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Chelsea awaits arrival of 3 Michigan children’s authors

(Chelsea Update would like to thank the Chelsea District Library for the information in this story.)

What do 40 classrooms and three school libraries in Chelsea have in common?

They all received free books, 320 in total, thanks to the Chelsea District Library, the Chelsea Education Foundation and Friends of the Chelsea District Library. Chelsea students in the 1st-6th grades will read a variety of titles in preparation for visits from three nationally known authors during the Sixth Annual Authors in Chelsea event held in Chelsea schools March 25-26.

First- and second-grade students at North Creek Elementary School are eagerly anticipating their visit from author Nancy Shaw, author of the Sheep in Jeep picture books.

“The books are so funny. They make me laugh,” one student said after reading them. Shaw’s books feature a rollicking flock of sheep on one goofy adventure after another, from purchasing birthday gifts, to steering a pirate ship through a storm, to, of course, taking a muddy jeep ride – and all in rhyme.

Teachers are using Shaw’s books for small group reading and as read-alouds to the whole class. Reading the books together gives students and teachers a chance to talk about the process of writing and being an author. North Creek students complete numerous writing assignments throughout the year, and their teachers see the Authors in Chelsea program as an opportunity to connect schoolwork with the real world.

“Learning from a real author is such a great experience,” one teacher said, “The children see that authors are real people.”

The students see it, too: “I can’t wait for March to come,” said one student, “I have some good questions for Nancy Shaw. Like where did she come up with her ideas? Does she have sheep of her own?”

Authors in Chelsea is a day-long celebration of authors who are invited to the city by the library to give writing workshops at North Creek, South Meadows and Beach Middle School.

This year’s authors are from Michigan: Nancy Shaw, Johnathan Rand, and Gary Schmidt.

Thanks to grants from the Chelsea Education Foundation and the Friends of the Chelsea District Library, the library is able to make books by these authors available to Chelsea classrooms and school libraries months before the big event on March 25-26, allowing kids to be familiar with their works and fully engage with the authors when they arrive.

The students at South Meadows Elementary School are excited by the upcoming visit of Rand, author of the Michigan and American Chillers series. Each teacher at South received 5-6 copies of Rand’s popular series to add to their classroom library, and the school media center received eight copies of his latest books for the collection.

Pat Whitney, library clerk, said, “Every single year the author visit is something the students here at South look forward to. It spurs their reading as they all want to have read something written by that author.”

As part of South’s annual March is Reading Month activities, a “March Reading Madness Tournament” bracket of Rand’s American Chillers has been placed on the bulletin board outside the media center. During the month, students can vote for their favorite book in each bracket, similar to March Madness basketball brackets, until one book remains as the favorite American Chiller of all 530 students.

The Two-time Newbery winning author Schmidt will meet with sixth grade students at Beach on March 25-26. Smaller groups of students will also get a special writing workshop with the author both afternoons.

In preparation for Schmidt’s presentation, students are reading “The Wednesday Wars,” which takes place in the turbulent years of 1967 and 1968. The book is based in part on Schmidt’s memories of middle school during the 60s, and his life-changing experience with a 7th grade teacher, who had him read Shakespeare on Wednesday afternoons.

Sixth-grade English teacher Ryann Skrypec summed up student’s response to the book this way.

“The kids loved the book and cannot wait to meet him,” he said, adding, “They have lots of questions to ask Mr. Schmidt, and some have already started reading some of his other books.”

“Authors in Chelsea has been an annual event for six years, and I think that this year is going to be one of the best yet,” said Karen Persello, head of Youth and Teen Services, who helped prepare and submit the grants.

“Before the authors even arrive in Chelsea, the library will have several programs and contests to get kids and parents excited about their visit,” she said.

Authors in Chelsea is not just for students, either. Everyone is invited on March 25 to Room 100 of the Washington Street Education Center at 6:30 p.m. when the three authors will talk about their books.

They will also be available to sign books, which will be on sale in the lobby and supplied by Just Imagine Book Store. Books by the authors are also on display for checkout at the library.

For more information, click here or the Authors in Chelsea website here, or call the library at 475-8732.

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