The wonderful Ms Bartholomew invited me to Riverside Elementary, Suwanee Georgia, for two back to back visits this morning. I think this is the third time I’ve visited Riverside and always, the students are such a pleasure to speak with. Thank you, Ms Bartholomew and Riverside educators for your great prepping!
I didn’t think to ask for a photo until the second session was almost over — that should tell you how excited I was to get back in the class with students after the holiday break. This spring I have a number of in person visits scheduled and I’m really looking forward to that.
Books – XXI has acquired Ukrainian rights to Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch’s Making Bombs for Hitler. The middle-grade novel is described as a pulse-pounding novel of survival, courage, and hope that shows us a lesser-known piece of WWII history. The deal was arranged by Scholastic Canada’s Maral Maclagan in cooperation with Literary Agency OVO in Ukraine. The publisher has acquired the three books in this trilogy: Making Bombs for Hitler, Stolen Child, and Underground Soldier.
The students selected Making Bombs for Hitler for their reading club and it was such a pleasure to answer their questions about the real history behind the novel, as well as why I write what I write, and my own learning struggles as a kid.
It was such a pleasure meeting Tom Cox Intermediate students in Texas — the Skype visit was streamed into classrooms as well, so all 925 students could participate.
Here are students from Bain Elementary in Charlotte NC! So much fun – great conversations!Enthusiastic students at Ola Middle School in GA!Greater Atlanta Christian School
It was fun chatting with students about Stolen Girl, Making Bombs for Hitler and The War Below! I spoke with students from River Crest Elementary in Hudson WI, Wisconier Middle School in Brookfield CT and Trion Middle School in GA. Thanks, Scholastic Book Fairs for arranging this!
I was picked up in the wee hours of Easter Sunday morning to begin my trip to Louisville Kentucky on behalf of Scholastic Book Fairs and the publication of Stolen Girl. It was a quick three day trip but in that time I met with enthusiastic students and staff at 6 schools!
My first stop was Buckner Elementary:
These 4 patient students were the last in a long line-up, waiting for an autograph.
Along the way to the library I was greeted with these creative signs!
Scholastic Book Fairs Field Rep Carol Cook and Field Manager Cindy Herman then took me out for lunch, and since this was my first time in Kentucky, I had to try a Hot Brown, which was invented in Louisville. Yum! It was huge! I couldn’t eat it all but it was delicious!
A Hot Brown from Lou Lou Food & Drink: French bread on the bottom, thin sliced turkey, Mornay cheese sauce, garnished with tomato and bacon!
Next school was Holy Trinity, where I was greeted with a large bomb-festooned banner and many enthusiastic students.
I asked those who had questions to come up to the front to ask them. Their questions were displayed on the screen so all of the students could see.
On Tuesday, we visited Bloom Elementary. I was very impressed with the stately architecture of the building itself and loved the bright and airy renovations, in particular the broken glass mosaic tiles in the front foyer.
It was a large and attentive audience at Bloom and the questions were perceptive.
I LOVE this picture! Thank you, Bloom students for your patience and enthusiasm!
These five students were at the very last of the line-up, so I thought it was fitting to get a pic. Thank you for your patience!!On Tuesday afternoon, I spoke with 100 grade 4 students at Lowe Elementary.
I was packed and checked out when Cindy took me to our first school on Wednesday, Mount Washington. A beautiful banner decorated the entrance!
There were very many avid readers and enthusiastic book purchasers at the school. The two students sitting with me organized the books — you can see sets stacked on the shelves waiting to be signed. Classes came in one at a time. There were so many books to sign and students to say hello to that I opted to skip lunch so I could greet everyone personally. Thank you, Mount Washington students and educators for your reading enthusiasm!
The final school on the trip was the Christian Academy. It was a good thing Carol and I didn’t stop for lunch because there were FOUR car accidents on the road between Mount Washington and Christian Academy! As it was, we got to the school in plenty of time. Students were enthusiastic and asked great questions!
Thank you, Cindy and Carol for taking such good care of me! It was an awesome adventure!!
