Jane Higgins, author of young adult dystopian novels "The Bridge" and "Havoc", recently led class 9M in a fascinating discussion of this popular literary genre.

Jane explained how authors of dystopian fiction will often take something which they see happening in the world today, a 'seed idea', and push it to its extreme in their fiction, to explore what could happen in possible future scenarios. As a result, dystopian fiction contains thought-provoking themes related to control, power, misuse of technology, and the heroism of those who refuse to conform. Jane's visit wrapped up a unit of work in which 9M students had chosen their own dystopian novel to read and study, so the students were able to reflect on the 'seed ideas' which might have prompted these texts. They were also able to listen to Jane read aloud the exciting prologue to her second novel, "Havoc".