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

2. 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

3. 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

4. “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

5. 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

6. 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 f protagonist & historical fiction

7. 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

8. 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

9. “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