King’s welcomes Patron of Reading

On Monday, May 9, we were delighted to welcome our Patron of Reading, Sarah Crossan, into school. 

Sarah became our Patron of Reading at the beginning of this school year, much to the delight of her many fans at King’s. An Irish author, living in the South-East, Sarah primarily writes in verse and her books, which include Toffee, Moonrise and Carnegie Medal-winning One, are very popular in our library.

Sarah spent the majority of the day with our younger Senior School pupils, leading a Creative Writing workshop with Shells and viewing the trailers that Removes tutor groups made for one of her books, The Weight of Water. 

With an impressive selection of trailers to choose from, Sarah eventually announced RmSC (pictured) as the winning tutor group. 

About their trailer, she said: “I felt that this group put a lot of work into the trailer and produced something that was not only dramatic and visually exciting, but also that captured the texture of the book. Well done!”

Over lunch, pupils from all year groups were invited to meet Sarah in the library. As well as having their books signed, pupils were able to ask questions and talk to Sarah about the inspiration for her books, and about her tips for aspiring authors. 

Samya Saha (5WAL) was one of the students who met Sarah this lunchtime. 

She said: “I came into school from study leave to meet Sarah as I have been big fan for such a long time.

“I read her book, Apple and Rain, when it first came out and I have read everything she has written since then. It’s really exciting to meet her in real life and talk to her about her books.”

Sarah ended her day at King’s with a talk to Removes and Shells in which she engaged and enthused them  to reclaim a love of poetry. 

Librarian Mrs Harding reflected on a busy but memorable day: “It has been more than two years since our Patron of Reading was able to physically visit us so it was particularly special to welcome Sarah today. 

“Virtual meetings are great and they have kept us going over the last couple of years but the sense of genuine excitement in the air today was palpable.

“Sarah is such a popular and high profile author and it has been wonderful to see students interacting with her today, and sharing their love for her books.”