Felice Arena is an Australian children's author and illustrator. He created and co-wrote the bestselling football-themed Specky Magee series; the acclaimed historical novels The Boy and the Spy, Fearless Frederic, A Great Escape and The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan; and the picture books Pasta! and Cheese!
Felice Arena | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kyabram, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1991– |
| Website | |
| felicearena | |
Early life
editArena was born in Kyabram, Victoria. He studied teaching at La Trobe University in Bendigo, Victoria and graduated in 1990.[1] He decided to pursue a career in acting and writing.[2] In 1992, he was cast as Marco Alessi in the Australian soap opera Neighbours. A year later, he relocated to the UK and was appearing in the West End when he began writing his first book in his dressing room.[1]
Writing career
editWhen he returned to Australia, Arena asked friend and Australian rules football player Garry Lyon for football advice for a book idea. Lyon told Arena that he would like to help write the book and they worked together to create Specky Magee.[1] Eight books in the Specky Magee series were published between 2002 and 2011.[1] Arena adapted his 2017 novel The Boy and the Spy for the stage in Geneva, before it was performed at St Margaret's Berwick Grammar School.[1] His four-part series Besties was released in 2020. From 2018 - 2022 Arena released his CBCA notable middle-grade historical books Fearless Frederic and A Great Escape. His historical novel The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan was long-listed for the ARA Historical Awards. Most recently Arena's picture books Pasta! and Cheese! were released. [1]
Books
edit- Wish (2005)
- Stick Dudes #1 Water Fight Frenzy (2009)
- Stick Dudes #2 Champions of the World (July 2010)
- Stick Dudes #3 The Secret Four-ce (July 2010)
- Farticus Maximus #1 Other Stories that Stink! Australia (2008) UK (April 2010) Canada (Sept 2011)
- Farticus Maximus # 2 Stink-Off Battle of the Century Australia (2009) UK (April 2011) Canada (January 2012)
- Farticus Maximus # 3 Bottomus Burps of Britannia (Oct. 2010)
- Whippersnapper (August 2011)
- Andy Roid and the Superhuman Secret (April 2012)
- Andy Roid and the Field Trip of Terror (April 2012)
- Andy Roid and the Camp Howl Crusaders (July 2012)
- Andy Roid and the Heroes of the Night (July 2012)
- Andy Roid and the Turbine Runaways (Oct 2012)
- Andy Roid and the Sinister Showdown (Oct 2012)
- Andy Roid and the Unexpected Mission (Aug 2013)
- Andy Roid and the Tracks of Death (Aug 2013)
- Andy Roid and the Missing Agent (Sept 2013)
- Andy Roid and the Avalanche of Evil (Sept 2013)
- Sporty Kids – Footy! (May 2015)
- Sporty Kids – Swimming! (May 2015)
- Sporty Kids – Tennis! (August 2015)
- Sporty Kids – Soccer! (August 2015)
- Sporty Kids – Basketball! (April 2016)
- Sporty Kids – Handball! (April 2016)
- Sporty Kids – Cricket! (October 2016)
- Sporty Kids – Netball! (October 2016)
- Sporty Kids – Little Athletics! (February 2017)
- The Boy and the Spy (April 2017)
- Fearless Frederic (April 2018)
- A Great Escape (March 2019)
- The Besties to the Rescue (January 2020)
- The Besties Show and Smell (January 2020)
- The Besties Party On (June 2020)
- The Besties Make a Splash (June 2020)
- The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan (March 2022)
Picture books
edit- Sally and Dave, A Slug Story Australia (2007) US (2008)
- Hey, Cat! (June 2008)
- Pasta! Australia (April 2023) Pasta! These Names are Fun to Say (October 2024)
- Cheese! October 2024
Specky Magee
editThe Specky Magee series, written by Arena and his former schoolmate and Melbourne Football Club star Garry Lyon,[citation needed] have also been shortlisted for Australian Children Choice awards—including three-time winner of the Young Australian Best Book Award. There are eight books in the series.[citation needed]
- The Specky Magee series (co-written with Garry Lyon):
- Specky Magee (2002)
- Specky Magee & the great footy contest! (2003)
- Specky Magee and the Season of Champions (2004)
- Specky Magee and the Boots of Glory (2005)
- Specky Magee and a Legend in the Making (2006)
- Specky Magee and the Spirit of the Game (2007)
- Specky Magee and the Battle of the Young Gun (2009)
- Specky Magee and the best of Oz (2011)
As contributor
edit- Arena, Felice (2007). "Contributor". Laugh Even Louder!. By Camp Quality. Gosford, New South Wales: Scholastic Australia Pty Limited. ISBN 978-1-74169-022-4.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Hadfield, Shelley (9 March 2019). "King of the kids". Herald Sun. Retrieved 17 September 2024 – via Gale.
- ^ "Felice Arena, Author". Bookedout Speakers Agency. Archived from the original on 18 December 2007. Retrieved 2 February 2008.
- ^ Camp Quality (2007). Laugh Even Louder!. Gosford, New South Wales: Scholastic Australia Pty Limited. p. 9. ISBN 978-1-74169-022-4.
