The Reading Cafe

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome to Season 5 of The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast named Best Children and Young Adults' Show by the Independent Podcast Awards and current FINALIST in the 2025 British Podcast Awards!
This special Reading Cafe LIVE episode was recorded with an enthusiastic audience at the Edinburgh International Book Festival where we were joined by Waterstones Children's Book Prize winner, Nathanael Lessore.
Our tremendous presenters Sophia and Namatai had a fantastic chat with Nathanael and the audience were thoroughly entertained - laughing, applauding and no doubt making their way to pick up his excellent books (Steady For This, King of Nothing and What Happens Online) straight after the event...
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
Nathanael's approach to ensuring his use of language chimes with his audience
His process to addressing issues around toxic masculinity and the potential problems of online anonymity
How his life has changed since winning the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Older Readers
PLUS: Alice and Daisy present an Ed Book Fest featurette including a mini-interview with Carnegie Medal winner, Margaret McDonald (Glasgow Boys) and excerpts from the YA Book Prize award ceremony, co-hosted by The Reading Cafe's Elsa and Grace alongside Laura Bates (Non-fiction: Everyday Sexism/YA Fiction: Sisters of Fire and Fury) 
To learn more:
Nathanael Lessore - https://www.darleyandersonchildrens.com/book/king-of-nothing/
Margaret McDonald - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8e4k4zxwwlo
Laura Bates - https://www.laurabates.co.uk/
Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe! Subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!

APPROX AGE RATING: 9–12
Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast named Best Children and Young Adults' Show by the Independent Podcast Awards!
This episode is a double delight! We’re joined by award-winning author and screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce, along with his long-time collaborator, the brilliant illustrator Steven Lenton, for an inspiring and laughter-filled conversation all about stories, screenplays, and storytelling magic.
Frank is the celebrated author of Millions, Cosmic, and The Wonder Brothers, and he’s also the screenwriter behind Kensuke’s Kingdom and the unforgettable 2012 Olympics opening ceremony. His latest novel, The Blockbusters, brings his love of cinema and literature together in an exciting new adventure that celebrates friendship, creativity, and the power of stories.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
🎬 How Hollywood and screenwriting inspired The Blockbusters🎙 Why hosting The Island of Brilliant podcast has changed how Frank thinks about children's books✨ How magical elements help tell real-life stories in The Wonder Brothers🎆 What it was like to help create the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony📚 Frank's thoughts on the "happiness recession" and why access to books matters now more than ever🎞 The challenges—and joys—of adapting Kensuke’s Kingdom for the big screen
PLUS: Illustrator Steven Lenton gives us a peek behind the scenes at how he brings Frank’s stories to life with colour, energy, and humour—and why pictures matter just as much as words.
To learn more:📘 Frank Cottrell Boyce – https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/frank-cottrell-boyce🎨 Steven Lenton – https://www.stevenlenton.com
Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe!Subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!

APPROX AGE RATING: 15+ (NATIONAL 5/HIGHER MODERN STUDIES/POLITICS)
Welcome to The Reading Cafe - the podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!
The Reading Cafe LIVE 2025 audience event featured an interview with Darren McGarvey, award-winning BBC documentarian and Orwell Prize-winning author of Poverty Safari and The Social Distance Between Us.
During this excellent interview, Darren was in conversation with outstanding S6 Reading Leaders, Elsa and Grace. Our audience of National 5/Higher Modern Studies and Politics students had the opportunity to hear the writer’s responses to questions about key topics (poverty, health, gender and the criminal justice system) in preparation for the exam in May. 
They also enjoyed live self-written scenes ('Tone Deaf' and 'The Glass Ceiling') performed by Advanced Higher Drama pupils focused on poverty and gender.
This is an invaluable resource for all pupils who are studying for the National 5 and Higher Modern Studies and Politics exams, so make sure you take lots of notes as you listen!
SUBSCRIBE: @ApplePodcasts @spotify @audible @podbeancom
FOLLOW: @ReadingCafePod on Instagram
 

APPROX AGE RATING: 9-11
Welcome back to The Reading Cafe!
Pari Thomson is the author of the acclaimed eco-fantasy series Greenwild, which won the 2024 Waterstones Children's Book Prize for both the overall category and the Younger Readers prize. In addition to her own writing, Pari works as the Editorial Director at Bloomsbury Children's Books. Her Greenwild series has been praised for its imaginative storytelling and environmental themes.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL DISCOVER:
Why Pari chooses to write children's literature
How the magic of nature inspires her 
Plus, Pari reads from Greenwild: The World Behind The Door
This episode also features Holy Cross Geography teachers, Stephanie Murphy and Dawn Honnet, who will be talking about their connection to nature and literature.
To learn more about Pari Thomson, visit: https://us.macmillan.com/author/parithomson
You wouldn't want to miss any episodes of The Reading Cafe, so be sure to subscribe!
Please leave a rating, review wherever you listen to podcasts and... keep reading!

