Author Visit to TRS

On Wednesday, 15^th May, award winning author Chris Bradford visited The Ravensbourne School and gave two performances to the Year 7s and 8s.

Some of the Year 7 pupils wrote about their experiences.  Below is a selection of their views:

Krichelle Year 7

On 15^th May 2013, Chris visited our school and talked to us about his new book ‘The Bodyguard’ and his series ‘Young Samurai’.  It was an interactive experience for all of us.  Some pupils even got to act out scenes from the book; they were awarded with a sticker and a poster of his new book ‘The Bodyguard’.

I personally enjoyed every second of it!  We were well entertained.  There were even water guns!  It was truly a great time!  We were shown videos related to his new books.  We had a wonderful time.

Becky Year 7

Today seemed like just an ordinary day at school but GUESS WHAT!  In period 3 and 4 Chris Bradford came into my school to explain his life being an author and a trained bodyguard.  I walked into the sports hall and I saw Chris standing there setting up his equipment.  I felt so lucky because I got to meet him.

All of a sudden Chris Bradford turned on the slide show and BANG! ... He showed us how to protect someone from a bullet.  I jumped out of my skin with the loud and breath taking sound. 

At the end of this event we got to go up and buy a book, otherwise you could get a poster and he signed it with your name.  Thank you Chris Bradford for a great 100 minutes and for coming to my school to share your skills with us.

Peppe Year 7

When everyone had entered the hall a Librarian was reading from a sheet of paper telling us about Chris Bradford when suddenly gun shots went off.  The Librarian was rushed out by Chris.  He then introduced himself and asked for two volunteers to help him act out a scene from his book.  He pulled out a plastic gun, and then revealed that it was a water pistol by squirting water over everyone.  He then showed us some video clips and carried out a demonstration (in which I was a volunteer).

Overall I think he was very energetic and devoted.  I enjoyed it and thought it was amazing.

Louise Year 7

Chris Bradford was very energetic and lively.  He taught us how to be a bodyguard and also what it would be like if our school was a samurai school.   I enjoyed that part because he didn’t just tell us what the book was about; he made us feel like we were in the book.

Jada Year 7

At the event Chris Bradford talked to us about his latest book and showed us how to be a bodyguard.  He also showed us videos and websites.  He engaged with the audience by using volunteers to create scenes and role-play parts of his book.  He wasn’t boring because he connected with our age group and made the language understandable.

I think he was constructive with his ideas and made us feel like bodyguards and therefore like the character.  I personally enjoyed it and got a book signed at the end.  I am looking forward to reading ‘The Bodyguard’ and finding more of his books.

Ronnie Year 7

Chris Bradford likes to experience what he writes about in his books to make them more effective; also this gives him inspiration for his writing.  When writing his book “The Bodyguard”, he trained to be a bodyguard, and this is what he talked to us about.

At the start of the event, a Librarian introduced Chris.  The thing that was outstanding was that no one expected him to grab the Librarian when the sound of bullets came on in the background!  He looked so serious because he screamed and ran with the Librarian outside the hall.  Chris Bradford enacted scenes from the book with volunteers from the audience.  Near the end he revealed something that we didn’t realize.  He had been secretly filming us with a camera inside a fake coke can [he showed us he had deleted the film].  He ended the performance by letting students buy or reserve books which he would sign or sign a poster of his books.

I personally enjoyed the first part when he ran out of the hall and surprised everyone.  He did something that we did not expect.

James Year 7

On the 15^th May 2013 Chris Bradford came into our school, he is the author of the Young Samurai and Bodyguard series.  When we saw him he talked about his books and what inspired him to write them.  He said that he writes the types of books he’d want to read, books filled with relentless action, believable characters and plots that twist and turn through the pages.  Chris’s books are really inspirational for people who are adventurous.

I enjoyed the first part of his performance when he was acting all serious with his shades and when he ran out of the hall with the Librarian and also the gun shots were really cool.

Jake Year 7

Chris Bradford is a very engaging man with lots of humour.  Hopefully Chris can come back to this school again!

Jessica Year 7

Wow! What a wonderful writer.  I enjoyed everything about the presentation.  Chris left me and most of us in giggles. 

Malorie Blackman announced as new Children’s Laureate

Malorie Blackman, acclaimed and award winning author of teenage fiction including Noughts and Crosses, has been announced as the Waterstones Children’s Laureate for 2013-2015.

The role is awarded every two years to celebrate an exceptional author or illustrator of children’s books and to recognise their importance in creating the new readers.  Malorie Blackman is the eighth Children’s Laureate to be appointed.

To find out more, visit the Children’s Laureate website.

We have lots of Malorie Blackmore’s books in both the Discovery Library and WML so come and browse and borrow.

