Norfolk Schools’ Summer Term off to a Flying Start with Visit from Aviation Author

One of the UK’s best loved historical fiction writers, Elizabeth Wein, is set to visit nine high schools in Norfolk between 20-24 June 2016 as part of the Scottish Friendly Children’s Book Tour.

After achieving her private pilot's licence in 2003, Elizabeth applied her enthusiasm and expertise for aviation to her writing. Her novels Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire are set in World War II and focus on the role of female pilots during the war. Black Dove, White Raven continues the aviation theme but moves the action back to Ethiopia, this time during Mussolini's 1935 invasion.

Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire received widespread critical acclaim, with Code Name Verity becoming a New York Times Bestseller in young adult fiction. These gripping and powerful novels explore themes of war, friendship and survival, and throw light on the lives of women who overcame great odds in times of war.

The tour, which is provided completely free of charge to the schools, will provide a perfect opportunity for over 300 Norfolk pupils to hear one of the UK’s most inspiring and colourful historical fiction writers and learn all the skills they will need to write gripping fiction. Elizabeth will speak to teens about flying, World War II, Ethiopia and will run fascinating workshops on poetry, plotting, and structure.

Commenting on the tour, Elizabeth said:

I’m excited about seeing Norfolk in its summer glory and getting to know the area's young readers and aspiring writers. Writing is often a lonely job and it's a real gift to be able to share your work with your intended audience - meeting readers is the best part of being a writer.

The tour is sponsored by Scottish Friendly Assurance and organised by Scottish Book Trust. Every year schools in up to 12 local authorities in Scotland and two in England receive author visits to inspire a love of reading, writing and illustration. The tour visits both primary and secondary schools and has enthralled over 70,000 children since it began in 1998.

Commenting on Elizabeth’s tour, Calum Bennie, Communications Manager at Scottish Friendly said:

Scottish Friendly is excited about bringing the Children’s Book Tour to Norfolk for the very first time and it’s doubly exciting to be hosting such a thrilling author as Elizabeth Wein.  Students will be spell-bound by Elizabeth’s novels and will hopefully be inspired by the workshops she’ll be running on the tour.

Beth Goodyear, Schools Events Manager at Scottish Book Trust, which is organising the tour, added:

We are really looking forward to visiting schools in Norfolk and this is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to meet an inspiring author and to pick up some fantastic tips on how to write high-flying fiction.

Scottish Friendly has sponsored the programme for the past 18 years, touring some of the finest children’s authors and illustrators including new Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell, Malorie Blackman, Michael Rosen, Jacqueline Wilson, Melvin Burgess, Steve Cole, Michael Morpurgo and Sophie McKenzie.