Alex wheatle is the author of criticallyacclaimed novels brixton rock, and its sequel brenton brown, east of acre lane, the seven sisters, island songs and the dirty south his awardwinning young adult crongton trilogy has been making waves for its hardhitting but compassionate depiction of growing up on a tough estate. At 18, he was involved in the brixton uprising and went to prison for 3 months. Alex wheatle wins 2016 guardian childrens fiction prize. Words and pictures on how to stop worrying and learn to love the alien next door. He wrote and performed uprising, a one man play based on his own life at tara arts studios, wandsworth, london.
Scottish book trust scottish book trust promoting reading, writing and literature in scotland. He has written books for adults and teenagers, including the critically acclaimed brixton rock. Daily mail alex wheatle is already an awardwinning author, but with the publication of his latest novel expect to see him soar into a totally different league as a writer. A true story signed copy, by alex wheatle, mbe pea. Alex wheatle is the bestselling author of several books including the modern classic brixton rock, and the multiaward winning crongton series. When he was sent to prison for taking part in the brixton uprising, alexs future seemed hopeless. In 2008, he was awarded an mbe for services to literature and, in 2016, he won the guardians childrens fiction prize. Moss story was the last to appear in the spring of 2019, but it plays ahead of the other two volumes. Alex wheatle was born in 1963 to jamaican parents living in brixton and spent most of his childhood in a surrey childrens home.
After being expelled from school as a teenager, he was sent to live in a hostel in brixton. Andersen press is publishing cane warriors by alex wheatle, a visceral historical novel about the reallife slave uprising against british plantation owners in jamaica in 1760 known as tackys. Belgrade theatre premieres beatbox stage adaptation. Anderson press signs wheatles first historical ya the. Alex alphonso wheatle mbe 3 january 1963 is a british novelist, sentenced to a term of imprisonment after the brixton riots. Straight outta crongton by alex wheatle, paperback. Libraries were crucial in my long journey as a writer. Wheatle himself is the coauthor of checkers in the xpress series. Born on the 3rd of january, 1963, i spent most of my childhood in the notorious shirley oaks childrens home a few miles east of croydon. Wheatles writing is poetic, rhythmic and unique, remaking.
Alex wheatle alex wheatle, author of liccle bit and crongton knights, tells us about his long love affair with libraries and how they changed his life photo by walter white. Tara arts in association with arcadia books tour october to november 2011 marking the 30th anniversary of the brixton riots, touring for black history month. In 2010, he wrote and toured the oneman autobiographical performance, uprising. Five more novels, east of acre lane, the seven sisiters, island songs, checkers and the dirty south followed, all highly praised. This gritty but inspiring true story of the awardwinning author alex wheatle is written for emerging readers, particularly those who are offenders, disaffected or at. Ultimately, my favourite book of this season has to be liccle bit, the first novel for young adults by alex wheatle, author of brixton rock.
Edinburgh book festival and of course our own finchley literary festival, amongst others. This is a book that sings with warmth, in spite of its tough setting in the midst of a gang war and contains lines that dance. Uprising is inspired by his first book, brixton rock 1999, which tells the story of a 16year old boy of mixed race, in 1980s. Straight outta crongton by alex wheatle, paperback barnes. His latest book, home girl is available from the bca gift shop. This book is particularly suitable for adults who are new to reading emergent reads. Born in london of jamaican parents, his first book, brixton rock 1999, tells the story of a 16year old boy of mixed race, in 1980s brixton. This gritty but inspiring true story of the awardwinning author alex wheatle is written for emerging readers, particularly those who are offenders, disaffected or at risk.
The author alex wheatle grew up in a childrens home and went to prison after taking part in the brixton riots in 1981. New statesman sharpedged and sardonically funny, brixton rock is graham greene for the hiphop generation a strong and quirky debut by alex wheatle. Jun 27, 2011 tara arts in association with arcadia books tour october to november 2011 marking the 30th anniversary of the brixton riots, touring for black history month. Uprising with alex wheatle mbe, by alex wheatle at tara. Alex wheatle was born in 1963 to jamaican parents living in london.
