World Book Day and Beyond! by Edge author Dave Cousins.

Books are important—they teach us empathy, make us think and question, help us navigate our way through life—they’re also a lot of fun, which is why I'm a big supporter of World Book Day.

Last week on the roads and railways, you could hardly move for authors, illustrators, poets and storytellers on their way to schools for World Book Day events—David Walliams even took to the air to avoid the congestion! 

My own World Book Day tour started on Monday with a 5am start. Seven days and nineteen presentations to over 1500 young people later, I'll admit I’m a wee bit tired and my voice is a little more croaky than usual, but it was worth it.

Some wonderful displays in the library at Montsaye Academy!
(Thanks to Lisa Shaw)

With schools being increasingly forced to focus on exam results and league tables, I worry that reading for pleasure will be marginalised, despite the important role it plays in a young person's development. The perilous state of our library service, both public and in schools, is a worrying indication of the low value attributed to books by those currently in power. In this climate, World Book Day feels like a festival of defiance—an excited, noisy, costumed parade—a demonstration of just how important stories are. Visiting schools this week, seeing the work staff have put into World Book Day celebrations and the enthusiasm of the students, proves that not everything of value can be tested and entered onto a balance sheet. 

But don’t take my word for it, here are a few photos and some feedback about World Book Day that I received from staff and students at the schools I visited:

Acting out a story at Bishop Stopford School
(photo: Hilary Sutton)

“Seeing 200 faces rapt, involved and amused … was a joy. Introducing them to new books in such a lively manner will undoubtedly lead to more reading enjoyment.” —Hilary Sutton, Librarian, Bishop Stopford School

“I’m so excited I could burst!” — Year 7 student, Bishop Stopford School (I have to admit, that one is my favourite!)

Discussing comics and graphic novels with students at Parmiter's School
(Thanks to Angus for the photo)

“World Book Day is an incredibly important time for school libraries, as it's the perfect opportunity to promote everything that's great about books and reading for pleasure. At Parmiter's we embrace it wholeheartedly by putting on a week's worth of activities for all year groups. From author talks and signings to books sales and competitions, the world is your oyster! We look forward to planning something new every year.” — Nicola Davison, LRC Assistant, Parmiter’s School

Developing ideas during a writing workshop at Skinners' Academy
(Thanks to Skinners' Academy for the photo)

"They were so inspired that we sold out of books and have had to buy many more copies for the library." —Susannah Phillips, Librarian, Skinners’ Academy

I would like to thank all of the staff and students at Holloway School, Parmiter's School, Bishop Stopford School, Skinners’ Academy, Littleover Community School, Ashcroft Academy and Montsaye Academy for their hospitality, enthusiasm and inspiration! Thanks also to booksellers Brenda and Terrie, with help from Zoe and Mia at Parmiter's, and Stuart Cleaver from Quinn's Bookshop at Montsaye. 

Finally, if you haven't already done so, please check out the World Book Day Teen Fest website which has loads of exclusive author videos, playlists and blog posts to keep the festival going!

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Dave Cousins is the author of a number of award-winning books for children and young adults. Visit www.davecousins.net for more information. 

EDGE NEWS: The EDGE at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School—Report

Edge authors Katie Dale, Keren David, Sara Grant and Dave Cousins recently visited Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in London for an afternoon of events. Here's a report on the day from the EGA Newsletter (30/01/15). Thanks to Lesley Cheetham and all the schools and students involved.

If you would be interested in holding an EDGE event at your school or library, please let us know.
Email: edgewriters@yahoo.co.uk for more information.

EDGE NEWS: School Events Update

On Wednesday 21 Jan 2015, Edge authors Katie Dale, Keren David, Sara Grant and Dave Cousins will be at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in North London, for an afternoon of panel events and writing workshops. Students from three nearby schools have been invited to join pupils from EGA, with Pea Green Boat Books on hand to sell books. 

