Alan Gibbons: How can authors be ambassadors of love and respect?

Alan Gibbons is a children's author. He has won the Blue Peter 'Book I Couldn't Put Down' award and twelve other awards.

A recent article entitled ‘How can councils defeat the merchants of hate?’ appeared on this website. As part of the author’s peroration, he launched an attack on my novel The Edge, labelling it ‘unpleasant.’ Well, fair enough, I suppose. He has a right to his opinion, though over a hundred thousand people have bought this award-winning book and many more, through their library, have enjoyed it. It is a recommended read on the Key Stage 3 list.

The author’s objection to the novel is that it emphasises division and promotes racial antagonism. Really? How specifically does it do that, I wonder? The main protagonist Danny has a black dad and a white mum, though they are separated. At the opening of the novel it is clear that Danny lives in a harmonious, integrated community. He has friends from various ethnic backgrounds. So far, so problematic for the allegation of divisiveness.