School Visit: Oshkosh, Wisconsin

It appears that between writing and visiting schools, I've neglected to keep this spot updated. So to remedy that, here are some pictures from my latest school visit. I had the opportunity to spend two days at Perry Tipler Middle School and ALPs charter school in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Talk about your fun and engaged middle school students! We had a blast! I was so busy talking with students I forgot to take pictures, but fortunately an extraordinary teacher (thanks Mrs. Cottrell) came to my rescue and sent me these. I never realized how many funny faces I make while I speak!

Into the Fiction Trenches!

Although I adore writing nonfiction and plan to continue doing so, I've also got some exciting new things happening on the fiction front. I've recently signed with literary agent Jane Dystel of Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret, who will be working to sell my young adult contemporary novel DROWNING IN AIR to a publisher. My critique partner (who reads through my work and gives me feedback and suggestions) interviewed me about my writing life on her blog. You can check it out here: http://kristaquintana.blogspot.com/. And you can read more about how I dreamed about writing a novel and finally did it here: http://www.michelle4laughs.com/2017/01/getting-call-with-valerie-bodden.html.

Online Visit with Georgia School

I recently had the opportunity to do a video visit with second graders from Glyndale Elementary in Georgia. I had a great time (even if I was jealous that it was warm with no snow there)! The kids asked great questions, and we were even able to play a game across the miles. Afterward, the Golden Isles News included an article about the visit. You can read more about it here: http://goldenisles.news/news/local_news/author-speaks-to-glyndale-elementary-students-through-video-chat/article_d096454a-f649-5646-b904-c568721cbdde.html. I was especially touched by teacher Dianne Rawls-Griffin's comment that she hopes the visit will "be something [the students] remember for the rest of their lives." Wow, what a privilege to talk with these young students. And I hope I've inpsired them to: Keep Reading. Keep Writing.

Coming Soon ...

Notice anything different about these covers? French translations coming soon!

 

 

Great Review: School Library Journal

So excited about this great review for my latest series, Peoples of North America.

Wow: Apollo Space Program

Wow! A man who worked on the Apollo space program saw my book about the moon landing listed in his local newspaper and contacted me. It turns out he was an Engineering Psychologist and worked on the Abort Guidance System (to be used in case the Primary Guidance and Navigation System failed). I sent a copy of my book to a school he volunteers for, and he read it to the fifth grade students there. I'm honored.

School Visit: St. Paul's, Onalaska

What a treat! I got to visit my own children's school, St. Paul's in Onalaska, Wisconsin, last week. The visit was extra-special, since we'll be moving to the other side of the state in a couple weeks. We'll miss everyone here so much, but it was great to have a chance to visit before we leave.

The little guy next to me (in the cowboy vest) is my very own kiddo, Titus.