The Gateshead-based book, Me Mam. Me Dad. Me. has been going down a storm with some of our y9 and y10 students recently, with some declaring it the best book they’ve ever read!
We were delighted then that the author, Malcolm Duffy, agreed to meet our avid readers and share the story behind the book with them on the last day of term. A born and bred Geordie, Malcolm passed a law degree and worked as an advertising copywriter in London before becoming Creative Director of Comic Relief, creating campaigns for Red Nose Day and Sport Relief. It was this experience at Comic Relief, meeting with women and children who had suffered domestic abuse, which directly inspired Malcolm’s debut novel, Me Mam. Me Dad. Me. In the book, Danny witnesses his mam suffer abuse at the hands of her new boyfriend and goes in search of his dad, the dad he’s never met. It’s a genuinely heartbreaking, humorous and hopeful story, with a real Northern feel, told in the Geordie voice of 14 year old Danny. Malcolm’s next book, publishing in May, explores the joys and challenges of dyslexia and also features a character from the North East – we can’t wait to read it!
Malcolm generously shared tips for creative writing with our students and answered lots of audience questions on his books (and his favourite football team!) before presenting certificates and prizes to those students who have been working exceptionally hard with their reading this year. All of the specially invited students will also receive a copy of Me Mam. Me Dad. Me. signed by the author.
Feedback on the visit from both staff and students has been overwhelmingly positive and we’re looking forward to welcoming Malcolm back to Cramlington Learning Village very soon.