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Misogyny is rife on social media
I think I’m being manipulated by social media into seeing things that it wants me to see so that it can elicit a reaction. The reason I think this is because the other day, I had, in the notifications section of my X account, a tweet from Joey Barton. I don’t even...
Is it time for a smartphone detox?
I recently did a smartphone detox. It was only for a week, but during that time, I only checked my phone once in the morning and once again in the evening. Doesn’t sound that difficult, does it? Well, what surprised me was just how difficult it was. It’s a habit, you...
Attainment Scores at Primary Level
Our Children are more than just a set of attainment scores. Other than SATS, state primary schools in England don’t have to assess children in the way they once did. In 2014, the government scrapped National Curriculum levels and schools now grade children as working...
The Benefits of Travelling Solo
The number of people travelling solo has significantly increased over the last decade. Statistics show that internet searches for solo holidays have quadrupled since 2020, cumulating at a new high in 2022. It is not only the younger generation but travellers of all...
English lessons for non-native English speakers
Hello there, My name is Nikki Young and I’m an English tutor and author. I run a writing club called Storymakers, and since 2017, I’ve been helping children aged 7 up to teens improve their English. Some lack confidence in English, others are studying for secondary...
What’s it like to give an author talk?
It’s early. Just gone 7 o’clock. Much earlier than we would normally leave for school. But I’m dropping my son off at a friend’s house. I have a journey to make, a major task to complete. It’s pouring with rain and I can barely see out of the car window. It’s like I’m...
What would you tell your teenage self?
I’m raising my teenage daughters to be Much stronger than me. To know their strengths, hold themselves in esteem, To follow their dreams. To know that happiness comes in many guises, To get out and see the sunrises. To stand up for themselves and each other, To...
The Time School series – a guide
The Time School series follows Jess, Nadia, Ash and Tomma as they navigate their way through the first year of Secondary school whilst experiencing what life was like during pivotal moments in history and learning about their ancestry. Ideal for those who love...
The expulsion of Ugandan Asians by Idi Amin in 1972
On the 4th August 1972 Ugandan president, Idi Amin announced that those living in Uganda who were of Asian descent had 90 days to leave the country. At that time, the vast majority of businesses in Uganda were Asian-owned, with African Ugandans in their employ, many...
Why don’t children enjoy writing?
2019 saw daily writing rates amongst children and young people drop to the lowest levels since 2010 when the National Literacy Trust first began surveying. That figure was on the rise slightly, just before lockdown, when the 2020 survey took place. Last year, the NLT...
How can my child become a published author?
I love stories – I write them and I read them – so I always find it difficult when a child tells me that they hate writing. It’s difficult and it’s sad and as such, it’s always been my mission to help change that mindset. Writing can be fun. In a way that reading a...
A Song of Hope
I went into last year with hope in my heart, Thinking it would be a new start, But it didn’t work out that way, And we all know why, so let’s just say, No one was expecting that. So, the year took on a different turn, And all of us had much to learn, Including how to...
Let reluctant readers explore different types of reading material
I directed my World Book Day 2021 message specifically at reluctant readers. Why? Because I know how much of a struggle it can be. I know how disheartening it is to constantly be told you must read more when all you see are partially read books piling up beside your...
The never ending climb
Trudging up the hill with weary feet,On a treadmill that never ends.The summit is a mirage,I reach out to grab it and itTurns to dust. I’ll keep trudging on, with weary feet,Can’t turn back now, I’ve come so far.One day, I’ll reach the top,I willI will.
In the silence of the dawn
In the silence of the dawn, When everything is still. The only thing I hear, Is the beating of my heart, Reminding me I'm alive, Urging me on, To go ahead and seize the day.
Poems in isolation
Poems in isolation
It’s important for children to see that authors are real people
I think it’s important for children to see that authors are real people. They shouldn’t go around believing that only celebrities write books and that being an author is unobtainable. That’s one of the reasons why I started my writing club in 2017. Another was that I...
The Boy Who Lost His Face, by Louis Sachar – Book Review
I have just finished reading this with my eleven-year-old son and we both loved it. This story has everything for a young tween – the cringe-factor, the laughs – in equal measure. David is just trying to fit in at school, but best friend, Scott has decided he’s no...
Another lockdown, another period of uncertainty.
As we head towards another lockdown starting this week and ending, who knows when, it feels like the nation is falling apart. Could this year get any worse? We're currently in a race to save the high street and support local businesses before we head into another...
Baller Boys by Venessa Taylor
The sports mad child. The one who seems to spend every waking moment living and breathing their favourite pastime. We all know one, don’t we? And there’s nothing wrong with this. In fact, it’s something to be celebrated. It’s hard to get them to do anything else...