A young witch. A grumpy dormouse. A magical adventure!
This is how the debut novel of newly published author Matt Ralphs was introduced to Year 7 when he visited the school on Tuesday 13 October. Matt was recommended to us by the Lancashire Libraries Service and when Mrs Smith, the Librarian and Mrs Fish, the KS3 Literacy Co-ordinator, read the book they immediately booked him for a personal appearance.
Matt was an interesting and amusing presenter who enthralled the students with tales of his childhood spent in a dark, Victorian manor house – which stimulated his interest in all things gothic! He then spoke very thoughtfully about how he made his creations come alive on the page and how much hard work went into writing his first novel whilst he was living on a canal boat without electricity.
Against a background of atmospheric music, a darkened hall and a collage of creepy images, Matt read a passage from the novel that clearly captivated and stimulated his audience judging by the many and varied questions posed at the end. After the presentation, Matt enthusiastically signed copies of the book.
Both Matt and his team commented on the interest in reading shown by our students and how impressed they were with their conduct.
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