BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF YOUNG ADULT FICTION VISITS NORTH WALSHAM

North Walsham students had the chance to quiz a best-selling American author when Michael Grant, who has written over 150 books for young adults, and whose work has sold millions of copies in many languages across the world, dropped into North Walsham High School as part of a promotional tour for his new novel Monster.

The author – creator of the multi-million selling Gone series - told the audience of Year 9 and 10 students about how a series of superhero books and TV series from Batman to Ironman had encouraged him to take up writing, after an early life in which he dropped out of High School and found himself in trouble with the law.

Grant, who also created the 54-book Animoprhs series with his wife Katherine Applegate, explained to students the process behind coming up with both plots and characters for his novels, explaining how he starts to build a picture of each character by trawling thousands of photos on Google until he finds a face which inspires him.

After a lively question and answer session, he signed books for his young fans.

NWHS assistant head teacher and head of English Sarah Read said that the visit had been inspiring for students.  “It is rare that young people get to meet and quiz authors of the books which they love, particularly when those authors are from overseas.

“We are extremely lucky that Michael Grant included North Walsham on his promotional tour.  His relaxed, tell-it-like-it-is presentational style struck a chord, and it is events like this that encourage young people to read, and indeed to try their hand at writing.”

Further information about Michael Grant can be found at www.michaelgrantbooks.co.uk.