OCTOBER 20-23, 2015
FOR GRADES K– 12 STUDENTS
A preview of the 2015 Spreading the Word authors confirmed to date
Contents Writers for Grades K – 3: Page 2 Writers for Grades 2 – 6: Page 3 Writers for Grade 4 – 9: Page 4 Writers Grades 8 – 12: Page 5 How to Buy Festival Tickets: Page 2 Subsidized Tickets: Page 3 Study Guides: Page 5 Reading with Writers: Page 3 Spreading the Word Writing Contest: Page 4 Ordering Festival Books: Page 5 Contact: Page 5
An innovative education program for K-12 teachers and students.
writersfest.bc.ca
The Festival Experience – 4 Days, 34 Events • Step out of the classroom and onto Granville Island • Lively events to engage your students • Readings, poetry slams, performances and Q&As
Grades K–3 Mélanie Watt | Bug in a Vacuum Mélanie Watt is a kid lit superstar, best known for her award-winning Scaredy Squirrel books. Her sold out appearances at the 2012 Festival were met with rapturous response. Watt brings her trademark humour, creativity and quirky characters to her latest picture book, Bug in a Vacuum. With the switch of a button, one bug’s life changes forever. After being sucked into a vacuum bag, this one little bug moves through denial, bargaining, anger, despair and eventually acceptance—the five stages of grief—as it comes to terms with its fate. This is a lighthearted look at grief, loss and change that remains playful and humorous. Grades K–3
Paul Yee | Chinese Fairy Tale Feasts Paul Yee is one of Canada’s leading writers for young people and a recipient of the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature. His new book, Chinese Fairy Tale Feasts, is an enchanting collection of original stories and interpretations of Chinese folklore. Your students will be enthralled by the glorious procession of characters that make their way across the page, and each of the humorous, haunting and magical stories is finished with a simple recipe for a classic Chinese dish that they can take home to make with their family. Grades K–3 More Spreading the Word authors will be announced in August.
How to Buy Festival Event Tickets TICKETS GO ON SALE SEPTEMBER 14, 2015 Visit our website (writersfest.bc.ca) in mid-August for event details and a ticket request form. To receive a Spreading the Word brochure by mail or email in August, please contact Sandra at smillard@writersfest.bc.ca.
“ Attending an event at the Vancouver Writers Fest is very special, it always inspires reading in my classroom, and the children I teach love coming to Granville island.” –Teacher at Trudeau Elementary School
Inspiring students to read and write. It’s eclectic, entertaining and challenging! 2
Grades 2–6 Kallie George | Clover’s Luck Kallie George is a local author and editor, who also teaches creative writing workshops. Her new book Clover’s Luck tells the magical tale of Clover, a young girl who is having the worst luck – that is, until she happens upon a notice calling for volunteers at an animal adoption agency. She soon discovers that this is no ordinary job or adoption agency: instead of regular pets the agency houses magical creatures. Your class will be enchanted by George’s charming story and oddly endearing assortment of magical animals, while taking away positive messages about self-acceptance and compassion. Grades 2–5
Bill Slavin | Big Star Otto Bill Slavin is an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books. He’ll be at the Festival with Big Star Otto, the final book in his Elephants Never Forget graphic novel trilogy. Otto and his parrot pal Crackers have been hot on the trail of their friend Georgie the chimpanzee ever since he was abducted from Africa. They’ve finally found his location, Hollywood, but reaching him is going to be tough with agents, shadowy villains and wannabe animal actors thwarting their plans. This action-packed and hilarious story also comes with a positive lesson for your students: despite his misadventures, Otto’s good nature, loyalty and generosity remain constant. Your students will walk away with a deeper understanding of friendship, teamwork and perseverance. Grades 2–5
Cybèle Young | The Queen's Shadow/Some Things I've Lost Cybèle Young is a renowned artist and author/illustrator of eight picture books, including Ten Birds which won the 2011 Governor General’s Award. Young will be at the Festival with two new books. The Queen’s Shadow weaves the science of animal eyesight into a clever whodunit involving a haughty queen and her stolen shadow. It is an excellent resource for life science lessons and will show your students that there is more than one way to see the world. Her second book, Some Things I’ve Lost, is an inventive picture book in which misplaced objects undergo marvelous and magical transformations. Your students will learn to consider the inevitability of change and the power of imagination. Grades 2–6 More Spreading the Word authors will be announced in August.
Reading with Writers INVITE AN AUTHOR TO YOUR SCHOOL: October 20–22, 2015 Local and Spreading the Word authors visit classrooms at schools in need, where they talk about how a book is created and where they find inspiration. Students are encouraged to try writing themselves, and to get reading. To book a writer for a classroom visit at no charge to your school contact Education Co-ordinator Ilona Beiks.
Subsidized Event Tickets Subsidized event tickets are available for eligible schools through the Cynthia Woodward Development Program. See our website (writersfest.bc.ca) and the Spreading the Word brochure in August for details.
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“ This was an enriching experience for my students, one that will foster their development as writers!”
