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Hong Kong International Young Readers Festival 2015
Schools Programme (UPDATED)
Dear friends,
I am happy to share an updated list of authors for the Hong Kong International Young Readers
Festival 2015 Schools Programme. Please find the full list below, with new names in blue and
previously announced names in black.
Jon Berkeley, an Irish author and illustrator of many books, including Chopsticks, which takes
place at Hong Kong’s Jumbo Floating Seafood Restaurant. Jon also illustrates for Time magazine,
The Sunday Times and The Economist, among others.
AJ Betts, the Australian author of young adult novel Zac and Mia, which won the Text Prize for
Young Adult and Children’s Writing and the 2014 NSW Premier's Ethel Turner Prize for Young
People's Literature.
Gavin Coates, a Hong Kong-based illustrator, cartoonist and author of children's books on
environmental conservation, including the Earthy series and Pinky the Dolphin and The Power
That May Be, about Hong Kong’s famous pink dolphins. He is also a landscape architect and
university lecturer in landscape architecture.
Matt Dickinson, an award-winning filmmaker and writer with twenty years experience in the
high-risk world of mountain expeditions, and a director/cameraman for National Geographic
Television, Discovery Channel and the BBC. He is the author of The Everest Files, which has
been long-listed for the prestigious Carnegie Medal.
Alan Gibbons, a multi-award-winning writer based in the UK. Winner of fifteen literary awards
including the BBC-televised Blue Peter Book Award, Alan has been shortlisted twice for the
Carnegie Medal. He visits 180 schools a year as a performer, leader of writing workshops and
educational consultant.
Lenore Look, the award-winning author of the Alvin Ho series and the Ruby Lu series, and
several picture books, including Brush of the Gods. She was a journalist before writing for
children. She has also taught creative writing at universities, and frequently speaks in schools.
Kate O’Hearn, an international bestselling author based in England, best known for the
Pegasus and Valkyrie series. She studied fashion before she became a writer and usually
dresses up for events.
Padma Venkatraman, the author of three award-winning, critically acclaimed novels, A Time
to Dance, Island’s End and Climbing the Stairs. She also has a PhD in oceanography and
frequently speaks to students of all ages.
Kelly Yang, the Hong Kong-based author of Where’s Broccoli, a picture book, and a columnist
for the South China Morning Post. She is also a college admissions consultant.
Please read on for more information about these authors and available programmes. As a
reminder, tickets are priced at HK$60 per head for talks and HK$140 per head for workshops.
We are also pleased to confirm that our School Subsidy Scheme will continue to afford students
from qualified local and aided schools discounts of up to 80%.
Please find attached:
- Detailed author information
- Booking information for in-school sessions
- School program booking form
- School Subsidy Scheme application form
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 2877 9770. Thank you!
All best wishes,
Jessie Cammack
Festival Manager
Authors’ Biographies
Jon Berkeley is the author of The Wednesday Tales,
a trilogy of children’s novels illustrated by Brandon
Dorman. Jon was born in Dublin and has worked for
thirty years as a freelance illustrator, cartoonist and
occasional columnist in Sydney, Hong Kong, London
and Dublin, and now lives in a small town near
Barcelona with his wife, Orna, and their five children,
along with six cats (at the last count). He illustrates
for Time magazine, The Sunday Times and The Economist among
many others, and writes when he’s not illustrating. He also wrote
and illustrated Chopsticks, the story of a friendship between a
mouse and a dragon, and has illustrated several picture books by
other authors.
AJ Betts is an author, teacher, speaker and
cyclist. Zac & Mia, the winner of the Text Prize for
Young Adult and Children’s Writing, is her third
novel for young adults and also winner of the
2014 NSW Premier's Literary Award Ethel Turner
Prize for Young People's Literature. Her others
are ShutterSpeed and Wavelength. She lives in
Perth, and writes when she’s not bicycling.
Gavin Coates has lived in Hong Kong since 1982, working as a
landscape architect, university lecturer in landscape architecture,
illustrator, cartoonist and author of children's books.
Gavin is the author and illustrator of a number of picture books with
a focus on the environment, including The Last Nut, Pinky the
Dolphin and The Power That May Be and The Search for Earthy's
Best Friend. He has read these books to thousands of children over
the years and they have provoked
fascinating
discussions
about
environmental issues.
In his landscape design, Gavin works
primarily on the Greening Master Plans
instigated by the Civil Engineering and
Development Department of the HKSAR
government, squeezing some 20,000 trees into the urban areas of
Hong Kong and Kowloon.
