Best-selling author Eric Walters visited Abbotsford Middle School on Tuesday to promote literacy and read to students.
The Chapters “Love of Reading” grant award received by Abbotsford Middle in 2011 has provided funding to transform the school library by purchasing thousands of new books, as well as the opportunity to bring an author to the school to share his/her passion for stories and writing with students.
Walters began writing in 1993 when he was teaching a Grade 5 class.
His students were reluctant readers and writers, and Walters began to write to encourage them to become more involved in literature.
His first novel, Stand Your Ground, was created for this class.
Since this first novel, Walters has published 70 novels for teens and young adults.
His novels have won more than 100 awards, including 11 children's choice awards.
While remaining one of the bestselling children's authors in the country, Walters' books are now available in places as far away as New Zealand and Australia and have been translated into French, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Chinese, Dutch, Korean, Japanese, Italian, Spanish and Slovenian.
He has also presented to more than 1.4 million children across the country. His presentations blend drama, storytelling, audience participation and interaction.