Manchester Libraries: Inspiring young people with reading for pleasure events.

We had a brilliant start to the 2025/26 school year for Manchester High Schools with our author, reading for pleasure and creative writing offer.

We started off in September with local author Kimberly Whittam continuing our year 6 – 7 Transition Read sessions .  Kimberly’s book Quiet Storm was this year’s transition read for a second year.  Over 700 young people met Kimberly in person or via zoom over 5 sessions.   See our blog here Quiet Storm: A Unique Transition Read for Year 6 Students

In October we celebrated Black History Month with the first of two sessions hosted by book blogger Shelley Fleuridor shelleyfleuridor.com. The Forged in Stories sessions saw Shelley donate 45 beautiful copies of Forged by Blood by Ehigbor Okosun Forged by blood | Manchester Libraries, and leading engaging sessions with year 10 students from Trinity High School and Chorlton High School.  The first session focused on the students’ own family or cultural mythologies, weaving storytelling with a love of reading for pleasure.

The students were gifted a copy of the book to read in the weeks before the next session. When we met again in December as well as a video recorded by Ehigbor especially for the session, they also discussed the text, and Shelley challenged the students to create their very own myths by drawing on the books rich Nigerian and Yoruba mythology, which included dinosaurs, ghosts, and even the Lock Ness Monster .

 Chorlton High School said:

This workshop perfectly illustrated that reading isn’t just about consuming stories; it’s about finding the confidence to write your own. It was a powerful step in our students’ journey to becoming successful and expressive storytellers.

In November we were joined by Manchester author Danielle Jawando. Danielle’s sessions gave young people an important insight into the life of a writer, how Danielle came to write books for young adults, her life as a writer for a well-known soap opera and how that made her a better storyteller. They also got to ask questions about writing and the world of publishing, learning that authors get little say on how their book might look and even the title might be changed. An important part of the session focused on the lack of representation in books; many students were shocked by the lack of diverse characters.  Danielle visited Abraham Moss Library to speak to students from Abraham Moss High school and visited Dean Trust Ardwick and Cedar Mount High Schools.

Dean Trust Ardwick said:

The session with Danielle was great. Our school is very diverse, and it was wonderful for our pupils to hear from someone like Danielle. The information was interesting and inspiring, and I believe our pupils got a lot out of the talk. I invited those pupils who have shown interest in perhaps writing professionally, so it was great for them to hear her insights and advice, and they were able to ask some great questions. It was all very engaging.

November’s sessions continued with Anti-Bullying week which was spotlighted with a visit from Kate S Martin Kate S. Martin.  Kate’s books revolve around Elliot Hart and Josh McBride who are the bullied and the bully and tell their stories from both perspectives.  Kate’s sessions with MEA Wythenshawe at Forum Library Creative Space, St Paul’s RC High School and Burnage High school at Burnage Library combined readings from ‘Are You OK Elliot Hart’,  a creative writing session where young people created their own well rounded characters, information on how you can help someone in Elliot’s position and how Kate became an author later in life.

St Paul’s RC High School said:

The session was fantastic! Kate’s lovely manner and inspirational story made for an informative, engaging and rewarding experience for both students and adults. All the students were clearly moved by her loving relationship with her mother, and she gave us all an insight into how everyone can be a writer, regardless of age, class or background. All the students were engaged throughout, and lots were keen to share their own ideas; some students have asked me to read through their notes, intending to write their own stories, just like Kate’s. Thanks so much for this wonderful opportunity.

Each school was gifted a copy of both of Kate’s books for their school library.

In December we welcomed Tia Fisher, author of hard-hitting verse novel Crossing the Line, via zoom.  Over 500 young people from Chorlton High School South, Dean’s Trust Ardwick and St Peter’s High School joined us for this very interactive session. Tia spoke about the very personal reasons she came to write Crossing the Line. The book centres on Erik who is pulled into a terrifying world of trap houses, drug dealing and violence. 

Tia’s session included readings from the book, interlinked with questions that put the students into the shoes of the characters. We also had one of our most engaging Q&As, and with so many questions Tia had to answer half of them later by email as we ran out of time.

Hayya and Amani from Dean Trust Ardwick asked:

Do you have any advice for young writers?

Tia: Absolutely. Keep writing! Write primarily for yourself because you love it, because it helps you discover more about yourself other people and the world around you. If you can workshop your writing, it’s great, because you learn so much from giving and receiving criticism. When you are older, maybe attend a few courses (of course you don’t have to attend any courses to write, but it’s helped me!) And as I said during the session you must read and analyse. Read, read, read, and read!

You can find Tia’s books in Manchester Libraries Tia Fisher | Manchester Libraries

Coming up in the Spring Term 2026

Local illustrator Ian Morris with a masterclass on illustration careers

Miriam Halahmy – Pomegranates for Peace

Kimberly Whittam launching her brand-new book Always Angel

Storyteller Andy Copps – Storytelling for careers

Our sessions are all free for schools within the Manchester City Council area. Teachers who want to know more about the free sessions we offer can email libraryschoolbookings@manchester.gov.uk to be added to our mailing list or look out for the schools broadcast.