Natalie Williams loves to read.
So much so that she’ll skip lunchtime outdoors once a week to be a part of Taylors Lakes Secondary College’s book club … and she’s not alone.
As many as 25 students attend the club’s weekly meets to talk in-depth about the novels they’re reading.
Natalie is one of eight book club students chosen as an ambassador for the State Library’s Inky awards, which recognise the best of young adult literature.
The ambassadors, all Taylors Lakes Secondary College students, are tasked with coming up with a long-list and a shortlist of the best books, which are then voted for online by teenage readers.
Natalie said the opportunity has enabled her to build relationships with students from other year levels who she wouldn’t ordinarily meet.
“It’s quite a rare opportunity, it’s like nothing I’ve ever done before.”
Inky ambassadors are also given $1000 to spend luring authors to come and speak to students at the school.
The first event they have organised is for Australian author Lili Wilkinson to talk about her journey as an author, her nine novels and what opportunities are out there for budding young writers.
The free event will be held in the school library on July 20 at 4pm.
For more information, contact Penny Earl at the Taylors Lakes Secondary College Library on earl.penny.p@edumail.vic.gov.au.
