(ANS - Salvador)- 2015 was a year full of awards, accolades and lessons for Italo Vasconcelos, the young thirteen-year old writer and student of the Salesian School of Salvador. He is the author of two books: "Memoirs of Luck and Other Stories” and “The Shooting Star”.  Italo has become famous and his book “The Shooting Star” has been published also as an audio-book for the visually impaired.

In March 2015, the young writer gave an interview to Eunice Espinola, published in "Portal Jorge Guedes." In April, at the Monteiro Lobato Library, he held a conference with other writers on the topic "How to write and publish a book". It was a relaxed occasion for children and adults on the Day of the Book and the 65th anniversary of the library.

In May he took part in the World Forum on Education, Literature and Social Inclusion, at the Public Library of the State of Bahia in Salvador. He was the only child writer present at the event during which his autograph was requested. In addition, he was awarded the "Think Education" trophy, for all his works, to encourage reading, education and knowledge of the Portuguese language.

In July, he participated at an event organized in the "Maple Bear" school for the Day of the Writer in collaboration with the Cultural Association of Brazil-United States. In October he gave an interview on radio "Educadora FM" for the month of children and also attended "Talk to the Writer", an event organized by the Union of Bahian Writers in the House of Benin, Pelourinho.

He was also invited by the "Tourism and Afins" project to "Flica", the  largest literary festival in Cachoeira. During the Literary Fair he participated in a debate on the importance of literature, spoke of his experience with reading and was also awarded the "Clarice Lispector" literary prize. At the end of the month, he spoke on "Revista TV" and gave an interview to “Portal Divulga Escritor”.

For 2016 there is already a date marked on his diary: 30 January in Sao Paulo, when he will participate in the first "Swiss-Brazilian Talents" competition.

Published 03/12/2015