Vancouver Writers Fest Spreading the Word Preview Brochure 2016

OCTOBER 18–23, 2016

Eclectic, entertaining and inspiring events for K–12 writers and readers

Contents Writers for Elementary Students: Page 2 Writers for Secondary Students: Page 3 How to Buy Festival Tickets: Page 3 Reading with Writers: Page 4 Study Guides: Page 4 Subsidized Tickets: Page 4 Spreading the Word Writing Contest: Page 4 Ordering Festival Books: Page 4 Contact Us: Page 4

Get an Early Start on The Festival The list of fantastic children’s authors heading to the Vancouver Writers Fest this fall is growing.

With a wide range of subjects for every grade level, there will be an event for your class within our diverse program. Have a look at the authors, some of whom are already familiar, check out their latest books and invite your students to do the same.

The Festival Experience – 4 Days, 34 Events • Dates: October 18 – 21, 2016 • Events for K – Grade 12 students • Step out of the classroom and

• Writers of all genres perform, read from their work, talk about their craft and answer students’ questions

• Authors are selected for their ability to engage

onto Granville Island

students while addressing subjects that are part of the curriculum for each grade level

Elementary Lisa Charleyboy | Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native American Voices Lisa Charleyboy (Tsilhqot’in – Raven Clan) is a First Nations writer and social entrepreneur living in Toronto. In 2014, she co-edited Dreaming in Indian with Mary Beth Leatherdale.

Indian, which was given the Youth Literature Award by the American Indian Dreaming in Indian Library Association, is a powerful and visually stunning anthology from some of the most groundbreaking Indigenous artists working in North America today. Featuring pieces by acclaimed author Joseph Boyden, visual artist Bunky Echo Hawk, stand-up comedian Ryan McMahon and Mrs. Universe winner Ashley Callingbull, this anthology shatters commonly held stereotypes about Indigenous people and will challenge young readers to rethink their own place in the world. world

Jennifer Gasoi | Red and Blue Makes Purple: A Musical Journey with Jennifer Gasoi Grammy Award-winner Jennifer Gasoi is a children’s writer and musician with a gift for writing and performing upbeat, intelligent jazz and world-based children’s songs that adults love too. At the Festival, young listeners will be treated to songs and stories from Red and Blue Makes Purple, a book with irresistible songs highlighting the different colours in Gasoi’s unique blend of musical styles. Each song is accompanied by notes on the history, instruments and unique characteristics of each musical genre, making this book a great primer for young music lovers.

Gordon Korman | Slacker G Gordon Korman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 75 books for young readers and this fall he’ll be presenting his latest: Slacker. The story follows the journey of Cameron, a boy who creates a fake school club in order to avoid homework and hang out with his friends. However, not everyone knows that the club is fake, and soon Cameron finds himself the president of a club dedicated to saving a beaver named Elvis from certain extinction. Full of the zany adventures and memorable characters that have made Korman a household name, Slacker is sure to become another of your students’ favourites.

Kenneth Oppel | Every Hidden Thing K Kenneth Oppel is the Governor General’s Award–winning author of the Airborn series and the Silverwing Saga, which has sold over a million copies worldwide. At this year’s Festival, he will present Every Hidden Thing, a novel about two young people in search of an impossible prize: the skeleton of a massive dinosaur known as “rex.” It’s larger than anything the 19th century has ever seen and it could change the lives of Samuel Bolt and Rachel Cartland.

This compelling novel will delight any student with a passion for paleontology, as well as introduce important themes of gender and the ethics of scientific exploration.

Roy Henry Vickers | Peace Dancer Roy Henry Vickers is an accomplished Indigenous artist whose prints and carvings have been enjoyed all around the world. He is also a captivating storyteller, and his books bring West Coast Indigenous legends to life. His latest, Peace Dancer (co-created with author Robert Budd), tells the Tshimshian legend of a great flood that covered the earth. Young readers will delight in the eighteen stunning illustrations by Vickers, and be enchanted by the story, which emphasizes the importance of respect for all living things.

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Secondary Roberto Ascalon New York City-born Roberto Ascalon is a poet, writer, arts educator and spoken-word performer. He has taught at Nova High School and participated in Seattle Arts and performer Lectures’ Writers-in-the Schools program. Ascalon currently works as a teaching artist and mentor for Arts Corps, Youth Speaks Seattle and the Service Board. Ascalon uses his love of the craft of poetry to transform the world that surrounds him. He connects with audiences via universal narratives that encompass topics like racism, first kisses, love, family and Spam.

