Edward Myers's School Visits

I am a widely published author of picture books, middle-grade fiction, and fantasy novels. Because I believe that reading and writing are important, exciting, and enjoyable, I make author appearances at schools to discuss these pursuits with students.

Most of my presentations are for grades K through 6. Depending on the age and reading level of my audience, I focus each program to help kids find ideas for writing projects, use their imagination to create plots and characters, decide on particular methods for writing, and address other nuts-and-bolts issues that affect their writing.

Teachers and librarians have been highly enthusiastic about my visits to their schools. Here are some typical comments:

• "My class benefitted greatly from your visit. The mountain climbing equipment was a big hit and served as an exciting springboard to discuss writing. That discussion will enhance my students' work."
  --4th-grade teacher
  
  
• "You had the whole group captivated by your stories."
  --Elementary school librarian
  
  
• "I was impressed by your ability to hold the class spell-bound for the whole hour."
  --5th-grade teacher
  
  
• "The kids were amazed by your collection of dinosaur fossils, and they were pleased to hear what writers must do as they take an idea from initial inspiration through the writing process to eventual publication."
  --6th-grade teacher
  
  
• "The students thoroughly enjoyed your discussions of Climb or Die. Last week, we discussed how [the character named] Jake constructed a compass. The students were really intrigued by this improvisation. I'm sure that at least one of my students might attempt the experiment for a science fair project, as I had suggested. Thanks for your time and your suggestions for writing."
  --6th-grade special-education teacher
  
  
• "I would like to thank you for your wonderful presentations. I have a list a mile long, it seems, for both Hostage and Climb or Die. I have been reading Forri the Baker to the classes that met with you. I'm looking forward to your next books and will be anxious to read them. It was a pleasure meeting you, and I hope we can have you back again in the future."
  --Elementary school librarian

• "It was fun having you come to our class and tell us about survival in the wilderness. My favorite part was your stories."
  --3th-grade student
  
  
• "I really enjoyed your presentation! Your books are good and I liked your suggestions. I'm always getting writer's block and I never know what to do. But I think that I will try your suggestions and see if they work!"
  --4th-grade student
  
  
• "I REALLY enjoyed you visiting our class. I was very interested in what you had to say. Please come back another day to share the things you're interested in."
  --3th-grade student
  
  
• "Although I've never read any of your books, your original and intriguing ideas and personality convinced me to. Even that one paragraph you read to us was so vivid and powerfully written that I have to read at least one of your novels!"
  --5th-grade student
  
  
• "Your stories of climbing on mountains fascinated me. I just loved Climb or Die. I could read it over and over again, and I did. I hope you enjoyed coming to see us as much as I did listening to you."
  --5th-grade student
  
  
• "Thank you for teaching us about climbing and writing. I loved your book Climb or Die. It was so exciting, you kept me on the edge of my seat."
  --4th-grade student
  
  
• "All the mountaineering gear was interesting, and I loved your ideas about writing books. You have a great sense of humor!"
  --4th-grade student
  
  
• "I am so happy that you came to our school. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me and my class."
  --4th grade student
  
  
• "Thank you for coming in. I really enjoyed your presentation. I thought the dinosaur egg was cool. The slides were awesome. The books you wrote are fantastic. Once again, thank you!"
  --5th-grade student
  
  
• "I'm really glad that you came to our class. Your visit inspired me to write my own book. Since I just got a puppy, I'm going to write about her life from her point of view."
  --5th-grade student
  
  
• "Thank you for visiting us. I loved the book Hostage. I found your research very interesting. It must have been cool to do lots of research on dinosaurs!" --5th-grade student
  
  
• "I was fun that you let us learn about dinosaurs and writing at the same time."
  --4th-grade student
  
  
• "It was interesting to see all the steps in writing a book."
  --3rd-grade student
  
  
• "Ever since you talked with us about writing, I've been writing better."
  --3rd-grade student