21/04/2022 Scotlands Reading Moment – Keep the Heid – Young Scot Card
Recognising the power of reading, public libraries and mental health charities have joined together to create The Reading Moment an initiative that is asking you to pledge SIX minutes on Wednesday 11th May 2022 and devote it to reading.
It has been scientifically proven that reading for just SIX minutes a day boosts your mental health by 68%.
Ms Nixon is looking for pledges to come into the Library during breaktime on Wednesday 11th and read for the 11 minutes of break. The Library will be closed to all but those taking part in the pledge. For more info check out the details below…
20/02/2022
See the link below for an advertisement for a local gaming club #DungeonsandDragons #warhammer #MagicTheGathering #boardgames #tuckshop
09/12/2021 Poetry Launch: Hugh McMillan will be launching his two books at Waterstones in Dumfries 6.30pm till 8pm. His two books are “Whit If” and “Haphazardly in the Starlit Night”
02/11/2021 Borders Book Festival
From the 2nd to the 7th November 2021 the Borders Book Festival supported by the Baillie Gifford.
There is a full programme of events at Abbotsford House in the Scottish Borders. This year is a special celebratory event celebrating 250th anniversary of the birth of Walter Scott. There will be tents spread across the concourse where you can hear a whole host of authors talk, take part in question and answer sessions about their novels and buy signed copies of their books. To find out more about the festival or book tickets please go to https://bordersbookfestival.org/programme-2021/
20/08/2021 Edinburgh International Book Festival
The Edinburgh International Book Festival is in full swing up in Edinburgh and online for you to enjoy. Here at Annan Academy during the month of September you will be able to enjoy some of the highlights at our weekly Wednesday “Meet The Author” events in the Learning Plaza. Lasting up to an hour these events will let you see and hear from some of the nations favourite authors talking about their books and their inspirations. You will also be given the chance to order books from the events for slightly less than the RRP in shops.
| Date | Event | What’s it all about? | Duration |
| Wednesday 1st September 2021
Learning Plaza 3.30pm |
Malorie Blackman:
Noughts and Crosses 20 Years On |
Published twenty years ago this year, Malorie Blackman’s Noughts & Crosses broke the hearts of a generation of teenage readers, and its influence on Young Adult fiction can be felt across the genre with the themes of racism, diversity and conflict still as pertinent in this era of Black Lives Matter as they were when the series was first published. Join the former Children’s Laureate as she reflects on the series and its effects with TV and radio presenter Gemma Cairney, then get a sneaky peak of her eagerly awaited next novel. | 1 hour |
| Wednesday 8th September 2021
Learning Plaza 3.30pm |
Juno Dawson:
What the T? |
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Stonewall ambassador, bestselling author and former PSHE teacher Juno Dawson as she talks about her new book What’s the T? along with special guests including award-winning writer, model and contributor Jamie Windust, and the book’s amazing illustrator, Soofiya. Tackling the complex realities of growing up trans and/or non-binary with honesty and humour, this is the no-nonsense guide to all things trans and/or non-binary for teens, full of fun, frankness, and heart. Chaired by Beth Goodyear. | 45 minutes |
| Wednesday 15th September 2021
Learning Plaza 3.30pm |
Brian Conaghan & Patrice Lawrence:
Inside your head
|
Join two award-winning writers to hear about their new novels, Rat and Cardboard Cowboys, which both explore the community around us and how we all make judgements about others, sometimes without even realising it. Covering topics of empathy, homelessness and loneliness, these authors show how stories can help us see people differently and understand what we can do to look after others and show we care. Brian and Patrice share their stories and inspirations with UCL’s Dr Melanie Ramdarshan Bold.
|
45 minutes |
| Wednesday 22nd September 2021
Learning Plaza 3.30pm |
Liz Kessler & Alex Wheatle: Whose Side of History Are You On?
|
Historical fiction is a great way to learn about the past from a human perspective, and today’s stories tackle two troubling times in history. Alex’s Cane Warriors recounts the brutal uprising of slave plantation workers in 1760’s Jamaica, while Liz’s powerful When the World Was Ours follows three young friends on different sides during the Second World War. Gain insights into the authors’ meticulous research processes, and how they handle writing about such emotive topics. | 45 minutes |
To book your place at any of these events please see Ms Nixon in the School Library.
23/03/2021 Big DoG Reading Festival Dumfries and Galloway
This Festival is aimed at the whole family. Fun, friendly, informative and imagination stirring Big DoG brings authors and their books to your doorstep in D&G and this year, due to being digital, into your very home. Check out the science shows, puppetry, author interviews, authors reading from their books and much more.
From Monday 22nd March to Sunday 27th March 2021 there will be an events every day released. You can watch them whilst they premiere or save them up and go back and have your own book festival day as a family.
You can download the online pdf with all the details of events and when they are happening here.
25/01/2021 Mental Health and Wellbeing
Here we are again. Our feelings are in turmoil. We are making sense of a new way of working/living and its hard to share how we feel as we are hyper aware of how everyone else is struggling with their own emotions. You don’t have to suffer alone though as there is a wealth of support for you. First from the school you have your class teachers you can contact for worries about individual subjects, you have your pupil support teachers who are there for you for any of your worries/anxieties or concerns in general and online there is support for you too.
Please see the links below for recognised services aimed directly for you…
Trapped
Young Writers has released their latest creative writing competition for pupils across the UK. For the last 4 years Annan Academy pupils have been very successful at getting their work published in books through these short story competitions. The theme is Trapped and pupils are being asked to submit an entry form with their 100 word short piece to the School Library by Monday 5th October 2020. Entry forms are available in the Library please come and speak to Ms Nixon to find out more about it and to view past books from over the years.
#StillProud
June is now synonymous with PRIDE celebrations both in the UK and across the world. LGBT Youth Scotland have been running a #stillproud campaign. Mental health can affect everyone, especially at times like this but to a young LGBT person the feeling of being isolated from the needed support network of friends and organisations can be confidence shaking and isolating. LGBT Youth Scotland is still working its hardest to support young LGBT people in Scotland.
Read Liv’s Blog here https://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/news/2020/stillproud-livs-story/
Read Craig’s Blog here https://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/news/2020/why-we-are-stillproud/
Check out here for when the next live chat is taking place https://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/
For further reading… cause you know the Library is all about the reading https://www.youngstonewall.org.uk/blog
Its A Kind Of Magic
A look behind the scenes of one of the greatest book series of the 21st century. Google arts takes you to the British Library in London for Harry Potter: A History of Magic including features on the illustrations and art work from the books, original pages of notes hand written by J.K. Rowling when she was coming up with the idea of the books, muggle magic and much more.
Click on the wand to find out more.
Gold Star for Toppsta
Toppsta is the place to go for book recommendations. A fantastic colourful site that pupils, parents, staff and Librarians can access for suggestions of what to read next. Blurbs and reviews galore. Sign up for the newsletter to receive free book recommendations, book giveaways and more. Become a star reviewer yourself and write a review about a book you’ve enjoyed or not enjoyed, let others know. Start reading and reviewing today…powered by Bookworms for Bookworms.