If you'd like to host an Edge event at your school or library, please email edgewriters@yahoo.co.uk for more information.

Getting Edgy at Hemel Hempstead Library for Herts Lit Fest

Edge Authors Sara Grant and Dave Cousins

On Tuesday 25th March, two-eighths (or one quarter!) of the Edge were at Hemel Hempstead Library for a morning of book-inspired edginess as part of the Hertfordshire Literary Festival. Sixty year seven students and staff from The Hemel Hempstead School made it through a Spring downpour to spend the morning at the library.

Dave and Sara with Hemel Hempstead School students.
(Thanks to Tom for the photo.)

The session began with an entertaining tour of the vast range of library services on offer from Young Persons Librarian Karen Stephens—who managed to find an something available at the library for every letter in THE EDGE!

Next, Edge authors Sara Grant and Dave Cousins gave the students an introduction to themselves and their books.

Sara reveals the inspiration for her latest Young Adult thriller HALF LIVES

Dave wonders if this is the HEAD that's been missing for 15 DAYS!

In the week leading up to the event, Edge ‘Graffiti Walls’ had been installed in Hemel Hempstead Library and at the school.

Graffiti Wall bookshelves ready for student comments
at The Hemel Hempstead School Library

Students and library visitors were invited to write book-related questions and opinions on the walls for discussion by a panel at the event.

The Graffiti Wall at Hemel Hempstead Library.

Joining Sara and Dave on the panel were librarians Emma and Naomi, plus year seven students Gus and Dan. The aim of the Graffiti Wall is to spark a discussion about books and reading with as many different perspectives on books and reading as we can, so it was brilliant to have young readers and librarians sharing their opinions, not just the authors!

The Hemel Hempstead School students provided a steady stream of thought-provoking questions, and the morning passed far too quickly.

All that remained was time for some book borrowing, buying and signing.

Sara and Dave would like to thank everyone involved for their time and effort in making the event possible, especially Emma Scott, Shirley Everall, Karen Stephens, Naomi and Mobeena at the library, Mrs Krajewski and her fellow staff at The Hemel Hempstead School, and Hemel Hempstead Waterstones for supplying the books.

Finally, our thanks to the year sevens—their company, questions and opinions made sure the event was a lot of fun for everyone involved. The final words we will leave to them. Thanks for your kind comments guys … 

"Our trip to the Library was great. We loved the authors because they were really funny. We both went on the panel which was super fun. All in all it was a great trip and I would love to do another. Thanks Dave Cousins and Sara Grant."

Gus & Dan

"We thoroughly enjoyed the event. Dave Cousins was very entertaining and Sara Grant was interesting to listen to. It was a wonderful experience and we learnt a lot. We wish we’d bought all their books!"

Maya & Eve

"I really enjoyed meeting Sara Grant and Dave Cousins, it was an amazing opportunity. We got to ask them both some very interesting questions and heard what other people said as well. We were lucky enough to have them read us parts from their books too. Afterwards their books were on sale and we all got a signed bookmark. I’m so glad that I could go."

Talia

"Meeting Dave Cousins and Sara Grant at the Library was a fantastic experience. I loved asking them questions and learning about them. It was a very inspiring trip."
Harriet

The event was covered by the Hemel Hempstead Gazette.
(Thanks to Becca Choules and David Satchel (photo))

Pop Up and Sit Down with a Book! (or, How Pop Up gets Young People Reading.)

by Edge Author
Dave Cousins

Why pick up a book? I mean, there are so many other things you could be doing: watching TV, hanging out with your mates, playing a game, tweeting, texting, sharing pictures on Instagram, surfing YouTube … Why switch off all that multicoloured, moving, bleeping, tweeting interactive fun and sit down quietly with a book? 

Tricky one that. It’s a question parents, teachers, librarians, book-sellers, writers and publishers have been wrestling with for years. 

