Author Di Walker with her four novels — Secret Keeper,Unpacking Harper Holt, Saving Charli and Every Thing We Keep.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Local author and St Mel’s Primary School learning diversity leader Di Walker has released her highly anticipated fourth novel, Secret Keeper.
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The book is already making waves across classrooms and bookshops in the Goulburn Valley.
Well known for her emotionally resonant storytelling, Walker’s latest middle-grade novel explores friendship, grief and the weight of keeping secrets — all set in the final months of primary school.
As her characters grapple with growing up, facing netball finals and navigating changes on the horizon, Walker delicately balances the challenges of youth with a sense of hope and resilience.
“These are issues that are very common for children and young people to work through,” Di said.
“I think it’s important to explore topics like the difficulties friendships can have, or the impact of grief. But it’s just as important to leave readers with a sense that everything will be okay.”
With previous titles including Unpacking Harper Holt, Every Thing We Keep, and Saving Charli, Walker continues to draw on her 10-year background as a counsellor to craft stories rich in emotional complexity and authenticity.
St Mel’s deputy principal Danae Napier said Di’s work had had a profound impact on students.
“Having Di on staff inspires our students immensely, encouraging their love of reading and writing by showing them what is possible through dedication, creativity and storytelling,” Ms Napier said.
The excitement is palpable at St Mel’s as students eagerly await copies of Secret Keeper to arrive in their school library — and many children are already planning to dress as Di’s characters for Book Week.
Some students, such as Stella Campi, even share a personal connection — with Stella’s mum making a cameo in the book. “Mum was pretty excited about it,” Stella said with a smile.
Student Ollie Napier said, “Di inspires my writing,” while Shiv Patel added, “Di has made me interested in books now.”
Di offered insight into her creative process.
“The character always comes to me with the first line, and then I just start writing,” she said.
“I never know where the story will lead — which is funny because as a teacher, I always taught my students to plan everything first.”
Secret Keeper is published by Scholastic Australia and aimed at readers aged eight and up.
Signed copies of Secret Keeper are available at Collins Booksellers Shepparton.
Secret Keeper can also be purchased at any good book store and online.
Front: Year 4 student Shiv Patel, Year 3 student Isra Khalid and learning diversity leader Di Walker. Back: Year 4 student Ollie Napier, Year 5 student Stella Campi and Year 4 student Parteet Kaur.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Learning diversity leader Di Walker reads her new book to St Mel’s students.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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