Match the Teacher to the Book competition

Congratulations to all those who correctly identified the teacher with the book in our ‘Match the Teacher to the Book’ competition. The correct answers were:

 

Prizes have been awarded to the ten correct entrants.  Our winners were:

Veronica (Year 7), Gabriella (Year 7), Tate (Year 7), Amber (Year 7), Phebe (Year 7)  Joe J (Year 8), Joe W (Year 8),  Kamyar (Year 8), Katie D (Year 9) and Chloe H (Year 9)

Well done to everyone who entered - those who did not win have been awarded VIVO points for taking part.

Book Reviews

Bob No Ordinary Cat
A review by Gabriella Year 7

Bob No Ordinary Cat is a book about a homeless musician, James Bowen, who finds a street cat named Bob. Together they change both of their lives.  James didn’t have much money; he only had about £30 with him.  It was hard for him to look only after himself for at first he didn’t take Bob (busking) with him.   But then he gave Bob a chance and together they made their way to the top, earning more money.

James plays his guitar on the streets to earn money.  The first time that he took Bob with him they earned more than usual.  If it was a good day James earned £20 but this time many people stopped to see Bob and they earned £66.
This book is really sweet.  I like it because it tells you everything about real, true friendship.  It doesn’t matter if your friend is black or white, animal or human; it is about knowing who your friends really are.  It’s also about trust.  Bob trusted James and it’s about how they were helping each other in hard moments.  I liked the book because for me it was an amazing, true story and I was amazed by how intelligent the cat was.  I loved the end of the story and how James finds out that Bob is famous on YouTube and millions of people know Bob.  I love how at the end the lady asks if he plans to write a book about Bob.  He wrote a book and it’s really famous, that’s how true friendship brought James and Bob to the top.

Bob No Ordinary Cat
A review by Cheyanne Year 9

The book is about a man who met a tom cat ‘Bob’.  The reason why Bob is no ordinary cat is because he helped change his owner’s life.

It all started when this cat was poorly and sitting in front of a doorway in James’ flat.  The man saw it was ill and knocked on the door one day to ask if the cat had belonged to them, but they said no.  The man then took the cat and helped it by taking the tom cat to the vet to make sure he didn’t have any diseases or major wounds apart from the one on its leg which eventually healed.

James then took care of the cat and became its owner.    James does regular busking around Covent Garden to earn money because since everything that has happened in his past he couldn’t get a proper job.  Ever since he got the cat he follows James everywhere, on buses and even to work.  But since he has been following him to work he has been interacting with people and getting a lot of money more than he will get in a week, in a day.  Because now James gets a lot of money he has a special collar just for Bob so he won’t get lost in the crowd.

My favourite part of the book is when ‘Bob’ follows James to work every morning and helps him raise money to buy things that he hasn’t brought before.  I recommend this book because it is very emotional and when you start reading the book you just want to find out more.  Such as how he can manage bringing the cat to work with him every morning and how he can buy so many things for the cat but barely anything for himself.  For anyone who likes cats or emotional stories I think this would be a really good book.

Revision Guides and New Books in the WML

We have a good selection of revision resources available in the WML – come and have a browse or ask one of the librarians.  There are some useful GCSE revision websites listed on the blog, as well as Post 16 resources, which provide A-level revision websites and advice on referencing. 
 

Library inductions for the Year 9s, who are going into KS4, are scheduled for after half term.  Once these have taken place you will be entitled to use the WML.  As well as the non-fiction and quick reference collections, we have lots of excellent new titles including Michael Grant’s Gone series and The Darke Academy series by Gabriella Poole for you to borrow.

 

Award Winning Performance Poet, Adisa, to visit The Ravensbourne School

We are pleased to announce that the amazing performance poet, Adisa will be coming into the school on Friday 24^th May.

Winner of the Apples & Snakes New Performance Poet of the Year award, Adisa will be performing some of his poetry for groups of Year 9 students.  He will also be working with the children to help them create their own performance poems in two poetry workshops.

Adisa has visited the school before and we are very much looking forward to welcoming him back again.

 

Author visit and book signing at TRS

Chris Bradford, the award-winning author of the Young Samurai and BODYGUARD series, will be coming to give an exciting talk to Years 7 and 8 on Wednesday 15^th May.  He will also be signing copies of his books, which can be ordered in advance or purchased on the day.

About the author: 

Chris is trained in karate, kickboxing and samurai swordsmanship, having earned his black belt in Zen Kyo Shin Taijutsu, the secret fighting art of the ninja.  In 2012 he qualified as a professional bodyguard as part of his research for his new book series.

Recipient of 18 book awards nominations, Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior was deemed one of Puffin’s 70 Best Ever Books, alongside Treasure Island and Robin Hood.

For more info on Chris: www.chrisbradford.co.uk