The author Simon James Green visits Cheney

Cheney library was privileged to welcome the author Simon James Green on Thursday 8th May. 

70 year 7 and year 10 excited students crowded the library during periods 3 and 4; they were treated to an inspirational talk from Simon that explored the need to be ourselves and accepting of others all told through the lens of humour and anecdotes from Simon’s youth. 

Simon is the author of 17 books for young people. The year 7 students explored the themes behind his middle grade book, 'Finn Jones Was Here'. It was an interactive session and students were asked to solve riddles as well as helping to tell the story of Finn Jones. The large number of hands aloft at the end of the session was an indication of the level of engagement from our wonderful students. 

The year 10 session explored the more mature themes behind Simon’s debut novel, 'Noah Can’t Even'. As with year 7, the basic message was that it is important to be accepting of those around us and that being true to ourselves is always the right thing to do. He spoke quite movingly about the impact of Section 28 on him as a young person who was questioning his sexuality and that this, in part, motivated him to become a writer. The year 10 students were as engaged as their younger counterparts and lots of students shook his hand as they left. 

Simon stayed for lunchtime in the library and the students were queuing to get his autograph or to talk to him. 

I would like to thank my partner in crime behind the library desk, Miss Cullen, Miss Whitehall and Ms Allsworth for their invaluable support of the event. The students themselves were a credit to themselves and to Cheney - I felt very proud of the positive and enthusiastic way in which they responded to a visit from a wonderful author. 

Mrs Jill Fenton 

Cheney School Librarian.