Testimonials & Press

" We had a lovely day with you, all three sessions went well and our Year 9 pupils enjoyed hearing about your journey to publishing your book 'Home'. We were so happy with how the day went. I would definitely recommend you to other schools in the future."

"It was a pleasure to welcome author of ‘Home’ @MarkBallabon to speak to our Year 8 students today. His book tells the story of 14yr old Leah, who expands her horizons on a journey of self discovery, & touches on many of the issues our young people are concerned about."

"A fantastic day with @MarkBallabon who has been an inspiration to our students.We hope to have Mark return in the future for the second and third books of #leahsuniversetrilogy"

“It was great to hear about Mark’s work… it was really interesting and informative to learn more about his approach to climate activism.”

Mark spoke to students about his new book 'Home: My Life in the Universe'. Students were fascinated by the story as all its characters were based on real people and it was edited by young people. Students were then able to get their books signed and engage Mark in philosophical discussions.

“The author event with Mark was amazing. I have just received an email from one of the parents which I feel goes a long way to explain how the pupils felt “ : Good morning, I just wanted to pop a quick email to thank you for organising the author visit. Reading has never come particularly easy to my son, but this year he is really trying hard, and the positive reinforcement of this has really gone a long way. He was so inspired when he came home yesterday, shared some facts that he’d discovered and was keen to get reading (as am I when he has finished!) Thank you again for this opportunity Thank you again for organising this for us. Many thanks, Clare.

"Positive teen-fiction books on the climate crisis are rare but vital. Home - my life in the universe is a fabulous read for KS3. Watching author Mark Ballabon talking relationships, philosophy & environment with pupils today was joyful."

I’ve had lots of pupils coming to talk to me about the book and how much they’ve enjoyed it – and lots still keen to read it! Some of our most reluctant readers (many of them will say they ‘hate reading’) have spoken to me to say they want to know more about the book and about Leah’s story. The pupils who attended the creative writing classes, in particular my high achiever’s book club, have had so many new ideas and inspiration following their sessions with Mark. I think there are a lot of different things that students will take from reading the book. We have some students who are keen environmentalists who will really appreciate the climate change aspects of the book. We have students who struggle with things such as self-confidence and body image and navigating their relationships with their peers who will see a lot of themselves in Leah. Our KS3 pupils will be lucky to read this book.

“We had such a wonderful day. Mark and his team were fantastic to work with. The students really enjoyed Mark’s presentations, as did the staff. We’re more than happy to invite him back to the school in the near future.”

“Mark encouraged our Year 8 students to engage in their own thought-provoking tasks and challenged their inquisitive minds with philosophical questions... I was immensely impressed by our students' appreciation and enthusiasm, and I hope this visit has further piqued their interest in reading.”

“Mark's Climate workshop for the Eco Council and Science magazine was fantastic. He gave clear examples of how the choices he makes every day relate to the environment, including what he buys, eats and wears, and challenged us to make similar choices. He also got the pupils to act out a section of his book in which the characters are arguing and discussing the state of the planet and what will happen if we continue to behave as we do. It was a clever way of getting the pupils to think of the planet as our home and something we must protect at all costs.”

“Through our visitor Mark Ballabon’s “unique perspective on life” our students got to explore topics such as self-image, the importance of the relationship with ourselves, and how the ‘temperature’ inside of us can affect how we interact with the environment around us. Our students loved the opportunity to think deeper, learn how the mind operates and how our actions and emotions represent people’s lives. They also liked how representative Mark’s book was, due to his close collaboration with young teenagers throughout his writing process. “The book feels very suitable to us”, several students said - and it has received enthusiastic praise from students who have read it.”

"Muy buen libro con ideas importantes para la vida"

"Chapters become windows – sheer genius! Can’t recommend highly enough for adults, teenagers and anyone looking for some magical insights and inspiration. It’s packed with so many positive messages. It touches on major issues such as bullying at school and body image, together with addressing the vital need to be proactive in slowing down global warming."

"CAPTIVATING! A first person plot, set in the modern day, with an optimistic teenage girl as lead… could I ask for anything better?”

"Where do I start, this book is hands down one of the most beautiful stories I've read, and definitely up there with my favourite books! A beautifully written story, which is thought provoking, inspirational and a book that everyone needs to read at some point throughout their life.”

"I felt like I was friends with Leah. I could feel her anxiety and worry, I could relate to her thoughts and I wish I have had a Maia when I was younger for support. I loved Leah's relationship with nature. The care, the love, the respect, the understanding. It is a great lesson for every reader. Without a shadow of a doubt, 5⭐”

"Every so often you come across a book that belongs in every high school library in the world. Home is one such book. It’s a wonderful coming of age story. The illustrations by Grant MacDonald really help to draw the reader into Leah’s universe, even more, giving a true insight into her thoughts and feelings.”

Just finished Home by Mark Ballabon …speechless, such a beautiful message to all our us in this universe and beyond. Thank you!

“Where do I start, this book is hands down one of the most beautiful stories I've read, and definitely up there with my favourite books! A beautifully written story, which is thought provoking, inspirational and a book that everyone needs to read at some point throughout their life. The illustrations are stunning, as are the cover images. It has a diverse range of characters, who all have their flaws and it was lovely seeing them develop throughout the pages. The topics covered are current and global warming is something we should all be made aware of, and the damage we as humans are causing to our 'home'. I can't wait to read Dragonfly now.”

“This is a beautiful book in its content, its writing and its stunning illustrations. In my opinion it would appeal to any teenager of any gender, any parent, in fact anyone! The journey of self-discovery of 14 year old Leah Greene is wonderfully described by the author Mark Ballabon. Her summer camp experience took me back decades to a Girl Guides World Jamboree I attended when I was about Leah’s age. Reluctant to go and then reluctant to leave I too had grown in so many ways over a few short weeks. In a period where there are such social media pressures, particularly on young people, this book has an innocence and a timelessness, whilst still very much of this challenging era we live in. I love the themes of astronomy, astrology, climate change, friendship, family, insecurity, destiny. I can’t wait to read the other two parts of the trilogy. A sprinkling of stardust and hope. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.”

“This book touches on everything from etymology to more traditional teen issues of school bullies and body image issues and the ever-increasing urgency to act to slow down global warming… This is a book with a lot of positive message and would be a good introduction into more philosophical thinking.”

“I really enjoyed the wider questions Home provides its readers… I think this is a great book to inspire young minds and to teach important lessons about acceptance, teamwork and standing up for what you believe in. A great book for inquisitive readers! This is a book that should be given to all teens to help them on their journey through life.”

“Once in a while a precious book comes along that finds a way to gently hold your hand, tug your heart, and help you understand the strangely curious world you live in. Home is THAT precious book for you. Home makes your mind wander and meander, and leaves you with a different, more hopeful way of looking at the world around you… I really wish I had read this book growing up, but well, better late than never.”