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!

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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!