Schoolkids across Renfrewshire set to be inspired with huge Paisley Book Festival School Programme
Hundreds of pupils across Renfrewshire are set for a literary extravaganza with the launch of the Paisley Book Festival's biggest ever Schools' Programme.
Article Source: Paisley Book Festival
Last Updated: 16 February 2023 10:35
Over the next week, authors from across Scotland and the UK will take part in 38 events in public libraries, primary, secondary and ASN schools in the region, running from 16 – 24 February.
Paisley Book Festival Schools Programme has grown since the inception of the book festival - last year a diverse programme for primary and secondary schools saw 32 in-person events in schools and libraries across Renfrewshire attended by 1334 pupils, as well as online sessions. Feedback from last year, saw one teacher write, “it was a great opportunity to see an author in real life and gives pupils the confidence to write themselves”, with one youngster adding simply, “it was amazing”.
One of the literary stars set to wow the young people this year is Graeme Armstrong who will be leading 4 workshops for senior pupils at 4 high schools. Based on his highly-acclaimed novel “The Young Team”, sessions will include conversations around gang culture with a historical perspective. Graeme’s novel has won several awards including the Somerset Maugham Award, Betty Trask Award, and Scots Book o the Year 2021.
Graeme, who is also taking part in the main Paisley Book Festival programme, said: “I’m delighted to return to the Paisley Book Festival this year after amazing events previously with Kirsten Innes, Andrew O’Hagan, Douglas Stuart and this year, Kerry Hudson. The schools programme is an incredible opportunity to bring literature to life and explore the complex social history which lead to gang formation and culture in Scotland. I’ll be covering the creative practice of writing a novel alongside documentary making and writing for film - but also addressing some of the dominant themes: gangs, violence, substance misuse and social justice. It will be a lively session with lots to encourage and challenge these young learners and ultimately, to emphasise the message that literature belongs to us all and is always within reach!'”
Andrew Givan, the Children and Young People Co-ordinator at OneRen, which has organised PBF and its Schools’ Programme, said: “This year’s Paisley Book Festival Schools’ Programme promises to be the biggest and best yet, with an incredible line-up of authors and events that we know will inspire the next generation.
“Reading, writing and a love of books is something that so many of us take for granted – but with so many of us glued to our phones or screens, it’s important to take some time to look again at literature and allow ourselves to be transported to different places. I can’t wait to see the faces of our young people, when we take the magic of the written word to them.”
Other highlights of the Schools’ Programme include appearances by:
Fiona Longmuir - Fiona was born in Paisley, and published her debut novel “Looking for Emily” last year, and it was named as one of Waterstone’s Best Children’s Books of 2022. Fiona will be appearing at Johnstone Library and Glenburn Library to meet local primary children, and also visiting Johnstone High and Gleniffer High schools.
Alex Mullarky - Alex lives on the edge of Edinburgh and loves creating stories about nature and magic. Her novel “The Sky Beneath the Stone” is set in an enchanted realm and in her workshops at Bishopton Library and Linwood Library, Alex will create a collaborative map of magical places, developing ideas for our own tales of adventure!
Matt Oldfield - Matt writes about famous footballers and the fictional “Johnny Ball- Football Genius” series. He has visited Renfrewshire schools before and has always been a big hit. Matt has worked with the Renfrewshire school libraries team on a fantastic online resource called Football Shorts talking about how he writes and researches his books (visit www.renfrewshirelibraries.co.uk and select School pages – Renfrew High). Matt has sold over a million copies worldwide! Matt will be visiting Mary Russell School, Linwood High, Trinity High, and also meeting pupils from St Charles Primary at Paisley Central Library and Arkleston Primary pupils at Renfrew Library. At Mary Russell School, Matt will meet pupils from S4-S6 Step unit, many of whom have a keen interest in football.
Three of the authors have brand new books out which are published during the Book Festival!
Barbara Henderson will be launching her new book “Rivet Boy” published by Cranachan, about a real boy called John Nicol who fell from the Forth Bridge during construction and survived, and his friend Cora, an aspiring engineer. It also features William Arrol, the Renfrewshire born engineer who built the iconic Forth Rail Bridge and Tower Bridge in London. It’s an amazing story and Barbara will bring it to life through readings, drama activities, and live interactive engineering challenges. Barbara will lead a session at Paisley Central Library for pupils from Gallowhill Primary, before heading off with the mobile children’s library bus the Skoobmobile to visit 2 more schools!
Justin Davies is the winner of the Fantastic Book Awards and lives in Fife. Justin will be appearing at Erskine Library and Johnstone Library to read from his fantastic new book “Haarville” published by Floris Books, and taking us on a journey into the mysterious world of Manx Fearty, a a twelve-year-old orphan who is about to lose his family’s perpetual device shop to some sinister, suspicious newcomers.
Elle McNicoll is one of the most talked about new writers for children, her first book “A Kind of Spark” has been adapted for TV and will be broadcast this spring. Elle is an advocate for better representation of neurodiversity in publishing, and in 2022 founded the Adrien Prize, to recognize children’s fiction that explores the disability experience. Elle’s latest book “Like a Curse” is the sequel to “Like a Charm”, and is a spellbinding tale set in an Edinburgh filled with magical creatures.
Other authors taking part include Ely Percy, David MacPhail, Maisie Chan, Victoria Williamson and Philip Caveney. The programme is free and more details are available here: www.paisleybookfest.com/programme-schools/
The Paisley Book Festival is supported by Future Paisley, the wide-ranging programme of events, activity and investment using Paisley’s unique and internationally-significant cultural stories to transform its future. It is funded by Renfrewshire Council and Creative Scotland and delivered by OneRen. OneRen is the local charitable trust in Renfrewshire providing culture, leisure and sporting opportunities to help people enjoy active and healthy lives.
More info on the wider programme can be found at www.paisleybookfest.com
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