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.

This event was filmed live at the 2021 Edinburgh International Book Festival. Some of the participants in the event took part remotely while others were on stage, in the venue.

Book Festival News

Communities Programme participants celebrate success of 2024 Communities Programme participants celebrate success of 2024
Friday 13 December

Enjoying this event? You can help us produce more like it.

Donate

Share

Watch more

Stitched Together: Family, Friends and Dreaming Big with Laura Dockrill & Sara Ogilvie Stitched Together: Family, Friends and Dreaming Big with Laura Dockrill & Sara Ogilvie Laura Dockrill’s touching new book Sequin and Stitch tells the story of Sequin, who looks after her baby brother, Stitch, while their mum works at her sewing machine late into the night. But this little family’s world changes forever when tragedy strikes… Money, Money, Money with Rashmi Sirdeshpande Money, Money, Money with Rashmi Sirdeshpande Whether you want to become an entrepreneur, be a savvy shopper, or save and splurge on something you really want, having some dosh in your pocket can be really exciting… Brain-fizzing Facts with Emily Grossman Brain-fizzing Facts with Emily Grossman Why is your elbow called your funny bone? How could you escape the grip of a crocodile’s jaw? Which animal can breathe through its bottom? Marvel as much-loved broadcaster, STEM ambassador and all-round science superstar Emily Grossman uncovers the… Retelling Tales with Joseph Coelho, Juno Dawson & Kiran Millwood Hargrave Retelling Tales with Joseph Coelho, Juno Dawson & Kiran Millwood Hargrave Old stories collide with new in the most recent novels from these prize-winning authors. Be prepared to fall down the rabbit hole with Juno Dawson’s Wonderland, which catapults you into a radical retelling of the Alice in Wonderland story. In The Girl Who… John Agard & Piet Grobler: A Poem for Our Planet John Agard & Piet Grobler: A Poem for Our Planet Join poet John Agard for a trip into the colourful jungle, with a reading from his glorious new picture book, where you get to meet a playful Coyote and leave with a powerful message about saving our planet. This book is packed with beautiful language… Anders Frang & Jonathan Meres: The Little Bat Who Was Afraid of the Light Anders Frang & Jonathan Meres: The Little Bat Who Was Afraid of the Light It is morning and Little Bat, Big Bat and Middle Bat are getting ready to go to bed, but Little Bat is feeling nervous. What is that mysterious, dark, bat-like shape which keeps following him around? Could it be... the Bogey Bat?! The World of Norm author… Blood and Secrets with Sophie McKenzie and Salla Simukka (2015 Event) Blood and Secrets with Sophie McKenzie and Salla Simukka (2015 Event) In All My Secrets by Sophie McKenzie, the search to uncover the truth becomes life threatening, after a young woman discovers the shocking reality behind a huge inheritance. Finnish writer Salla Simukka's As Red As Blood, translated into English by… Snack Attack! with Pamela Butchart Snack Attack! with Pamela Butchart In Pamela Butchart’s The Great Crisp Robbery, Izzy and her pals are back – and this time they’re on an overnight train during a school trip. Only… nothing is as it seems. Join Pamela, winner of the Blue Peter Best Story Award for The Spy Who Loved School… Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé: Play the Cards You're Dealt Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé: Play the Cards You're Dealt Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is the instant New York Times and IndieBound bestselling author of Ace of Spades. Described as ‘this summer’s hottest YA debut’, the thriller will literally have you on the edge of your seat right up to the final pages. Welcome to… Steve Antony, Maureen Phillip & Alexandra Strick: Just Be Yourself Steve Antony, Maureen Phillip & Alexandra Strick: Just Be Yourself ‘You can... be brave, be beautiful, be clever, be strong...’ Follow the story of an independent and inspirational group of children as they grow up and discover what they want to be in You Can!, the wonderful new picture book from author Alexandra Strick…