'We are all connected' - thinking about our world with writer Nicky Singer

The library's Children's Book Award (CBA) Discussion Day on Monday 22nd May was made doubly special by a visit from writer Nicky Singer. We were delighted that Nicky could be with us on the day and take part in all the book-based activities. She was particularly keen to sit with the students and listen to their discussions and opinions on the three books shortlisted for the CBA 2017. With over fifty students in the library, it was a lively and hectic morning. Nicky was busy from start to finish, right down to counting the students' votes and announcing the winner of our CBA poll!

With all the CBA activities over, the students gathered to listen to Nicky as she talked about her work, her books and her life as a writer. Nicky has written extensively for young people; her works include seven fiction books, a play, a musical and an opera. In this talk, she focussed on Feather Boy, her first children's title and Island, her latest book. 

Island is a beautiful and thought-provoking book set on Herschel Island in the Arctic circle. The story focusses on the native Innuit people and the drastic effect that global warming is having on the Arctic environments. Nicky describes it as 'a story that needed to be told'. She talked to us about how drilling for oil, climate change and rising sea levels are eroding and destroying Herschel and endangering the wildlife, including whales and polar bears. The Arctic people are intensely spiritual and deeply connected to nature. It is this connection that Nicky fears we are losing in our modern world. In the book, Inuluk, an Innuit spirit-girl, talks about us, the people in the world outside the Arctic (the Qallunaat), as 'the people who change nature'.

While delivering an important message, Island is also a compelling and enthralling story. We follow the main character, London teenager Cameron (described by Nicky as 'arrogant and blundering') to Herschel and watch as Inuluk tries to make him understand his part in what is happening to her island: 'when you tread heavily in your world you also tread in ours.'

Nicky's stressed the need for us all to think and care about others on our planet. In Inuluk's words: 'No one's an island, Cameron. You, your parents, London, Qikiqtaruk, the whales, the guillemots, the living, the dead. We're all connected. If one moves we all move.'

The students listened intently throughout Nicky's talk. Here are some of the things they had to say about meeting Nicky:

'I found her talk really inspiring...I feel this made me determined to help the environment.' Lilia 7E

'This was a fantastic day. Nicky showed us her beautiful book Island. We found out what we are doing to the earth and how it is affecting the Arctic.' Eliana 7R

'The whole day was amazing - the author's talk has to have been my favourite part though. Nicky really got engaged with us and answered all our questions. It was great to meet such a unique author.' Evie 7S

'Nicky Singer came to our school to talk about her new book. I really enjoyed it because of her outgoing and interesting personality.' Tia 8R

Many, many thanks to Nicky for visiting Beaumont and inspiring us all. For further information on Island and the fascinating story on how Nicky brought this book to publication, click on the links below:


http://nickysinger.com/new/island/

https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/oct/22/nicky-singer-you-will-hate-my-book