Felice Arena


Felice Arena is an Australian children's author and illustrator. He created and co-wrote the bestselling football-themed Specky Magee series; the acclaimed historical novels The Boy and the Spy, Fearless Frederic, A Great Escape and The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan; and the picture books Pasta!, Cheese! and My Big Secret.

Early life

Arena was born in Kyabram, Victoria. He studied teaching at La Trobe University in Bendigo, Victoria and graduated in 1990. He decided to pursue a career in acting and writing. In 1992, he was cast as Marco Alessi in the Australian soap opera Neighbours. A year later, he relocated to the UK and was appearing in the West End when he began writing his first book in his dressing room.

Writing career

When he returned to Australia, Arena asked friend and Australian rules football player Garry Lyon for football advice for a book idea. Lyon told Arena that he would like to help write the book and they worked together to create Specky Magee. Eight books in the Specky Magee series were published between 2002 and 2011. Arena adapted his 2017 novel The Boy and the Spy for the stage in Geneva, before it was performed at St Margaret's Berwick Grammar School. His four-part series Besties was released in 2020. From 2018 - 2022 Arena released his CBCA notable middle-grade historical books Fearless Frederic and A Great Escape. His historical novel The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan was long-listed for the ARA Historical Awards. Most recently Arena's picture books Pasta!,''Cheese! and My Big Secret'' were released.

Books

  • Wish
  • Stick Dudes #1 Water Fight Frenzy
  • Stick Dudes #2 Champions of the World
  • Stick Dudes #3 The Secret Four-ce
  • Farticus Maximus #1 Other Stories that Stink! Australia UK Canada
  • Farticus Maximus # 2 Stink-Off Battle of the Century Australia UK Canada
  • Farticus Maximus # 3 Bottomus Burps of Britannia
  • Whippersnapper
  • Andy Roid and the Superhuman Secret
  • Andy Roid and the Field Trip of Terror
  • Andy Roid and the Camp Howl Crusaders
  • Andy Roid and the Heroes of the Night
  • Andy Roid and the Turbine Runaways
  • Andy Roid and the Sinister Showdown
  • Andy Roid and the Unexpected Mission
  • Andy Roid and the Tracks of Death
  • Andy Roid and the Missing Agent
  • Andy Roid and the Avalanche of Evil
  • Sporty Kids – Footy!
  • Sporty Kids – Swimming!
  • Sporty Kids – Tennis!
  • Sporty Kids – Soccer!
  • Sporty Kids – Basketball!
  • Sporty Kids – Handball!
  • Sporty Kids – Cricket!
  • Sporty Kids – Netball!
  • Sporty Kids – Little Athletics!
  • The Boy and the Spy
  • Fearless Frederic
  • A Great Escape
  • The Besties to the Rescue
  • The Besties Show and Smell
  • The Besties Party On
  • The Besties Make a Splash
  • ''The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan''

    Picture books

  • Sally and Dave, A Slug Story Australia US
  • Hey, Cat!
  • Pasta! Australia Pasta! These Names are Fun to Say
  • Cheese! October 2024
  • My Big Secret February 2025

    Specky Magee

The Specky Magee series, written by Arena and his former schoolmate and Melbourne Football Club star Garry Lyon, have also been shortlisted for Australian Children Choice awards—including three-time winner of the Young Australian Best Book Award. There are eight books in the series.
  • The Specky Magee series :

    As contributor

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