Paula Burgess
A former English and Drama teacher, writer for the Times Educational Supplement and copywriter, Paula loves to write about the wonder of the natural world. Her current passion for earthworms was inspired by Charles Darwin, who declared they were one of the most important creatures on the planet. Yet they’re so unloved! Paula’s mission is to convert as many people as she can to her ever-growing worm appreciation club. She lives in a village outside Cambridge with her husband, daughters and cosy worm farm. Paula graduates with distinction from the MA in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University.
A Boy, His Grandad and Half a Worm
MG Contemporary
Ten-year-old, insect-mad Jake loves his grandad more than anything in the whole world. One day, a bully tricks Jake into biting a worm in two. Distraught, he rushes home with the barely alive half-worm. Thankfully it survives. But Grandad is poorly, and Jake desperately wants him to regenerate like the worm he looks after. Using his knowledge of insects to help make sense of the world, Jake overcomes self-doubts and stands up to the bully. But as the worm heals, Grandad's health gets worse and Jake turns to nature to learn how to finally let him go.
You can contact Paula via email and follow her on X (Twitter).