Otis Ottley and the School in the Sky by Will Kostakis

"What else had I forgotten? How much of Mum had I lost without even noticing?"

The opening scene in this book is SO intriguing. Two boys are standing on a lawn in front of an elevator. By page two we discover that this elevator takes kids to the 'School in the Sky' named Manor. You can see it on the book cover (art by Hana Kinoshita Thomson). One huge complication, though, is that his boarding school is for rich kids and Otis Ottely does not come from a wealthy family. Elevators appear in random places in the town of West Orlow but luckily technology can help. The weather radar meteorologist now adds a tiny yellow dot to his weather map showing where elevator has descended in the town and, so on this day, Otis plans to board the elevator so he can join this school. There are, however, lots of holes in this plan including wearing the correct school uniform.

So, what is going on with Otis Ottley and his family? Why is he trying so hard to reach this school? In the beginning it is simply because he would like to attend a different and possibly better school but then he meets one of the students and everything changes.

His dad owns an ice cream shop but recently another business has been opened by Tabitha Tabernacle who is a Manor graduate. This means her ice cream is made with, or better yet curated, with magic. Dad keeps trying to perfect new flavours and he says there is room for two ice cream establishments in their town. But is this really true? Since the death of his mum Otis's dad has withdrawn into his own thoughts.

Otis uses a tennis ball to talk to his mum. It has a Y and an N. He asks a question, tosses the ball and reads the answer. This sounds like a good plan but sadly, Otis has begun to forget precious memories of his time with his mum. Then a boy, called Keean, lands in West Orlow. He has been or is a Manor student and he has been experimenting with something that might just help Otis but others want to reclaim this magic and so the race is on!

I read Otis Ottley and the School in the Sky three times. YES, I really did enjoy it hence the four stars BUT my reading was overshadowed by the publisher listing ages 9-13 recommended. The cover has a younger vibe, but I think this book will better suit readers aged 11+. The main characters are in High School and aged 14. The book references The Merchant of Venice (possibly no 9-year-olds will be familiar with this play); and there are a few language issues with words like pissed and sparrow's fart but on the other hand I really appreciated the sophisticated vocabulary used in this book: words like reminisced; aplomb; gregarious; incredulous; philistine; sheeny; and covert ( and there are heaps more).

The Teacher Librarian in the story is named Mr Darcey (I like this), but he specialises in giving the kids books "that are equal parts gory and romantic, and super sweary." Again, this sounds like a phrase you might use with a Young Adult audience.

I think Otis Ottley will be a perfect book for a young High School (boy) who is a reluctant (but capable) reader who is sure to be attracted by the book length - short - and perhaps the cover (although that does look a little junior to me). There are some laugh out loud moments in this story and the plot twists and turns kept me turning the pages once I conquered the rhythm of Will's writing - he is excellent at leaving a reader to 'join the dots' in the narrative and so demands that, as a reader, you do pay very close attention to every word of every sentence - this is not a book to skim and scan. Behind all the humour, there is also a layer of poignancy and desperation in this story which you can feel from the quote at the start of this post. 

Here is a quote from the Teachers Notes which contains an interview with Will Kostakis: ‘In media, we like to treat drama and comedy as silos, but in life, they bleed together, and I always want my work to honestly reflect that. Getting the balance right is something I’ve learned to do over time, choosing the right joke for the right moment, and trusting that when the book requires it, readers will engage with something serious without me clowning out.’

Bookseller blurb: Otis Ottley is an ordinary boy who yearns to go to the magic school in the sky. And he will stop at nothing to make it happen. A funny and warm middle-grade novel about finding the magic in everyday life, from a much-loved, award-winning Australian author. Otis Ottley lives in the shadow of the Manor School for Magic. Literally. It's an island hovering over his town, and he's determined to reach it. While many kids dream of roaming the prestigious institution's halls, casting spells and conjuring spectacles, Otis has a very specific mission: to seek magical help remembering something very, very important. The odds are stacked against him, but Otis will break into magic school. Or at the very least, he will break a few rules trying.

