Author Visits
Chibundu Onuzo
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Ms. Onuzo came to TCIS on September 23rd, 2015, and spoke to several Secondary School classes about writing and about her novel, The Spider King's Daughter. She did a writer's workshop activity with a Humanities 9 class to help them prepare for a coming research and writing assignment. She also read portions of her book to several Learning Lab 10 classes and took questions in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. At the end of the day she signed copies of her novel that the Learning Commons had provided for TCIS community members to purchase locally.
Student Comments:
I liked how we asked questions because there were people who were shy and didn't have confidence to ask questions. But as she pointed to the person they get to have an opportunity to ask questions. My favourite question was is her book a Nigerian version of Romeo and Juliet. How she expressed her book by telling us that it isn't a version of Romeo and Juliet - it's just her book. I felt like she was trying to say be yourself not following other. I think she gave use good answers and things to think about. I wish there would've been more students to join Author's talk (Most of us left for sports so the scheduled time wasn't that good) and who actually read her book. If we spent some time to read a few parts of her book together and discuss, it would've been more better. I think that the author, Chibundu Onuzo, gave a very interesting insight on her book and her journey as an author. She captivated the audience in a manner that made everyone participate while also making it comfortable. I also liked how she was humorous in her explanations so that we would have more fun. It was a nice opportunity where I could hear stories about the author and learn about her. I liked how she tried to give best answers to each question. |
The talk with Ms. Ozuno for an hour was a very meaningful time for me. Before, I had several chance to talk to different writer/journalist however, this was my first time really interacting with the writer and asking various questions related to books. She shared about her life and what lead her to write the novel and when she read the beginning part of her story it captured me to read it. It was very nice to have a time to meet someone that I could talk about books. Thank you for arranging the visit of Chibundo Onuzo. I enjoyed the time. I really enjoyed having her in class. I felt bad/guilty because I didn't read her book, but she was really fun, and I wish to get to know her personally. I would like to ask more questions after I read her book, but I think that it would be great. I thought that the questions and answers were very well thought out, and it was very interesting to listen to. I think the questions we asked her during class were interesting because I got to know her as a person, not just an author of a book. By getting to know her as a person, I could see how authors write stories from their background and they eventually get published into a book. I think I would like to know more about how she though of Korea after coming her and her experience from this visit. |
Before I go to give feedback on Ms. Onuzo's visit. I never got to say thank you to Ms.Johnson who arranged a fantastic meeting with Ms. Onuzo. The guest answered questions that I want to hear from a professional writer/journalist, and it was a fortune that I got the chance to talk to a person who who published powerful articles related to her country, Nigeria, in the Guardian. She shared a bits of her life as a foreign student in Britain and how she was confused by the situation, and I agree with her for I felt the similar emotion when I first arrived in Montreal. Thank you to her, I learned a little bit more about how to publish a book, and I got her e-mail to contact her when I have an important question about writing.
Thank you Ms.Johnson for the Opportunity.
- Simon
Photos by Mr. Craig Gordon
