A GROUP of young bookworms really will have something to write home about after a trip to meet their favourite authors.

Excited pupils from The Withins are today travelling to Birmingham to quiz four writers in line for a national award.

The Withins group is one of only four chosen to meet children's writers shortlisted for a prestigious Carnegie Award.

The 20 pupils were selected because of their commitment to a national scheme to persuade children to read more books.

Withins pupils are among thousands throughout the country shadowing Carnegie competition judges as they select the winning books from 35 entries.

Withins successfully picked three of the seven works shortlisted for the prize and were delighted to be invited to meet the authors of their top two tomes.

They will get the chance to talk to Phillip Ridley, author of Scribbleboy, and Joanna Rowling, who wrote Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. "They are absolutely thrilled," said Anne Smallwood, Learning Resource Centre Manager. The award winner will be announced in July and the pupils are hoping Withins will be the school chosen to see the ceremony in London.

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