One of the tenets of writing is “SHOW, don’t TELL” and that could also apply in this case. When I visit schools, I try to avoid telling young people that they SHOULD be reading. Sure, I’ll explain how important books have been to me, share my enthusiasm for some of my favourites, but then I read something—SHOW them what I mean—in the hope they’ll be inspired to give books another go themselves. 

The programme of literature festivals and events offered by London's Pop Up organisation takes this idea even further. Pop Up Director Dylan Calder explains: “The children read a book, meet the author of the book, then experience a workshop around that book to create creative responses.”

Earlier in the year, I took part in a number of Pop Up Booklinks events. When I arrived at the schools, the entire class had already read 15 Days Without a Head and produced work based on the story, including hot-seating, where students would take it in turns to interview each other as one of the characters. The teachers said the pupils’ enthusiasm for the project was evident in the way they had approached the tasks and the quality of work produced. The video below shows a small sample of film posters students produced having been tasked with casting and promoting a movie of the book.

 
The fact that pupils know they are going to be meeting the author creates an extra dimension to their reading experience and associated work. The opportunity to both question the author, and share their own responses, brings them closer to the book and makes reading a much more inclusive process. Working with the author on the students’ own creative project further breaks down barriers between reader and creator, and provides an important channel for self-expression. 

My overriding impression from the classrooms I visited was one of great enthusiasm. Dylan Calder sums it up perfectly: “Children should come away from Pop Up wanting to read more because they had such a great experience.” Maybe that answers our question.

If you’d like a Pop Up Education programme in your learning community email: education@pop-up.org.uk

Below are links to a couple of short films showcasing recent Pop Up events in June 2013, run in partnership with London museums and galleries.

Pop Up Secondary Film

Pop Up Primary Film

Waiting for Gonzo by Dave Cousins is out now in paperback, audiobook and kindle, published by Oxford University Press. A soundtrack of original music inspired by the book is also available. To find out more, please visit davecousins.net. 

At Night on the Edge with the Youth Libraries Group at Foyles Bookshop

Last night, six Edge authors joined members of the Youth Libraries Group at Foyles bookshop in London, for an evening of flash readings, panel debate and breakout sessions to explore the edges of teen and young adult fiction. 

Here are some of the highlights.

The iconic Foyles bookshop on Charing Cross Road

A frenzy of activity preparing the gift bags

Foyles rock – literally!

Foyles Gallery – ready and waiting

Our guests add their thoughts to the Edge Graffiti Wall

The audience weren't expecting …

YLG's Matt Imrie to start the evening off with a song!

All too much for Miriam, but Bryony enjoyed it.

Waiting to see what would happen next.

Whatever it was, Sara and Katie enjoyed it …

Video evidence of Matt's musical intro …

Thanks to Neil, Emily and Helen at Foyles, for hosting the event and to Matt Imrie at YLG for making the idea a reality. Much appreciation also to our publishers for their generous support – shout-outs to Orion, Egmont, Oxford University Press, Simon & Schuster, Usborne, Meadowside and Andersen.

Finally, huge thanks to everyone who battled through the downpour to attend – it would have been a very quiet night without you.

Edge Authors meet Hounslow Library Summer Reading Challenge Team at Paul Robeson Theatre

On Saturday afternoon, four Edge authors joined the Summer Reading Team based at Hounslow Library for an event at nearby Paul Robeson Theatre. Throughout the summer, the group, led by librarians Rachel and Navi, will be working with young readers in libraries across West London as part of The Reading Agency Summer Reading Challenge.

Organised by The Reading Agency and the UK public library network since 1999, the Summer Reading Challenge is the UK's biggest annual reading promotion for four to eleven year olds and last year 780,000 children took part (43% of which were boys).

Research shows that reading for pleasure is central for children's life chances, * yet children in England do not read as independently or enjoy reading as much as their international peers.**

Here are a few highlights from the day …

Louis, Rachel, Niki, Navi, Abigail, Sarah, Miriam, Monica,
Sara, Dalia, Anika and Zab.

