Inspiring students to read and write. It’s eclectic, entertaining and challenging!
An innovative education program for K-12 teachers and students. A rare opportunity for students and teachers to engage with Canadian and international writers.
OCTOBER 22-25, 2013 writersfest.bc.ca
The Festival Experience — 4 Days, 34 Events • • • •
Step out of the classroom and onto Granville Island. Some of the hottest authors on the planet converge with students and teachers in intimate, interactive and informal settings. Writers of all genres perform, read from their work, talk about their craft and answer questions. Events for all grade levels.
Jude Isabella
Jude Isabella is an award-winning science writer for kids. Her new book, Chit Chat: A Celebration of the World’s Languages, is an anthropological romp through language. Grades 3-6
Meg Tilly
Accomplished actress and YA author Meg Tilly’s latest book, A Taste of Heaven, tells a tale of friendship and trust. Meg’s compelling writing comes complete with valuable lessons and solid advice. Grades 4-7
Sheila Watt-Cloutier
Shelia Watt-Cloutier is an activist, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and an Officer of the Order of Canada. Her new book, Right to Be Cold, is a story of resilience and survival. Grades 8-12
Teresa Toten
From the author of the acclaimed Blondes series comes The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B, a traditional whodunit that tackles some tough and topical issues. Grades 9-12
Rhéa Dufresne
Rhéa Dufresne est trés passionnée par la littérature pour enfants et a travaillé comme libraire et éducatrice. Elle a écrit deux livres pour enfants: Aujourd’hui le ciel et Arachnea. De la maternelle à la 3e année et de la 4e à la 6e année
Eric Walters In Power Play, one of his most moving and provocative stories to date, Walters combines a vivid portrayal of rink culture with a powerful and unflinching cautionary tale. Grades 8-12
GET AN EARLY START ON THE FESTIVAL! This summer, check out some of the 2013 Spreading the Word writers and be sure to tell your students about these exciting authors and their new books. You can order books by Festival authors from Vancouver Kidsbooks at kidsbooks.ca
“This was an enriching experience for my students, one that will only foster their development as writers!” Kim Kucille, Teacher at Sir Alexander Mackenzie School
Check out the 2013 authors confirmed to date! Dan Bar-el
Seasoned storyteller Dan Bar-el plays with traditional rhymes and stories, twisting classic themes to weave witty and unexpected tales. Grades K-3
Annie Barrows
Barrows’ delightful humour and enchanting storytelling are back in the latest book in her acclaimed Ivy and Bean series. Grades 1-5
Rachelle Delaney
Animal lovers will be filled with joy as they follow JR, a crime-solving dog, on his adventures through Moscow in Delaney’s newest book for kids, The Metro Dogs of Moscow. Grades 3-7
Glenn Dixon
Dixon’s new book, Tripping the World Fantastic, a journey of musical culture from around the globe, is sure to captivate the ears of young readers. Grades 8-12
Maureen Johnson
Bestselling YA author Maureen Johnson is back with The Madness Underneath, another thrilling mystery from her Shades of London series. Grades 9-12
Alison Wearing
Alison Wearing weaves music, imagery and monologue to tell the true story of growing up with a gay father. Her new book is Confessions of a Fairy’s Daughter. Grades 8-12
Deborah Ellis
In her new book, Looks Like Daylight, Deborah Ellis turns her attention close to home with a compelling collection of interviews with First Nations children from across North America. Grades 8-12
Cary Fagan
Award-winning author Cary Fagan brings quirky humour to the Festival with his two latest books, Oy, Feh, So? and Danny, Who Fell in a Hole. Grades K-3 and 3-7
Kathy Stinson
Kathy Stinson introduces young readers to themes of morality and empathy through the engaging narratives in her latest books, The Man With the Violin and What Happened to Ivy. Grades K-3 and 8-12
Shar Levine
Think that the dirt beneath your feet is boring? Think again! Shar Levine’s new book, Dirty Science, is filled with fun experiments that will teach budding scientists all about soil. Grades 3-5
Elizabeth MacLeod & Frieda Wishinsky Elizabeth MacLeod has written many children’s books. Her most popular series include the Snapshots Biography series, and the Kids Can Read, Kids Books Of and Kids Can Do It series.
