Liccle Bit: Book 1 (Crongton)

Product Information

But I really don't think institutions like where I was, or the schools that I attended were fully equipped to deal with children like myself who had these great emotional needs and pain and so on. I don't think they had any idea. Maybe today they do. I really think, and this is why I'm a champion of children's books and YA books, I really think it could be a way where damaged children who have issues can deal with what has gone on in their lives. So yes, there are definitely elements of my character bursting out of my fictional characters. I think as a writer you can't help but do that. The subconscious takes over, and fills your characters with your personality that you're sometimes even unaware of. Naomi (from Home Girl) and her anger and her rage being in the care system. She has some of that from me. And the fact that she thinks she's grown up, because she's 14, because she looks after her alcoholic dad. And when I was 14 and 15 I felt that I was grown up, I could take on responsibility. But in other ways, just like Naomi, I was a child. I didn't know about the outside world. I didn't know what barriers there were to contend with. I wasn't emotionally mature just like Naomi. Maybe like Mo as well (from Straight Outta Crongton). These themes tie all my characters in. You cannot help give away something of yourself in your characters. I guess my childhood is in my mind and the way I cope with it because my childhood was very traumatic. Books are absolutely crucial in getting us to think about new worlds': we speak to the award-winning author, Onjali Q Rauf His second novel, East of Acre Lane (2001), has a similar setting, and won a London Arts Board New Writers Award. A prequel, Island Songs, set in Jamaica, was published in 2005, and a sequel, Dirty South, in 2008. Touring Literature Festivals & Theatres in 2012 marking the 50th year of Jamaican Independence". Uprising (2011 & 2012) . Retrieved 9 December 2020. [ permanent dead link]

In 2010, he wrote and toured the one-man autobiographical performance, Uprising. His play, Shame & Scandal, had its debut at the Albany Theatre, Deptford in October 2015. Alex Wheatle has a history in adult fiction, and it shows in his first outing for younger readers. While the subject matter is much lighter, the plot is just as racing and the dialogue just as witty as his other books. Wheatle perfectly captures the highs and lows of teenage life, while also highlighting the humanity and tragedy occuring in the lives of some of London's poorest teenagers.F or all the latest reality TV news and gossip and for the best memes and quizzes, like The Holy Church of Love Island on Facebook. Related stories recommended by this writer: JRR Tolkien in 1956: He created new words, new phrases and indeed, two or three different languages. Photograph: Haywood Magee/Getty Images It's crucial. We see how the world is today, with lots of hate going on, lots of misunderstanding, lots of people with opposing views screaming and shouting at each other and not giving eachother time to understand each other's point of view. But books help... it's not the final solution, it's not that if you give someone a book, they'll totally understand each other's point of view but at least it will help other people sympathise or empathise with someone who's not from your world, or your social world. The more children read of other, the more empathy and understanding they'll have of other. What effect does it have on children to have an author come into their school - and particularly for a child of colour to meet an author or illustrator of colour? In 2008, Wheatle was awarded the MBE for services to literature in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. He wrote and performed UPRISING, a one man play based on his own life at TARA ARTS STUDIOS, Wandsworth, London.

This is a brutal, bloody, terrifying story, compellingly written and heartstopping to read. Moa’s life before the rebellion makes the violence of the uprising feel like a release in the novel. Cane Warriorsisa book about doing the right thing, unbelievable bravery and deep friendship; but most importantly this book is about a part of British and Jamaican history that is hardly known, and the stories of these hard-won human rights need to be heard even though it’s uncomfortable. His 2016 book Crongton Knights won the 50th Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. S. F. Said, one of the judging panel, said of the book: "Wheatle's writing is poetic, rhythmic and unique, remaking the English language with tremendous verve. Though Crongton is his invention, it resonates with many urban situations, not only in Britain but around the world. Crongton Knights is a major novel from a major voice in British children's literature." [13] [14]What a gripping tale of family and friends, love and loyalty... Lemar's voice is so strong and I loved the humour in it too.' How much of yourself do you bring into these characters, is there any of your characters you are particularly like or is particularly like you?