Matt Dickinson is an award winning
filmmaker and writer with twenty years of
experience in the high-risk world of
mountain expeditions. During his years as a
director/cameraman
for
National
Geographic Television, Discovery Channel
and the BBC he has worked with almost
forty teams, always in extreme and often
dangerous environments. Amongst other challenging
projects he has filmed in Antarctica, on the highest
summits of South America and also on the summit of Mt Everest which he climbed via the
treacherous and technically difficult North Face.
His Everest book The Death Zone has become a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic. In
recent years Matt has been writing books for teenage readers. His Mortal Chaos series was well
received by critics and readers alike and his latest series The Everest Files has also been
warmly welcomed. The Everest Files was long-listed for the prestigious Carnegie Medal.
Alan Gibbons is a multi-awardwinning writer based in the UK. Winner
of fifteen literary awards including the
televised Blue Peter Book Award,
Alan’s last three books have been
nominated for the Carnegie Medal,
including his most recent novel, An Act
of Love. In addition to being a bestselling writer, Alan visits 180 schools a
year as a performer, leader of writing
workshops and educational consultant. He is a regular
visitor to Hong Kong and China and travels all over the world. Born in Warrington, Cheshire in
1953, Alan was a teacher for many years and loves interacting with young people as they
engage with literature. Alan lives with his wife and four adult children in Liverpool.
Lenore Look is the award-winning author of the Alvin Ho series and
the Ruby Lu series, and several picture books, including Brush of the
Gods, a historical fiction account of the life of Wu Daozi, China’s
most famous painter. Her works feature Asian American families and
childhood struggles familiar to all children. Her
books have been translated into many
languages throughout the world. She graduated
from Princeton University and worked as a
journalist before writing for children. Her nonfiction essays have appeared in numerous
publications and anthologies, including Best
American Essays (Houghton-Mifflin). She has
also taught creative writing at Drew University
and Saint Elizabeth College in New Jersey, and
frequently speaks in schools. You can visit her on her blog at
www.lenorelook.wordpress.com. She lives in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Born in Toronto, Canada, Kate
O’Hearn was raised in the heart of
New York City and has travelled
extensively. Though she studied
fashion at school, her real love was
telling stories and writing. Throughout
her life, she has always had an active
and vivid imagination. As a child
walking down 5th Avenue, she would
envision herself soaring among the
city’s canyons on the back of a wild
dragon. While living in Florida, looking
over the sea, she could imagine living amongst the whales and breaching in the heavy swells.
At night, a star studded sky was yet another playground. These dreams, fantasies and ideas
never faded. Instead they grew until they spilled over into the books she loves to write. She
now lives in England with her 3 large dogs and 14 parrots.
Padma Venkatraman is an American
author with a PhD in oceanography from
The College of William and Mary. She is the
author of Island's End, which was an ALA
Best Book of the Year, an ALA/Amelia
Bloomer List selection, a CCBC Best Book, a
Booklist Editor's Choice, and a Kirkus Best
Book of the Year. Her Climbing the Stairs
won the Julia Ward Howe award and was a
Book Sense Notable, Booklist Best Book of
the Year, Bank Street College of Education
Best Book, New York Public Library Book for
the Teen Age, YALSA BBYA selection,
Notable Social Studies Trade Book for
Young People, and CCBC Choice. Her latest novel, A Time to Dance,
was released in May 2014 to starred reviews in Kirkus, Booklist, VOYA, SLJ and BCCB, and is a
Booklist Top 10 art book for youth. She lives in Rhode Island with her family.
Kelly Yang is the best-selling author of the
children's book Where's Broccoli and a columnist for
the South China Morning Post. Kelly is the founder
of The Kelly Yang Project, a leading after-school
writing and debate program for children. At KYP,
Kelly teaches Creative Writing, Critical Reasoning,
and Global Thinking. Having gone to college at the
age of 13, Kelly is a graduate of UC Berkeley and
Harvard Law School. Her op-eds on education,
parenting, and China have also been published in
The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and many
other publications around the world. She regularly gives talks on
education and parenting on BBC, CNN, TVB, RTHK, and Huffington
Post Live. She is the mother of three children and lives in Hong Kong.
