Teen Author Transforms Tragedy Into Children's Book Series

By age eight, Sarah Corbett Lynch had endured loss few could fathom, losing three parental figures and experiencing international moves due to family upheavals.

Sarah’s early life was marked by the passing of her birth mother in infancy. Subsequently, her father, Jason Corbett, an accomplished Irish entrepreneur, wed Molly Martens, an American who had been Sarah's nanny. The family relocated from Limerick to North Carolina.

However, tragedy struck again on August 2, 2015, when Jason Corbett was killed by Molly Corbett and her father, Tom Martens, in what they claimed was self-defense. This led to a bitter custody dispute between Molly and Jason's sister, Tracey Corbett-Lynch, which ended with the children moving back to Ireland to reside with their relatives.

Eventually, Molly and her father faced murder convictions but received new trials, resulting in reduced charges to voluntary manslaughter and subsequent releases after completing their sentences by mid-2024.

Faced with such adversity, Sarah chose to channel her pain into writing and, at 13, ventured into authoring children's literature.

Reflecting on her journey, Sarah noted, ‘While some children enjoy peaceful lives, others, like me, face immense hardships.’ Writing became her outlet, a way to feel less isolated and to process her experiences.

Her introductory book, 'Noodle Loses Dad,' part of the Boogawooga series, narrates the tale of wolf siblings coping with their father’s sudden disappearance at the hands of a vulture, finding refuge with a compassionate monkey family across the sea.

Each story reflects Sarah's real-life struggles, designed to resonate with children facing loss, dealing with new family dynamics, and adapting to drastic life changes.

Sarah's uncle, David Lynch, commented, ‘These narratives allow Sarah to express her stories in a way that other children navigating grief and life alterations can comprehend.’

The series illustrates how the orphans ultimately embrace a life they hadn't imagined, symbolizing hope and resilience. Sarah's achievements have been acknowledged by the Limerick Garda Youth Award, recognizing her as an inspiring young figure.