Author Visit - Suzy Kline!

Suzy Kline, author of the Horrible Harry series, and second grade teacher for 30 years, came to visit the school. She talked to us about how authors keep a little notebook with them so that they can write down ideas for stories as they come - much like our own Tiny Topics notebooks we have in our writing folders. Suzy showed us many entries from her notebook and told us how they inspired some of her Horrible Harry stories. She also showed us a thick folder of rejection letters she received when she first tried to get a book published. There were a LOT. But she did not let that stop her - she kept on writing until finally one of her books was printed! This helps us all remember to hang in there when we have writer's block or when the writing we're doing doesn't feel like it's our best. It was great for all kids to be reminded that the writing process is the same no matter if you are a child or an adult!

Suzy also taught us how to read "theater" writing. She showed us that when you are reading character lines in a play, you often see directions for how to read the line or a gesture to include with your part written in parentheses. We practiced on cards that she held up for us as a group, and then some volunteers were brought up to read a short play aloud (including the teachers!).  We wrapped up with some questions from kids for Suzy to answer, and she gave each classroom a copy of her latest Horrible Harry book (which will be the last in the series) and a bookmark for each kid to take home.

Check out pictures below from her visit.