Randa Abdel Fattah’s book Coming of Age in the War on Terror brings together first hand accounts from young people, Muslim and non-Muslim, who have been deeply affected by the ramifications of 9/11. It also charts the spread of divisive political discussion in Australia over the last 20 years.
Byron Writers Festival 2021
Byron Writers Festival 2021
Secondary Schools Digital Program
Featuring Randa Abdel-Fattah, Eddie Jaku, Will Kostakis and Nevo Zisin
Byron Writers Festival’s 2021 Secondary Schools Digital Program provides an insight into storytelling, debate, and big ideas, eloquently delivered by some of Australia’s foremost writers and thinkers.
Supported by The Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund and Southern Cross University.
FREE on-demand program available from 23 August
The on-demand program will be available to stream from your classroom for four weeks from Monday 23 August (Book Week). Sessions will be accessible from this page, and can be viewed via YouTube.
See below for author sessions and stage suitability.
Teacher resources will be available to download when the program launches. Resources are available as a PDF and include author information, curriculum links, discussions guides and activities.
Teacher resources are presented in partnership with Southern Cross University.
How to Participate
- Registration is essential for each participating class group in your school.
- From 23 August, all on-demand sessions will be accessible on YouTube via the Byron Writers Festival website.
- Duration of each session will be approximately 20 minutes.
- Stage suitability ranges from stage 4-6.
- Reminder emails will be sent to registered schools when sessions are available.
- Teacher resources will also be available via the Byron Writers Festival website.
ON DEMAND
Secondary School Sessions
Author video sessions available on-demand from 23 August – 17 September.
Coming of Age during the War on Terror with Randa Abdel-Fattah
Stage: 5 – 6
The Happiest Man on Earth with Eddie Jaku
What does it mean to choose happiness every day? Eddie Jaku is a 101 year-old Holocaust survivor, yet despite this formative experience his message is one of happiness, friendship and love. Most of all he speaks to the power and importance of remembering.
Stages: 4 – 6
Monuments with Will Kostakis
In Will Kostakis’s bestselling fantasy duology, Monuments, three teenagers search for the ancient gods buried under different Sydney high schools, accidentally kill them, absorb their powers, and attempt to change the world. Will’s novels explore modern dilemmas in an ancient world. In this very personal talk, Will talks about a pivotal and difficult life event and how it inspired him to be a writer.
Note: This video contains content about a young person’s death
Stages: 5 – 6
Beyond Pronouns with Nevo Zisin
Traversing their own pronoun journey author Nevo Zisin’s The Pronoun Lowdown sheds light on the complicated history of gender around the world, in language and across time. Finally we have a book that demystifies and celebrates trans and gender diverse excellence.
Stages: 4 – 6
