A library visit from author Malorie Blackman

We were a little starstruck when celebrated author Malorie Blackman, one of the most successful British authors writing for children and teenagers, visited the Wickson Library via Skype. Malorie was Children’s Laureate from 2013-2015 and her latest novel ‘Chasing The Stars’ is shortlisted for the School Book Award.  It is a retelling of ‘Othello’ set in space.  She talked about how much she loved ‘Othello’, as it was the first thing she ever read with a black character in it.

Malorie talked about the rejections she’d had before getting published, and how she had once had to rewrite a book from scratch, because although the publishers liked her writing style, the actual plot didn’t work at all. The books she has taken the biggest risks on have turned out to be her most successful and she loves being an author!

We really enjoyed Malorie’s warmth and enthusiasm and chatting to her was a real treat, especially for a group of her avid readers from J4!  Malorie encouraged all the children to “find a job they love”. Perhaps with their love of reading, our pupils will be the literary stars of the future.