A Sneak Peek …
I’d love to see you at the Whallonsburg Grange (Essex, NY) next month as I introduce a new early chapter book series dedicated to the how of science: The Discovery Chronicles. I’ll focus my talk on the first book in the series, One Long Line, which comes out in May, sharing a bit about its genesis (spoiler: it was 15 years in the making!) and pulling you deep into the world of social caterpillars. Trust me, resistance is futile!
Worcesterites can celebrate local authors, support local bookselling, and shop for the holidays at this year’s Holiday Author Festival, hosted by the booklovers at Root and Press, 623 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA. You’ll find great books, festive music, warm drinks, sweet treats, and plenty of holiday cheer. Here are the details:
Worcester Holiday Author Festival
Root & Press, 623 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA
Saturday, December 14
3-5:30pm
And here’s a list of the excited local authors–writers of fiction and nonfiction for adults and for children–who will be on hand to sell and sign their books:
Joyce Derenas
Gordon Duncan
We hope to see you there!
I’m thrilled to be attending the 2018 Annual Convention of the National Council of Teachers of English in Houston Texas next month. In addition to the presentations described in the infographics above, I’m honored to be attending the Children’s Book Award Luncheon on Saturday, November 17; my latest book, Life on Surtsey: Iceland’s Upstart Island, was an Orbis Pictus recommended title this year. I’ll be signing books at the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt booth after the luncheon, beginning at 3pm.
I’d love to see you at any or all of these events!
I’m thrilled to return to Freeport, Maine next week for the famous Nerdy Author Night, sponsored by nErDcamp Northern New England and with books provided by Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop. All the details you need to join a festive Meet & Greet with over forty New England children’s book authors & illustrators are right here …
See you in Maine!
Next week, I’ll join a slew of local authors for a couple great joint events in Belmont, Massachusetts. First, a book festival at Chenery Middle School (3-5:30pm) and later, a signing at Belmont Books (6:30pm). Both events are free and open to the public, and all sales benefit the Chenery Library. For addresses and a full list of participating authors, check out this flyer:
I’m thrilled to be participating again in Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary‘s popular lecture series for adults. My slot is this coming Friday, April 6, at 7pm, and all the details can be found here.
Copies of all my books will be available for purchase, and I’m happy to sign them. Please note, though, that I can only accept cash or checks.
I hope to see you there!
Here’s where you’ll find me at the annual convention of the National Council of Teachers of English, being held in St. Louis, MO from November 16-19, 2017.
Friday, November 17
2-3:15pm
Room 242
How’d You Do That?
Authors Share Revision Strategies that Student Writers Can Use
In a panel presentation, Tracey Baptiste, Laurel Snyder, Linda Urban, Sarah Albee, Kate Messner, and I will share the tools and strategies we use to engage with our words when its time to revise them.
5-6pm
Main Convention Hall
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt booth
Book sale and signing
Sunday, November 19
2:15-3:30pm
Room 144
Nonfiction Magic:
How (You and) Your Students an Become Magicians, Too!
In a panel presentation, Alexandra Siy, Sarah Albee, Laurie Ann Thompson, Ammi-Joan Paquette, and I will share the various roles writers of nonfiction must inhabit in order to create true stories that shine.
I’d love to see you at any or all of these events!
I’m passionate about a lot of things. Near the top of the list are young people who are also passionate about a lot of things … and who embrace the opportunity to share their passions with the world. So when the teenagers behind the organization Saving the Bees Knees asked me to host a book sale and signing at their upcoming Farmer’s Market, I couldn’t possibly say no.
The mission of Save the Bee’s Knees is to fundraise and educate the public on the issues facing honey bees. Tomorrow night’s Farmer’s Market will feature local farmers and businesses who will be sharing their locally-grown vegetables and locally-produced goods. I’ll be there with all my books, selling and signing. Profits from the event will be used to further initiatives that protect honey bees and spread the buzz about their lives and their import to agriculture and human health.
So, if you live in central Massachusetts and you’re into veggies and bees and books and people who are passionate about all three, please consider joining us. And if you don’t live in our neck of the woods, maybe you could help us spread the buzz?
Save the Bee’s Knees Farmer’s Market
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
4-7pm
Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School (Monty Tech)
1050 Westminster Street
Fitchburg, MA
You can read a little more about Saving the Bees knees on their Facebook page or on their Twitter feed. Or you can simply show up tomorrow night and see them in action for yourselves.
Here are some details on my schedule at this weekend’s Massachusetts School Library Association conference at the Resort & Conference Center in Hyannis, MA:
Sunday, May 7, 2017
1:30-2:25pm
Four Authors on Researching & Writing Nonfiction
This panel discussion will include myself, Sarah Albee, Susan Hood, Melissa Stewart, and moderator Susannah Richards. Join us for a sneak peek at our processes and to gather some tips and tools that your students can use in their own work.
4:30-6pm
Author Signings/Meet & Greet
A gaggle of local authors and illustrators will be meeting and greeting conference attendees, and signing their books. Join us!
6:00-8:00pm
Dinner & Awards Banquet
I’d love to connect in person, so if you’re at this event, be sure to say hello!
Yesterday, February 16, was World Read Aloud Day, and it was magnificent. I celebrated by Skyping into classrooms in Fairfax and Virginia Beach (Virginia), Madison (Wisconsin) and Quito (Equador), and I got to read and talk with students about butterflies, citizen science, and honey bees. I also got to give a sneak peak of my newest book (LIFE ON SURTSEY, due out in November of this year) and recommend some of my very favorite recent nonfiction books. You know, books like …
