Michael Grant: Outreach 2010

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is over for another year and so too is this year's Outreach Programme. We met hundreds of children and young people throughout the 12 events with 6 authors, all of which were fantastic so a big thank you to everyone who took part! This week, Michael Grant stops by to talk about his events.

As I write this I'm enjoying my last night in Scotland.  After finishing my school visits in the Edinburgh and Glasgow areas I rented a car (cute little bright red Audi A3) and drove to Stirling Castle, on to Inverness, and from there to Glencoe.  

This was my first visit to Scotland.  I have to tell you that in the States the modifier most often associated with the words, "Scots" is "dour."  Meaning harsh, uninviting, dogged, ill-humored.  I don't claim to be an expert on Scotland or Scots but, "dour?"  That might be the last word I'd apply.  In fact what struck me about Scottish kids and adults alike is that I never encountered one who lacked a sense of humor.  A sense of humor and "dourness" are polar opposites.  I don't think I've ever run into a wittier, more approachable, more easy-going bunch of people.  

I absolutely fell in love with Edinburgh, by the way.  Seriously, if you could just relocate the city about a thousand miles closer to the equator I'd move my family there.  

This mis-application of the word "dour" reminds me of the equally absurd characterization of librarians.  Librarians are often portrayed as strict, forbidding, forever "shushing" people.  But I found Scottish librarians -- just like American librarians -- to be fanatical not about silence or decorum but about books.  Librarians are the shock troops of reading.  I hope kids really remember this:  if you read, your librarian is your champion.  I've never yet met a school librarian who was not devoted body and soul to getting you the books you'd enjoy reading.  I can personally promise you that your school librarian would go home happy at the end of the day if they could put you together with a book you'd love.  Not a book that was "good for you," or a book you, "really should read," but a boom that will keep you up all night snapping through the pages.

If you've read my books and liked them and are frustrated waiting for the next one to come out, go talk to your librarian.  Seriously. Go and ask your librarian what else might be similar.  I promise you they won't try and force you to read something boring.  

My only regret on leaving Scotland is that I didn't have my family with me.  I know they'd have loved it as well.  Maybe next time.

Check out the UK trailer for Lies below!

You can read Lies on-line for free until the 27th of September. Enjoy!

Visit Michael's new website and check him out on Facebook.

To view some of the pictures from the Outreach events click here. Come back soon for some more blogs about this year's Outreach programme.

Other news:

Guy Bass and Stripes have launched their first viral book trailer for Secret Santa. Have a look, have a laugh, and why not have a go. Think you can do better than Team Christmas? Upload your X.M.A.S. Academy audition tapes onto Facebook, YouTube or Twitter. To find out more, please visit Guy's website.

Check out the video below!

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