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Age Guideline 14+/YA
About the Event
Join award-winning poet and NEW Waterstones Children’s Laureate for 2022-2024 Joseph Coelho as he introduces us to his new spellbinding novel told in poems: The Boy Lost in the Maze. The book blends the ancient Greek myth of the Minotaur with a 21st Century quest - a teenage boy trying to find his biological father. Discover what inspired the story, how he wove together ancient and contemporary stories and what excites him about writing a verse novel. Look out for poetry writing tips from this poet at the height of his powers.
About the Book
A spellbinding novel told in poems blending the ancient legend of the Minotaur with the quest of a modern-day teenage boy to find his biological father. In his new verse novel, Joseph Coelho brilliantly blends Greek myth with a 21st century quest. In Ancient Greece, Theseus makes a dangerous and courageous journey to find his father, finally meeting the Minotaur in the Labyrinth. While Theo, a modern-day teenage boy, finds himself on a maze-like quest to find his own father. Each story tells of a boy becoming a man and discovering what true manhood really means. The path to self-discovery takes Theo through ‘those thin spaces where myth, magic and reality combine’. Doubts, difficulties and dangers must be faced as Theo discovers the man he will become. Following on from the bestselling verse novel, The Girl Who Became a Tree which was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and a Commended Book by the international jury at Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2021.
Teacher Resources (provided by School Library Association)
Co-ordinate with your history dept to research more about the civilisations and why storytelling was important to them.
Discussion points:
· Look up the etymology of the word Mythology
It is of Greek origin and can be split into Mythos and Logy
Can you think of other words which have the root words myth and logy in them?
· Research the original Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur to further understand the meaning and references in this story.
Using your school library have a look at more myths from the Greek, Roman, Norse and other civilisations. Why do you think they have lasted?
· There are other modern books based on myths such as
o David Almond’s A song for Ella Grey
o Jesse Burton and Olivia Lomenech Gill’s Medusa
o Karrie Fransman and Jonathan Plackett’s Gender swapped Greek myths
o Anthony McGowan’s I am the Minotaur
o Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series
o Melinda Salisbury’s Her dark wings
o Can you think of any more, or has your school library further titles?
· The biblical tale of Cain and Able, although not strictly considered a myth, is used in the story of The Lion King and helps with understanding the relationship between brothers Mufasa and Scar. Do you think this makes it more accessible to people?
· Other mythological references are in our everyday lives.
Nike, the sportswear company, Hermes, the couriers, Venus razors and Mars chocolate all take their inspirations from mythology. What do you think of when you hear these names?
About the Author
Joseph Coelho's debut poetry collection, Werewolf Club Rules Lincoln won the CLPE CLiPPA Poetry Award 2015. As well as poetry and plays, Joseph also writes picture books including Luna Loves Library Day (Andersen Press) and non-fiction books including How To Write Poems (Bloomsbury). All of his work has poetry and an element of performance at its heart making his festival and school sessions dynamic occasions. He lives in Kent.
Website: www.thepoetryofjosephcoelho.com
Twitter: @JosephACoelho
Instagram: @josephcoelhoauthor
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.