From the Office of the Future of Reading

This bi-weekly feature, From the Office of the Future of Reading, has been all about connecting kids and books. Generally, you will find guest bloggers here-- teachers, librarians, principals, reading coaches – all sharing their amazing and inspiring ideas about creating life long readers.

A Friendship Doll fan

I thought I would take advantage of a little hole in the schedule (the end of the school year is pretty intense for educators!) to share that, after a two year sabbatical, I have decided to do school visits again. I had taken a break to catch my breath and catch up on some writing. But I really miss being with kids, and sharing my passion – in person – for reading, writing, research and revision. And I have seen first hand how meeting a “real” writer can inspire kids (and teachers!).

Tons of questions for Mary Nethery and me!

One of the things I enjoy most about school visits is that I don’t know which kids are A students and which have their own chair in the principal’s office. Sometimes when I call on a child, I can hear a collective gasp from the teachers, nervous about what that particular child might say or ask. But you know, in all the years I’ve been doing this, I’ve never had a disrespectful comment or question. And nine times out of ten, that “problematic” student turns out to be the one who comes up to me afterward to show me something she’s been writing on her own. When that happens, I feel like I’ve hit a homerun clean out of the ballpark.

 

Hattie Big Sky fans in Indiana

Beginning in the fall, I’m ready to get back on the road. To book-chat over pizza with small groups at lunchtime, to stand in front of the entire student body in a gymnasium to talk about how amazed I still am that an ordinary person like me got to achieve her dream of writing books for children and young adults.

Winston and me living the dream!

I’d love to come to your school! If you’re interested, please contact Michele Kophs, my event coordinator, who also has some great tips about grants to help with school visits.