The Book of Chance is my 18th trade book for children and my ninth children’s novel. It took three years from first idea to printed book and was released into the wild when the world was reeling from the news that we were in the midst of a global pandemic and Australia was flung into a national lockdown. Talk about impeccable timing! 

Now, 15 months on, we are in the grips of another outbreak and in lockdown once again. This time on the eve of the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book of the Year announcement, for which I am happy to report The Book of Chance has been shortlisted. Again, impeccable timing! But, truly, not even the dreaded Delta strain can take the shine off my book being recognised in this way. I am both humbled and delighted. 

For this story I made a conscious decision to go local. (Who knows maybe this was my “magic” ingredient?) After some location scouting, it soon became apparent that Wollongong suited my needs perfectly. Besides, I thought, how often is the Gong featured in Aussie books? Here was my chance.

Even though I have lived in the area for 30+ years, I still needed to spend much time roaming the streets, noting details, taking photos and sound grabs and videos. The houses that my main character, Chance, and her neighbour, Alek, live in are based on two actual houses in Wollongong and I am certain the occupants must have wondered about the strange woman with backpack, notebook and phone camera who seemed to be constantly lurking about. Apologies! 

But getting to know the Gong from a different perspective and trying to bring it to life within the pages of a book, throwing in local references to WIN TV, WIN Stadium, the beaches, the rocky sculptures in the mall, Stuart Park, etc. was a lot of fun. We really do live in a vibrant area. 

The Book of Chance was inspired by a true crime, and so the opening scene is set inside Wollongong Police Station. The “true” crime that started it all was committed in 1998 but wasn’t solved until 2017 – some 19 years later. As the story of this crime unfolded in the world media, I followed it intently. The more I found out about the case, the more intrigued I became, particularly with the teenage girl caught in the centre of the crime. She wasn’t the criminal – she was the victim and I began to wonder – and worry – about her. How was she going to cope? What would become of her? 

And that’s how The Book of Chance began. The crime in my book is slightly different to the crime that inspired it, but the devastating impact of the crime is very similar. Except for the fact that it happened to a fictitious teen in a seaside city on the other side of the world! Our very own Gong. 

The Children’s Book Council of Australia has short-listed The Book of Chance for 2021’s Book of the Year in the Younger Readers category (ages 7-12). Winners will be announced on 20 August.  Visit www.cbca.org.au and suewhiting.com