Frieda Wishinsky is the author of over 40 books for children. She writes about family, friends, history and magic in a variety of narratives, from picture books and novels to non-fiction. Two children’s authors have teamed up to create A History of Just About Everything, a one-stop resource chronicling the history of the world. Grades 3-7
André Jacob
André Jacob est un professeur passionné des enjeux sociaux. La saga de Crin-Bleu, porte sur l’intimidation. Le journal de guerre d’Emilio, suit un jeune garcon enlevé de sa salle de classe et forcé é devenir soldat. De la 5e à la 8e année
Corin Raymond
Singer/Songwriter Corin Raymond has always been in love with storytelling. His Festival performance will recall a childhood surrounded by books and the impact that literature has had on his life. Grades 8-12
Maggie Stiefvater
New York Times bestselling fantasy author Maggie Stiefvater is back with The Dream Thieves, the second installment in her Raven Boys series. Grades 9-12
Geronimo Stilton
Geronimo Stilton est le rédacteur en chef de L’Écho du rongeur. Sa véritable passion est l’écriture d’histories d’adventures et il participe é de nombreuses expéditions avec ses amis pour trouver de l’inspiration. De la maternelle à la 3e année et de la 4e à la 7e année
Julie Flett
Cree-Métis author and illustrator Julie Flett’s new book, Wild Berries, narrates the tradition of berry picking in her ancestral home in both Cree and English. Grades K-3
“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.” Meredyth Kezar, Teacher at Trudeau Elementary School
“Alan Cumyn’s passion for writing was contagious and even reluct ant writers’ imaginations were ignited. Stories full of drama and humour filled pag e after page, as ideas poured from the stu dents.” Iren e Griffiths, Teacher at Gen
eral Wolfe Elementary
How to buy Festival event tickets Check our website in mid-August for event and program details and the ticket order form: writersfest.bc.ca. Festival school events will sell out quickly, so be sure to book early. To receive a Spreading the Word brochure by mail in August, email your mailing address to smillard@writersfest.bc.ca. TICKETS GO ON SALE SEPTEMBER 16, 2013
La Joie de Lire Chaque année, le Vancouver Writers Fest présente La Joie de Lire, une programmation de jour en français destinée aux élèves des programmes de français langue maternelle et d’immersion en français. Tous les détails du programme seront disponibles en août sur notre site Web au writersfest.bc.ca. Ne manquez pas de faire connaître à vos élèves ces formidables auteurs et leurs nouveaux livres. Vous pouvez commander les livres d’auteurs du Festival au Vancouver Kidsbooks sur kidsbooks.ca. Comme toujours, nous avons élaboré un programme mettant en vedette des auteurs possédant une vaste expérience dans la présentation de leur œuvre au public scolaire.
New! Spreading the Word Writing Contest Visit our website in August for details on our new writing contest, for grade 8 – 12 students across BC. Winners will be awarded a cash prize and will be published in BC publications. Details at writersfest.bc.ca.
Study Guides! Spreading the Word events connect to BC curriculum. Check the Festival website (writersfest.bc.ca) for event study guides in September. Guides d’études! Les activités « Spreading the Word » ont des liens directs avec les programmes d’études de la C.-B. Pour permettre aux enseignants de tirer plein parti du Festival, un guide d’études a été élaboré pour chacune des activités. Ces guides seront disponibles sur le site Web du festival en septembre.
Reading With Writers INVITE AN AUTHOR TO YOUR SCHOOL! Twice a year local and Festival authors visit inner city classrooms to inspire young readers and writers, at no cost to the schools. To book a writer for a classroom visit between October 22–24, contact Ilona Beiks. INVITEZ UN AUTEUR À VOTRE ÉCOLE! Deux fois par année, les auteurs locaux et invités du Festival visitent les écoles des quartiers défavorisés pour inspirer les jeunes lecteurs et écrivains. La visite d’un auteur dans votre classe est gratuite et peut être réservée entre le 22 et le 24 octobre en communiquant avec Brenda Berck.
Ticket Subsidies Thanks to the Cynthia Woodward Development Program, subsidized event tickets are available for eligible schools. See our website and Spreading the Word brochure for details in August. Grâce au « Cynthia Woodward Development Program », des billets subventionnés seront offerts aux écoles admissibles. Au mois d’août, consultez notre site Web et la brochure Passons le message pour obtenir de plus amples détails.
For more information about Spreading the Word programs: llona Beiks, Education Co-ordinator, education@writersfest.bc.ca or call 604.215.9726
For more information about La Joie de Lire: Brenda Berck, Responsable de la programmation française, lajoiedelire@writersfest.bc.ca or call 604.681.0315 202-1398 CARTWRIGHT STREET VANCOUVER BC CANADA V6H 3R8 TEL 604.681.6330 FAX 604.681.8400 WRITERSFEST.BC.CA