Wheatle wrote and performed his autobiographical oneman show uprising for tara arts, touring the country. There, alex found music and friends but he also got mixed up. His awardwinning young adult crongton trilogy has been making waves for its hardhitting but compassionate depiction of growing up on a tough estate. Wheatle spent much of his childhood in a surrey childrens home. Alex wheatle is the author of several novels, some of them set in brixton, where he grew up. Alex takes audiences on a journey through britain in the 1980s. May 18, 2012 alex wheatle is the author of seven critically acclaimed novels. Author alex wheatles complete list of books and series in order, with the latest.
According to the british council website, alex wheatle is the author of several novels, some of them set in brixton, where he grew up. Alex wheatle is one of the uks most popular black british authors. Without libraries i would have never become a writer. Crongton knights is a joyous shout of youthful exuberance. May 18, 2017 there, alex found music and friends but he also got mixed up in drugs and violence. Becoming a member of the lovereading4kids community is free. Alex wheatle emirates airline festival of literature. Anderson press signs wheatle s first historical ya. Who needs a heart, if it can be broken is after liccle bit the little one from crongton and the knights of crongton the third book, the british author alex wheatle play in this fictitious district. There, alex found music and friends but he also got mixed up in drugs and violence. Island songs by alex wheatle nook book ebook barnes. His early books are based on his life in brixton as a teenager and his time in social services care.
At 16 he was a founder member of the crucial rocker sound system. This is the gritty but inspiring true story of the awardwinning author alex wheatle. Narrated in the authentic voice of 14yearold lamar, the novel weaves universal themes of family, friendship, loyalty, morality, and connection within the context of a distinctive time and place. Aug 22, 2019 according to the british council website, alex wheatle is the author of several novels, some of them set in brixton, where he grew up.
The award winning author alex wheatle mbe presents his moving autobiographical story of how he became a writer. Alex wheatle is the author of seven critically acclaimed novels. Following his release from prison he continued to write poems and lyrics and became known. Mar 27, 2018 discover book depositorys huge selection of alex wheatle books online. Uprising with alex wheatle mbe, by alex wheatle at tara theatre 356 garratt lane london sw18 4es london uk marking the 30th anniversary of the brixton riots, award winning author alex wheatle mbe presents his moving autobiographical story of how he became a writer. An evening with jason reynolds hosted by alex wheatle black.
Wheatle has since spoken about the brixton riots, most prominently in the 2006 bbc programme battle for brixton. His most recent book, liccle bit, is his first for young adults. Uprising, a true story by alex wheatle 97819087100. He has written books for adults and teenagers, including the critically acclaimed brixton rock, liccle bit and crongton knights.
No catches, no fine print just unconditional book loving for your children with their favourites saved to their own digital bookshelf. He features bits of his life in his books, such as east of acre lane characters yardman irie and jah nelson. While serving his sentence, a cellmate advised wheatle to start reading books. Alex wheatle is the author of crongton knights, which won the guardian childrens fiction prize in 2016. Renowned author alex wheatle is currently on a one man tour throughout the uk with his show uprising. Uprising a thought provoking and inspiring story written for emerging readers, particularly those who are offenders or at risk. Born in london to jamaican parents, alex wheatles first book, brixton rock 1999, told the story of a 16 year old boy of mixed race, in 1980s brixton. We are now in the midst of events surrounding the brixton riots, and the novel centres upon railton road, the epicentre of the uprisings in 1981. Alex alphonso wheatle mbe 3 january 1963 is a british novelist, sentenced to a term of. Alex wheatle has created a disturbing portrait of life in a childrens home, in language which is plain, unsparing, and heartrendingly poignant.
