Polwhele House school near Truro played host to the launch of a new children’s book last week.

One Silver Summer, written by Rachel Hickman, founding director of publishing house Chicken House Books, focuses on the story of a young girl’s bond with her horse after the loss of her mother. Set in Cornwall and aimed at children aged 11 to 13, the book was officially launched at Polwhele House, where the pupils were read extracts from the book. Meeting with Rachel also inspired them in their own literary pursuits.

Headmaster Alex McCullough said: “We were happy to welcome Rachel to the school in order to launch the book. Polwhele House is the perfect place to share the story – the relationship and bond with the horse in the story resonates with many of our pupils. We have extensive equestrian facilities and many children are keen riders with a passion for horses.”

Although she lives in Hampshire, Rachel spends most summers in Cornwall, where she wrote and set the novel. “I wanted to offer something different for young people who are looking for a well written, romantic, ‘clean-teen’ fiction that is simultaneously modern, and empowering," said Rachel. "Many of Polwhele House’s students fit that brief, so it was the ideal place to launch the book.”