Author Kevin Brook's teenage picks

3:08pm Wednesday 20th August 2008

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Ahead of a Forest Hill appearance, acclaimed author Kevin Brooks tells Kerry Ann Eustice about his respect for his teenage readership

You don't hear many nice things said about teenagers nowadays. Which is why it's so refreshing to talk to author Kevin Brooks. Mainly read by young adults and teens, his gritty thrillers talk to young people and so does he.

He's coming to Forest Hill for a special teen event to talk about anything they like, be it football, TV or the violence in his new work, Black Rabbit Summer.

Kevin said: "I have lots of contact with my readers through Myspace and emails, but it's nice to meet these people face to face and talk."

He added: "It's nicer when it gets off books, when you end up talking about just anything. I don't have any agenda."

Kevin's writing, particularly Black Rabbit Summer, has been praised by the literary world for its cracking and chaotic crime storylines, excellently captured teenage protagonists and realistic portrayals of adolescence.

"It does come quite naturally," said Kevin of his insight into the generation, adding he uses his own experiences to inform his work.

"I get asked how do you write about teens when you're such an old farty person yourself'.

"They're treated like this strange, prophetic species, but they're just people."

Although Kevin says his books aren't a promotion tools for young people, he hopes the stories do challenge preconceptions.

"If the only contact you had with anyone over 13 was through the press you'd think they were all gun-toting drug addicts. I find them encouraging and refreshing, good people," said Kevin.

"It's refreshing to be with them and you realise, yeah the world's not all bad.

"I hate that horrible idea kids were so much better in the olden days, when they're much more open minded these days."

Kevin Brooks, Forest Hill Library, Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill on August 27. 4pm. Free.

We have five copies of Black Rabbit Summer to give away,for a chance to win click here