Doncaster: Discover the Spirit

Helena Pielichaty

On World Book Day (6 March 2008), Don Valley was able to welcome popular author Helena Pielichaty, who came to do a talk about her books. Students from Bentley High Street and Armthorpe Schools also joined us for a very fun morning.

Helena has had over 20 books published, and her latest, Accidental Friends, has just come out. She began by telling us a bit about herself and her childhood, and how books and libraries had a massive influence on the development of her imagination. Her style is very humorous, and she brought all her audience along with her - they were really fascinated.

She went on to talk about how her life, and the lives of people she meets, finds expression in her characters and plots.  She also takes inspiration from things she sees in newspapers and magazines. She told a very funny story about an article she had read where a man had held up an off licence and stolen five hundred pounds using a twiglet to threaten the staff! She then asked if two of our students would care to act this out, and in the process work out how it was done. Later she had audience members acting the characters from her 'Clubbing' novels, based around an after school club. She really made the characters seem real.

At the end of the talk, there were lots of audience questions, and we ran way over time.  However, we hope to be able to invite Helena to come again very soon.

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