Spreading the Word Writing Contest Open to Grades 8–12 students from across BC, this writing contest rewards creativity and encourages students to explore their imaginations. Prizes will be awarded to the top two entries in both poetry and fiction:
– Teacher at Sir Alexander Mackenzie School
First Prize: $300 • Second Prize: $200
Grades 4–9
Winners will be published in The Claremont Review, a magazine that showcases aspiring young writers. Deadline: 5:00pm, October 25, 2015 Details: writersfest.bc.ca/youthwritingcontest
Michel Chikwanine | Child Soldier: When Boys and Girls are Used in War Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Michel Chikwanine grew up amid the terror of the Great War of Africa. At age five he was kidnapped by Congolese rebels and forced into warfare as a child soldier. Since leaving his home as a refugee at the age of 11, Chickwanine has overcome unimaginable struggles and now shares his story as a motivational speaker and peace activist. He will be at the Festival with his debut book, Child Soldier: When Boys and Girls Are Used in War, a graphic novel that tells the story of his experience as a child soldier. Chickwanine’s passion is infectious, your class will be moved by his powerful story and inspired to create positive changes in the world. Grades 5–9
Tanya Lloyd Kyi | DNA Detective Tanya Lloyd Kyi is an award-winning children’s author who writes both fiction and non-fiction and is known for combining factual research with intriguing narratives, to engage young readers. Lloyd Kyi will be at the Festival with her new book, DNA Detective, which explains the science of genes and introduces young readers to “genetics rock stars,” scientists and researchers who discovered pieces of the DNA puzzle. At the heart of Lloyd Kyi’s book is a whodunit mystery, which students are encouraged to help solve using the knowledge they’ve gained in each chapter. Your students will walk away with a greater understanding of DNA and the desire to put their newfound knowledge to work. Grades 5–9
Michelle Mulder | Trash Talk: Moving Toward a Zero-Waste World Michelle Mulder is the author of several books for children, and she enjoys telling the stories of kids who seize life's opportunities. Her new book, Trash Talk: Moving Toward a Zero-Waste World, uncovers the many innovative ways people from across the globe are dealing with waste. With some creative thinking, our overflowing landfills can become a collection of valuable resources just waiting to be harvested. Your students will learn about the history of garbage, how people from all over the world deal with trash, plus interesting facts and unique initiatives being used to go “zero waste”. Mulder’s thought-provoking ideas will leave your students with inspiration for some environmental initiatives of their own. Grades 4–7
Kenneth Oppel | The Nest Best known for his Silverwing trilogy, celebrated children’s author Kenneth Oppel is back with an eerie masterpiece, The Nest. Steve is an anxiety-ridden boy whose summer is shaping up to be a season of worry. With a newborn baby brother who is very ill and the sudden appearance of a wasp’s nest looming in the eaves of his house, Steve’s worries grow and his vivid dreams become nightmares. This compelling story explores disability and diversity, fears and dreams, and what ultimately makes a family. Grades 5–8 More Spreading the Word authors will be announced in August.
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Grades 8–12 Patti LaBoucane-Benson | The Outside Circle Patti Laboucane-Benson’s 20 years of work on healing and reconciliation of gang-affiliated or incarcerated Aboriginal men was the inspiration for her powerful new graphic novel, The Outside Circle. This book tells the story of two Aboriginal brothers, Pete and Joey, who are surrounded by poverty, drug abuse and gang violence. After Pete’s arrest, he begins a process of rehabilitation that includes traditional Aboriginal healing circles and ceremonies. This deeply moving story follows Pete and Joey as they try to overcome centuries of historic trauma to bring about positive change in their lives. Grades 10–12
Jillian Christmas | Spoken Word Jillian Christmas is a spoken word poet and the Artistic Director of Verses Festival of Words. She is an activist in the Canadian arts community, her focus being to increase anti-oppression initiatives in spoken word. Christmas aims to reach a wide audience with her poetry, so she uses language that is accessible to people of all walks of life. She explores universal topics, while placing her poems in the context of her own experience. Christmas is an experienced teacher and mentor, who has facilitated spoken word workshops for youth across the country. Grades 8–12
Gene Luen Yang | American Born Chinese/Boxers & Saints Gene Luen Yang is an award-winning graphic novelist best known for American Born Chinese, a National Book Award finalist. Yang’s stories are engaging and humorous, but tackle tough issues, such as shame, racism and friendship. The underlying message of his work—accept who you are and you'll already have reached out to others—will resonate with your students. Yang will be at the Festival with American Born Chinese and his latest graphic novel Boxers & Saints, which explores the history of the Boxer Rebellion while addressing issues of self-identity and communal understanding. Yang’s characters struggle to find their deepest cultural and spiritual selves. Grades 7–10 More Spreading the Word authors will be announced in August.
Study Guides Spreading the Word events connect to BC curriculum goals. Check the Festival website for event study guides in September.
Ordering Festival Books You can order books by Festival authors from Vancouver Kidsbooks at kidsbooks.ca.
For more information about Spreading the Word programs, contact Ilona Beiks, Education Co-ordinator, education@writersfest.bc.ca or call 604-215-9726.
“We attended the Festival as a writing class looking for some tips for developing our storytelling skills. The authors’ dialogue managed to keep our class— loaded with grade 11 boys—entertained.” –Teacher at Maple Ridge Christian School
For Information on our La Joie de Lire program for French language and French immersion students, please see our La Joie de Lire brochure or visit writersfest.bc.ca. 202-1398 CARTWRIGHT STREET VANCOUVER BC CANADA V6H 3R8 TEL 604.681.6330 FAX 604.681.8400 WRITERSFEST.BC.CA
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