INSPRING Aussie author Morris Gleitzman called in at school to say G’day to almost 200 students.

Year six pupils from local primary schools, as well as Year seven students from Carr Hill, packed into the LRC to listen to Mr Gleitzman’s witty stories about how he has actually gone about writing more than 30 children’s novels.

Tales of sourcing characters from baby naming books, to how some Australian children use less than humane methods to cull the Cane Toad population, had the youngsters in stitches.

But the award-winning author was also in town to promote his latest novel Now – the third and final instalment in his thought-provoking trilogy about the atrocities of the Holocaust.

The acclaimed trilogy, which begins with Once and Then, is the story of Jewish friends Felix and Zelda in Nazi-occupied Poland. In Now the story has moved to present-day Australia where Felix and his grand-daughter have to cope with catastrophic bush fires while also dealing with the ever-present past.

And Mr Gleitzman is hoping his introduction of the Holocaust to a young generation will encourage children to find out more.

He said: “I very much hope that by reading this trilogy it will lead children to other books.

“I have written these books very much through the eyes of a child and it is too important a subject to only read fiction about it. I hope these books prick the interest and that they will go on and read more and make their own decisions.”

LRC Manager Mrs Monk said Mr Gleitzman’s visit was hugely popular with the students, especially as Year 7 students already study some of his work in lessons.

Mrs Monk said: “It is fantastic for the children to meet an author who they have studied and enjoyed in school, in particular one who deals with such gritty subjects in a really sensitive but funny and accessible way.

“To welcome such authors into school is truly wonderful. Our students regularly get the opportunity to meet and question some brilliantly acclaimed writers which is such a great way of enhancing the world of literature for them.”

CARR HILL STUDENTS IN HOSTAGE DRAMA

Sophie Mckenzie chats to students and signs a copy of The Hostage for Aimee Dann

MIND-reading, predicting the future and the ability to move objects with one's thoughts were just some of the topics debated as Sophie McKenzie entertained more than 200 students while promoting her latest book - The Hostage.

The Hostage is the second book in the hugely popular Medusa series in which teenagers have been implanted with a gene giving them sensational powers to help them solve mysteries in a thriller setting.

This is the seventh book for the former journalist and for now it means she is living the dream.

Speaking to the crowd she said: “Once upon a time I had three goals and a dream. The dream was that I would write a book that people would want to read.”

And with sales totaling 300,000 books so far Ms McKenzie is realising that dream with plans to publish a further two titles this year as well as aspirations of writing a Doctor Who episode.

She added: “I love doing school visits, meeting the people who are reading my books. It’s a very isolating thing to write so it’s very rewarding to meet readers.

“I get really great feedback and it’s very important to be able to engage with readers and know what their world is all about.”

Mrs Monk, Learning Resource Centre manager, organised the event and said: “Once again we have had the privilege of welcoming an author to Carr Hill. It really is fantastic for students to hear first hand experiences from someone as talented as Sophie McKenzie and we are delighted she chose Carr Hill.

“The knowledge and inspiration an author brings to young minds is wonderful and I am delighted we are able to organise such events in our school.”

For more information on Sophie McKenzie visit www.sophiemckenziebooks.com

Caveney and Connelly - top authors visit Carr Hill

WILD AUTHOR DROPS IN FOR A CHAT

 Author Jane Eagland chats to Year 10 students before signing copies of Wildthorn

TEACHER turned author Jane Eagland returned to the classroom when she met students at Carr Hill High.

The newly published author visited school to promote her historic novel Wildthorn – a story about a 17 year old Victorian woman who finds herself trapped in a lunatic asylum.

It’s the first novel to be published for the former Lancashire school teacher who spent 26 years in the classroom before taking the plunge and becoming a full-time author eight years ago.

She said: “At the time I was hitting my 50^th birthday and I had wanted to write on and off for years. I just thought if I don’t do it now then I’ll regret it. So it was a bit of a gamble but I haven’t regretted it.

“It was only when I actually had a copy of the book in my hands that it felt real so to be able to come into a school is very exciting and I am very grateful.”

Her visit coincided with a creative writing module Year 10 students are currently studying giving them some insight into the mind of an author.

LRC manager Mrs Monk said visits like this are invaluable.

She said: “We are very thankful when an author visits school. It gives the students a much greater understanding of an author’s work and the way their mind collates facts before they are translated into a story.

“Jane Eagland is a fantastic new author and it was great to welcome someone so enthusiastic to talk to the students. Visits like this encourage a lot of students to expand their book choices and read more.”

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Hero's Welcome for Children's Author

Author Jonathan Stroud draws cartoons from his latest novel.

During his visit to Carr Hill he talked for an hour about his work before giving youngsters the opportunity to ask him questions.

And he said he really enjoys getting the opportunity to meet children in these settings.

He said: “It’s really important for the kids and the author, for everyone to meet.

“It’s not much good me just sitting for hours at a time writing.

“By meeting like this I can see what they are interested in and whether they like the books.

“It’s also really useful for them that they get to see what being an author is all about.”

Over the past 10 years Jonathan has published six novels along with several puzzle books for younger readers. The first volume of his Bartimaeus trilogy The Amulet of Samarkand is currently being considered by movie directors to be made into a film.

Carr Hill regularly invites authors to talk to students and for this visit the school welcomed pupils from Kirkham Grammar School, Baines High School, Poulton, and Preston’s Moor Park High School and Our Lady’s Catholic High to also take part.

Learning Resource Centre Manager Ann Monk said it is a very important part of learning for children.

She said: “We are delighted when any author takes the time to visit school and particularly delighted that Jonathan Stroud came to see us.

“This is a great opportunity for the students to really understand what being an author is about while hopefully encouraging them to read more.

“Children love his books and he was a really enthusiastic visitor who made this a really enjoyable event.”

 CARR HILL BOOKWORMS - BEST ON THE FYLDE

BOOKWORMS at Carr Hill proved they really know their Jacqueline Wilson from their Darren Shan when they took part in an international literary competition.

The team of Year 8 pupils took on 31 other teams from around the North West in the heat stages of the Annual Lit Quiz held at Bolton University.

And after answering a hundred questions on all types of children’s literature the Carr Hill team came fourth, with just a Lancaster school and two Cumbria schools beating them.

Learning Resource Centre Manager, Ann Monk, said the students gained much from the experience.

She said: “The team was brilliant, winning a group round and an individual cash prize.

“They really showed that teenagers do still love reading.”

This is the second time Carr Hill have entered a team into the regional heats of the competition.The winning UK team will get the opportunity to travel to South Africa next year for the world finals.