Alex wheatles first novel, brixton rock, was published to critical acclaim in 1999. Alex wheatle was born in 1963 to jamaican parents living in london. He has written books for adults and teenagers, including the critically acclaimed brixton rock. Wheatle himself is the coauthor of checkers in the xpress series. Alex wheatle is the author of several novels, some of them set in brixton, where he grew up. There, alex found music and friends but he also got mixed up in drugs and violence. Good book straight outta crongton, wheatle, alex, used. Five more novels, east of acre lane, the seven sisiters, island songs, checkers and the dirty south followed, all highly praised.
Alex wheatles brixton rock has initiated the debate on how it feels to be a mixed race briton. May 18, 2017 there, alex found music and friends but he also got mixed up in drugs and violence. 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. 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 wheatle emirates airline festival of literature. The award winning author alex wheatle mbe presents his moving autobiographical story of how he became a writer.
Wheatles debut novel, brixton rock, was adapted for the stage and performed at the young vic in july 2010. 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. 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. 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. He spent a short stint in prison following the brixton uprising of 1981. Following his release from prison he continued to write poems and lyrics and became known as the brixton bard. Guardian childrens fiction prize 2016 shortlist announced. Straight outta crongton by alex wheatle, paperback barnes. An evening with jason reynolds hosted by alex wheatle black. He was abandoned by his family as a young child and grew up in a care home. Belgrade theatre premieres beatbox stage adaptation. Alex wheatle is one of the uks most popular black british authors. 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.
He teaches in various places, including lambeth college and many prisons, and. May 18, 2012 alex wheatle is the author of seven critically acclaimed novels. 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. Anderson press signs wheatle s first historical ya. Straight outta crongton by alex wheatle paperback, 2017. At eighteen, he was involved in the brixton uprising and went to prison for three months. Ruislip youngsters were treated to wheatles animated and engaging tales of life in brixton, the first book he picked up. 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. 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.
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. 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. When he was sent to prison for taking part in the brixton uprising, alexs future seemed hopeless. This book is particularly suitable for adults who are new to reading emergent reads. 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. The author alex wheatle grew up in a childrens home and went to prison after taking part in the brixton riots in 1981. 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.
At 18, he was involved in the brixton uprising and went to prison for 3 months. Alex alphonso wheatle mbe 3 january 1963 is a british novelist, sentenced to a term of imprisonment after the brixton riots. He wrote and performed uprising, a one man play based on his own life at tara arts studios, wandsworth, london. 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. Edinburgh book festival and of course our own finchley literary festival, amongst others. Alex wheatles book crongton knights was the recipient of the 2016 guardian childrens fiction prize and was shortlisted for the ya book prize 2017. Uprising a thought provoking and inspiring story written for emerging readers, particularly those who are offenders or at risk. Andersen press is publishing cane warriors by alex wheatle, a visceral historical novel about the reallife slave uprising against british. Straight outta crongton by alex wheatle, paperback.
Feb 10, 2016 born in 1963 to jamaican parents living in brixton, alex wheatle spent most of his childhood in a surrey childrens home. Alex wheatle was born in 1963 to jamaican parents living in brixton and spent most of his childhood in a surrey childrens home. Im working on a slave revolt narrative based on a real uprising in jamaica. 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. 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. Uprising is inspired by his first book, brixton rock 1999, which tells the story of a 16year old boy of mixed race, in 1980s. Becoming a member of the lovereading4kids community is free. He spent a short stint in prison following the brixton uprising in 1981.
He spent most of his childhood in a childrens home, which he left at fourteen to live in a hostel in brixton. Libraries were crucial in my long journey as a writer. In 2008, he was awarded an mbe for services to literature and, in 2016, he won the guardians childrens fiction prize. Without libraries i would have never become a writer. The novel was subsequently adapted for the stage and performed at the young vic in 2010. 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. Alex takes audiences on a journey through britain in the 1980s. He features bits of his life in his books, such as east of acre lane characters yardman irie and jah nelson. His latest book, home girl is available from the bca gift shop.
Its not for nothing that he was named the brixton bard. 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. His awardwinning young adult crongton trilogy has been making waves for its hardhitting but compassionate depiction of growing up on a tough estate. He spent most of his childhood in a childrens home, which he left at 14 to live in a hostel in brixton. Author alex wheatles complete list of books and series in order, with the latest. In 2010, he wrote and toured the oneman autobiographical performance, uprising. Alex wheatle is the bestselling author of several books including the modern classic brixton rock, and the multiaward winning crongton series. New statesman sharpedged and sardonically funny, brixton rock is graham greene for the hiphop generation a strong and quirky debut by alex wheatle. Alex alphonso wheatle mbe 3 january 1963 is a british novelist, sentenced to a term of. His most recent book, liccle bit, is his first for young adults. 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.
Born in 1963 to jamaican parents living in brixton, alex wheatle spent most of his childhood in a surrey childrens home. Following his release from prison he continued to write poems and lyrics and became known. 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. While serving his sentence, a cellmate advised wheatle to start reading books. At 18, he was involved in the brixton uprising and went to prison for 3 mo. 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. His other books include brixton rock and the crongton. There, alex found music and friends but he also got mixed up. Uprising, a true story by alex wheatle 97819087100. Through words and song alex wheatle mbe charts the journey of his own personal uprising. Mar 27, 2018 discover book depositorys huge selection of alex wheatle books online. 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. 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. Oct 18, 2016 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 alan garner to diana wynne jones and patrick ness.
Island songs by alex wheatle nook book ebook barnes. Exciting stage premiere of alex wheatles award winning. 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. In his second novel, east of acre lane 2001, wheatle returns to the same south london landscape one year on. Born in 1963 to jamaican parents, wheatle spent much of his childhood in a shirley oaks childrens home. Alex wheatle wins 2016 guardian childrens fiction prize. Wheatles writing is poetic, rhythmic and unique, remaking. Scottish book trust scottish book trust promoting reading, writing and literature in scotland. Open book festival alex wheatle open book festival. An evening with jason reynolds hosted by alex wheatle. Crongton knights is a joyous shout of youthful exuberance.
Alex wheatle has created a disturbing portrait of life in a childrens home, in language which is plain, unsparing, and heartrendingly poignant. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Discover book depositorys huge selection of alex wheatle books online. Words and pictures on how to stop worrying and learn to love the alien next door. He was awarded an mbe for services to literature in 2008.
No catches, no fine print just unconditional book loving for your children with their favourites saved to their own digital bookshelf. 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. A true story signed copy, by alex wheatle, mbe pea. Anderson press signs wheatles first historical ya the. Brixton rock was adapted for the stage and performed at. Wheatle wrote and performed his autobiographical oneman show uprising for tara arts, touring the country.
Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Renowned author alex wheatle is currently on a one man tour throughout the uk with his show uprising. His early books are based on his life in brixton as a teenager and his time in social services care. His most recent book, liccle bit, is his first for young adults and has been nominated for the 2016 carnegie medal.
Wheatle has since spoken about the brixton riots, most prominently in the 2006 bbc programme battle for brixton. 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. 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. Uprising by alex wheatle, 97819087100, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Alex wheatle is the author of crongton knights, which won the guardian childrens fiction prize in 2016. 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. He was awarded an mbe in the queens birthday honours list for services to literature in. Uprising is inspired by his first book, brixton rock 1999, which tells the story of. 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. This is a book that sings with warmth, in spite of its tough setting in the midst of a gang war. Uprising with alex wheatle mbe, by alex wheatle at tara. Alex wheatle is the author of seven critically acclaimed novels. Moss story was the last to appear in the spring of 2019, but it plays ahead of the other two volumes.