Let’s face it, this is surely why children’s authors write. To thrill and fascinate young minds, to meet enthusiastic young readers. I couldn’t have dreamt of a better introduction to the world of author visits to a school than I had in Cambridge earlier this week.
At King’s College School and The Perse Preparatory School I was thoroughly charmed by students from Yrs 5, 6 and 7.
The King’s Yr 7’s were thoughtful, insightful and rather knowledgeable. When one girl asked me why I called the first Joshua book ‘Invisible City’ I had to admit that it was a nod to Italo Calvino – several students (aged 11-12) had actually heard of him…
The Perse Prep Yr 5 and 6 boys were cute, full of beans and enthusiasm. They listened to my talk quietly, then burst into life when I asked for questions and suggestions of titles for Book 2! I challenged them to solve a Rubik’s cube to win an “Uncle Scrooge Adventures” comic book I’d brought in…no-one knew how to do it, quite. But I wouldn’t be surprised if a year from now, lots of them can!
Thanks to the lovely librarians at both schools. Look at the wonderful display board they made at Perse Prep! I was totally blown away.
As one young man said that day…it was IMMENSE. There’s also an article about my Cambridge schools visits on themgharris.com
5 replies on “Hanging with the Cambridge schoolkids”
Hi Maria
Just got Invisible City from Waterstones in Newcastle. It’s the first book you notice as you descend the stairs to the children’s section. I must say I was impressed by the beginning, and didn’t expect it to begin with a blog entry. Surprising the reader is a good thing, especially if you pull it off – and you most certainly did! A great start. Immense describes Invisible City very well!
Es
Wow, es…thanks!
Oh no! “Immense” is my most hated word. Oh dear Vishnu it’s gotten to the UK already!? lol.
WOW, that is an awesome display, (yes awesome, call me hyprocritical…) Glad it went well!
I’m reading Joshua Files to my dad, he he, he’s liking it!
We just reached the most depressing bit i would say, i felt awful reading it again! But still, strangely enjoyable! (The sad bit that is, the rest of the books is even better!)
Keep reading Esruel! XD Page 132 is where you get to the point where you will read till 2012 to finish!
Lukas…
Funnily enough I just reached that part reading to my 6-year old daughter.
I’d love to read more, Lukas, and I don’t need much persuasion after MG’s beginning. Keep with it, mate. You will learn such a lot from MG, I promise you. I just don’t dare go any further. One day I will sit down with Invisible City and read the whole lot. But I have to write what I have to write, and books such as Invisible City will affect my thinking. Maybe there’s nothing too much wrong with that!!
I have so much to look forward to, though. Can’t be too bad, can it?