Thanks to each and every one of you who responded to my query about =
author visits. I hope I may be in the position to return your kindness =
at some future date.
The following is a compilation of responses sent me offlist. There is a =
lot of valuable information here.
Mel Glenn, who lives in Brooklyn, was a high school English teacher in=20
New York City for 30 years. He writes books in verse, including "Jump=20
Ball," "Foreign Exchange" and "Who Killed Mr. Chippendale."
He came to my middle school last year and did an excellent job and I'm=20
sure he'd be even better in a high school setting.
If you go to his web site, http://www.melglenn.com/, you can find=20
information about author visits.
=20
***********************
I'd like to recommend Nancy Werlin, extraordinary author of young adult =
books who lives in Boston. She receives rave reviews wherever she =
speaks, and her books are fabulous. Notably her most recent title, =
DOUBLE HELIX which tackles the difficult subject of genetic engineering, =
garnered many starred reviews and is in its third printing after only =
five months in print! Learn more at www.nancywerlin.com.
=20
**********************
=20
There are many authors in the New York area who are great for a high =
school
audience. However, for the most part, it costs money to have a =
well-known
author come to your school. You need to decide what exactly you would =
like
the author to do, e.g., work with a few classes, speak to the whole =
school
in the auditorium, talk to students after they have read his/her =
book(s)and
what topic you would like him/her to focus on. Then, of course, you =
have to
decide (that is, your administration does) how much money you have to =
pay
for an author.
I've heard that Ned Vizzini, author of "Teen Angst?... Naah" =
(biographical)
and "No More Chill" (novel) is a good author to have, as are Mel Glenn
(author of many novels in poetry form). We had Adam Rapp at our school =
and
he was very good with the kids. Susan Kuklin has written some =
fabulously
interesting non-fiction books, and she has been to our school several =
times.
Some suggestions:
This summer, speak to the YA librarians at the public library (Queens =
and
NYPL) for suggestions of people who might not be famous, but who would =
be
good for your particular student population.
Join the listserv for NYC School Librarians sponsored by the NYC Office =
of
School Library Services, and post a query there (This is good for lots =
of
OTHER info, too!) http://netpals.lsoft.com/archives/nycslist.html
In case you didn't know, the Office of School LIbrary Services =
organizes, as
part of the New York is Book Country events each Sept/Oct, author visits =
in
schools. You need to write a letter requesting an author, and have it
signed by your principal. I don't know if it's too late to apply for the
fall, but they will probably do it again in the spring. DOwnside is you
have no say in who you are going to get. Upside, it's free to the =
school,
and sometimes turns out to be really good (we've had some great authors =
come
to our school this way).
=20
**************************
I have a site for McBookwords that has quite a few links that might be =
helpful to you in terms of actually planning a visit. =
http://www.mcelmeel.com/bookauthor. =20
=20
If you do decide to explore having anyone of our authors visit in your =
school we are pleased to offer total liaison services (at no cost to =
you) and I am always pleased to answer any specific questions etc.
=20
Now regarding actual recommendations for authors --
=20
You might be interested in Carol Gorman who has written YA horror and =
recently the very popular "Dork" series. While the Dork books are more =
MS they are great reads for HS who want to discuss literary techniques, =
plot structure AND her most recent A MIDNIGHT SUMMER'S DORK is a perfect =
match to examining plot structure and themes in classic tales as her =
book mirrors the themes in Shakespeare's classic tale. Great =
combination. I've seen Carol hold a group of 500 YR readers in the palm =
of her hand. A great presenter. She also has a great new novel =
coming out about the Negro league involving town team's his as historic =
setting -- a great mystery and suspense tale.
=20
Here's a blurb about her:
=85 Carol Gorman is the author of many elementary grade/middle school =
novels and speaks easily to all levels. Her middle grade novel, Dork in =
Disguise, has won several state choice awards and her sequels are very =
popular. She can handle very large groups if you have a space where a =
number can be seated comfortably -- and she conducts wonderful writing =
workshops with smaller groups. Her fee for out-of-state is $950.00, =
plus travel/meal expenses/ three sessions a day and she will also be =
glad to meet with staff/parents at a reception or "social" type of =
meeting. Autographing also. A reduced rate is available for multiple =
days in an area. Travels from Cedar Rapids, IA .
=20
You might also be interested in either Franny Billingsley or Rebecca =
Davis --
=20
=85 Franny Billingsley, has two books of fantasy in publication. She =
speaks well with all age groups (she is an experienced book person who =
relates to young children very well). Franny is absolutely fabulous. =
She regularly presents to various grade levels - for example: K-1s, the =
2-3s, the 4-5, and 6-8s). Her presentations are age-appropriate, =
entertaining, and thoughtful. If you are able to have her scheduled for =
a couple of days she can do specific classroom-based writing workshops =
for some classes as well. You will love what she can do for your =
students and their enthusiasm. She also speaks to adult groups -- on =
such topics as "Writing from the Heart and Mind: Teaching Creative =
Writing to Children" For out-of-state appearances, Franny's fee is =
$1200.00 per day , plus travel/meal expenses. Since she likes to keep =
the groups as small as possible she does four sessions per day. =
Autographing also. A reduced rate is available for multiple days in an =
area (and for in-state travel). Franny travels from Chicago, Illinois.
=85 Rebecca Fjelland Davis is the author of Jake Riley: Irreparably =
Damaged. She published her first YA novel, Jake Riley: Irreparably =
Damaged with HarperCollins in 2003 and is currently at work on another =
novel, Alley Cat. She will discuss her writing and work in an =
assembly setting or provide small group talks and Q&A sessions =
(appropriate for college/writing classes) etc. Her honorarium is $700 =
plus mileage/hotel/food if she must travel over 100 miles - this is =
sometimes negotiable. Her honorarium is less if she is within 50 miles =
of her home base - Mankato, MN.
=20
**************************
I am at a k-6 elementary and had a wonderful author visit this year with
Rafe Martin. Although I have not read his adult books, I know he has =
written
several and so he may be appropriate for your students. He is a terrific
story teller and the children and parents just loved him. You can check =
out
his website at www.rafemartin.com
=20
**************************
You might try this web site, which arranges author visits.=20
http://www.balkinbuddies.com/
Catherine Balkin lives and works out of NYC.
=20
*************************
Thanks again!
Sincerely,
Jo-Anne Kyriannis
School Library Media Specialist
The Queens High School of Teaching
Bellerose, New York =20
bibliokate@verizon.net
=20
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