Library Media Center - Visiting Author

Feb. 26-27, 2007

Diane Stanley will be visiting Indian Trail Middle School on Monday and Tuesday, February 26 and 27.  She is the author of over 25 books including biographies of William Shakespeare, Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, Leonardo da Vinci, Saladin Prince of Islam, and Shaka King of the Zulus.  She has also written and illustrated her versions of several familiar fairy tales, Giant and the Beanstalk, Goldie and the Three Bears, and Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter. Her novel Mysterious Matter of I.M. Fine, was on the 2004 Volunteer State Book Award reading list.

The Library Media Center has copies of her books available for check-out.  We will also have both hardback and paperback copies of a number of her books on sale in the Library Media Center during February.  Visit http://www.dianestanley.com to learn more about this author and illustrator.  Ms. Stanley's  visit is sponsored by the PTSA of Indian Trail Middle School.

Barbara Robinson, March 28-29, 2000

Barbara Robinson was Indian Trail’s first Visiting Author. She spent two days with us, having six sessions so that all of our students had the chance to hear her and meet her.

 

Mrs. Robinson told us all about life with the Herdmans. It was interesting to see how many different languages her books had been translated into. She also told about working with the TV movie version of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. A lot of students had suggestions for future books about the Herdmans.

AVI, October 5-6, 2000

Avi spent two days visiting with us at Indian Trail Middle School. During that time, we had a chance to hear him talk about his books, see pictures of his house and family, and learn about the new books he is still working on.

 

Thanks to our PTSA for sponsoring Avi’s visit. In addition to the large assembly programs, we had chances to get Avi's autograph on our books and to talk with him in person.  The PTSA gave a luncheon for AVI and 20 lucky students who had written essays telling why they wanted to have lunch with Avi.

Gordon Korman, October 7-8, 2002

Gordon Korman spent two days with us in early October.  He was our first special guest to speak in our new auditorium.  During his two days, he kept us entertained with stories from his life that inspired some of the books he has written.

Students enjoyed talking with Gordon Korman and sharing some of their funny personal experiences with him.  Who knows, maybe Mr. Korman has inspired a future author!

During the visit, Mr. Korman autographed the first copy of his new book, Son of the Mob. He was pretty excited about that.

Hudson Talbott, October 15-16, 2001

Hudson Talbott was the first illustrator to visit us at Indian Trail.  He showed us some great slides from his King Arthur legend books as well as pictures from his research trip to the Amazon before he write Amazon Diary.  Since Mr. Talbott lives in New York City, he also shared some of his experiences on 9/11 and the days that followed.

His latest book, Leonardo's Horse, had just been published the week before his visit.  During a luncheon with some of our students, he talked about his research for the illustrations for this book and answered lots of questions about how to get a book published.

 

Cynthia DeFelice, March 29-30, 2005

Cynthia DeFelice entertained us with ghost stories, tall tales, and information about her series of books about the adventures of Allie and Hoover the dog.  It was surprising to learn how much research she had to do for her historical fiction books like The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker and No Where to Call Home.

Meeting her encouraged a number of our students to talk with her about their writing.  She was gracious enough to read over stories written by students and offer them words of encouragement and suggestions for improvement. 

Thanks, Mrs. DeFelice.