Born in 1963 to jamaican parents living in brixton, alex wheatle spent most of his childhood in a surrey childrens home. Nov 17, 2016 alex wheatle wins 2016 guardian childrens fiction prize this article is more than 3 years old author who says his time in jail inspired his love of literature triumphs with crongton knights, set. A true story signed copy, by alex wheatle, mbe this gritty but inspiring true story of the awardwinning author alex wheatle is written for emerging. This is a book that sings with warmth, in spite of its tough setting in the midst of a gang war. Im working on a slave revolt narrative based on a real. He wrote and performed uprising, a oneman play based on his own life at tara arts studios, wandsworth, london. Author alex wheatle was spotted in ruislip high school on january 11, 20 speaking to young people about his time growing up in care and how his experiences helped shape his first book, brixton rock. Jul 28, 2015 wheatles debut novel, brixton rock, was adapted for the stage and performed at the young vic in july 2010. He spent most of his childhood in a childrens home, which he left at 14 to live in a hostel in brixton. Following his release from prison he continued to write poems and lyrics and became known as the brixton bard. Good book straight outta crongton, wheatle, alex, used. His most recent book, liccle bit, is his first for young adults and has been nominated for the 2016 carnegie medal. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Born in 1963 to jamaican parents, wheatle spent much of his childhood in a shirley oaks childrens home.
Alex wheatles book crongton knights was the recipient of the 2016 guardian childrens fiction prize and was shortlisted for the ya book prize 2017. He was abandoned by his family as a young child and grew up in a care home. He was awarded an mbe in the queens birthday honours list for services to literature in. Brixton rock was adapted for the stage and performed at. The winner will be announced on 17 november, joining a lineup of major names who have taken the guardian childrens fiction prize in the past, from. His other books include brixton rock and the crongton. He spent a short stint in prison following the brixton uprising of 1981. The novel was subsequently adapted for the stage and performed at the young vic in 2010. Open book festival alex wheatle open book festival. He spent most of his childhood in a childrens home, which he left at fourteen to live in a hostel in brixton. Guardian childrens fiction prize 2016 shortlist announced. Alex wheatles first novel, brixton rock, was published to critical acclaim in 1999. Ruislip youngsters were treated to wheatles animated and engaging tales of life in brixton, the first book he picked up. He returned to brixton in 1977 where he founded the crucial rocker sound system and performed his own songs and lyrics under the name of yardman irie.
Alex alphonso wheatle mbe 3 january 1963 is an award winning black british novelist of jamaican heritage and has been described as one of the uks most exciting writers. He spent a short stint in prison following the brixton uprising in 1981. In his second novel, east of acre lane 2001, wheatle returns to the same south london landscape one year on. He was awarded an mbe for services to literature in 2008. Uprising by alex wheatle, 97819087100, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Im working on a slave revolt narrative based on a real uprising in jamaica. Alex wheatle alex wheatle, author of liccle bit and crongton knights, tells us about his long love affair with libraries and how they changed his life. Alex wheatle wins 2016 guardian childrens fiction prize this article is more than 3 years old author who says his time in jail inspired his love of literature triumphs with crongton knights, set. Alex wheatle is the author of criticallyacclaimed novels brixton rock, and its sequel brenton brown, east of acre lane, the seven sisters, island songs and the dirty south. At eighteen, he was involved in the brixton uprising and went to prison for three months. Its not for nothing that he was named the brixton bard. Wheatles debut novel, brixton rock, was adapted for the stage and performed at the young vic in july 2010. Such partitioning is particularly perilous when dealing with an author who shifts so easily between popular and official genres and registers, between reggae and poetry.
Exciting stage premiere of alex wheatles award winning. Through words and song alex wheatle mbe charts the journey of his own personal uprising. Straight outta crongton by alex wheatle paperback, 2017. Uprising is inspired by his first book, brixton rock 1999, which tells the story of. Andersen press is publishing cane warriors by alex wheatle, a visceral historical novel about the reallife slave uprising against british.
In his performance alex gives his audience an intimate portrait of his life, from his time growing up in care, lyrical snippets of his life as a dj, his experiences during the 1981 brixton riots to his life today as a successful writer. An evening with jason reynolds hosted by alex wheatle. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. At 18, he was involved in the brixton uprising and went to prison for 3 mo. Alex wheatles brixton rock has initiated the debate on how it feels to be a mixed race briton.
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