We were thrilled to welcome acclaimed author Miriam Halahmy to Queenswood recently to speak to our Year 7 and 8 students about her new book, Always Here for You. Miriam was a special needs educator for 25 years and now writes novels, short stories and poetry for children, teens and adults. Her captivating works include Hidden, Saving Hanno and The Emergency Zoo.

Always Here for You tells the story of 14-year-old Holly who finds herself lonely and at 'rock bottom' after her best friend moves away and her parents are preoccupied caring for her grandmother. Home alone, she starts chatting to 'perfect' Jay online. Holly knows to be careful about the people you meet in the virtual world; she's heard the horror stories. Can funny and caring Jay be all he seems, or is Holly in too deep? 

After asking the students for their thoughts about the internet and online safety, Miriam talked to them about her book and there was an opportunity for the pupils to buy their own signed copy. Judging by the queue of excited bookworms, there will be some very busy readers over the Easter holidays!