Meet-The-Author Talks
Jon Berkeley
BEFRIEND CHOPSTICKS
(For ages 5 to 10)
Written and beautifully illustrated by Jon Berkeley, Chopsticks is a picture
book about the friendship between a mouse named Chopsticks and a
wooden dragon. But how can a mouse be friends with a dragon? A talk on
courage and adventure, imagination and dreams. Come and explore Chinese
traditions with Jon Berkeley and the mouse Chopsticks.
AJ Betts
ZAC, MIA & ME
(For ages 13 to 17)
AJ Betts’s third novel, Zac & Mia, was a story she didn’t see coming. Inspired
by real life, it follows two young characters as they deal with unlucky odds.
Funny and raw, Zac & Mia has found fans around the world, and was
awarded the 2014 Ethel Turner Prize Prize at the New South Wales Premier’s
Literature Awards.
Matt Dickinson FROM AVALANCHES TO YETIS! A LIFE OF ADVENTURE
(For ages 9 to 12)
Adventure filmmaker Matt Dickinson has taken his camera to the summit of
Mt Everest, Antarctica and the deepest Sahara desert during his work for
National Geographic TV, Discovery Channel and the BBC. In this exciting and
funny talk for primary level students he shows pictures and video clips from
his most thrilling adventures. There are vital questions to be answered. How
do you go for a pee on Mt Everest? Does the Yeti really exist? And what
really happened when Matt and his team were caught in a deadly avalanche?
Focus on geography (global warming, extreme environments) and media
(filmmaking, writing books).
EVEREST AND BEYOND
(For ages 12 to 16)
A whirlwind audio-visual journey into a world of extreme risk on Everest,
Antarctica and the world’s most deadly environments. Fasten your seatbelt
and join National Geographic and Discovery Channel filmmaker Matt
Dickinson on a thrilling trip to the nightmares of frostbite, crevasse fall and
avalanche. And the joys of reaching the top! Also: how is global warming
affecting climbers? Have the Himalayas become more dangerous as glaciers
quickly recede? The talk is perfect for budding travelers and explorers. A
true journey of discovery which will create an enduring interest in the
natural world and encourage pupils to seek out adventure and challenge.
Focus on geography (extreme environments, global warming, mountains,
deserts) and media (filmmaking, writing books).
Lenore Look
(NEW!) SO YOU WANT TO BE AN AUTHOR?
(For ages 6 to 12)
Lenore Look knows all about being a beginner—after all, she once was one
herself. She’ll talk the creation of her bestselling character Alvin Ho, how to
find the best beginning to a piece of writing, how to make metaphors that
will linger in a reader’s mind, and the importance of observing the world
around you.
Alan Gibbons
A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
(For ages 10 to 13)
Footsteps in the snow, a flickering light in the window. Who has moved into
the empty house up the street….and why? Blue Peter Book Award winner
Alan Gibbons takes you through the worlds of myth and legend, fraught with
tension and suspense. A talk demonstrating how to build tension and plot an
exciting mystery adventure. Be warned: He will unfold all the elements in a
mystery story!
HATE
(For ages 13 to 17)
A talk examining bullying and victimization. How does a writer create
empathy with a character and show a developing relationship between bully
and bullied? In this session, Gibbons goes beyond writing and discusses the
important topic of bullying with his real-life thriller about friendship,
courage, loss, forgiveness, and our society and communities.
Kate O’Hearn
(NEW!) THE WONDER OF FANTASY
(For ages 10 to 17 and above)
Meet international bestselling author Kate O’Hearn and explore the world of
the Valkyrie and Pegasus series. Bring your imagination and prepare to join
in the fun as Kate leads you on her interactive writing talk. Magic, fantastic
creatures, and adventure await, but be warned: monsters and gentle
swordplay may interrupt this talk!
Padma
Venkatraman
(NEW!) SCIENTIST/WRITER
(For ages 13 to 17)
Padma Venkatraman isn’t only a beloved fiction writer—she also has a PhD
in oceanography! Padma will discuss how she turned from science to writing
three novels, A Time to Dance, Climbing the Stairs, and Island's End, and
whether science is anything like writing.
Please note: the standard international reading level is used to determine the age range of
the above talks.
Programme and schedule are subject to change. If you have a question, please email us at
info@youngreadersfestival.org.hk.
General Rundown of Meet-the-Author Session:
Duration: 1 hour
3 minutes – Introduction from the Festival
40 – 45 minutes – Talk by author
15 – 20 minutes – Q & A Session
5 – 10 minutes – Book-signing Session
Ticket price: HKD$60 per person
Some of our Festival authors will also speak in the heart of Hong Kong Island - Hong Kong
Central Library Lecture Theatre. Be inspired.