The Edge make their first appearance in a theatre!

The group made their own graffiti wall
with some (really) tough questions!

Edge authors Sara Grant, Bryony Pearce, Dave Cousins and Miriam Halahmy

Another first for the Edge – an audience of guinea pigs – literally!
Introducing Snow White and Rapunzel.

A huge thanks to Rachel and the team at Hounslow Library for a great event and for making us so welcome. Wishing them all the best for the Summer Reading Challenge.

Don't forget, if you'd like to get involved in the Summer Reading Challenge, visit your local library or the Story Lab website here.

* Reading for Change, OECD, 2002
** Progress in International Literacy Study (PIRLS), 2006

Edge Authors visit Blackheath Bluecoat School

On Thursday three-eighths of the Edge were at Blackheath Bluecoat School. Sara, Katie and Dave had a great afternoon with Year Ten students talking about how and why they write, what's involved in getting a book published, as well as sharing a few secrets about what they did before they were authors. 

Here are a few pictures from the event … 

Edge Authors Katie Dale, Sara Grant and Dave Cousins

Dave introduces The Silver Skull of Silence … 

There were lots of great questions from the Year Ten audience and staff …

… some of which had our panel momentarily lost for words!

Lynn and Caroline next to the gallery of librarian portraits
produced by the students

A huge thanks to all the staff and students at the school for making our Edge authors so welcome, especially Caroline and Lynn in the library.

(Additional thanks to Caroline for taking the photos)

The Reading Agency MyVoice Libronauts Welcome The Edge Authors to Padgate Library, Warrington

On Friday a contingent of Edge authors arrived in Warrington to meet up with The Libronauts at Padgate Library. Part of The Reading Agency MyVoice initiative, The Libronauts are made up of pupils from Lysander High School in Padgate and meet every Tuesday in their Reading Hub, appropriately dubbed The Launch Pad! 

We were delighted when they contacted the Edge and asked if we would be interested in taking part in two panel discussions involving students from Lysander and other local schools.

The Libronauts were involved in the planning and running of the events and were great hosts. We had a brilliant day. Here are a few of the highlights …

The Libronauts and the Edge (l-r)
Tasha, Arwel, Andrew, Paula, Tom, Sara, Chloe, Jade,
The Silver Skull of Truth, Alex, Dan, Dave, Bryony, Jake.
(Thanks to James for taking the photo)

Edge authors Sara Grant, Bryony Pearce, Paula Rawsthorne and Dave Cousins
contemplating The Silver Skull of Truth

The infamous Edge Graffiti Wall

Bryony in Jazz Hands pose!

"My Voice has changed my life in lots of ways. It's definitely something I've enjoyed. It's been an inspiration for me." Tom

Paula and The Skull holding court.

Dave acting out a scene from his book.

Happiness is a signed copy of Angel's Fury!

Can't ask for better feedback than that.

The Libronauts even designed us a new Edge logo

"My Voice has given us opportunities we never would have had." James, Young Library Champion

Edge books on display on The Launch Pad bookshelf

The arrival of new book beanbags caused much excitement. 
Jade and Tasha try them out.

The Libronauts and Mission Controllers, Chris and Claire.

Bidding a fond farewell to The Libronauts we headed across town to Waterstones in Warrington for a book signing. Thanks to all the staff for making us so welcome and to everybody who stopped to have a chat and enter our competition.

Congratulations to the winner: Ash Shaw. 

Your prize should be on its way to you soon, Ash.

In Warrington Waterstones with Hugo the Bear.

For more information on The Reading Agency MyVoice project visit their website or Facebook page. Follow The Reading Agency on Twitter at @readingagency.


Follow The Libronauts on Twitter @LaunchPadWeb1


Follow Waterstones Warrington on Twitter @WaterstonesWire