The story is slightly Harry Potterish with a magical boarding school in the sky, but it also has a beautiful heart as young Otis desperately wants to bring his mum back. I also loved his emotional intelligence as he tries so hard not to upset his dad. Will Kostakis has created a fun side kick character for Otis named LJ - his role is to act as the 'voice of reason' along with supporting Otis as he tries to reach the school and find the memories of his mum. LJ is a terrific friend.

Some of the best scenes (I know this sounds very strange) take place in the nursing home on the outskirts of West Orlow where Otis goes to visit his grandmother. She is a feisty character with huge opinions and colourful clothes. I totally related to her horror of nursing home 'arts and crafts' activities and her 'busy body' personality.

"Nan lives on the second floor in what's basically a hospital room, but she's draped doilies over everything so it feels like home."

There are also some very imaginative ideas in this book such as bilocated paper - it is paper that appears magically and then words appear as if there is an invisible person writing them. Such a fun way to communicate with no need for devices! I also like the name Otis Ottley - the alliteration and the way, when he spells his name, Otis will need to say one 't' then double 't'.

It’s funny, it’s emotional and it’s fast-paced, with short chapters that keep the story moving so readers who don’t like long books, reluctant readers or readers just looking for something a bit lighter if they have been reading a lot of longer stuff can enjoy it. ... many readers will enjoy and find something to engage with, ... there is a sense of seriousness, a gravitas running through that shapes the story and makes Otis the character he is. It helps us as readers understand him and connect to him, and for readers who may have gone through what he has, it is a solid and meaningful reminder that they are not alone in the world and what they might be going through. The Book Muse

Here are some other Young Adult titles by award winning author Will Kostakis. His first novel, Loathing Lola, was released when he was just nineteen, and his second, The First Third, won the 2014 Gold Inky Award. It was also shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year and Prime Minister’s Literary awards. Will Kostaskis won the IBBY Australia Ena Noel award in 2018.

I had this book from 2014 - Stuff Happens Sean in my previous library - I plan to hunt it out and read it because I really enjoyed the style of writing in Otis Ottley.

Today I attended an event at Gleebooks Kids where Will Kostakis talked about his new book with fellow author Jack Heath (Jack Heath also won our IBBY Ena Noel Award). 

Just stop and think for a minute about these splendid events at Gleebooks Kids. We all know how much work goes into an author visit - most Teacher-Librarians host these important events once or twice a year or maybe in some cases (in wealthy schools) once each term. But think about Rachel Robson who hosts two author/book events EVERY Saturday. Exhausting but also fantastic. 

Back to the author talk today. I actually cheered when Jack Heath listed books that may have influenced Will Kostakis - of course he mentioned the obvious one which is Harry Potter, and also Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator but then Jack Heath named the short story Smart Ice Cream by Paul Jennings. Woohoo - this is a longtime favourite of mine. I have read it to hundreds of kids in my school library.

Here is a summary of Smart Ice Cream from Unreal: An ice-cream seller called Mr. Peppi has special ice-creams that have effects such as making people happier, shortening peoples' noses, removing pimples, and making people smarter. A smart but arrogant boy who is always top of the class gets jealous, because he never ever gets any of the ice-cream and also because one of his classmates becomes as good as him, so he ruins the ice-cream business by destroying all the ice-cream except the one that makes people smarter. He then proceeds to eat that one, only to find out that it actually makes people less smart.

Through the conversation between Will and Jack we learnt that this book Otis Ottley and the School in the Sky not only had long ago origins (back when Will was in Grade One!) but that it went through many drafts and plot changes - a good lesson for young readers about the importance of patience and perseverance along with striving to make your story or book the best it can be for your readers.

