Wednesday I was in Sheffield to help launch their Year of Reading. There’ll be loads and loads more to come on that, and I’ll address it when it’s time, but what I wanted to talk about now was my part in it.
I was at Astrea Academy in the morning, working with Years 7 and 8, looking and embracing our ideas and not running away from our imaginations. I had an amazing couple of hours there and the stories and poems knocked my socks off. There was even a paper dragon in the library (it’s always a brilliant thing seeing a library in a school when so many have slipped away somewhere).
From there I dashed through Burngreave to Sheaf Training where I spent a brilliant afternoon working with some of the learners there, as well as some who’d made the trip from Bents Green. we wrote about emotions (because they’re everywhere, they’re who we are – sometimes brilliant and joyous, other times, not so much) and, again, I was blown away by what everyone achieved (and the marvellous staff costumes — meet: Wally, WonderWoman, and Oliver).
And I’m delighted to share some of the work here. It’s not often you can say you’ve been published and it’s an honour to have had a hand in that.
Huge thanks to all who worked so hard behind the scenes to make the day happen, and a big thanks too to everyone who welcomed me and helped out during the sessions – you’re brilliant too.
There’s also an interview up over at First Story’s website with current BBC Young Writer Award winner and Hive Young Writer, Georgie Woodhead. And me. We’re both talking about the prize and offering, I hope, a couple of helpful tips if you’re thinking of entering this year…
