the needs and interests of your group so don’t hesitate to get in touch for a chat, or you can find out more on my Contact an Author page at Graham Whitlock | Contact an Author
Me with HG Wells at my launch!
Photography by LeeBoltonphotography.com
A big THANK YOU to my backers who have generously supported the publishing costs of Star of Nimrod - you're all stars!
STARS
A big THANK YOU to my backers who have generously supported the publishing costs of Star of Nimrod - you're all stars!
Tim Sharville
Kay Whitlock
Louise Machin
Richard Steele
Alison Johnston
Paul Chipping
Adam Ainsworth
Peter Lambert
Wayne Roberts
Jesse Griffiths
Anne Reyersbach
Shaun & Fiona Thompson
Claire Cunningham
Daniele Tagliaferro
Andy Scholes
Cat & Ian Bradler
Sam Pilger
Janie Stamford
Ally Grant
Hilary Scanlon
Jim Chipping
Catherine Drake Wilkes
Emma Guthrie
Claire Reeves
Helen Hughes
Laura Good
Natalie Cooper
Martin Chipping
James Chipping
John & Sandra Whitlock
Liz Lucas
Rebecca Truisi
Azim Khan
Judy Harris
Steve Pearce
David Mumeni
Karen Pernyes
Emily Jewell
Rona Bryce
Mark Jones
Melanie Rivers
Alex Toogood
Steve Potts
Chloe Travers
Harpel Singh Bassi
Richard Whitlock
Annabel Horne
Kevin Burness
John Hyatt
Nicole Hatch
Rachel Stredwick
Jacqui Scott
Andrew & Jill Ainsworth
Ronald Cumming-John
Natasha Ciccognani
Kay Hall
Jose Perez Torres
Penny Titterington
Jason Allcorn
Josh Carver
Mel Ellison
Simon Ryder
Ingrid Ryder
Kate McGuiness
Louise Entiknap
Cara Satmoko
Roberta Gallinari
Sharon Ballard
Sally Briggs
Andy Stem
Sally Tennant
Jessica Wenben-Smith
Julie Murataj
Naomi Roper
Anisah Ali
James Leech
Will Ainsworth
Pete & Julia Ainsworth
Alexis Bleasdale
Anne-Marie Reid
Anthony Hyde
Sue Cope
Liane Abbot
Noreen Meehan
George Harris
Callum Hughes
David Conway
Norman Murray
Martha Oster
Susan Milford
Amanda Wright
Sarah Green
Andrew Wallace
Jane Buttigieg
Shweta Aggarwal
GET IN TOUCH!
I love to hear from readers, and getting your reviews!
Don’t forget, if you want to stay updated about news, competitions and events you can always sign up to my mailing list here
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