A few things Will Kostakis mentioned:

• The magic in the town of West Orlow needed to sound like a natural part of everyday life.
• Otis doesn't express his feelings, but we do know them through his actions (Jack Heath pointed this out).
• Jack Heath also said that Otis Ottley and the School in the Sky has 47 chapters and 47 plot twists all in 150 pages. Then Will explained his plan was for 130 pages but he went slightly over.
• The rich vocabulary used in this story was a deliberate choice (hooray!)
• The name LJ was inspired by the child of a friend.
• Will Kostakis is an author who does his best work under the pressure of a deadline. 
• At a deeper level this story shows the rich poor divide especially between Private and Public Schools - the discussion then turned to the way this is often reflected in the school facilities such as the school library.
• The bookseller's name Arabella Moriarty was a deliberate nod to the famous Australian children's author Jaclyn Moriarty.
• New books coming from Will Kostakis - possibly a sequel to Otis Ottley; a title for the Your Kids Next Read series for young readers (Affirm Press); and a new Young Adult title. 

Questions I didn't ask today (I never ask questions which I know is silly):

Do you think kids need to know the plot of or read the play of The Merchant of Venice which you reference in your story - it seems like quite a key plot point towards the end of the book.

I loved the scenes in the nursing home - can you talk about these - for example do you have an elderly relative living in care? You created such scenes and a terrific character with this grandmother.

It sounds like your editor had a huge role in the creation of this book - can you talk a little more about how this process works?

Companion book (this is a more serious book about a boy who visits an aged care home and all the different people he interacts with):

Not Nothing

Will Kostakis is also the National Judge for the Kids' Cancer Project - Write a Book in a Day. I am one of the State level judges (Primary division).

IBBY Who What and Why

IBBY is an non-profit organization that was founded in Zurich, Switzerland in 1953. Today, it is composed of 85 Sections all over the world. It represents both countries with well-developed book publishing and literacy programmes 

and countries with only a few dedicated professionals who are doing pioneer work in children's book publishing and promotion.

In social situations I am often asked about IBBY. It is difficult to know how much detail to explain and exactly what to say and an even bigger puzzle, which I cannot answer in this post, is whether I should try to entice the questioner into joining IBBY Australia. But first I will focus on the bigger international picture by starting point with the IBBY Children in Crisis Fund:

Go to the webpage and click on each image to read more

IBBY also compile and maintain several very important book lists and collections - Silent Books (wordless); International Honour Books; Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities (Australian list is here); Children's Books from and about Palestine; Books to support the Sustainable Development Goals; and IBBY-UNESCO Collection of Remarkable Books in Indigenous and Endangered Languages.

I recently read a fabulous interview between the US IBBY president Susan Polos and Betsy Bird. I am going to quote large chunks of it here.

Betsy: The other day a librarian colleague of mine reached out to me. They found that after years of doing their job they found themselves in a bit of a slump. They were hoping to find new outlets of interest in the world of children’s literature to pursue. At the same time I was also meeting with a newly minted children’s librarian, fresh out of library school. For her, she was looking for ways to advance her career. Or, maybe, just keep in touch with the wider world of children’s books out there.

Enter the USBBY. And it’s not a new organization, not by any means. But to get at its origins you need to look at another organization first. In 1953 The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) was founded, based on the vision of its creator, Jella Lepman. IBBY´s mission is to promote international understanding through children’s books. And USBBY is the U.S. national section of IBBY.

All well and good, but what’s the organization do? And what’s the advantage to joining? To answer that, we’re talking today to the President of USBBY, Susan Polos. After all, there’s no better way to get some answers than to start asking some questions.

For folks unfamiliar with the organization, can you tell us a little bit about what it is and what it does?

Susan: The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) is the United States’ section of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). As such, it works with 84 other sections to promote increased international understanding through sharing outstanding books for children and young adults.

What, would you say, are the benefits of seeing books for children from all over the world?

Susan: Reading books from other countries and cultures broadens children’s awareness of the world and their place in a global society.

If a person is interested in learning more about books for kids from other countries, what’s the best way that they can begin their education? Where should they be looking? What would you recommend that they read?

Susan: Read works by recipients of the Hans Christian Andersen Award to understand global narrative and artistic traditions. Consult curated reading lists such as IBBY Honour Lists. Explore catalogs from independent presses specializing in translated and international children’s literature. Engage with academic journals, conferences, and university coursework focused on comparative children’s literature. Develop critical awareness of translation, cultural context, and representation when selecting and sharing international texts. And note how illustrations are often so distinctly different from what we are used seeing.

