Two Rondebosch schoolgirls are giving Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys a run for their money.
Ellamae Bayer and Mary Botha, both Grade 5 pupils at Rustenburg Girls’ Junior School, are writing a book together about two 16-year-olds who live normal lives on top of being detectives.
In this book, secrets are uncovered, mysteries are waiting to be solved and secret passages are to be found.
The school’s librarian, Jenny Wates, says they are proud of the girls. “So often we teach children the craft of writing, and they don’t realise that there is a real audience they have to write for, and I think once they learn that, they start experimenting with their own writing.”
The girls have drawn inspiration from Trixie the Pixie books written by Emma Chambers, a former pupil of the school.
Ellamae says she loves literature, writing, and reading and playing with phrases; Mary says when she starts writing, the words flow like a waterfall and she can’t stop.
Their teacher, Keanan Wagner, says she is impressed with their writing skills and proud of their hard work and dedication. “We need young writers. We look forward to the finished book.”
The girls are expecting to finish their book by next year and must still give it a title.
October is National Book Month.
