Annie Hoffman, Kelton Myers, & Erin Simmons AVI Annie Hoffman, Kelton Myers, & Erin Simmons Erin – Intro & Play 30 sec. clip 3:51 to 4:12

Biography Born Edward Irving Wortis on December 23, 1937 in New York City Son of doctor and social worker, twin sister and older brother Grew up in Brooklyn, NY Family interest in reading Excelled in science until high school Began writing as a senior in high school Playwright before children’s author Married with children, currently lives in Denver, CO Books are central to his adult life Kelton -Twin sister Emily nicknamed him, Avi, at age 1 -Interest in reading including chapter books and comic books, family always read to him and his sister -Creativity runs in the family. Sister – poet; Brother – scientist -Excelled in science – wanted to design airplanes. Until high school when he failed all of his classes. -Became a children’s author following the birth of his children Sons – rock musicians -New York Public Library Librarian -Trenton College Librarian -Other hobbies: photography

The Writer “I think you become a writer when you stop writing for yourself or your teachers and start thinking about readers. I made up my mind to do that when [I was] a high school senior.” – Avi Kelton

“Invitingly Readable” Early readers Young adults Short story collections Historical fiction Comedy Mystery Fantasy Adventure Ghosts Animal tales Picture books Kelton -Started writing for young people when he had kids -S.O.R. Losers included in Open Court Anthology -Uses popular forms to invite even reluctant readers -First book published in 1970, Things That Sometimes Happen -Over 60 published books -Still actively writing -Takes about 1 year to write 1 book

In Your School "Being dysgraphic, with the standard history of frustration and anguish, I always ask to speak to the learning-disabled kids. They come in slowly, waiting for yet another pep talk, more instructions. Eyes cast down, they won't even look at me. Their anger glows. I don't say a thing. I lay out pages of my copy-edited manuscripts, which are covered with red marks. 'Look here,' I say, 'see that spelling mistake. There, another spelling mistake. Looks like I forgot to put a capital letter there. Oops! Letter reversal.' Their eyes lift. They are listening. And I am among friends." -Avi Erin

Featured Book: The Secret School Published in 2001 (Harcourt) HBG recommended grade range: 4-6 Historical Fiction Strong female protagonist Annie Summary – Akin to True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle because of strong femail protagonist & historical fiction

Award Highlights Newbery Medal Newbery Honor Book Crispin: Cross of Lead (2003) Newbery Honor Book True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (1991) Nothing But the Truth (2002) Boston Globe Horn Book Award Poppy (1996) Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction The Fighting Ground (1995) Annie Children’s Choice State Awards -As referenced in Children’s Literature by Lolly Robinson on October 21

Resources Reference Resources Avi’s Web Site Teacher Resources Avi Author Study Interview Transcript Free Audiobook Recordings Avi’s 5 Tips to Good Writing Book-Specific Lesson Plans True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle Crispin Erin

“Everybody has ideas. The vital question is, what do you do with them “Everybody has ideas. The vital question is, what do you do with them? My rock musician sons shape their ideas into music. My sister takes her ideas and fashions them into poems. My brother uses his ideas to help him understand science. I take my ideas and turn them into stories. Now, what do you think you'll do with your ideas?” – Avi Erin