Authors Pip Harry and Deborah Abela visit Gioia House

Learning in the Library and Gioia House

We have been very fortunate to have two wonderful children’s writers come to speak to the students of Gioia House over the past month. Pip Harry is an award-winning writer of the novels The Little Wave and August & Jones, the latter based on a true-life friendship between two very extraordinary young people. Our students couldn’t have been more engaged as she spoke about cover designs, inspiration, and the importance of place in her stories.

Last week, Deborah Abela visited as part of a promotional tour for her new verse novel The Kindness Project.  Our students were excited to get access the day before the official release of this new book. One of Australia’s most popular writers for young people, Deb spoke about starting all her ideas with the question, I wonder what would happen if…and shared her favourite writing rule: make as much trouble as possible!

The beauty of these author talks is that they inspire an overwhelming amount of borrowing and discussion about stories and their place in our lives. It was amazing to hear the buzz from the students about reading, particularly from previously reluctant readers who couldn’t wait to begin reading.

We have a strong commitment in the library to keep our students reading, and we look forward to further opportunities to enhance their engagement in all things books!

Here are some Year 6 reflections about the most recent visit:

Deborah made the entire room burst out in laughter when she told us about the unfortunate injury she had when she jumped off her garage at the age of seven! She talked about what inspired her to become an author and gave us a crash course on how to write a novel. She told us her number one secret on how to write a book, which is asking the question: what would happen if? This question stimulated a lot of ideas. Deborah talked about how from that one question she wrote an entire series called ‘Grimsdon’which definitely was a favourite around Gioia House. She even showed us her new book called the ‘Kindness Project’which hadn’t even come out yet. The talk was filled with humour, learning and definitely a lot of fun. Gioia House was so lucky to have this experience and we wish her luck with her new novel The Kindness Project.  
Rachel Michael

Deborah talked a lot about her new book, The Kindness Project and introduced us to some of her other series, including ‘Grimsdon, ‘The Book of Wondrous Possibilities and The Most Marvellous Spelling Bee Mystery. Deborah talked about her early life and growing up as a child and my favourite story of hers is when she tried to jump off her shed into the pool but ended up face planting into the ground. It was very funny and engaging. Personally, I think Deborah’s visit was a success and she really got everyone involved which I thought was amazing. I can’t wait for Deborah to come back again with a new book that she has created and thrill us all again with her marvellous storytelling and advice for being a writer.
Alessandra Ronsisvalle

She talked about how trouble making can lead to good stories and fun experiences – she also inspired me to read more by telling us about the thought process behind books and characters and what happens in her books! 
Dimity Petroulias

She talked about how she makes a story and that she was inspired to be one because her Year 4 teacher told her that she would be a writer one day and that what her teacher said came true and how she really wants to inspire other kids. She inspired me by talking about the books and how they have secrets and we have to read it to find out what the secret was.
Evie Santa Maria

I felt inspired to read more because her books seem really interesting and now, I want to read a variety of books. She made me smile about telling us about her chaotic childhood.
Emily Ng

Melina Marchetta and Susan Lombardo
Teacher Librarians