Book in Every Stocking 2014: THE BOY IN THE TOWER by Polly Ho-Yen suggested by Natalie Doherty

Today we are very pleased to welcome Natalie Doherty back to Space on the Bookshelf, Natalie is a Fiction Editor at Random House and we interviewed about her role as Editor of Murder Most Unladylike back in the summer press here to read.

Natalie, has kindly agreed to write a letter to Santa to recommend a stocking filler book...

Dear Santa,


If there’s one book I’d love to see in all stockings this Christmas (in all honesty I’d love to see HUNDREDS of books in all stockings, but I don’t think I’m allowed), it would be THE BOY IN THE TOWER by Polly Ho-Yen.

Polly is a) a new writer, b) the owner of an incredible imagination, and c) an all-round lovely human being. THE BOY IN THE TOWER is a story about a boy named Ade, who lives in a tower block in London with his mum, who doesn’t like to go outside. One day, mysterious blue plants start to appear in the streets close to Ade’s home and school . . . and then without any warning, buildings start to collapse. Soon the streets are evacuated and even Ade’s best friend Gaia escapes with her family, but Ade’s mum refuses to leave, and so she and Ade are left in their tower block, knowing that it might fall down at any minute, with a rapidly-dwindling supply of food and water, and no one else for miles around. Or so they think…

The reason I’ve picked this as a stocking-filler book is that it really does leave you feeling that there are good people in the world. It’s a book about friendship and sticking together and helping other people out in any way you can, even when you’re feeling unhappy or scared yourself. And it’s a brilliant adventure!


Thanks Santa!



Natalie x

For more book stocking filler suggestions,pop back and visit SOTB throughout December! 

Murder Most Unladylike - Robin Stevens – Editor Interview - Natalie Doherty Random House - 3D Review

What was your favourite children's book as a child?

I loved The Wolves of Willoughby Chase and A Little Princess – anything sweeping and a little bit gothic with miserable orphans! The Suitcase Kid by Jacqueline Wilson was a huge favourite for me too – I had divorced, constantly squabbling parents and I felt like it was talking directly to me.

What is your favourite children's book as an adult?

I loved – and still love – anything by Roald Dahl. Probably The BFG was my special favourite when I was younger, but I read Boy over and over too – the moment where his nose is sliced off in the car accident isn’t easily forgotten - and I can still quote big chunks of The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More. When I got a bit older, it was his incredible short stories in books like Kiss Kiss and The Great Automatic Grammatizator and Other Stories. The twists in stories like Royal Jelly and The Landlady never fail to send a shiver down my spine. I wish I’d worked in children’s publishing thirty years earlier so that I might have got the chance to meet him.

What do you think makes children's books so inspirational?

I love how there are just no rules and no limitations whatsoever in children’s books – anything goes and they can take you anywhere.

What do you love about Murder Most Unladylike and what makes it stand out?

So many things made me fall in love with this book! The narrative voice is the most obvious – I knew within a couple of pages that it was really special, genuine and authentic, and I just wanted to keep reading. Hazel and Daisy’s friendship and double-act is gorgeous – it really reminded me of the relationships you have with your school friends at that age, and as one of the quieter ones in my friendship group, I definitely had my own Daisy to contend with! Plus, I was blown away when I found out who the murderer was, and that showed me what a skilful, clever plot I’d just worked through – and made me really want to work with Robin.

How many people have worked on this book and for how long?

Robin and her lovely agent Gemma had already done lots of work on the story before it arrived at Random House, and once we acquired it, which was just over a year ago, lots of people have played a part. Other than me, there were two copyeditors and two proofreaders working on the text; a designer and an illustrator creating the cover and the wonderful map inside; a publicist, Harriet, who sent copies of the book out to reviewers and bloggers; and various people in the Sales, Marketing and Production teams. All in all probably fifteen people have had a direct role, and then lots more who are more behind the scenes.

What made you want to work in children's publishing?

I’d always been a big reader and it was the only thing I felt really passionately about, but it had never occurred to me to try to work in publishing – I’d been told it was super competitive and I was convinced I didn’t stand a chance. Then I did a children’s literature module at university, and at the same time I signed up to do some work experience with the brilliant, encouraging, very enthusiastic New Writing North, up in Newcastle. The two things put together made me realise I needed to give it a shot.

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