Randa Abdel-Fattah
Randa Abdel-Fattah is an internationally published award-winning author of six novels, with two more due for release in 2012. Her novels include Does My Head Look Big in This?, Ten Things I Hate About Me, Where The Streets Had A Name and Noah's Law. Her children's novels are Buzz Off, The Friendship Matchmaker and The Friendship Matchmaker Goes Undercover (out in May 2012). Randa's first adult novel is the cleverly names No S-x in the City, described as an unadulterated Aussie chick-lit with a twist: lead character Esma is a devoted Muslim which adds an interesting layer to the 'girl tries to meet boy' narrative.
A passionate human rights activist, Randa is frequently sought for comment by the media and has appeared on television programs such as the ABC’s Q & A, the ABC’s First Tuesday Book Club, SBS’s Insight and Channel Seven's Sunrise.
Randa is a regular speaker at schools and writer’s festivals in Australia and overseas. She uses her writing, talks and workshops to address issues of identity, race politics, prejudice, religion, human rights and bullying.
Randa's books have received much acclaim.
Does My Head Look Big In This?
- Australian Book Industry Awards Best Book for Young Adults in 2005
- Children’s Book Council Notable Book 2005
- New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
- One of Kirkus's Best Books for Young Adults (USA)
Ten Things I Hate About Me
- Winner Kathleen Mitchell Award, a biennial literary award that acknowledges excellence in writers under 30.
- Shortlisted for the Redbridge Children's Awards (UK)
- Selected by a joint committee of America's Children's Book Council and the National Council for the Social Studies, as a CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People 2010.
- Children’s Book Council Notable Book 2006
Where the streets had a Name
- Included in America’s YALSA’s 2012 Best Fiction for Young Adults
- Winner Middle East Outreach Council (MEOC) young adult book of the year 2011 (USA)
- Short-listed for the 2010 Adelaide Literature Festival Awards.
- Winner 2009 Golden Inkys award, Australia’s only teen choice book awards.
- Children’s Book Council Notable Book 2008
Noah's Law
- Highly Commended- Sister in Crime Davitt Awards 2011
- Children’s Book Council Notable Book 2011
Feedback
Thank you for recommending Randa for this year’s Literature Festival Day. It was a huge success and we have had wonderful feedback from students and teachers.
We had a lovely Literature Event yesterday. Randa was fantastic, her sessions were thought-provoking, everything went smoothly and we have had great feedback from the staff and students.
We are now thinking about next year and would love to have Randa back. We had a great time, thanks so much.
For two days I was engrossed inThrill Seekers World. Working in a school library I know students will embrace it too.
