From the Library
Visiting Author : Danielle Binks
We were excited to be able to finally host YA author and agent Danielle Binks last week, a talk that was originally scheduled as part of our Book Week celebrations. A number of year 7 and 9 English classes and our Book Club members enjoyed hearing all about Danielle's latest book and her tips for developing creative writing skills.
This morning I had the privilege of meeting Danielle Binks, author, literary agent, and teacher at RMIT. During the session she guided us through the background of one of her books, 'The Year the Maps Changed', and how her childhood was her inspiration for the story, while also teaching us how to do the right research, do background checks for a story, as well as places to find the inspirations. She showed us a fun and useful exercise for writing, a word association game. She pulled five words from a bag, and we drew what we associated it with or saw it as. I found this incredibly useful for both inspirations, and as a much-needed tool to remove writer’s block.
She also taught us the crucial components of a story, and when you break it down to the bare minimum - what a story truly is. I thought that this was incredibly useful for writing and it changed the way that I view and analyse books. Danielle also provided us with a wide variety of resources for publishing and posting our stories, as well as competitions we could enter, and places we can find other young aspiring writers.
We were recommended many really helpful and interesting books and collections of short stories, poems, and novels to expand our vocabulary and exercise our reading skills. Danielle was a sweet, helpful, and inspirational person to talk to, and I'm grateful to have been given the chance to learn from her.
Come and pick up some holiday reading
John Cain Library has many new books for loan over the summer holidays. New books will be on display at the service desk and on the carousel adjacent to the desk.
A few highlights from our new titles are:
Pumpkin - Julie Murphy.
From the author of the book (and hit Netflix show, Dumplin’) comes Pumpkin. When Waylon Russell Brewer, a fat, openly gay boy is ridiculed and nominated for Prom Queen, Waylon takes matters into his own hands and decides to run for the title and leave high school with a bang!
Billy Summers – Stephen King
Billy Summers is a killer for hire. He’s among the best snipers in the world but will only agree to a contract if the target is truly a bad guy. Now Billy wants out but he’s offered one final job - an offer which is just too big to refuse.
The Believer – Sarah Krasnostein
From the acclaimed author of The Trauma Cleaner comes encounters with love, death and faith. This book is about ghosts and gods, flying saucers and certainty in the absence of knowledge.
Late Bloomer: How an Autism Diagnosis Changed My Life – Clem Bastow
Clem Bastow found the unspoken rules of social engagement confusing, arbitrary and often stressful. Friendships were hard, relationships harder, and the office was a fluorescent lit nightmare of anxiety. It wasn’t until Clem was diagnosed as Autistic, at age thirty six, that things clicked into focus.
Catwoman: Soulstealer – Sarah J Maas
From popular author Sarah J Maas comes this graphic novel for young adults.
It’s been two years since Selina Kyle last set eyes on Gotham City and now that Batman is gone, Selina is back! Or rather, Holly Vandehees is. As Gotham’s newest socialite, she’ll put her old talent for picking pockets to new use while rubbing shoulders with the city’s finest citizens. But her past catching up to her, and she is running out of time.
Many more new titles are available for loan - drop into the library to browse and borrow.
Returning and renewing books before the end of term
As we come to the end of the school year, the library is requesting all students and staff make a big effort to return any outstanding items.
When a book is two weeks or more overdue, you will be notified via the school email.
You can renew your books through the John Cain Library website. The website is accessible from the star menu on Compass. Choose the SSO (Single Sign On button) and use your Compass sign in.
If you have misplaced or lost a book, please come, and see a library staff member.
Premier’s Reading Challenge
4 students from the student Book Club completed the 2021 Premier’s Reading Challenge. Students were challenged to read 15 books (10 challenge and 5 choice) in a fixed timeframe. Congratulations to Mia Lubbock, Carla Lubbock, Freya Rossouw and Madeline Newall. All students surpassed the challenge goal with Freya logging an outstanding 66 titles read!
PRC certificates, enamel pins and bookmarks will be presented at the next meeting of the student Book Club.