Author books in at city deaf school

From: The Scotsman - Jan 21, 2004

A CANADIAN author is set to visit deaf children at a city school after they helped with the research for her latest book.

Frances Itani is expected to meet with youngsters at Donaldson's College today to talk about her new novel Deafening.

The book is based on the life of the author's grandmother, who became deaf at the age of five after contracting scarlet fever.

Although the book is set in Ontario, Ms Itani visited children at Donaldson's College in 2000 to talk with pupils and teachers there as part of her research.

Ms Itani said she had first become interested in Donaldson's after spotting the impressive building on a visit to the Capital.

The author said she was looking forward to returning to the school and discussing the book with some of the children who had helped in her research.

"I'm hoping to make my talk as personal as possible and hope they will ask lots of questions," she said.

©2004 Scotsman.com