Authors Live with Charlie Higson

Watch or download Author's Live with Charlie Higson.

Teacher Resources
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What did you think of Charlie Higson's Authors Live event?

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Author of the phenomenally successful Young Bond and The Enemy series, Charlie Higson read from his new book The Dead (published in September 2010) and talked about his inspirations and his love of the horror genre. You can now watch the whole event on our website, by clicking on the play button above.

Charlie is also a celebrated writer of screenplays and adult thriller novels, as well as a performer and co-creator of the popular BBC comedy series The Fast Show.

This event is suitable for P6-S2 pupils.

Event Pictures

We also took Charlie to Clyde Valley High School in the afternoon. Two hundred pupils arrrived to hear Charlie talk about The Dead and to get their books signed. A big thank you to everyone who came along and made the day special.

As well as writing an excellent blog about Authors Live with Charlie Higson, Craig Jackson from the BBC also provided us with a short piece on the rise of the zombie. You can read this now!

Also read Julie Miller's brilliant blog on how The Enemy helped her to bond with her son. 

Teacher feedback:

'The children and I loved the event. It was just the right length and kept the children engaged (and frightened in parts too!!!) Thank you Scottish Book Trust!' Lynn, St Brigid's Primary School

'Excellent, excellent, excellent!  Absolutely no technical problems here and 100 Second Years sat almost spellbound throughout.  So inspired was one class that they are in the midst of drawing some fabulous zombies!' Rachel, Holy Rood High School

'Just a note to say how much we all enjoyed Charlie Higson. It's a great idea and we are looking forward to Philip Pulman.' Alison, Woodmill High School

'Very good. It held the attention of most of the pupils (a mixed ability class). They liked the audience in face-paint/fancy dress! They thought at first that the presenters could see them here in school!' Helen, St Ninian's High School

'Children in the class thoroughly enjoyed listening to Charlie. It was a great experience for them to listen to a famous author in the comfort of their own classroom' Alan, Robert Smillie Memorial Primary

‘Very good - Charlie Higson had a very good manner and some of my pupils bought his books the same day.’ Nicholas, Clifton Hall

‘The pupils were engaged and a lot have gone on to buy the books. Anything that gets kids into reading is a positive in my opinion!’ Hollie, Cliftonhall School

‘A fabulous, highly motivational event. Our primary 6 and 6/7 classes are highly engaged with the live author events. The Higson one really captured the interest of boys who are more reluctant readers and we have built a whole series of activities inspired by the event. We are looking forward to the Philip Pullman event in December.’ Claire, St Nicholas Primary School

‘I was impressed by the content and responses to the questions. The boys in the class were hooked and have asked for the books to be bought for the school library.’ Moira, Musselburgh Primary

‘The children were extremely engaged and enjoyed the reading from the book. I was able to use some of the ideas and themes into the next lesson.’ Neil, Foulford Primary School

‘Excellent. Children absorbed.’ Jessie, Kaimes

‘A very worthwhile event’ Robert, Holyrood Secondary

‘Pupils really enjoyed the event and found Charlie Higson very engaging.’ Carol, Bell Baxter High School

‘I liked the mixture of Charlie talking a bit about the book, giving the children a taster of it and then answering questions’ Alan, Robert Smillie Memorial Primary

‘Charlie's book was borrowed immediately the event finished, and there is a waiting list for it, so it obviously went down well.’ Helen, St Ninian's High School

‘Loved it! It was really interesting to hear what inspired the author and we loved the zombie stories.
We loved watching the author read from the book on You Tube!’ Claire, St Nicholas Primary School

‘Several of Charlie Higson's books were issued immediately after the event so it clearly sparked some interest.’ Lindy, Perth High School

‘Several pupils were already talking about buying his book. I'd say that was a good measure of its success’ Robert, Holyrood Secondary

'Children and myself really enjoyed it - very interesting!' Pauline, St Margaret of Scotland

'An excellent presentation which engaged pupils very well. Children were delighted when school's question was selected to be asked to the author.' Jeanette, Ralston Primary

‘Charlie Higson captured our pupils’ imagination. They all wanted to read his zombie book!’ Carolyn, Calderside Academy

‘Pupils enjoyed it, especially boys.’ Jan, Braes High School

‘Excellent. Pupils were engaged throughout and were inspired to find and read Charlie Higson books.’ Rachel, Wallace Hall Primary School

‘Very interesting and enjoyable. It led to some great discussion about books and films after watching. It also encouraged the children to read something from a genre they may not have considered before.’ Wendy, Penpont Primary School

‘My class and I thoroughly enjoyed the event. The children applauded at the end and found the whole thing very interesting.’ Paul, Golfhill Primary

Pupil feedback:

‘Can you buy us the Zombie books? He was great. I didn't know he wrote the Bond books. Can we watch other authors?’ Pupils at Musselburgh Primary

‘I read his last book, and I'm definitely going to get this one.’ Pupils from Greenmill Primary

‘Fantastic! Can't wait to read his book the dead!’ Pupil from Calderside Academy

‘Enjoyed hearing how an author thinks of ideas.  Thought it was funny how Charlie Higson kept reading bits to his son to try and scare him.’ Pupils from Penpont Primary

‘Loved hearing the start of the story read by the author and want to read the book now.’ Pupils from Penpont Primary

 ‘Our teacher is going to buy the book tonight so that she can read us the next bit, we all need to know what happens next!’Pupils from Penpont Primary

Competition winner:

'I just wanted to say thanks very much for a really good day for James and myself...I was reading a book to James last night and he stopped me half way through to say it was one of the best day of his life, so thanks for that.' Parent of James, our competition winner

Live audience:

‘Very well organised, fun and promoted reading and literacy to pupils in an entertaining way.’ Caroline, Airdrie Academy

Teacher Resources

We have excellent resources that are linked to Curriculum for Excellence that you can download for free and use with your pupils once you have watched the live event. Resources are available in word or pdf format.

Charlie Higson Teacher Resource (Word version)

Charlie Higson Teacher Resource (PDF version)

Charlie Higson If You Only Do One Thing (Word version)

Charlie Higson If You Only Do One Thing (PDF version)

Charlie Higson parent letter (Word version)

Charlie Higson parent letter (PDF version)