During Anti-Bullying Week 2024, Years 5, 6 and 7 were visited by author and actor Joseph Elliot.
Elliot is the author of the award-winning Shadow Skye trilogy and also appeared in the BAFTA-winning series Swashbuckle as ‘Cook’. Elliot’s most recent novel is called Nora and the Map of Mayhem.
In the spirit of both Anti-Bullying Week and Disability History Month, Elliot explained that the main character of the Shadow Skye trilogy, Agatha, is a hero with Down Syndrome. Elliot was inspired to create this character when he worked as a TA at a special needs school.
“It is important to see ourselves reflected in the books we read,” he said. “It is also important to read books about characters who are different from us.”
He wanted to create a character that challenged people’s preconceived notions about people with disabilities.
Students learned about the world of the Shadow Skye trilogy, and how long it takes to write a book and were surprised to find out that it only takes two hours to print a physical book!
Elliot gave students writing tips and opened the floor to questions. One student, Lily (Y7), had written her own book and presented Elliott with a signed copy.
Students had the opportunity to preorder a book beforehand and have it signed by the author at the end of the session.
