An interview with Little Rebels Award winner Sarah Hagger-Holt

Sarah Hagger-Holt has won the Little Rebels Award now not once, but twice. She won in 2022 with Proud of Me and she won this year’s prize with her book The Fights that Make Us (published by Usborne). The judges praised Sarah for the empathy and the positive empowerment demonstrated in The Fights that Make Us. Maryam Alsammarraie spoke to Sarah for Books for Keeps.

Winning the Little Rebels Prize for a second time was a huge surprise to Sarah, but more than that, she says, ‘It also feels like a big responsibility – both to keep writing my own stories and to champion the amazing work of other radical authors and illustrators, and the librarians, teachers and booksellers who introduce our stories to the readers who need them.’

How important does she think it is that young readers today have books that encourage rebellion?

‘Rebellion, for me, is about opening up alternatives to the world as it is. It’s about saying that things do not have to be the way they are, and we all have the capacity to re-imagine them. That’s what storytelling is all about! Today’s young people are living in really challenging times, so my hope is that today’s books can help provide inspiration that empowers them to create change.’

She’s a frequent visitor to schools to give workshops and talk to young people. Which age group does she liked visiting most, and how do her readers respond to the message in her books?

‘My favourite age to write for is 10-13 – the end of primary school and the beginning of secondary school. It’s a time of change, where young people are working out who they are and what matters to them. It’s also a time when many young people stop reading for pleasure. That’s why I believe this age group especially needs stories that engage, represent and excite them.’ she says.’

Sarah also works in a library, how does that influence her writing? Is there a certain book or author that inspired her to say ‘I need to write my own book’?

‘Working in a library makes me realise how many excellent children’s books are out there and what a variety of styles and subjects exist. There is no shortage of great children’s books! I’m very excited that mine are on the shelves, alongside some of my own favourite authors. But enabling children to confidently find and choose books that they will enjoy is hard. A narrow range of celebrity-authored books or classics are often the only books children are aware of, and many people old and young have never been shown how to use a library.’

Her books show a lot of empathy towards others, is that because she has dealt with similar life experiences? What experience shaped her perspective on the LGBTQ+ storyline?

‘It’s natural for me to write about LGBTQ+ characters, who reflect my own experiences and those of people I know. I hope that LGBTQ+ young people can see themselves represented, but that all readers will find something that resonates with them and, of course, enjoy the story!’

Finally, what is one piece of advice she would give to people who are trying to write their own book but are scared of what people might think? Or nervous about comments or criticism?

‘It’s always scary, at least for me, to write something and share it with others. What if they don’t like it, or it offends them, or they don’t understand what I’m trying to say? I’d bet that all writers feel this at some point, because the characters and stories we create are often very personal and really matter to us. To share your stories, you have to be vulnerable and brave, but it’s worth it when you find out that they have connected with even just one reader.’

And is she writing a book currently?

‘Yes! There’s new book coming soon and I am so excited to share it with readers next year. I can’t say too much, but – like all of my books – it explores what makes a family and the ups and downs of friendship, with plenty of drama, twists and turns along the way.’

Thank you to Sarah for answering our questions.

Maryam Alsammarraie is interning with Books for Keeps.

The Fights that Make Us is published by Usborne, 978-1801315791, £7.99 pbk. Proud of Me is also published by Usborne, 978-1474966245, £6.99 pbk.