Use global awards/international lists as entry points, not endpoints, asking why certain books are recognized and others are not. When you read books from other countries, pay attention to how you feel after reading these books. Sometimes the plot in books from non-Western countries are not in the order of “starting point-climax of the story-ending” because there are many other types of storytelling such as circular narratives, nested stories, etc.

And if a person were interested in joining USBBY (or IBBY or  IBBY Australia), what could they expect? 

Susan: There is an IBBY Congress in Ottawa with the theme “Listening to Each Other’s Voices” this August (2026). ... Whenever you do anything with IBBY or USBBY, you can be assured that you will be surrounded by some of the most wonderful people in publishing and education you will ever know. You can expect to grow and learn and be very glad you joined!

In these terrible times, we look for hope. ... USBBY (and IBBY) will continue to be engaged in uplifting stories that represent many different cultures and that speak to and celebrate diversity within cultural groups. Jella Lepman, a founder of IBBY, believed that books for children could help heal the world after the atrocities of WWII. We need healing now, don’t we? I agree with you that people who love children’s books are some of the kindest and most open-minded people. ...  International children’s books (are) as USBBY’s mission declares, they are a bridge to understanding. Thank you!

Back to IBBY Australia - celebrating 60 years in 2026:

IBBY Australia, was established in 1966 and Ena Noël, OAM became its first president remaining in this role for over 20 years.  Australia has twice hosted International Children’s Book Day the annual international celebration on behalf of IBBY.  The first time was in 1978, when Colin Thiele wrote the message and Robert Ingpen illustrated the poster with a picture from Storm Boy supported by a grant from the Literature Board.  The second time was in 1988, when Patricia Wrightson wrote the message The Magic Carpet, and Robert Ingpen again illustrated the poster with an image from The Idle Bear with support from the Bicentennial Authority.

IBBY Australia nominates Australian children’s authors and illustrators for the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Awards.  The Hans Christian Andersen Award is the highest international recognition given to an author and an illustrator of children’s books. The award is made to a living author and illustrator whose body of work has made a lasting contribution to children’s literature. In 1986, both Hans Christian Andersen Awards were won by Australians: Patricia Wrightson for writing and Robert Ingpen for illustration. Our 2026 nominees were Bruce Whatley (illustration) and Emily Rodda (writing). 

Here is our 2026 IBBY Australia International Children's Book Day Video which celebrates our 60th. 

Take a look at our past Newsletters and read about the prestigious Ena Noel Award.

Purpose and goals:

• To promote international understanding through children’s books
• To give children everywhere the opportunity to have access to books with high literary and artistic standards
• To encourage the publication and distribution of quality children’s books, including those in their own languages (eg the Indigenous languages across Australia)
• To provide support and training for those involved with children and children’s literature
• To stimulate research and scholarly works in the field of children’s literature

I highly recommend these two books about the founder of IBBY Jella Lepman.  Click the link below each book to read more about this feisty, determined woman who had a wonderful vision for a better world. 

Jella Lepman and her library of dreams

The Lady with the Books

Ena Nöel shortlist from IBBY Australia

 

The IBBY Australia Encouragement Award for a 

Young  emerging Author or Illustrator

Ena Noël Award Shortlist 2022

IBBY Australia will announce the winner on International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) 2nd April 2022. Join IBBY Australia now because, alongside this announcement of the Ena Nöel winner, we have a wonderful surprise project to share with our members as our celebration of ICBD this year. 

The panel of judges are pleased to announce the Ena Nöel shortlist:

Freda Chiu, A Trip to the Hospital (Allen & Unwin)

Allen and Unwin: Freda Chiu is an author and illustrator from Sydney, Australia. As well as illustrating children's books, her work spans comics, editorial and retail graphics. Outside her art practice, Freda lectures in Illustration at the University of Technology Sydney.

