Montrose pupils receive insight into author's work

Montrose Academy pupils will today (Thursday) get an insight into the work of award-winning author Phil Earle when he pays the school a visit.

Award-winning author Phil Earle, who will visit Montrose Academy today.

He is currently touring schools across the north east as part of the 20th anniversary of the Scottish Friendly Children’s Book Tour.

The tour is supported by Scottish Friendly, one of the UK’s leading financial mutuals, and organised by Scottish Book Trust.

Phil has worked as a care worker and as a bookseller and these two fields inspired him to pursue a career as a writer, the former influencing some of his novels.

‘Being Billy’ won the 2012 WeRead Book Award, was nominated for the Carnegie Medal, and was shortlisted for both the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and Branford Boase Award.

Due to his previous experience, Phil is passionate about supporting young people with learning difficulties. During the Tour, he will work closely with reluctant readers and pupils with a wide range of additional support needs.

He said: “I feel very lucky to be working again on the Scottish Friendly Children’s Book Tour. Touring the West Coast of Scotland a few years ago was undoubtedly a highlight of my writing career, so to be asked back is just brilliant.

“The opportunity to travel, working with a diverse range of students, including those with additional needs, is something I will relish. I can’t wait to get stuck in and to show our audiences that we are surrounded by stories, every day of our lives.”