S1 & S2 students from our Chapters Book Group visited Merchiston Castle School to attend an author event run by The Scottish Book Trust. We were met with exceptional cordiality and hospitality which was much appreciated. Our students were awestruck by the impressive Memorial Hall we were led into to listen to fantasy teen author, Joseph Delaney. It was almost like being in a church. Joseph Delaney recounted the plots and the characters of his numerous books and told us a little of how he became a writer and how hard it was to get his first book published.

“The school had wonderful hospitality and greeted us well”. (Chapters girls)

“Joseph Delaney’s books are full of detail and he was very enthusiastic about his characters”. (Chapters boys)

“Joseph Delaney seemed kind but he spoke very quickly and his accent was a wee bit hard to follow”. (Chapters S1 girls)

“The school grounds looked huge and the buildings were posh!”

“Merchiston Castle boys were very well mannered – we would like to thank them for the biscuits and juice in the dining room”

Although the Scottish Book Trust offered us this author event “for free”, our coach journey was financed from our school charity fund, WHEEA (Wester Hailes Education Enhancement Association). Our students had lots of shared experiences to chat about with the school Librarian when next they met as the Chapters Book Group and are looking forward to future author events in the future.