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Maria SMITH                                                                                                                    Nida BALDWIN

Librarian                                                                                                                         Library Assistant

The HIGHVALE WRITERS’ CLUB

The latest exciting news from our HSC Library is the introduction of the Highvale Writers’ Club during our very first Junior School assembly this Term 2. The Club gives students the opportunity to be creative in a literary way, have a voice to inspire others in our Highvale school community while demonstrating confidence to SHINE and express their individuality amidst diversity.

Congratulations Arneiysh K. (Y10) an amazing HSC Literary Content Creator contributing to Highvale Writers’ Club! Please enjoy his creative play with words with a hint of a suspenseful ending.

The Witness     Written by : Arneiysh K

He has a deep thought to himself as he places his black pen onto the paper. Inside the Victoria Police Headquarters, droplets of sweat start to slowly trickle down his forehead and chin as he begins to write. Trembling, he takes out a cotton handkerchief and gently dabs his forehead. 

A key witness in the recent crime robbery, Martin, a tall, friendly, and smart 20-year-old university student, was walking back home when he saw the crime unfolding. He was asked by the police to note down everything he witnessed. Although he was initially feeling uneasy, after writing down everything that occurred, he felt better. It was already 9pm as he began walking home. Strolling through a silent laneway near Spencer Street, a shortcut recommended by maps, he suddenly hears footsteps and a zapping noise, reminiscent of electricity sparking as the lights turn off. Martin freezes. 

The STATE LIBRARY VICTORIA TEEN WRITING BOOTCAMPS

Never-ending beneficial ‘what’s on’ SLV events for our budding writers, with these FREE online sessions on poetry, playwriting and illustrating. Please ask parents’ permission before registering.

https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/teen-writing-bootcamp-poetry 

https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/teen-writing-bootcamp-playwriting 

https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/teen-writing-bootcamp-comics

HIGHLIGHTS ON THE VICTORIAN PREMIERS’ READING CHALLENGE

We now have 65 students registered for the Reading Challenge, and still over 100 days to complete it. Keep registering the books that you have read (15 altogether) to receive the Certificate of Participation signed by the Victorian Premier. We have also added some wonderful titles to our main collection to give you an amazing variety to choose from. Let us continue to get “wild about reading” with these latest arrivals at our Library.

SECONDARY FICTION HIGHLIGHTS

Royals is acclaimed author Tegan Bennett Daylight’s first novel for young adults. With no devices, no internet and no way out, Shannon and five other teens are disconnected from the outside world. What could possibly go wrong? This is a wonderful, modern take on Lord of Flies. (Lamont Books)

Glimpse written by Jane Higginsis an action-packed dystopian novel on adventure, conflict, power, manipulation, love and friendship, set in richly imagined world that resonates with us and very much like our own. 

Will Kostakis is an award-winning author for young adults. His first novel, Loathing Lola, was published when he was just nineteen. In We Could Be Something, Kostakis brings a semi-autobiographical story about finding out your real self and what is important in life.

The Isles of the Godsfocuses on magic, mythology, and danger. 'Once again, Amie Kaufman gives us an epic, propulsive adventure filled with characters that demand to be loved instantly---the twists and betrayals make for a breathless wild ride....' Kendare Blake #1 New York Times bestselling author of Three Dark Crowns

When Dark Roots Hunt by Zena Shapter is a great, action-packed fantasy story “where trees spear anything that comes near them … a perfect story for fantasy and sci-fi lovers in Year 8 and above.” (Lamont Books)

Jen Wilde has written This is the Way the World Ends, a tale about privilege, power, and the different routes our future may take, depending on who has the controls - Vincent Ralph, New York Times bestselling author of Lock The Doors

LOWER SECONDARY FICTION HIGHLIGHTS

An exciting historical novel by multi-award-winning author of 70 internationally-acclaimed books, Sophie Masson, born in Indonesia of French parents. Set in ancient Brittania in AD84, an orphan girl Livia sets out on a journey to fulfil a promise she made to her dying father. A historical fiction you will love! (Lamont Books)

A wonderful creation by award-winning New Zealand author Tessa Duder, exploring the arrival in 1840 of two ships on the shores of the Waitemata harbour to establish Auckland in New Zealand. The novel is set partly in the 1840’s convict era in Australia. 

SECONDARY GRAPHIC NOVELS HIGHLIGHTS

This is a powerful, hopeful and timely story about the real effects of climate change: two young people on different continents whose lives are catastrophically changed by global warming. Set in both the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean and the Arctic region of northern Canada, 

Novels recommended by some of our Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge Participants: (Visit our Library and check these out our NEW Arrivals!)

The World Literacy Foundation invites students to join the Youth Ambassador Program, a FREE online course for young people aged between 16-30 years who want to contribute to making our world a better place. Upon completing the course, participants receive a certificate and letter of recommendation to apply for scholarships and jobs. 

Applications are now open until 26th May. The YAP will start on 6th June and finishes in September. Please check out this link and join one of more than 1500 WLF Ambassadors network in over 110 countries! https://worldliteracyfoundation.org/ambassador-program/