A NEW book started by an Oxford children’s author who died of cancer three years ago is to be completed by another author.

Siobhan Dowd, of West Oxford, left the beginning of her fifth novel when she died in 2007, aged 47.

Now award-winning author Patrick Ness, who teaches creative writing in Oxford, has taken her preliminary pages and agreed to write a novel from them.

In the story, a boy whose mother is ill has to come to terms with her disease, and help arises from an unexpected source.

Denise Johnstone-Burt, of publisher Walker Books, which commissioned the original novel from Ms Dowd, said: “It’s a dark and funny imaginative journey, circling around the central image of the yew tree.

“We are delighted that such a fine writer as Patrick should have, as it were, teamed up with Siobhan to craft her initial work into a novel that reflects both her unique imagination and his genius.

“It is an incredibly exciting fusion of talent that I’m certain would have delighted Siobhan were she alive today.”

Ms Dowd’s sister Denise said: “I’m reading Patrick Ness’ book The Knife of Never Letting Go at the moment and enjoying it hugely.

“I’m delighted that such an eminent author is prepared to take on this task and I’m sure the result will be well worth it.”

Mr Ness, an occasional lecturer at Oxford University’s Department of Continuing Education, said: “I never met Siobhan, but it feels as if I know her through her brilliant books.

“She was an irreverent and hugely welcoming writer, and I certainly don’t see this as a humourless, po-faced eulogy. I don’t get the feeling Siobhan would have liked that at all.

“There’s good mischief to be had.

“I can’t wait to get started.”

The book, for readers 10 and up, will be published in May 2011.

Ms Dowd’s second book Bog Child, won the Cilip Carnegie Medal, Britain’s main prize for children’s literature, in 2008.

Last year her novel Solace of the Road was also shortlisted for the Costa Book Awards.