Surviving a Nervous Planet with Matt Haig
Watch Matt Haig's excellent event at the 2019 Book Festival, reflect on the complex relationship between literature and mental health, and try some therapeutic writing exercises.
3rd / 4th level
Activities suitable for First Year to Third Year classes
Which Witch?
Get thinking about how witches have been written about throughout history, who’s written about them and why.
Finding Your Place in the World
American author and king of cool Kwame Alexander shares his top tips for building confidence in young people
Being a Teenage Girl with Marawa Ibrahim
The Girl Guide author Marawa Ibrahim gets you thinking about some of the issues which may affect you as you go through your teens
Creating Zines with Claire Askew
A step-by-step guide to making your own zines
I Come From: Writing Identity with Juno Dawson
Author Juno Dawson leads you through a quick and easy writing exercise
Thrilling Themes with Sarah Mussi and Nikesh Shukla
Start discussions in the classroom around freedom, society and politics
Fighting for the Future with Hayley Barker and Mary Watson
Hear from two authors of dark and action-packed novels and then get writing your own pieces merging current concerns and fantasy elements
Creepy Tales with Helena Duggan & Christopher Edge
Get telling your own scary stories inspired by two wonderful authors' creepy tales
Dystopian Dramas with Julie Bertagna & William Sutcliffe
Authors Julie Bertagna and William Sutcliffe get to grips with the issues in their YA dystopian novels
Event Highlights for High Schools
Secondary school students will enjoy these events in the Baillie Gifford Schools Programme 2018
Exploring Freedom
Activities to get your pupils thinking about freedom in all its forms.
Opening Up Picture Books for arts and illustration students
An insight into the process of writing and illustrating a children’s picture book
Historical Fictions with Theresa Breslin & Caroline Leech
Authors Theresa Breslin & Caroline Leech share their top tips for creating historical fiction
Why YA? with Maggie Harcourt & Katherine Webber
YA authors Maggie Harcourt and Katherine Webber get you talking about the genre