BIS book week 2023: celebrating the authors of BIS HCMC

There are not many people in our community who can hold the claim of being a published author, let alone publishing the sequel to your first hit fantasy book at age 11. However, our very talented Year 8 student, Krnav was proud to be releasing his second book published and shared with his peers in The Curve, our secondary library. Krnav’s first book, published in 2021, “The Magical Book and the Seven Wonders” follows the story of Albert and his sister Anna as they are sucked into a magical book and transported back in time to when the seven great wonders of the world were built. Albert must uncover the hidden secrets and mysteries of the wonder in a quest to save his sister. 

After growing up in India, moving to Singapore, then Malaysia and now with us in Vietnam, Krnav has now released the sequel to his first hit fantasy book, titled “Magical Realm and the Prophecy of Zeus”. In the sequel, the tables are turned, as it’s now Anna who is sent on a quest to save her brother. The pair find themselves on a new adventure through Ancient Greece, fighting minotaurs and ancient monsters along the way.
Here’s an excerpt from “The Magical Book and the Seven Wonders”:

“Albert went inside the curtain with his sister. It was very bright and dusty inside. Curtains were ripped apart as if someone was searching for something in there. Since there was dust everywhere, the siblings were coughing repetitively. The room was empty except got one book - the same book that the mad bookkeeper had been so engrossed with earlier. It was laid out on a table as if it were the most precious thing on the planet. It was so old and rusty that you couldn’t even see the first letter of the title. Slowly they cleaned the book with the help of a cloth. “The Magical Book and the Seven Wonders”, said Albert, finally figuring out the title of the book.”

Both of Krnav’s books are now available for you to read at The Curve, or you can purchase your own e-book copies on Amazon. 

The Cursive Literary Magazine Spring Edition 2023 is also now available digitally and will soon be printed and available to read in The Curve and around the school. The magazine is the product of a Co-Curricular Activity led by Mr Donnelly, Head of English, and curated by Year 13 students, Ha Trang and Song Thu, (Susu). Creative writing and pieces of art were submitted by 17 secondary students, leading to a beautifully designed and cohesive magazine, highlighting the immense talent of our #BISHCMC students. 
Here is an excerpt from “A Love Letter for Home” by Ha Trang: 

“And when the fire autumn fades, and the world is painted grey,
while the skies stretch further than the abandoned train tracks
that lead to the edge of time.
I will no longer fit the part of the past-girl, and the mirror won’t reflect the same way.
The city will still hold me in the creases of her palms
tracing the branches of her Phoenix hands,
singing her nostalgic melodies alley by alley,
bent beneath the roof-tops
that trickle raindrops like tears from daybreak to crepuscule.”

Read the digital copy here: 

A Collection of Creativity is another magazine comprised of around 70 pieces of short creative writing from Year 7 - Year 10 students, led by English Teacher Mr Laurie Ashwell. The front and back cover were designed by Ela, Ellie and Viola of Year 8 and 9. 
The written pieces range from diary entries to poems on themes of friendship, family and mental health. 

Here is an excerpt from “The Road Not Taken” by Year 10 student Manav,

“I open my eyes, once more being welcomed by this war-torn land, barely hidden by severed walls. I stare hard into the darkness, to the area in which I remember a door. The wood boards creak louder and I no longer hold my breath. A lone soldier steps out from the darkness. Covered with layers of protection and equipment, his body walks confidently towards this room. I see only his eyes. I see the eyes of a scared, lost boy. A certain softness comforts them. Nervous, they scour the room until finally, they turn to meet mine. I watch him from under the table, he watches me from the door. Slowly he raises his gun. Guilt blinds his eyes. I no longer see a boy in them, I see a soldier.

The floor is damp; I no longer shiver.”

Read the full collection here in digital format: 


The exceptional standard our BIS HCMC Authors is a testament to their creativity, hard work and passion for literature. Supported by our world-class English and Art teachers, anything is possible for these talented writers and artists.