Reading with Writers

Twice a year local and Festival authors visit inner city classrooms to inspire young readers and writers, at no cost to the schools.

This fall’s Reading with Writers authors Deborah Hodge (Britannia Elementary), Margriet Ruurs (Lord Selkirk Annex), Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton (Grandview/¿uuqinak'uuh Elementary), Janet Willen (Minnekadha Middle School), Alan Cumyn (Florence Nightingale Elementary), Tanya Davis (Britannia Secondary), Moira Young (North Burnaby Secondary) and Sheri D-Wilson (Gladstone Secondary) engaged and excited students, inspiring them to check out books, visit school libraries and get writing.

“Sheri-D was well-received by two English 11 classes here at Gladstone Secondary this afternoon. She used a combination of workshopping and lively presentation.  Students were engaged, encouraged to participate and asked some very thoughtful questions. She was wonderful!”

Pat Parungao, Teacher-Librarian, Gladstone Secondary

As part of the Reading with Writers program, La Joie de Lire programmer Brenda Berck organized school visits with two Festival authors who were appearing in La Joie de Lire events. These authors visited local elementary schools. Acclaimed author Édith Bourget visited a group of students in grade two at Hastings Elementary and Governor General Award-winning author Michèle Marineau visited a class of grade six and seven students at Bridge Elementary. Students at both schools were inspired by the author visits, with Alison, the teacher at Bridge Elementary, thrilled to see “a list of students signed up to read Michèle’s novel”. The teachers at both schools expressed their enthusiasm for the authors and for the opportunity this program gave them to be included in the Festival.

“Édith Bourget was animated and had the students very involved in making sounds, words and gestures for a few of her poems.My students found her very receptive, friendly and funny.Thank you so much for including us. The small class setting was also very personal and allowed for a high level of interaction."

Gloria Nystrom, Teacher, Hastings Elementary

Reading with Writers is made possible by a generous sponsorship from HSBC Bank Canada.