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Age guideline 13+
About the Event
Guardian Award-winning author Alex Wheatle brings a vital part of British and Jamaican history vividly to life in his latest novel Cane Warriors, which follows the true-life slave rebellion known as Tacky’s War in 18th-century Jamaica. Told through the eyes of fourteen-year-old Moa, it’s visceral, gripping and unforgettable storytelling, giving a voice to those who were denied one.
Alex talks about his research for Cane Warriors and the inextricable link to his own childhood experiences. He was born in Brixton to Jamaican parents, and spent most of his childhood in a children’s home. A short stint in prison following the Brixton uprising of 1981 led Alex to find hope in the prison library and he began writing poems and lyrics. Now an acclaimed novelist with an MBE for services to literature, Alex tells us how words and actions are a powerful force for change.
Please be aware that there are verbal descriptions of violence during Alex Wheatle’s book reading that may be upsetting for younger viewers
Teacher Resources
Cane Warriors is based around a historical event: Tacky’s War in Jamaica, 1760 and tells the story through the eyes of Moa, a 14 year old slave working on a sugar plantation.
Try writing an extract from a different character in Cane Warriors point of view. Think about how they might see and feel the same events differently. Discuss how the story changes when you shift perspective.
We don’t often get accounts from a slave’s point of view, why do you think this is? Why do you think Alex Wheatle felt it was important to tell this story?
Research other Slave Rebellions. Who are the key figures in these rebellions? Do you think these people should be more widely known?
Take another historical event and try writing a story or diary entry from someone who took part in that event. It could be a leader, a soldier, a victim, an onlooker. Think carefully about who’s story might usually be missing from accounts of historical events. Try and make their voice heard in your story.
Links to UK organisations supporting Black History
The Black Curriculum also offer a programme teaching a wide range of Black British history, more info here: https://www.theblackcurriculum.com/ourcurriculum
Black Cultural Archives is the only national heritage centre dedicated to collecting, preserving and celebrating the histories of African and Caribbean people in Britain. It is based in London. More info on their work, collections and programmes can be found here: https://blackculturalarchives.org/
Alex Wheatle Links
Alex’s website has information on all his books, as well as articles about him and his work. https://www.alexwheatle.com/
Alex Wheatle’s life is the subject of one of Steve McQueen’s new films for the BBC and Amazon Prime - Small Axe. You can see a trailer to the series here: https://youtu.be/ZxFKkcUsSvE
Buy the Book here:
About the Author
Alex Wheatle is the author of several acclaimed novels, many of them inspired by experiences from his childhood. He was born in Brixton to Jamaican parents, and spent most of his childhood in a Surrey children’s home. Following a short stint in prison following the Brixton uprising of 1981, he wrote poems and lyrics and became known as the Brixtonbard. Alex has been longlisted for the Carnegie Medal, won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, and was awarded an MBE for services to literature in 2008. 2020 promised to be huge for Alex, not only has Steve McQueen based one episode in his 6 part SMALL AXE series for BBC on Alex’s life (to be aired Autumn 2020 on BBC ONE), Noel Clarke of Unstoppable Films is adapting his ‘Crongton’ series into a TV series whilst the theatre adaptation of Crongton Knights was playing to packed houses and receiving phenomenal reviews for its major UK tour.
Twitter: @BrixtonBard
Instagram: @AlexWheatle
About the Festival Partner
This event has been programmed by Bath Children’s Literature Festival
Bath Festivals is a charity that brings you the Bath Children’s Literature Festival, Europe’s largest dedicated children’s literature festival with a vibrant array of talks and activities for children. They are also responsible for The Bath Festival in the summer which bring the city alive with a celebration of music and books in the beautiful venues and spaces of the world heritage city. By creating innovative and diverse programmes, their festivals inspire and provide unique experiences for residents and visitors to Bath and surrounding areas. Their year-round creative learning programme of hands-on music and literature projects gives children and young people opportunities to gain real-world experience, building their inner confidence and improving communication skills through the arts.