And one of the headline acts will be Andrew Cope, the author of the popular Spy Dog series.
As well as providing an insight into the fictional world of Lara the canine spy, Mr Cope will visit schools to run workshops on ‘The Art of Being Brilliant’, in which students will learn how to shine in any situation.
Graphic novelist Robin Etherington, whose Freaky and Fearless books continue to prove a hit with young comic-book fans, will also entertain local primary schools at the Opera House.
And Laura Ellen Anderson, author of the new series Amelia Fang – which has been described as ‘gloriously gothic’ and ‘wickedly funny’ – will deliver an interactive talk for schoolchildren. They are likely to be given the opportunity to help her devise some more of her character Wooo’s famously repugnant recipes.
Meanwhile, Adam Frost – writer of The Awesome Book of Space – will give a literary boost to the Island’s aspiring astronauts.
UK performance poetry group Farrago are returning to the Island to run a multi-school poetry slam, an event in which secondary school poets from Jersey will perform spoken word poetry of their own making, in front of a panel of local judges.
‘We’re really excited to be part of this year’s festival and looking forward to working with Jersey’s brilliant young poets and fantastic schools,’ Farrago founder John Paul O’Neill said.
Elsewhere, Key Stage 5 students will be invited to attend an event led by author Laura Steven, whose acclaimed new novel, The Exact Opposite of Okay, has been described as a ‘switched-on exploration of teenage sexuality and gender’.
For the second year running, the schools programme is being sponsored by Santander International. James Pountney, managing director of Santander International, said the company was ‘delighted’ to once again be involved.
‘It was incredible to see the Jersey Opera House come alive last year as children of all ages enjoyed hearing from different authors,’ added Mr Pountney. ‘We’re excited to see what this year’s line-up brings.’
The provision of events and workshops for local schools has been an important part of the festival since it was launched in 2015, with the aims of bringing star writers to the Island, providing a welcome fillip to home-grown creative writing and supporting education, heritage and event-led tourism.
Paul Bisson, Jersey Festival of Words vice-chairman, said: ‘It’s great to watch students getting enthused about books and reading.
‘The writers’ stage shows are always hugely entertaining and there’s a real buzz when the children get to meet the authors and have their books signed.’
The fourth Jersey Festival of Words will be held from 26 September to 30 September at venues around St Helier, with the Santander International Schools Programme taking place on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 September.
For more information visit jerseyfestivalofwords.org.
