Chelsea Clinton, New York Times bestselling author of the middle grade book It’s Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired and Get Going!, discusses her latest version for younger students, Start Now! You Can Make a Difference. Filled with climate smart ideas, tips on eating healthy, ways to save endangered animals, and how to deal with bullies, Start Now! You Can Make a Difference shows young activists how they can make positive changes in the world. The author also talks about her other children’s books including She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World and Don’t Let Them Disappear: 12 Endangered Species Across the Globe. Skype questions from students at Fairhill Elementary School (FCPS), and other students via telephone and e-mail, provide a lively discussion. Originally recorded on 1/9/20

Meet the Author

Chelsea Clinton

Shannon Messenger is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the award-winning middle grade series, Keeper of the Lost Cities, as well as the Sky Fall series for young adults. Although the Keeper of the Lost Cities books are longer than most for the targeted audience, Messenger says “I think they just have to look past the thickness of the book and trust that the chapters are short and it reads really fun.” When asked about inspiration, Messenger replied “I find inspiration everywhere. I feel like the best thing an author can do is learn to be observant and always keep a notebook handy because you never know when a tiny detail will inspire you.” During the live webcast, students can call in and talk to the author about character development, her writing process, whatever is on their minds. Originally recorded on 11/30/18

Shannon Messenger

Author Alan Gratz is the New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction and fantasy novels for young readers. His latest book, Refugee is a YALSA 2018 Best Fiction for Young Adults. This novel tells the story of three children who flee their countries and homes in search of refuge. In the School Library Journal, a reviewer wrote that Refugee "...will help young people make sense of today's refugee crisis. Meant to be read, discussed, and shared widely." During the live webcast, Alan Gratz talks about his books, offers insights on character development, and describes his writing process. During the live webcast, Gratz answers e-mail questions and phone calls from students. Segments include questions and comments from students at Key Middle School. Originally recorded on 10/19/18

Alan Gratz

Winner of the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Award for Juvenile Fiction, James Ponti told a Orlando Sentinel reporter, “I’m happy in this world of books. I love the librarians, the teachers and the kids.” Ponti has written for the Disney Channel, PBS Kids and Nickelodeon. In this live edition of Meet the Author, he discusses his segue from writing for television to writing young adult fiction. Ponti talks about his Framed! book series as well as the Dead City trilogy. During the webcast, students from Glasgow Middle School ask thoughtful questions via Skype and Twain Middle School students talk about the ingredients of a good mystery. Originally recorded on 10/4/18

James Ponti

Stuart Gibbs has always wanted to be a writer, even writing stories in kindergarten. He also wanted to go to space, work at the zoo, and be a spy. Those career choices are reflected in his many books — from Belly Up to Spaced Out. Gibbs is known for his humorous and suspenseful series of books including FunJungle, The Last Musketeer, and the New York Times bestselling Spy School and Moon Base Alpha series. He has written several screenplays and developed television shows for Disney, Nickelodeon, ABC, and Fox. In this edition of Meet the Author, Stuart shares his writing process insights on research and character development. Coates Elementary School students create book hooks and cover art for Stuart’s books. The author also answers students’ e-mail questions and phone calls. Originally recorded on 1/11/18

Stuart Gibbs

She’s a “seeker of lost stories.” During a BookList Reader interview, Ruta Sepetys said, “I want to give voice to those who have never had a chance to tell their story.” Her books are published in over 50 countries and in 36 languages, and read by teens and adults alike. Her latest historical fiction, Salt to the Sea, is a New York Times Bestseller. Told from the character’s point of view, the book follows the struggles of three teenagers who seek refuge during the end of World War II but find tragedy instead. During the live webcast, Ruta Sepetys shares her writing process, insights on research, character development, and telling one’s personal story. She also talks about other her award-winning books Between Shades of Grey and Out of the Easy. In one segment, Stone Middle Schools (FCPS) students packed “virtual suitcases.” Ruta Sepetys also answers questions from students. Originally recorded on 11/2/17

Ruta Sepetys

Once a reluctant reader, author Jason Reynolds never imaged that he would become a writer of books for students in middle grades. And not just a writer, a New York Times bestselling author, a National Book Award Honoree, a Kirkus Award winner, a Walter Dean Myers Award winner, an NAACP Image Award Winner, and the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors. According to the author, his books — The Boy in the Black Suit, As Brave as You, All American Boys, Ghost – are “slice-of-life stories typically revolving around African-American teenagers, specifically in urban environments.” During the live webcast, Jason Reynolds discusses his reluctance to reading because the classics did not reflect the urban environment in which he grew up. Inspired by Queen Latifah's rap lyrics, he discovered poetry and his writing voice. Jason Reynolds says everyone has a story to tell, but, “You can’t fix it, if it doesn’t exist.” Jason Reynolds also shares his writing tips and philosophy on life. Originally recorded on 9/28/17