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
WINNER - Best Children and Young Adults' Podcast 2024 (Independent Podcast Awards)
Welcome back to the Reading Cafe!
Kat McKenna is author of Look What You Made Me Do: A Love-Letter to the Fandom Era. As a massive long-term Swiftie, Kat evaluates the phenomenon of Taylor Swift's success and looks at the concept of fandom itself. 
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT:
- How Taylor makes her fans feel “seen”. 
- Swiftmas and the Easter Eggs Taylor leaves throughout her songs, performances and videos. 
- Why fans care so much about Taylor as a person, not just as a pop star.
...AND MUCH MORE!
This episode also features two members of The Tortured English Department, Miss Gallagher and Miss Quigley, who will be telling you about their most prized poets and treasured Taylor Swift songs. 
To learn more about Kat McKenna, visit: https://www.katmckenna.com
You wouldn’t want to miss any episodes of The Reading Cafe, so be sure to subscribe. Please leave a rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts and… keep reading!

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome back to The Reading Cafe!
Kayvion Lewis is the author of Thieves' Gambit, winner of the 2024 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for Older Readers. This thrilling and wildly imaginative crime novel is the first in a series which looks certain to become the next big YA hit. Excitingly, it is now on its way to the big screen, having been sold to Lionsgate who have brought Creed and Transformers director, Steven Caple Jr, onto the project.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
How Kayvion makes sure twists are unpredictable
What she would say to her characters if she met them in real life
The turning point in her journey as a writer
Plus, Kayvion reads an EXCLUSIVE preview of her new book, Heist Royale, which arrives in November.
This episode also features Holy Cross History teacher, Lucy Kinnie, who will be revealing the historical crime that has arrested her attention above all others...
To learn more about Kayvion Lewis, visit: https://www.kayvionlewis.com/
You wouldn’t want to miss any episodes of The Reading Cafe, so be sure to subscribe!Please leave a rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts and… keep reading!

APPROX AGE RATING: 15+ (NATIONAL 5 ENGLISH)
Welcome to The Reading Cafe - the podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!
The inaugural Reading Cafe LIVE audience event featured an interview with Ann Marie Di Mambro, writer of the popular National 5 English set text, Tally’s Blood.
During this excellent interview, Ann Marie was in conversation with two of our outstanding S5 Reading Leaders, Elsa and Grace. Our audience of National 5 English pupils had the unique chance to hear the writer’s responses to questions about the characters, setting and themes of Tally’s Blood in preparation for the exam in May. 
They also enjoyed live scenes from the play performed by National 5 Drama pupils, Caroline and Martha, and Higher Drama students, Maria and David. After each scene, Ann Marie provides answers to an 8-mark style commonality question, focused on theme/relationships.
This is an invaluable resource for all pupils who are studying Tally’s Blood for their National 5 English exam, so make sure you take lots of notes as you listen!
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro/Welcome to The Reading Cafe
00:04:37 - Ann Marie Di Mambro bio/Interview part 1 (setting/Rosinella/relationships)
00:14:38 - Act 1, Scene 11 and 8-mark discussion: theme of love
00:19:15 - Interview part 2 (setting/character/theme of identity/conflict)
00:23:49 - Act 2, Scene 8 and 8-mark discussion: relationship between Massimo and Rosinella
00:28:52 - National 5 Q & A: 1) Rosinella’s childlessness 2) Key scene: Italian experience 3) Theme of loss
00:34:21 - Final questions: If you could change one thing.../favourite character
00:39:24 - Thanks and closing remarks
SUBSCRIBE: @ApplePodcasts @spotify @audible @podbeancom
FOLLOW: @ReadingCafePod
 

APPROX AGE RATING: 11+
Welcome back to The Reading Cafe!
Elle McNicoll is an award-winning author and screenwriter whose debut novel, A Kind of Spark, won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the Blackwells Book of 2020 and the Blue Peter Book Award. The novel was recently adapted into a fantastic CBBC show. She also established The Adrien Prize - an award for novels which feature disabled characters.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: • Working as a professional author • Learning to come up with creative ideas • Elle’s experience of writing for television
This special transition episode also features P7 pupils from Holy Cross associated primaries, St Paul’s and St Mary’s, as well as guests from Support for Learning, James McManus and Aimee Gibson.
To learn more about Elle McNicoll, visit: https://www.ellemcnicoll.com/
You wouldn’t want to miss any episodes of The Reading Cafe, so be sure to subscribe!Please leave a rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts and… keep reading!