“Do not take this mission as a chore. You will be reading contemporary authors, which may help you later on.” The end of the day looks challenging for Céline Diesteser, director of communications at Fnac in Nice, who has to convince these junior high school science students to “enjoy” reading. For the 21st edition of the Prix Goncourt, they will have to read and study 15 contemporary authors’ works in two months. It should be noted that this list is the same as that of the Prix Goncourt.
Organized by Fnac and the Ministry of National Education, this cultural event allows students from the Eucalyptus technical high school to discover new authors and awaken the critical sense of young people. Karin Tuil, Salim Bachi, Christophe Bataille, Mathieu Belezi, and others are contemporary authors presented but unknown to the high school students. “I am pleased to participate in the selection; it will allow me to discover new authors,” explains Abdilleh, 16 years old. But when it comes to the question of reading the 15 books, Thomas, 16, responds: “I think I can read three or four books.”
<h2>The high school students will meet two authors on October 21</h2>“Money in their minds is secondary for young people, so it will be an authentic choice, and I think for the writer, it is valuable to be chosen by young people, especially from a technical high school,” comments Jacqueline Profizi, French teacher and instigator of her class’s participation.
To stimulate their curiosity, the high school students will be able to meet two writers on October 21 at Fnac in Nice. Likely, Jean-Baptiste del Amo, who presents “Une éducation libertine”, and Alain Jaubert with his book “Une nuit à Pompéi”. As for the work that could win, Abdilleh is betting on “Le silence de Mahomet” by Salim Bachi. But for Yann, it’s “Qui touche à mon corps je le tue” by Valentine Goby that could be the winner.
