I was thrilled to have my "first born" book so honored, and doubly so when I learned that the adult selection was Kathryn Stockett's The Help (the first time I have been associated in any way with a New York Times bestseller!) Not only do both of our books take place in Civil Rights-Era Jackson, Mississippi, but both of us claim Jackson as our hometown. (Kathryn was really born there; I just sort of adopted it.)
Luckily, I didn't come upon that information until after the first day of the program. By that time I already knew that the readers and librarians of Winnetka-Northfield Public are the best. I have never had more fun on a multo-day school/library presentation. Because this program has existed for seven years, the whole three days were smooth, glitch-less and stress free for me.
I visited two schools, Skokie and Sunset Ridge Schools, where I talked about the Civl Rights Movement, and the background of Yankee Girl. Snaps all around to the teachers and librarians at those two schools who made sure their students read YG before my visit. One of the schools even conducted book discussion groups for YG before I arrived. As a result of the pre-planning, the students were ready to ask me insightful and cogent questions. When you have been doing school visits as long as I have for YG,
after awhile you know you have been asked every conceivable question. . . twice! These students questions I had never considered, and found themes and nuances I was unaware of. . .and I w
5 Comments on Two Villages, One Book---One Happy Author, last added: 5/18/2010
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What a lovely report, Mary Ann. I'm glad they treated you so well in Winnetcka--YANKEE GIRL is a marvelous book.
It was great catching up with you in person!
I second Marti's comment: it was great catching up with you in person, learning about your writing projects and your swell visit, despite the Yankee-cold temperatures.
Thanks for sharing the photos and the experience.
It sounded like you had a great time. Love to be with young writers and reads that know what a book is about and are reading for enjoyment not because they're forced to to make a grade.
Esther...no apologies necessary for the "Yankee cold" air. The day in question I had just finished the adult luncheon and was wrapped in the afterglow of the experience. Again, these adults, mostly moms of the students I had already addressed, had read YANKEE GRIL. It is such a gift to be to talk about your book when the audience has already read it! (An experience that has happened maybe two or three other times in six years!)
Stable Granny--I just finished reading Elizabeth Bluemle's SLJ blog about passionate teaching, and how much passion goes out of the experience when teacher's are required to "teach to the test." I AM passionate about sharing books and writing with students, but it is also good that the topics of my middle grade novels are included in the middle grade curriculum (Civil Rights Era and WWII).)
I have sometimes encountered teachers who were just itching to get bak to class, because the kids weren't "learning" anything" by listening to me (aka..My book wasn't in the bibliography in their social studies book). What made this school visit so special is that the through the efforts and enthusiasm of the teachers and librarians those students were pumped to the max abut YG before I ever set foot in Illinois.
Their excitement encouraged me to give even more in the presentations and Q & A. Those were some smart teachers who saw an opportunity to enrich their curriculum as well as encourage their students to delve deeper into history NOT in the curriculum. Those students were reading on, not because of a test, or extra-credit for reading X number of books for X number of grade points, but because passion for a book or subject can do nothing but build.
There is no review, no award, that will drive a kid to a book faster than the words "My friend said this was the best book ever!"
Yay for Yankee Girl and our very own Mary Ann!!!!!!