Kay Kerr, Please Don’t Hug Me (Text Publishing)

Text Publishing: Kay Kerr is a former journalist and community newspaper editor from Brisbane, now living on the Sunshine Coast with her husband and daughter and working as a freelance writer.

Gary Lonesborough, The Boy from the Mish (Allen & Unwin)

Allen and Unwin: Gary Lonesborough is a Yuin man, who grew up on the Far South Coast of NSW as part of a large and proud Aboriginal family. Growing up a massive Kylie Minogue and North Queensland Cowboys fan, Gary was always writing as a child, and continued his creative journey when he moved to Sydney to study at film school. Gary has experience working in Aboriginal health, the disability sector (including experience working in the Youth Justice System), and the film industry. He was Bega Valley Shire Council Young Citizen of the Year, won the Patrick White Young Indigenous Writers' Award, and has received a Copyright Agency First Nations Fellowship.

Jessica Miller, The Republic of Birds (Text Publishing) 

Text Publishing: Jessica Miller is a children’s writer and PhD student from Brisbane, currently living in Germany. She has written for a variety of publications including Kill Your Darlings and Stilts. Her first novel, Elizabeth and Zenobia, was shortlisted for the Text Prize, the Readings Prize and was a CBCA Notable Book.

Kamsani Bin Salleh, What do you call a baby…? (Magabala Books)

Magabala Books: Kamsani Bin Salleh is descended from the Nimunburr, Bunuba and Yawuru peoples of the Kimberley and the Ballardong Noongar people of the Perth region in WA. He is an emerging artist/multi-media practitioner who is garnering attention for his ability to reflect the natural world with intricate designs and striking black line work. In 2016, Kamsani was one of ten artists asked to capture their view of Perth and WA as part of PerthNow’s 10th birthday celebrations. That same year he was awarded an Indigenous Creators Scholarship through Magabala Books to develop his skills as an illustrator. He holds a Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies from the University of WA and is currently the Creative Art Director for UniHall at UWA.

Kirli Saunders, Bindi illustrated by Dub Leffler (Magabala Books) 

Magabala Books: Kirli Saunders is a proud Gunai Woman and award-winning international writer of poetry, plays and picture books. She is a teacher, cultural consultant and artist. In 2020, Kirli was named the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year. Her verse novel, Bindi (Magabala Books) was the inaugural winner of the WA Premier's Book Awards. 

About the Award

In 1994, founding president of IBBY Australia, Ena Noël OAM , founded her own biennial prize  – the Ena Noël Award – to encourage young emerging writers and illustrators. The name was chosen, not so that Ena’s name would live on, but so that it was apparent to all concerned that she – someone highly regarded in the field – was trying to assist up-and-coming young Australian authors and illustrators for children. The award is a silver medallion designed by the first winner of the award, the Australian Aboriginal writer/illustrator Arone Raymond Meeks.

The IBBY Australia Encouragement Award for Children’s Literature is presented to a young developing Australian writer or illustrator.  Only books by Australian creators published in the two years prior to the particular closing date can be nominated by the publishers for the Ena Noël award.  The nominated creator must be under the age of 35 at the time the title (or titles) for which they are nominated was published.  Any nominated author or illustrator has to be deemed by the judges to be worthy of encouragement.

Past Winners

2020 Jack Heath for 500 Minutes of Danger

2018 Will Kostakis for The Sidekicks

2016 Kate Gordon for Writing Clementine

2014 Melissa Keil for Life in Outer Space

2012 Amy Barker for Omega Park

2010 Lili Wilkinson for Scatterheart

2008 Markus Zusak for The Book Thief

2006 Anthony Eaton for Fireshadow and The girl in the cave

2004 Alyssa Brugman for Walking Naked

2002 Beth Norling for Cherryblossom and the Golden Bear (2000)

2000 Catherine Jinks for Piggy in the Middle (1998)

1998 Tohby Riddle for The Tip at the End of the Street (1996)

1997 Steve Woolman for his body of work

1996 Sonya Hartnett for Wilful Blue (1994)

1994 Arone Raymond Meeks for Enora and the Black Crane (1991)