Legend of the Lighthouse Moon Shortlisted in the DANZ & Speech Pathology Book of the Year Awards!

Legend of the Lighthouse Moon was my second middle-grade novel, published in October 2024 by Riveted Press. Featuring the incredible beauty of Kangaroo Island, the history of the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse, the endangered sea lions and tales of selkies from the islands where my grandmothers were born. Main character Mona McKenna also lives with type 1 diabetes in an era when we didn’t have the technology of today. In an era in which I was also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

This story has now been recognised in three awards! It was shortlisted in the Diverse Australia New Zealand Book Awards at the start of June, with the awards ceremony being held in Brisbane on 25th July. And it was shortlisted in the Speech Pathology Book of the Year Awards this week!

This makes three awards for Legend of the Lighthouse Moon.

– Winner category two forevability Book Awards 2025

– Shortlisted in the The ASLA DANZ Children’s Book Award June 2026. Winners announced 25th July in Brisbane!

– Shortlisted in the Speech Pathology Australia 8-10 years category June 2026!

I’m proud and happy and a bit overwhelmed with the way this story has been embraced by children and adults alike.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me and my wild ideas for weaving nature, history, mystery and magic together.

Rich with folklore and brimming with adventure, Legend of the Lighthouse Moon is a captivating tale of family, resilience, and the enduring magic of the sea. Join Mona on a journey of self-discovery where the whispers of the past guide her towards a future filled with hope, love, and legends brought to life.

You can grab your copy here – signed and with all her shiny stickers!

xx

Helen