Jason Reynolds

Back by popular demand is sports enthusiast and author, Fred Bowen. This former lawyer scores a win with his Sports Story Series. According to the School Library Journal: “The books in the 'Fred Bowen Sports Story' series are fast-paced, and at just over 100 pages, they're perfect for reluctant readers.... Young readers will devour these stories, along with their painless lessons, and still have time to join their friends for games.” According to the author: “So many kids are passionate about sports, and I like tapping into that passion to show them how much fun reading can be.” Whether your favorite sport is football, baseball, basketball, or soccer, there is something for everyone to enjoy! Originally recorded on 4/21/17

Fred Bowen

Meet Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) educators who walk the talk—writing for critical acclaim as well as fun.These teacher-authors share tips for teaching literacy and writing. Alexis Rivera, a first grade teacher at Fairfax Villa Elementary School, and Lisa Zargarpur, a music teacher at Fort Hunt Elementary School, will talk about their book "The Teachers Want a Snow Day!" A reviewer wrote, "It's a hit with the kids and they giggle to see it from the teacher's perspective!" Brian Herberger, FCPS test analysis specialist, is the author of the new young adult novel "Miss E." According to one reader, "Miss E "is "historical fiction with a twist!" Lori Luster, a gifted education teacher at Stratford Landing Elementary School, is an award-winning educator and artist. Her book, "Cool Cat: Bringing 1940s and 1950s Flair to Your Wardrobe", is "a unique combination of history and fashion." Originally recorded on 5/19/16

Fairfax County Public Schools Educators Who Write

Lisa Graff, a former children's book editor, is the author of the National Book Award nominee A Tangle of Knots, as well as Lost in the Sun, and Absolutely Almost. She also writes novels for teenagers, under the pseudonym, Isla Neal. Writing her first picture book when she was eight years old, Graff continued to write as she grew up, through high school and college. Her critically acclaimed books are on the reading lists of 33 states. Lisa Graff is an adjunct professor at McDaniel College in Maryland where she teaches a course in children's literature. She believes that the best way to learn to write is to read “really good books.” Originally recorded on 1/15/16

Lisa Graff

Sharon Draper, educator, and award-winning author, makes a return visit to the Fairfax Network. Her newest book "Stella by Starlight" received the National Council of Teachers of English 2016 Charlotte Huck Award. Selected as one of New York Times 2015 Notable Children’s Books, “Stella by Starligh”t was recognized for presenting a unique look at the power of family in the Jim Crow South and during the Great Depression. Winner of the 2015 recipient of the American Library Association Margaret A. Edwards Award, Sharon Draper discusses "Stella by Starlight", talks with students about what inspires her stories, the writing process, and what a writer's life is really about. During the webcast, Draper answers questions posed by students via telephone and e-mail, and talks with students from West Potomac High School's Teachers for Tomorrow program via Skype. Originally recorded on 3/18/16

Sharon Draper

With over 30 novels in print, John Grisham’s top selling books include "The Firm," "A Time to Kill," "The Runaway Jury," and "The Pelican Brief." Now, Grisham is creating a court room drama series for middle school readers featuring Theodore Boone, a savvy 13-year-old, who knows a lot about the law. The "Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer" series finds the amateur attorney battling injustice with critical thinking, solid research, and deductive reasoning. During this webcast, John Grisham will discuss how he develops plots and how he enlivens storybook characters. Originally recorded on 9/30/15

John Grisham

In 2013, Loki Mulholland produced An Ordinary Hero, a documentary about his mother’s life as a civil rights activist. Joan Trumpauer Mulholland’s story, told in that award-winning film, is now a nonfiction book for children, She Stood for Freedom: The Untold Story of A Civil Rights Hero. Published simultaneously in picture book and middle grade editions, the book tells of Joan’s courage and convictions during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. Primary source documents and photos accompany the text. Award-winning author and documentarian Loki Mulholland joins the conversation by Skype. He discusses the significance of his mother’s role in the Civil Rights Movement, the use of primary sources, and his collaborative work with his illustrator. In a pre-taped segment, Mrs. Mulholland, a 1959 graduate of Annandale High School, pays a visit to AHS and discusses how life has changed. Originally recorded on 11/2/16

Loki Mulholland

Meet the Author gives students direct access to authors who share their personal stories, offer writing tips, and encourage students to “keep reading, keep writing, keep dreaming.” During the live webcasts, authors describe their writing process, character development, and ways to build a plot. Students ask questions and authors respond with inspiring and lively commentary. Nominated for several Emmy Awards & winner of numerous Telly Awards, Meet the Author brings the process of reading and writing to life. The goal of each webcast is to motivate students to read new books, write their own stories, and find and establish their place in a reading and writing world.

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Meet the Author

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