Public School Talks - Schedules
Date
9-March
10-March
12-March
13-March
19-March
9:30 – 10:30
11:00 – 12:30
Hong Kong Central Library
Lecture Theatre
Hong Kong Central Library
Lecture Theatre
Matt Dickinson
Kate O’Hearn
[Event Code: CL09MD]
[Event Code: CL09KO]
Kate O’Hearn
Matt Dickinson
[Event Code: CL10KO]
[Event Code: CL10MD]
Gavin Coates
Kate O’Hearn
[Event Code: CL12GC]
[Event Code: CL12KO]
Kelly Yang
Kate O’Hearn
[Event Code: CL13KY]
[Event Code: CL13KO]
AJ Betts
[Event Code: CL19AJ]
In-School Workshops (Updated!)
Jon Berkeley
THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME
(For ages 10 to 13 and above)
Jon Berkeley’s novel, The Hidden Boy, invites you to enter an alternate world.
Meet Jon, an author and illustrator, and learn how to develop characters in
the fantasy genre. Be prepared to depart on the trip of a lifetime.
AJ Betts
(NEW!)ZAC & MIA CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP
(For ages 13 to 17 and above)
AJ Betts's novel Zac & Mia has won the hearts of thousands of teenagers
around the world. In this workshop, AJ shares the writing process behind her
award-winning novel, and leads practical exercises to help you create
captivating and authentic prose.
(NEW!)WHERE DO IDEAS COME FROM?
(For ages 13 to 17 and above)
Where do ideas come from? AJ Betts’s stories come from many places: found
things, newspaper articles, and overheard conversations, for example. Once,
she wrote a novel inspired by breakfast… In this workshop, AJ demonstrates
how to tease out character and story from everyday objects. It’s all about
asking the right questions.
(NEW!)YOUNG ADULT FICTION
(For ages 13 to 17 and above)
Young-adult fiction continues to gain in popularity, winning over audiences
young and old. So what is its appeal? And how can writers tap into this
dynamic market? AJ Betts shares her insights into creating relevant,
contemporary fiction that teenagers can’t put down.
(NEW!)IDEAS COME FROM EVERYWHERE
(For ages 13 to 17 and above)
Ideas come from everywhere - the hard part is turning them into original,
engaging stories. In this workshop, AJ Betts will share her writing
experiences and offer exercises and advice for making the most of your
ideas, including how to manage tension, pace, and character. This interactive
workshop will also include insights into publication.
Gavin Coates (NEW!) SAVE THE PINK DOLPHINS!
(For ages 3 to 9)
Our beautiful planet is being destroyed, but local author Gavin Coates wants
to make sure that we stop the destroyers in their track. A call to arms and a
creative workshop all in one.
Matt Dickinson VICTIMS AND VAMPIRES! HOW TO GIVE YOUR STORY MORE VA VA
VOOM!
(For ages 13 to 17)
What makes a really great hero? Why do we care passionately about Harry
Potter, Katniss Everdeen and Bella Swan when other so called heroes leave
us cold? Award winning teen author Matt Dickinson (Mortal Chaos, The
Everest Files) takes us on a thrilling writers’ journey in this creative writing
master class which will sharpen your storytelling skills to a razor point.
Want to be the next JK Rowling? Want the world to love your tales? This
practical session will reveal the secrets how! Focus on English/ Creative
writing (storytelling, short story competitions) and media (books and films).
Alan Gibbons CRASH
(For ages 10 to 13 and above)
A session focusing on the aftermath of a car crash. Petrol is dripping. Any
moment the tank could explode. Can the driver get out in time? A workshop
demonstrating how to develop characters in a crisis. Lots of tension and
quality dialogue.
DEAD OF NIGHT
(For ages 10 to 13 and above)
A session focusing on a tense ghost story. This workshop will examine
suspense, description, metaphor and simile in particular. Prepare to have
your spine tingling.
BOND, JAMES BOND
(For ages 10 to 13 and above)
“The gun can make a weak man strong. The gun is the coward’s fist. The gun
is power.” The opening lines of Raining Fire creates an atmosphere of
excitement. An action-adventure workshop, looking at the use of muscular,
vivid verbs to drive the action forward.
