World Book 2009: Student Writing from International Schools

Description

I would like to welcome you to this year's cdition of the 'World Book', which, as you know was a project whose origins lay in a communication of ideas between a small group of teachers in SE Asia. It was initiated by teachers at the Alice Smith School, spearheaded by Rick Riddell, and has rapidly gone from strength to strength. Last year the highly successful World Book included contributions from eight schools, three in Kuala Lumpur, and one each from Singapore, Brunci, Philippines, Vietnam, and China. Good news spreads quickly and the calibre of the book was recognised instantly by those who were fortunate enough to obtain a copy. This year the project has been taken on by twenty-eight schools; stories, nonfiction items and poems have been submitted from Asia, Africa, America, South America, Europe and Australia, including the eight original schools involved. Selection from the overwhelming variety of submissions has been exceptionally difficult and has been based on the inclusion of a range of types of response and theme; fair representation of the schools who participated; as well as representation of a range of age and gender. Our perception of the merit of individual pieces plays a secondary role in the selection process. I hope that you enjoy this year's 'offering' and I would like to thank all students and schools who submitted pieces for their enthusiasm and interest in taking part in the project. I would also like to thank Rick Riddell and Devina Muttiah at the Alice Smith School for their hard work and tenacity in ensuring that this worthwhile book is published again this year.