An Interview with Jenny about why she wrote
Daniel Barker: Journey to Egypt
Why did you write the Daniel Barker series?
I love Roald Dahl and was reading The Magic Finger. After finishing it, thoughts began to bounce around my head. I wanted to write a fun story about a child who had some type of power. Out of that initial thought, combined with an idea that came to me when I was using Twitter, the seed was planted.
I have always loved ancient Egypt with the pyramids, pharaohs and mummies etc. so I thought it would be awesome to have ancient Egypt as the backstory and then the setting for Journey to Egypt. I wanted magic and fantasy in the stories as this genre is fun to write, and I realised as I wrote the books that they were horror as well. This was a new genre for me to write but I had inspiration from Goosebumps.
All of my books have some type of bully or evil character, so Daniel Barker does as well. When I was thinking about the antagonist – the meanie, the thought of having multiple antagonists came to mind. This gave me the idea for the theme of peer pressure. I know from my own experience as a teacher, and from my youth work studies, that peer pressure is a major issue for children in high school.
I also hoped that boys who don’t like reading, might pick up the book and read it.
What is the story about?
The story is about Daniel Barker who receives a Egyptian magical book on his tenth birthday. The book gives him 99 wishes which must be used for the good of the world. He writes a wish by writing a hashtag and then what he wants. All goes well in primary school and Dan the Man is a superhero. He then goes on to high school where he unleashes the Mummy’s blight due to peer pressure and bullying. In this book Dan and Grandma go back to Egypt to try and stop the blight. They visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and the mummies come to life and chase Daniel. He meets Meryatum, Ramesses II’s son. Meryatum takes him to ancient Egypt and it is there the boys encounter many challenges and obstacles, in their quest. This is a story with suspense, horror and heaps of action!
What is your favourite part of the story?
I loved researching ancient Egypt, as ever since I was a girl I was fascinated by the pyramids and the sphinx. I remember hearing about the mummification process and being horrified by it – so of course I had to include that in the story!
What will people get out of the story?
Children will learn about ancient Egypt through the facts I have woven through the story. They will see a boy who is resilient and keeps on going towards his goal, with the help of a friend. And I definitely hope children will enjoy the story and be entertained by it.
Is there a Book 3 coming?
Yes, there will be a third where Dan goes back home from Egypt and tries to resume a normal life at home and school. You will have to wait and see what happens in it but like the other two books it will be full of action.
Where can people buy Daniel Barker from?
Daniel Barker: Journey to Egypt is available as a paperback. It can be purchased from many online bookstores which are listed on my website, and from me directly, via my website.