Discussing affairs of the heart with writer Tamsyn Murray

How do you face up to a future you didn't think you were going to have?

This is the question facing the two main characters in Tamsyn Murray's new young adult novel Instructions For a Second-hand Heart. Tamsyn introduced Year 7 students to the book during her visit to Beaumont last week. At the centre of the story is the issue of organ donation, a subject about which Tamsyn spoke passionately. The book's dual narrators are Niamh, whose family decides to donate her twin brother's heart when he dies in an accident; and Jonny, the boy who receives Leo's heart. The book is about loss and grief, but is equally about family, friendship, hope and learning to live when you are given a second chance at life.

During her talk in the hall, Tamsyn spoke about the inspiration behind the story and about the four years of work, research and tears involved in writing the book. Then, to set the scene for the students, Tamsyn read out a chapter from the book. A palpable sense of tension built in the hall as Tamsyn read on and the tragic events of the chapter unfolded. By the end of the reading, the audience was listening with bated breath and, as Tamsyn reached the final sentence, there were gasps from the students: 'He lies unmoving. I watch red blossom against the grey-black boulder where his head rests. And somewhere, somebody starts to scream'.

Tamsyn's powerful storytelling captured the students, many of whom came to the library immediately after the talk to meet the author and buy a copy of the book. Tamsyn spent a busy break-time signing books, and took the time to talk to students while writing a personal dedication in each copy. 

Tamsyn rounded off her visit by meeting members of the Year 7 Book Club, answering their questions and chatting about her work, her life as a writer and her love of reading. A huge thank you to Tamsyn for visiting Beaumont and for sharing her experiences and her amazing new book with us. 

Instructions For a Second-hand Heart is available from the Beaumont library, alongside Tamsyn's Complete Cassidy and My So-Called series.