On Thursday the 6th the first years were treated to a visit from renowned young adult author Lari Don. She captivated the first years with tales of monsters, mayhem and magic from some of her novels such as “Mindblind” and “Spell Chasers”. These went down well with the first years and kept them thoroughly interested, nothing at all to do with them missing 7th period classes. Lari involved the first years, encouraging them to come up with their own stories.
Her enthusiasm for story telling was infectious and she enthused, “Words are magical they take you anywhere in the world”. Saint Aidan’s pupils did not disappoint. From ideas like a magical stop watch, to taking over the world, an invisible car and lots of explosions, the ideas of the first years poured out in discussion. Lari encouraged the first years to pursue these ideas exclaiming “That’s how stories happen!”
The school librarian Miss McGough commented that it was a “very successful visit by a popular children’s author”. Miss McGough also pointed out that this fabulous visit was supported by “Reading to Succeed initiative” which is targeting children to encourage them to read for pleasure as well as help them to do well later in life.
The initiative means that every secondary school in north Lanarkshire is getting a visit from an established author. The first years snapped up copies of “Mindblind”,” Spell Chasers” and “Kelpie” with a lucky few grabbing free copies as prizes. Who knows after the visit we could have inspired the next Roald Dahl or JK Rowling?
By Joseph Cruickshank and Natalie Nolan
