Free virtual author events with the ReadingZone Bookclub

Join the ReadingZone Bookclub programme of free virtual author events each term.

The ReadingZone Bookclub is aimed at classrooms and libraries that are keen to develop a love of reading and the events are aimed at students aged five to 12 years. 

These events are open to schools and classrooms, and are free to join.  Meeting an author can have a real impact on children's Reading for Pleasure - and taking part in a virtual bookclub event is a great way to end the week!  Each event includes a half hour author event, followed by an author Q&A via Chat, giving children the opportunity to put their own questions to the author. Do check in again as we have more author events to announce!

Email [email protected] to book your FREE place at these ReadingZone Bookclub events.

ReadingZone Bookclub Virtual Author Events 2023:  

Em Lynas for Fun with Rhymes: The Goat and the Stoat and the Boat
Friday 22nd September, 2pm - 2.45pm
For Reception & Yr 1
Guaranteed to have you utterly tongue tied and giggling, join author Em Lynas for a hilarious brilliantly rollicking rhymes and plenty of animal antics as she shares her books The Goat and the Stoat and the Boat and The Cat and the Rat and the Hat! Children will have the chance to 'wibble and wobble' and 'twist and twirl' their way through the books' active alliterations, learn new tongue-twisters (maybe even sharing some of their own favourites!) and play with phonics to come up with new rhymes. 
Email: Subject 'Fun With Rhymes' to [email protected] to book a free place.

Sophie McKenzie introduces Secret Sister
Friday 29th September, 1.30pm - 2.15pm
For Years 7 & 8
Join the award-winning author of Girl, Missing, Sophie McKenzie for September’s book club. In this online session Sophie will introduce her latest book Secret Sister, which follows twins Willow and Asha as they try to piece together why they were raised separately. Sophie will also talk about how she started writing, the inspiration behind her thrilling books and there will also be plenty of time to ask Sophie questions about her books, writing and career. 
Email: Subject 'Sophie McKenzie' to [email protected] to book a free place.

Tracey Corderoy and Steven Lenton: Train Trouble for Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam!
Wednesday 4th October, 2pm - 2.40pm
For Years 1 & 2
ALL ABOARD! Everyone's favourite baking doggy duo Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam are back for a new adventure! There's trouble ahead on the Pawrient Express as a familiar feline felon makes her comeback. Can they stop the sneaky thief and use their doggy detective skills to save the day?   Join Tracey Corderoy and Steven Lenton for a fantastic event all about these robber dogs turned crime-solving baking duo! Expect interactive storytelling and live illustration, as they bring Train Trouble to life. Drawing, games - it's sure to be FUR-bulous!  
Email: Subject 'Shifty McGifty' to [email protected] to book a free place.

Poetry Live with AF Harrold
Friday 6th October, 2pm - 2.45pm
For Years 3-6
We are celebrating National Poetry Day, which takes place on Thursday 5th October, with this special virtual poetry event.  Welcome to Wild Town!  Let's discover an exciting poetry adventure... Come for a journey of wild encounters in streets, houses and parks, where we will discover zebras dancing in Herbivoreville, the tigers of Bengal Street in the Carnivore Quarter, and many more. One thing is certain - you will never be the same after your visit to Wild Town, and when you leave, the wild will go with you. 
Email:  Subject 'Poetry' to [email protected] to book a free place.

Atinuke with Brilliant Black British History
Friday 13th October, 2pm - 2.45pm
For Years 3-6
Celebrate Black History month with Brilliant Black British History, an eye-opening story of Britain, focusing on a part of our past that has mostly been left out of the history books. From science and sport to literature and law, children's author Atinuke celebrates the brilliant Black people who have helped build Britain. Atinuke will take audiences through historical topics such as the world wars, slavery, the industrial revolution, Windrush and the Black Lives Matter movement. 
Email: Subject 'Black British History' to [email protected] to book a free place.

Writing Scary Stories with Gabriel Dylan
Friday 3rd November, 2pm - 2.45pm
For Years 4-6
Join author Gabriel Dylan as he talks about his new spooky series, Shiver Point: It Came From The Woods. This spine-chilling book is centred in the humdrum town, Shiver Point, which undergoes a strange and mysterious alien invasion... Gabriel will guide you through his top 5 tips for writing scary stories, with an exclusive reading and followed by an audience Q&A. An event sure to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up! 
Email: Subject: Writing Scary Stories to [email protected] to book a free place.

Wild Robot with Peter Brown
Friday 17th November, 2pm - 2.45pm
For Years 4-6
Peter Brown introduces his best-selling books The Wild Robot and The Wild Robot Escapes, and we will learn about the latest book in the series, The Wild Robot Protects, which is published this autumn.  Further details to come.  
Email:  Subject: Wild Robot to [email protected] to book a free place.

Environmental Adventures with NatashaFarrant 
Friday 24th November, 2pm - 2.45pm
For Years 5&6
Join Natasha Farrant as she introduces her latest novel, The Rescue of Ravenwood, an epic adventure with a call to arms: we must fight to save the most treasured things on our planet. Natasha will be discussing various themes including: The climate and environmental crisis; Climate and conservation activism; Children taking control of their own future; Navigating the modern world; and reading and writing for pleasure. Find out more about Natasha Farrant and The Rescue of Ravenwood. 
Email: Subject 'Environmental Adventures' to [email protected] to book a free place.

Previous events:

Robert Muchamore:  Robin Hood for the 21st century
For Years 7 & 8
Bestselling author Robert Muchamore introduced his Robin Hood series, fast-paced adventures that bring the Robin Hood myths into an alternative contemporary world, reshaped by the climate crisis.
Find out more about author Robert Muchamore and his Robin Hood series

Jerry Craft on graphic novels
NY Times bestselling author and illustrator Jerry Craft took students on his journey from being a VERY reluctant reader to becoming a Newbery-Award-Winning author. He shared images from his childhood, including early comic books, his self-published books, and ended with his groundbreaking graphic novels, New Kid, Class Act, and School Trip.
Watch Jerry Craft talking about becoming an author and introducing his graphic novels

Storytelling plus interactive draw-along with John Kane
For Reception & KS1 (ages 4-7)
John's event included a storytelling/presentation, followed by an interactive draw-along where the children will draw the 'OH' bear character, followed by an author Q&A.   A great event for interactive learning that encourages children to participate and helps them develop their listening and speaking skills. Find out more about bestselling picture book author John Kane

Growing Readers with Cath Howe
For Yr1 & Yr2 (ages 5-7)
Author Cath introduced her new young fiction series, Call the Puffins, set on the island of Egg. They learned about Muffin and the Puffin rescue team and learned amazing puffin facts; they also drew their own puffin character and got to know the puffin promise and the actions that go with it.
Find out more about Cath Howe and Call the Puffins

World War II mystery with Rhian Tracey
For Yr5 & Yr6 (ages 9-11)
Author Rhian Tracey introduced I, Spy (Piccadilly Press), her adventurous and thrilling new book, I, Spy, set in Bletchley Park at the start of World War II, based on true events and inspired by her great-aunt Audrey, who was a codebreaker!   Read an extract from I, Spy