Because I volunteer in our school library with our wonderfully enthusiastic readers and writers, I get to go to the Melbourne Writers Festival Schools Program with the students... YAY!! So early this morning our numbers swelled on the station platform where we met in the chilly hills air in anticipation of the day ahead. Lots of  excited chatter as the train snaked its way into Flinders Street. Across the road to our destination at Fed Square. Finally we landed in the Yarra Building where we were treated to inspiring encounters with celebrated authors of young people's fiction.  Lili Wilkinson of Love-Shy fame shared the details and a reading from this latest work. She was enthusiastic and engaging as she shared the tale of intrepid school newspaper reporter, Penny Drummond on her quest to achieve fame by 'finding and fixing' the loveshy-afflicted boy hiding in her school. Then there was Cassandra Golds, who told us about the nightmare that plagued her days as well as her nights, until she gave voice to its characters in the story of The Museum of Mary Childs - a spooky and intriguing tale of poor little Mary who doesn't understand why she can't play with dolls or go next door, or why she must live with her strict old aunt.... until the day she finds the perfect doll, and does go next door... and learns the horrible truth of who she really is. I haven't read this one yet, but it has ascended to the top of the MUST READ list. MWF - always a treat & something for everyone and every age!