Welcome back
to Book Club Blog and welcome to our new users.
This year Book Club will meet on Tuesdays at 1pm in the school
library. Ruairidh and Tom from P6A will
keep you updated with what is being read and the new additions to our library.
Last year,
we were very lucky to have many visits from the poet and writer, Diana
Hendry. Diana first visited us in
November for Book Week Scotland and delivered poetry workshops to P6 and
P7. After that, she worked with P5A and
many other classes throughout the school inspiring us all to read and write
wonderful poems.
As usual,
Book Club requested an interview and Diana was kind enough to oblige, so what
better way to start the new school term than to reacquaint you with Diana and
her work. Here is a copy of the
interview conducted by last year’s P7 pupils.
1) We first met you in November during
our Book Week, when you delivered a Poetry workshop to P7. Since then, you have visited our school on
many occasions. What is it you enjoy about
school visits and visiting this school in particular?
A) I am very keen on poetry so I like to
encourage children to write poetry.
2) Your recent novel “The Seeing” was
nominated for the Scottish Children’s Book Award this year in the young adult
section. What impact does the nomination
have on your writing?
A) I was shortlisted for two awards, the
Costa awards and the Scottish children’s award. It was very encouraging and it
help’s sales.
It is also very painful
as you keep on hoping you’ve won and when you don’t it’s very sad.
3) Are you aware of this school’s success
in the review writing competition?
·
2013
– 1st prize Bookbug and 3rd
prize young readers
·
2012
– 1st prize young readers
·
2011
– 3rd prize young readers
·
2009
– 3rd prize young readers
What advice would you give to our next cohort of readers for
the 2015 Awards?
A) You need a good opening sentence, say
what’s good about the book:
·
The
plot
·
The
dialogue
·
The
pace
·
Language
Tell the story briefly, don’t
give away the ending
4) You write for adults and
children. Do you have a preference? How easy is it to switch from one to the
other?
A) I prefer poetry most. I’m known more for adults than children and
it’s very tricky to change what you are known for.
5) Do you think you are better known as a poet or
a writer of books?
A) I think I am better known as a
children’s author as my children’s books are known the most.
6) Is there going to be a follow up to
“The Seeing” and do you have any other books in the pipeline?
A) I don’t think there is going to be a
follow up to “The Seeing”. In the
pipeline I have a children’s book called “The Bunkles” and another picture
book.
7) You have delivered poetry workshops
to many of the classes in our school.
Would you be interested in collecting poems and helping us to make our
own poetry book?
A) That’s an interesting thought… it’s
very nice idea.
Thank you, Diana. We look forward to welcoming you back to
school for more poetry workshops.
Finally, we
would like to remind you that our Scholastic Book Club is now open until 3rd
October 2014. You can access this online
at the following website:-
Look out for our latest book recommendations in our
next blog. Until then, happy reading!