FANGS FOR THE MEMORY
(For ages 13 to 17)
If you are into all things Gothic, why not take part in a classic vampire story
based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Lenore Look
(NEW!) HOW AN IDEA BECOMES A BOOK
(For ages 6 to 12)
An interactive workshop with Lenore Look on how ideas go from your
imagination to the page. Lenore, best known for her Alvin Ho series, will also
teach you how to create your own PDK (Personal Disaster Kits) and SIK
(Shakespearean Insulting Kit), including a list of unusual words.
Kelly Yang
WHERE’S BROCCOLI?: EVERYDAY STORIES
(For ages 5 to 9)
Broccoli has gone missing! Did Broccoli run away? Join Kelly Yang, the bestselling author of the children's book Where's Broccoli and a columnist for the
South China Morning Post to explore how to write your own journey using
everyday scenes and objects.
Please note: the standard international reading level is used to determine the age range of the
above workshops.
Programme and schedule are subject to change. If you have a question, please email us at
info@youngreadersfestival.org.hk.
Workshop duration: 1.5 hours
Ticket price: HKD$140 per person
Authors’ Availability for In-School Visits
You are welcome to invite authors to your school for a talk (min. 120 students) or a workshop
(max. 30 students). Our authors would participate our festival during this period:
Jon Berkeley
16th to 18th March
AJ Betts
18th and 19th March
Gavin Coates
9th to 20th March
Matt Dickinson
9th to 13th March
(13th March fully booked)
Alan Gibbons
9th to 20th March
(Few slots available)
Lenore Look
15th to 19th March
Kate O’Hearn
9th to 14th March
Padma Venkatraman
14th to 18th March
Kelly Yang
9th to 20th March
For the availability of authors, please contact Maureen Chu at 2877 9770 (office) / 9860 0067
(mobile) or send her an email (maureen@festival.org.hk).
Please note:



Tickets are priced at HK$60 per head for talks and HK$140 per head for
workshops.
Payment has to be received by the Festival within two weeks of booking, or
else the reserved seats will be released.
For every 20 students, one complimentary ticket for a teacher or administrator
will be given.
Booking Form
Booking for the Festival’s Schools Programme is now open. Please fax your completed form to
us at (852) 2153 9260. You will receive confirmation of your booking within 5 working days of
receipt of this booking form. If you do not receive a confirmation or have any questions, please
contact the Festival Office at 2877 9770 or email info@youngreadersfestival.org.hk
Please note:

All bookings are on a first come, first served basis. If your booking is not successful in the
first instance, we will offer alternatives. If our offer is not accepted within 3 days, your seats
will be released.

At least one teacher/supervisor is required to attend for every 20 students. For every 20
students, one complimentary ticket for a teacher/supervisor will be given.

The Festival reserves the right to change the programme, including the sessions for which
booking has been confirmed.
Once your booking is confirmed, payment must be received within 2 weeks or your reserved
seats will be released.
Name & Title of contact person:
Name of School:
School Address:
Email:
Direct Contact Number:
Event Name/ Preferred Date
and Time
Fax:
Author
Name
No. of
students
Age of
students
No. of
Teachers
Ticket
Price
60/140
Total Cost
60/140
60/140
60/140
Total
_______________________________
______________________________
Signature & Chop
Date
Hong Kong International Young Readers Festival 2015
Application for School Subsidy Scheme
The School Subsidy Scheme is open to all local government and aided schools. Its purpose is to
encourage the participation of local government schools that are committed to promoting
English and nurturing a love of reading. The Festival reserves the right of final decision for the
amount of subsidy.
School Name: ______________________________ District: ________________________
School Type:
1.
□ Secondary School
2.
□ Aided
□ Primary School
□ Government
□ Direct Subsidy
Contact Person: __________________________ Position: __________________________
Email: _______________________________ Phone: _______________________________
1. How did you hear about the Festival and our Schools Programme?
□ Festival website
□ Friends/Teachers
□ Promotional materials
□ Newspapers
□ Other (please elaborate) _____________________________________________
2. Has your school invited any overseas writer(s) to your school before?
□ Yes
□ No
If no, what was the main obstacle?
_____________________________________________________
3. At your school, how many subjects use English as a medium of instruction?
____ out of a total of ______
4. Does your school organise any activities or have any programmes to promote the learning
and use of English (e.g. book clubs, creative writing clubs, etc)?
□ Yes
□ No
If yes, please elaborate:
____________________________________________________________
Instructions:
Send the completed form to us by fax 2153 9260 or email info@youngreadersfestival.org.hk.
The result of this application will be advised together with the booking status.