This is a new book I have read, called Wonder, by R.J. Palacio

The publisher's description:

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?

I was flattered to be nominated as a torchbearer.

As the time grows nearer I find I am getting more and more excited!

I will be carrying the torch for all those with a visible difference and any youngsters that have experienced bullying.

I will be carrying the flame from the end of Windsor Avenue, to the begginning of Vicarage Lane at roughly 7:50am, on the 3rd of July.

New book review for the Young Times

The reception to mark the 20th anniversary of Changing Faces, hosted by patron Rory Bremner.

Eloise Jones, member of the Diana Award (national anti-bullying team) and fellow Changing Faces YPC member (Young Peoples Council) with Rory Bremner, Patron.

Changing Faces celebrates its 20th anniversary.

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I spoke to Caroline Lowbridge of the BBC, who has posted this article online.

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When they issued out numbers (I was number 10) they asked me if I could run another 300 metres, because number 9 had dropped out I thought ‘oh no, I hope they’re alright.’ But I said “I would be delighted to!” And I ran that section on their behalf. I don’t know who had dropped out, or for what reason, but I was honoured even further to carry the Torch for someone else who must have done something inspirational, but was unable to make their slot. My route then started from Portsmouth Road and ended at Vicarage Lane.

View from the ‘horse-box’ (the bus full of press and video journalists that travel backwards, in front of every Torchbearer.)

The BBC East Midlands coverage of me and my story with the Olympic Torch.

Leicester Mercury July 4th

Leicester Mercury July 5th

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Leicester Mercury July 14th

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Newsround was doing a documentary on CBBC, about transitions for youngsters with extra problems going from junior to senior school. One had cerebral palsy, another with autism, a boy with restrictive growth and the other with various sight restrictions. As a lead-in to this program I told my story.

22nd-November.

Jessica Lee (MP)
Acted as Host at a Parliamentary Reception for the Anti-Bullying Alliance,as they celebrate  their 10th anniversary,to highlight the significant distance travelled in preventing bullying between children and young people – thanks to the dedication and commitment from ABA and its host organisation the National Children’s Bureau, its members, and through cross-party support from government.