Meet the Author

Once a reluctant reader, author Jason Reynolds never imaged that he would become a writer of books for students in middle grades. And not just a writer, a New York Times bestselling author, a National Book Award Honoree, a Kirkus Award winner, a Walter Dean Myers Award winner, an NAACP Image Award Winner, and the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors. According to the author, his books — The Boy in the Black Suit, As Brave as You, All American Boys, Ghost – are “slice-of-life stories typically revolving around African-American teenagers, specifically in urban environments.” During the live webcast, Jason Reynolds discusses his reluctance to reading because the classics did not reflect the urban environment in which he grew up. Inspired by Queen Latifah's rap lyrics, he discovered poetry and his writing voice. Jason Reynolds says everyone has a story to tell, but, “You can’t fix it, if it doesn’t exist.” Jason Reynolds also shares his writing tips and philosophy on life.

Originally recorded on 9/28/17

Back by popular demand is sports enthusiast and author, Fred Bowen. This former lawyer scores a win with his Sports Story Series. According to the School Library Journal: “The books in the 'Fred Bowen Sports Story' series are fast-paced, and at just over 100 pages, they're perfect for reluctant readers.... Young readers will devour these stories, along with their painless lessons, and still have time to join their friends for games.” According to the author: “So many kids are passionate about sports, and I like tapping into that passion to show them how much fun reading can be.” Whether your favorite sport is football, baseball, basketball, or soccer, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Originally recorded on 4/21/17

Meet Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) educators who walk the talk—writing for critical acclaim as well as fun.These teacher-authors share tips for teaching literacy and writing. Alexis Rivera, a first grade teacher at Fairfax Villa Elementary School, and Lisa Zargarpur, a music teacher at Fort Hunt Elementary School, will talk about their book "The Teachers Want a Snow Day!" A reviewer wrote, "It's a hit with the kids and they giggle to see it from the teacher's perspective!" Brian Herberger, FCPS test analysis specialist, is the author of the new young adult novel "Miss E." According to one reader, "Miss E "is "historical fiction with a twist!" Lori Luster, a gifted education teacher at Stratford Landing Elementary School, is an award-winning educator and artist. Her book, "Cool Cat: Bringing 1940s and 1950s Flair to Your Wardrobe", is "a unique combination of history and fashion."

Originally recorded on 5/19/16

Lisa Graff, a former children's book editor, is the author of the National Book Award nominee A Tangle of Knots, as well as Lost in the Sun, and Absolutely Almost. She also writes novels for teenagers, under the pseudonym, Isla Neal. Writing her first picture book when she was eight years old, Graff continued to write as she grew up, through high school and college. Her critically acclaimed books are on the reading lists of 33 states. Lisa Graff is an adjunct professor at McDaniel College in Maryland where she teaches a course in children's literature. She believes that the best way to learn to write is to read “really good books.”

Originally recorded on 1/15/16

Sharon Draper, educator, and award-winning author, makes a return visit to the Fairfax Network. Her newest book "Stella by Starlight" received the National Council of Teachers of English 2016 Charlotte Huck Award. Selected as one of New York Times 2015 Notable Children’s Books, “Stella by Starligh”t was recognized for presenting a unique look at the power of family in the Jim Crow South and during the Great Depression. Winner of the 2015 recipient of the American Library Association Margaret A. Edwards Award, Sharon Draper discusses "Stella by Starlight", talks with students about what inspires her stories, the writing process, and what a writer's life is really about. During the webcast, Draper answers questions posed by students via telephone and e-mail, and talks with students from West Potomac High School's Teachers for Tomorrow program via Skype.

Originally recorded on 3/18/16

With over 30 novels in print, John Grisham’s top selling books include "The Firm," "A Time to Kill," "The Runaway Jury," and "The Pelican Brief." Now, Grisham is creating a court room drama series for middle school readers featuring Theodore Boone, a savvy 13-year-old, who knows a lot about the law. The "Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer" series finds the amateur attorney battling injustice with critical thinking, solid research, and deductive reasoning. During this webcast, John Grisham will discuss how he develops plots and how he enlivens storybook characters.

Originally recorded on 9/30/15

In 2013, Loki Mulholland produced An Ordinary Hero, a documentary about his mother’s life as a civil rights activist. Joan Trumpauer Mulholland’s story, told in that award-winning film, is now a nonfiction book for children, She Stood for Freedom: The Untold Story of A Civil Rights Hero. Published simultaneously in picture book and middle grade editions, the book tells of Joan’s courage and convictions during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. Primary source documents and photos accompany the text. Award-winning author and documentarian Loki Mulholland joins the conversation by Skype. He discusses the significance of his mother’s role in the Civil Rights Movement, the use of primary sources, and his collaborative work with his illustrator. In a pre-taped segment, Mrs. Mulholland, a 1959 graduate of Annandale High School, pays a visit to AHS and discusses how life has changed.

Originally recorded on 11/2/16

According to Brad Meltzer, “This project began four years ago when my daughter was looking for clothes to wear and all she could find were pink shirts with princesses on them. I saw the mission right there. I wanted my kids to see more than princesses and sports figures. I wanted them to see real heroes… real people no different than themselves.” So, in 2014, he began a new series of first-person, non-fiction history books for children: I Am Amelia Earhart, I am Abraham Lincoln, I am Rosa Parks, and other books in the Ordinary People Change the World series. During the program, Meltzer talks about his motivation to write a series for children and talks with students from Lynbrook Elementary (FCPS) via Skype. One segment features Lake Anne Elementary (FCPS) students and their biography bags about famous Americans. Meltzer is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of adult thrillers, including The Inner Circle and its recent sequel, The Fifth Assassin. His comic books, “Justice League of America”, won the prestigious Eisner Award. This multi-talented author is also the host of the History Channel’s “Brad Meltzer’s Lost History” and "Brad Meltzer’s Decoded."

Ingrid Law is the New York Times bestselling author of Savvy, a 2009 Newbery Honor Book,and its companion novels, Scumble and Switch. According to Publishers Weekly, the author is “a natural storyteller who's created a vibrant and cinematic novel that readers are going to love." In an interview with Kidsreads.com, Law said that she always had stories in her head, “and once I found that I could get those stories onto paper, and that my words could be beautiful and fiery and constructive, I knew that I was on the right track and doing something that I love.” During this webcast, Ingrid Law talks about her books, explains how she creates her characters, her use of word choice, and how incorporating metaphors and similes enhance her writing. Students from Forestdale Elementary School (FCPS) ask questions and comment on Law’s books.