A GROUP of Ballymun students who published an innovative novel aimed at reluctant teenage readers were guests of honour at Ballymun Book Exchange earlier this month.
The eight second year pupils from Trinity Comprehensive School decided to aim their novel
‘In Pieces’ at young people who prefer their books to be short and snappy.
And the young authors were warmly welcomed at Book Exchange on November 7 when they discussed their book at the popular monthly event held in Ballymun Civic Centre.
There was a large turn out this month to listen to Librarian Joe Kelly and the students involved tell their story and discuss their book and the process of how it came about.
Some Book Exchangers were even lucky enough to get signed copies of
‘In Pieces’ at the event.
The novel is about a teenager named Alan whose life seems to be going to pieces since his mam died. His friend Mary is there to help but she cannot protect him from the unwelcome attention of Andrew Stapleton. And his dad is too lost to stand up for his son.
But his mam isn’t as far away as he thinks. And when Alan discovers he has a special gift, he sets out on a ghostly adventure that will change his life forever.
Book Exchange is a community education event organised by Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership. It offers over 1,000 free books to local residents to take home and swap for their own pre-loved books. The exchange attracts over 250 visitors every month, creating a friendly buzz about books in the Ballymun Civic Centre.
The concept of Book Exchange is to promote reading in the heart of the community by providing access to reading material for free. Recent research found people cited the Book Exchange as a great improvement in their community and something that could be used by people regardless of their financial or educational position.