FEMINISIM and female role models were on the agenda when author James Dawson visited the Grammar School at Leeds.

Mr Dawson, who writes for young adults, discussed his new novel Under My Skin, which was launched on World Book Day. The story is a modern-day take on the classic gothic story of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde but written from a teenage girl’s point of view. Mild-mannered Sally Feather has a beautiful tattoo, called Molly Sue, which brings out a darker side to her otherwise well behaved self. James said: “It is a feminist teenage fiction novel concerning the tug of war for Sally’s body. I have given darkness a character of its own.”

During a series of talks, Mr Dawson addressed the issues of feminism and in particular the portrayal of scantily-clad women celebrities in the media.

He championed good female role models such as the Children’s Laureate Malorie Blackman, actress and UN women’s goodwill ambassador Emma Watson, Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis Hill and the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize winner and campaigner for girls’ education Malala Yousafzai.

Judith Kerr, Deputy Head of English at the school said: “The students thoroughly enjoyed James’s entertaining and thought-provoking talk. I think it is important to promote a love of reading and it was wonderful to hear James address an issue which is important in society today.”

Pupils also marked World Book Day by writing book reviews and by taking part in a quiz to identify books from clues.