George and the Phoenix

It's the school holidays. George, a 9-year-old boy, is bored and unhappy. His mum is very sick. His dad has no time for fun anymore and his best friend is away.

A strange boy moves in next door. George discovers that he is a shapeshifter from another planet. The boy suggests a secret plan for George to get his happy life back. It involves unbelievable travel, excitement and danger.

Sharon Twidle lives near the small village of Cust in Canterbury New Zealand. She has led a varied life owning retail stores, a vineyard in sunny Marlborough and now trains racehorses with her husband of 44 years.

She has always loved writing keeping journals every day. When her grandchildren arrived, she decided to write stories for them. She completed creative writing courses with New Zealand Writers College and developed George Maltbury and the story George and the Phoenix.