Author Dan Smith Inspires at Oxclose Community Academy

On Thursday, 7th November, acclaimed author Dan Smith visited Oxclose Community Academy, captivating the year 7 students with tales of his adventurous childhood and the experiences that shaped his writing. Dan shared stories from his early life in the 1970s, living in diverse places like Indonesia and Brazil, where he grew up exploring the unique landscapes and wildlife. He recalled his time at a British boarding school, far from his parents, describing how boarding life back then was a challenge of resilience and self-discovery. During holidays in Asia and South America, he ventured into the wild, recounting experiences like fishing for piranhas, camping near wild animals, and swimming alongside river dolphins.

At boarding school, Dan found solace in reading adventure stories each night before lights out. It was this escape that planted the seeds of a lifelong passion for storytelling, which he now shares with young readers worldwide. Dan spoke to the students about his popular Crooked Oak Mystery series and his latest books, The Wall Between Us, Nisha’s War, and Killburn Mine, inspiring many to dive into reading.

Students eagerly lined up to ask Dan questions and buy his books, with Dan generously offering to sign each copy with a personalized message. This unique opportunity to connect with an author left students inspired and excited about reading and storytelling.

Research by the Society of Authors shows that 99.4% of schools hosting author events see significant benefits, reporting increased interest in reading, creative writing, and a lasting enthusiasm for books. Reading for pleasure has profound impacts: it expands vocabulary, broadens perspectives, fosters empathy, reduces stress, and sharpens focus. Dan Smith’s visit was a memorable experience, reminding students of the joy and adventure that reading can bring."It was a nice experience to have a real author coming into school. It made me interested to read the full series of his collection."