Girls inspired by top tips from female authors

Girls at St Mary’s School, Cambridge were thrilled to get top tips from two female authors during Book Week.

Author Louisa Reid shared a range of great techniques for writing stories with Year 8 and Year 9 students and St Mary’s creative writing scholars on Thursday 5 March, encouraging the girls to start writing their own stories and leaving them brimming with enthusiasm for reading and writing. All the pupils at the Junior School were treated to a visit from author Lou Treleaven on Friday 6 March. The girls picked up inspiring tips for writing and listened in suspense to exciting snippets of Lou’s books, including Snugglewump and Turns out I’m an Alien.

Thursday was dress-up day, when girls and staff at the Junior School came to school dressed up as a favourite book character. There were some amazingly imaginative costumes on display. The girls picked many female protagonists and heroines in honour of International Women’s Day – Hermione Granger from Harry Potter was a favourite.

St Mary’s Junior School has been celebrating the joys of reading all week, starting with the launch of a Readathon in aid of the Read for Good Charity. The girls also enjoyed the opportunity to use their World Book Day vouchers at the Scholastic Book Fair. Additionally, all week classes have been sharing their favourite books and completing varied Reading Journal Activities.

Author Louisa Reid commented: “It’s amazing to be back at St Mary’s to work with young people who are so passionate about writing and fiction on World Book Day 2020. I’m sure their words will change the world.”

Matthew O’Reilly, Head of Juniors at St Mary’s School, Cambridge, said: “It’s been fantastic to have two female role models at St Mary’s this week to inspire the girls to keep improving their reading and writing skills.”