Acclaimed Canadian author Eric Walters visited schools across the Renfrew County District School Board last week, including Madawaska Valley District School, Killaloe Public School and Palmer Rapids Public School.
Walters has a background in teaching and in social work, and he was motivated to start writing to inspire students to share his love of reading.
He said he wrote his first novel, Stand Your Ground, based on events happening in the community his school was located in.
“I think the books have social significance. I try to write about things that I think are important,” he said.
Walters has won accolades like a Governor General’s award, but said it means a lot to him to have won multiple children’s choice awards and have students identify his work as their favourite.
He added students in the school board were highly engaged and eager to hear his presentations.
Education director Kristen Niemi said these kinds of school visits help bring literacy to life for their students.
