Internationally acclaimed children's author Melvin Burgess will be speaking at the Christchurch College of Education on 6 May.

Organised by the Canterbury Public Library, Melvin's visit to Christchurch will be his first time in New Zealand and is a rare chance to meet this popular writer.

"We are delighted to be have the opportunity to host Melvin," said Bill Nagelkerke, the library's Children's and Young Adults' Services Co-ordinator. "He is considered to be one of the rising stars of contemporary children's and young adults' literature."

His books for older readers tackle challenging subjects such as homelessness, hunting, witchcraft and child abuse. His recent novel Junk, a hard-hitting tale about drug abuse, won the prestigious Carnegie Medal as well as the Guardian Fiction Award in 1997.

Burgess is from England and wrote his first book at the age of 20, becoming a full time author at the age of 35.

Admission to hear him speak about his life and work is free. He will be at the Christchurch College of Education, Room 205, Avon Block at 7pm on Thursday 6 May.