Hobnobbing with Famous Authors
Sherman Alexie
Jim LaMarche
Jasper Tomkins
Robert Ferrigno
Mary Pope Osborne
Avi
Linda Sue Park
Michael Chabon
Mr. Coulter and his son Dylan with Sherman Alexie at Northwest School, 2008.
Katie with Jasper Tomkins, Spring 2006
Our own Riley Ferrigno brought her dad Robert in to talk to us about writing. Robert Ferrigno has published eight novels, including the recently released The Wake-Up, referred to as “another hugely entertaining thriller” by Booklist. He took us back to his early days with The Rocket, a Seattle music weekly. He told us about how he gets ideas for his books. We examined a draft of one of his novels and noted editing and revision. We also looked at several book jackets and versions of his novels in many different languages.
Robert Ferrigno with daughter Riley in our classroom, September 20, 2004.
Riley’s Dad Writes Books
By Olivia
Today Riley Ferrigno’s dad came in. Riley’s dad writes books. It was really cool because Riley’s dad brought us cards. And he autographed the backside! He also brought in some of his own books. My two favorite books he brought in were the Japanese book and the one that said my name in it! The Japanese book was cool because we had to read it a different way. They read it downwards.
Max and Mary Pope Osborne at Barnes and Noble, Bellevue.
By Charlotte
On September 11th Avi came to OUR school!! He talked about his life, his wife Linda, his 5 children and much much more. We also got some tips and information on how he became a great author!! Did you know when he was a boy he was the worst writer in the class and he got Fs on his writing!! Then he set a goal and started and started writing plays, and then he started to write children’s books!! At the end, if you wanted, you could buy a book by Avi and get it signed!!! Many people brought their own Avi books and got them signed. I can’t wait to see if another author comes NEXT year!!
Mitch with Avi, winner of the 2003 Newbery Award for Crispin * Lakeview gym, September 11, 2003
Linda Sue Park, author of the 2002 Newbery winner A Single Shard * Kirkland Park Place, March 2003
Mr. Coulter, Sherman, Elena and
Cassady with Michael Chabon, author of Summerland
University Bookstore, October 2002