(Chelsea Update would like to thank Karen Persello for the information in this story and Burrill Strong for the photos.)
The Chelsea District Library will hold its 8th annual Authors in Chelsea event on Wednesday, March 22 and Thursday, March 23.
This two-day event brings three nationally known authors into Chelsea schools to present assemblies and workshops on writing. The library is also holding a special evening Meet the Authors event on March 22nd from 6:30-8 p.m. for the Chelsea community to meet all three authors. This event is for families and the general public, and will be held in Room 100 of the Washington Street Education Center at 512 Washington St.
“Our evening event is always so much fun,” said Karen Persello, Head of Youth and Teen Services at the library in a press release. “It’s great to see all three authors at one event and listen to them talk about their writing. We hope everyone will come again this year.”
During the evening, each author will have a turn to speak, members of the audience can ask questions, and then get their books signed. Books will be available for purchase in the WSEC lobby, from Chelsea’s Just Imagine bookstore.
This year’s line-up includes Gordon Korman, New York Times bestselling author of more than 80 books for kids and teens, including the adventurous Everest and Island trilogies, and the Mastermind series, among many others. He will be visiting all the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at South Meadows Elementary School.
Jennifer Jacobson, author of more than a dozen books, including the early-reader Andy Shane series. She will be visiting all the 1st and 2nd grade students at North Creek Elementary School.
Lynda Mullaly Hunt, author of the award-winning One for the Murphys, which is being read by all the 6th graders at Beach Middle School.
The purpose of Authors in Chelsea is to provide 1st-6th grade students with close contact with award-winning authors in order to explore the art and craft of writing, encourage them to read and appreciate literature, and learn to appreciate “the Power of Writing.”
In preparation for the Authors in Chelsea visits to the schools, youth librarians visit each 1st-6th grade class to get students excited about this year’s authors by delivering free books and talking about the authors, even giving out small prizes to students who can answer questions about the authors and their books.
New this year are Authors in Chelsea Challenge Cards. When students complete a challenge (“write a book review,” or “invite a friend to the Meet and Greet,” for example), they receive an entry into our Authors in Chelsea Grand Prize Drawing, where they might win a family membership to The Henry Ford, or an annual pass to the Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum, or a climbing pass to Planet Rock.
Challenge Cards are available at the 1st floor Information Desk in the library and the Grand Prize winners will be drawn at the March 22 evening Author Meet and Greet.
Support from the Chelsea Education Foundation and the Friends of the Chelsea District Library has allowed for the purchase of more than 300 books by this year’s visiting authors. The books were distributed to classrooms and the media centers at each of the three participating Chelsea schools in advance of the authors’ visits.
For further information about the Authors in Chelsea program, please visit http://chelseadistrictlibrary.org/authors-in-chelsea/.
