Library News

Book Week and Author visit

YA Author, Hayley Lawrence will be running a series of inspiring workshops on Friday, August 22 as part of the Mercy Library Book Week celebrations.

Lawrence’s books have made a huge impact in the Australian Young Adult publishing industry as she was shortlisted for the Children’s Books Council of Australia (CBCA) awards in 2023 for her book The Other Side of Tomorrow and there is industry buzz that she will be shortlisted again in 2026 for her book Into the Wild.

The CBCA judges said about “The Other Side of Tomorrow”: The author handles the intense emotions of the story deftly and without artifice - every laugh and tear the reader experiences is earned. [It is] Absolutely heartbreaking and real.”

Lawrence’s writing journey highlights her personality strengths of dedication, empathy and determination. Always wanting to be a writer, she followed the serious path of Law, but when she turned 30, she knew that it was time for her to take a chance and devote her time to completing a novel. It wasn’t easy for her to balance her role as a mother of five children, her career as a solicitor and all the other demands on a working mum. However, once she started, there was no turning back.

She has published six novels, and a new one will be released shortly. You can see all her novels on the school library website: https://tinyurl.com/265wqpnz. I have also included a picture of Hayley Lawrence and the covers of two of her most recent books in this article. We are obviously very excited to have someone of Lawrence’s ability share her skills and wisdom with a selection of our students. She will be running workshops for 12 selected students from each age group from Year 7 - 10, and the Advanced English students from Year 11 and 12. Please keep a lookout on Compass for a permission note to come.

Lawrence’s visit is part of the Book Week activities for 2025. Book Week will be held from Monday, August 25, until Friday, August 29. Note that this is a week later than most other schools. 

The theme this year is ‘Book an Adventure’, and we are super excited to see what the staff and students dress up in as part of this theme. The list is endless, and I keep thinking of more possibilities - it could be a spy adventure like Alex Rider, a space adventure like The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a pirate adventure like Treasure Island or a fantasy adventure like Artemis Fowl.    

All students are encouraged to get involved in the many activities over the week, which include an escape box challenge, scavenger hunts, quizzes, house point challenge and, of course, the most important event - the Book Week dress up day on Friday, August 29. If you are new to MCC, you will find out that the students and teachers love to dress up and get into the spirit of the event. I hope you will too!

Take a look at this video to get inspired for Book Week.

Librarian & History Teacher