Erin Bow | The Swan Riders Erin Bow is a physicist-turned-poet-turned YA novelist whose YA dystopian novel The Scorpion Rules was named the Book of the Year for Young Adults by the Canadian Library Association. This fall, Bow presents the much-anticipated companion to The Scorpion Rules, The Swan Riders. Your students won’t be able to put down this smart, sly and electrifying novel that imagines an alternate journey for Scorpion’s protagonist Greta. Expanding on Bow’s inventive and chilling vision of dystopic Canada, this compelling novel explores themes of technology, morality and sexuality.

Peter Wohlleben | The Secret Lives of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World Peter Wohlleben, a former forester, is passionate about changing humans’ relationship to trees. His book, The Secret Lives of Trees, captured the attentions of tens of thousands of readers in Germany and is now available in English. In it, he illustrates how trees are not just the ‘organic robots’ we think they are: they feel, form families, nurse each other back to health and even warn each other of danger. After listening to Wohlleben’s presentation, your students will walk away with a deeper understanding of the complex lives of trees, plus a newfound sense of wonder at the natural world.

More Spreading the Word authors will be announced in Augus

t.

How to Buy Festival Event Tickets TICKETS GO ON SALE SEPTEMBER 12, 2016 Visit our website www.writersfest.bc.ca in mid-August for event details and a ticket request form. Our school events sell out quickly: please book early to avoid disappointment.

To receive a Spreading the Word brochure by mail or email in August, please contact our Administrator, Sandra Millard, at smillard@writersfest.bc.ca.

“What an event!

My students and I were completely engaged and inspired by the selection of four authors who weave powerful social lessons through the fabric of enjoyable and heartfelt historical fiction.”

– Teacher at Maple Ridge Christian School

“The Vancouver Writers Fest is always a great start of year field trip for my students. We come and enjoy the authors, the location and the food.” – Teacher at David Thompson Secondary

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Study Guides

Reading with Writers INVITE AN AUTHOR TO YOUR SCHOOL October 18 – 20, 2016

Book a Festival author to visit your classroom. This opportunity is funded through the Festival for schools-in-need within the Lower Mainland.

Authors will talk to students about how a book is created and where they find inspiration. Students are encouraged to try writing and get reading.

Spreading the Word events connect with BC curriculum goals.

Check the Festival website for event study guides in September.

To book a writer for a classroom visit, at no charge to your school, contact: Ilona Beiks, Education Co-ordinator, education@writersfest.bc.ca or call 778 873 3094

Subsidized Tickets “Thanks again for this great experience, and for seeing the importance of sharing authors and illustrators with children, and finally for offering this amazing afternoon to schools for free.”

– Teacher at Lord Roberts Annex

Subsidized event tickets are available for eligible schools through the Cynthia Woodward Development Program. See our website www.writersfest.bc.ca and Spreading the Word brochure in August for details.

Spreading the Word Writing Contest Open to students in Grades 8 – 12 from across BC, this writing contest rewards creativity and encourages young writers to explore their imaginations.

Prizes will be awarded to the top two entries in poetry and fiction:

Ordering Festival Books You can order books by Festival authors from Vancouver Kidsbooks at kidsbooks.ca.

First Prize in each category: $300 Second Prize in each category: $200 Winners will be published in The Claremont Review, a magazine that showcases aspiring young writers.

Contest opens: September 12, 2016 at 12:00pm Deadline for submission: October 23, 2016 at 5:00pm

See writersfest.bc.ca/youthwritingcontest for details.

For more information about Spreading the Word programs, contact: Ilona Beiks, Education Co-ordinator, education@writersfest.bc.ca or call 778-873-3094.

“[The author ’s] visit inspired and catalyzed our students. Thank you again for providing us such a wonderful opportunity to stretch outside the classroom to the larger world of the Arts, and make those connections for our kids.”

–Teacher-Librarian at J.N. Burnett Secondary

202-1398 CARTWRIGHT STREET VANCOUVER BC CANADA V6H 3R8 TEL 604.681.6330 FAX 604.681.8400 WRITERSFEST.BC.CA

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