Young adult author series begins Nov. 13

By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

SEARCY — The 2009-10 Young Adult Author Series begins Friday, Nov. 13, at Harding University. Sponsored by the University’s Graduate Reading Programs, the line-up includes authors:

◊Patricia McCormick, Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14

◊Roland Smith, Friday, Jan. 15, and Saturday, Nov. 16

◊Kimberly Willis Holt, Friday, Feb. 5, and Saturday, Feb. 6

◊Jordan Sonnenblick, Friday, April 23, and Saturday, April 24

The series gives teachers and students an opportunity to hear firsthand from accomplished young adult authors. The workshops will help teachers connect with authors who are part of their classroom curriculum.

McCormick is the author of the National Book Award Finalist Sold, My Brother’s Keeper and Cut and has worked on numerous freelance journalism projects.Formerly an adjunct professor of journalism at Columbia State University, she was also instructor of creative writing at the New School University.

Smith, who studied to be a writer, ended up in a job at the Portland Zoo for more than 20 years. The author of Jack’s Run, Elephant Run and Peak, his experience as a zookeeper has greatly influenced his literary work. He has also written many nonfiction books about animals.

Willis Holt grew up traveling the world with her military family but has always called Louisiana, a place where seven generations of her family have resided, home. Her Southern influence is evident in the award-winning When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, My Louisiana Sky and Keeper of the Night.

Sonnenblick focuses on children and teen audiences and spends his spare time traveling to elementary and middle schools to speak about his work. He is the author of Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie, Notes from the Midnight Driver and Zen and the Art of Faking It. His latest book, Dodger for President, is the sequel to Dodger and Me.

Each conference includes three discussion sessions and book signings. The cost is $125 for one event, $100 each for two events and $75 each for three or four events.

Registration fees include Friday night dinner with the author, continental breakfast on Saturday and author information packets. If students attend any three of the conferences, they may receive three hours of graduate level credit from Harding for $350.

For more information, call (501) 279-5107. Space is limited, and spots are available on a firstcome, first-served basis.

Three Rivers, Pages 124 on 11/01/2009