On Friday 9 August, WORD Christchurch will host Books Alive events for primary and intermediate schools, featuring a selection of the finalists of the 2024 New Zealand Book Awards for Children & Young Adults. These events will be FREE to attend, and will take place during the school day on Friday 9 August. WORD Christchurch Books Alive events will take place at Te Rau Ika (Auditorium), Haeata Community Campus, Breezes Road, Wainoni, Christchurch. These events have been designed so that schools can attend either morning or afternoon sessions (or both). Session 1 (morning) 10.00am – 11.00am: 2024 finalists Melanie Dixon (New Dawning), Stacy Gregg (Nine Girls), and Raymond McGrath (DoubleDippers) will talk about their incredible shortlisted books, followed by questions from the audience. Followed by book signing/meet & greets with finalist authors & illustrators Session 2 (afternoon) 1.00pm – 2.00pm: 2024 finalists Steve Mushin (Ultrawild), Rachael King (The Grimmelings), and Michaela Keeble & Tokerau Brown (Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapōkai) will talk about their incredible shortlisted books, followed by questions from the audience. Followed by book signing/meet & greets with finalist authors & illustrators Every student attending these events will receive a print copy of our 2024 NZCYA finalists activity booklet. Copies of all featured finalists’ books will also be available for sale at these events. To register your interest in bringing your school or class to these exciting events, please email booksalive@nzbookawards.org.nz with your school name, contact details, the number of students you would like to bring. We encourage you to register your interest as soon as possible to secure places for your school. The 2024 Books Alive finalist event programme in Christchurch is being organised by the expert team at WORD Christchurch, alongside the New Zealand Book Awards Trust Te Ohu Tiaki i Te Rau Hiringa. It is supported by funding from the Mātātuhi Foundation.