Nadine Holland is an author based in Gloucestershire. Having exclusively penned picture books, she made her middle-grade debut in 2024 with ‘Hallie and the Broken Ghost’. A silly and spooky adventure story, ‘Hallie and the Broken Ghost’ follows Hallie Collins as she once again moves to a new house. As it happens, Hallie’s new home is haunted. Not by anything sinister though but by a, rather unique, farting ghost named Gerry.
The heart of the story is heavily inspired by Nadine’s own experiences as a child. Having first moved house at 11 years old (and halfway through Year 7) she found herself in Gloucestershire and away from her friends and extended family. Such upheaval is common, and Nadine turned to this experience when first beginning to write: “I felt that a story that centred on moving and the struggles of making and keeping friends was one that might comfort children who had gone through something similar,” explained the author.
“…Those two things, moving and the paranormal, are inextricably linked in my mind and became the basis of ‘Hallie and the Broken Ghost’.”
Equally, the book’s paranormal aspects were inspired by Nadine’s love of ghosts and the unknown: “I consoled myself by reading about the paranormal and scaring myself with horror stories,” says Nadine. “So, those two things, moving and the paranormal, are inextricably linked in my mind and became the basis of ‘Hallie and the Broken Ghost’.”
Hallie and the Broken Ghost — Available Now!
Best described as a frighteningly funny adventure, ‘Hallie and the Broken Ghost’ is perfect for children looking for a story that balances haunting with humour. “I think it’s important to show that even in these uncertain situations, there is room for lightness and fun,” adds the author.
The book is also a thrilling adventure, complete with buried treasure and a dastardly villain — Edgar Dolos. “Edgar is a horrible person, hiding behind the mask of a smug, self-satisfied archaeologist,” writes Nadine. “He will do unimaginable things to restore the reputation of his family, which Hallie unfortunately gets caught up in – wrong house, wrong time.“
Future Projects
Nadine has talked about how much she loved writing ‘Hallie and the Broken Ghost’, and that really shines through. But what about future projects?
Nadine has signed with Tiny Tree for a brand new picture book. Set for release in 2025, this new story centres around a mighty giant who is struggling with the idea of failure.
Is there another adventure for Hallie on the horizon? We’ll let Nadine tell you: “I do have a sequel planned where we get to know more about Gerry’s ghostly friends and watch Hallie’s friendships deepen while facing new and unexpected challenges, and of course, it wouldn’t be complete without a fantastic villain.“
‘Hallie and the Broken Ghost‘ is available now from all good bookshops!
