View from the 32nd Floor

by Emma Cameron

Something special has been gifted to you. Join your neighbours, Saturday, 6.00 pm, on the roof. Living on the thirty-second floor of an apartment block, William has a clear view of the building opposite. He sees his neighbours eating ice-cream, watering potted palms, painting pictures ... or as shadows behind closed curtains. Shadows worry William. With his new friend Rebecca, and helped by lots of cake, a dictionary of names, tai chi, and banana-shaped sticky notes, he plans to tempt his lonely neighbours back into the world. Can they succeed? Always always.

151 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2013

About the author

I live on the NSW South Coast, delight in standing barefoot on floorboards warmed by sunlight, believe that cooking for others is a privilege and wish humans could grow more than one set of teeth. My favourite childhood haunt was the school library and I later worked in some so I could be home for my two children outside of school time. Once they were older, I worked in other places and it was not until 2005 that I immersed myself into the world of stories again.

I completed courses in Creative Writing, Short Story Writing, Professional Children’s Writing and Professional Editing (even though my favourite school subject was sport) and attended many writing workshops. When my short stories and novels gained places in writing competitions, I started sending to magazines and publishers who published my work. I’m a member of the Australian Society of Authors, The Children’s Book Council of Australia, NSW Writers’ Centre and South Coast Writers’ Centre.

Though I ponder lots without concluding anything, I know I could live happily without chocolate. Yes, really. I know the joy of growing sunflowers alongside blueberries, feel a jolt inside when a bird flies into a windowpane, think dictionaries are beautiful books and hope the sky never falls down. Cinnamon Rain is my first young adult novel.

Previous Publications: Secrets compiled by Stephen Matthews Ginnindera Press, short and scary by black dog books and various works in New South Wales School Magazine.

Reviews

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma Cameron’s “View from the 32nd Floor” introduces us to William, a fascinating boy who lives in a high-rise apartment in the city. William has a dictionary of names which he uses every day to rename himself appropriately to match his daily adventures. William is a caring person who has a good view of the high-rise building opposite. He knows most of the people inside the building, except for one… the apartment with the drawn curtains. William makes it his special mission to entice Mrs Stavros (from the drawn curtain apartment) to join her neighbours. Eventually, with a little help from his friend Rebecca and others, he invites all of his neighbours to a party on the rooftop!
Cameron has a knack of creating unique and interesting protagonists. This is a story of friendship, individuality, city life, and a multicultural community coming together. Highly recommended.

[C.J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the rekindling of a local community’s connection to one another, with its main focus on the elderly and disabled who usually find themselves alone.

It was very nice to read a book with so much kindness in it. Extremely uplifting. It was a pleasure to read!

I love how the description of the view the main character sees from his window progresses throughout the book.

The representation felt very human; these characters were written as people first, and not tokens or caricature of their age / disability / etc.

[Krysta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this book is just gorgeous! Such a beautiful telling of the importance of community. It was hopeful and warm, and a story many of us need. ❤️

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky boy brings together lonely people in his neighbourhood just be being observant and persistent. Wasn't hooked for the first couple of pages - but then I was. Nice message - a feelgood that is do-able for all. Good to have something different out there for children to read besides the fantasy or depressing doom and gloom of late.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

William lives in a city high rise apartment. He is nosey, but ultimately cares about his neighbours. He is particularly concerned about the occupant across from his, the person who never opens their blinds.
This is a book about caring and community, which our society does seem to be lacking, at times.

[The Bookshop Umina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the kids in our Junior Book Club felt this book was a bit boring, the slice-of-life style didn't particularly appeal to our adventure-hungry kids. Despite that, they gave it positive scores overall - 3/10/9/10/6.5/8