On September 21st, bestselling author Holly Black, co-author of The Magisterium series, visited Baird Middle School. Students were asked to read The Iron Trial or another book by either author over the summer, then write five questions they would like to ask the authors. Black said that the most important thing schools can do to prepare for an author visit is to get kids familiar with their work so the talk is more engaging. We definitely did that. About two thirds of the student body participated.
The first item on Holly Black's agenda was to have lunch with the participants of a fan fiction contest. Fifteen students wrote very creative stories imagining events at the Magisterium that are not in the books. Topics included how Call's parents met, a misadventure with Havoc, a new girl discovering her power, characters pranking each other, a four year old admitted to the Magisterium, and fan art personifying each of the five elements. These student writers had the opportunity to discuss the writing process in a small group setting. Black's major message was that the writing life is not all about sitting in cafes writing. She spends about a week every month on the road promoting or doing non-writing things and that most of the work of writing is actually revising and editing. Read their fan fiction in the links below.
The assembly began with eighth grade student Amelia Valadas introducing the author to the audience in a very professional manner. Black's presentation included details about the first and second books in the series, how she co-wrote with Cassandra Clare, stories about her childhood, and a dramatic retelling of her favorite fairy tale. After the presentation, four eighth grade students took the stage to facilitate the Q&A. They had prepared by reading all the questions students submitted and choosing the best ones to ask. Because of their diligent preparation, the Q&A went very smoothly and some very insightful questions were asked.
When the whole thing ended, students joined the author on stage for group photos.
After the photo shoot, Holly Black returned to the library to sign about 150 books students had purchased from local independent bookstore The Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley, MA. Thank you to The Odyssey for making the whole event happen. We hope to work with them again in the future. Visit their website odysseybks.com.
Holly Black was so friendly and engaging that many students chose to attend the evening event at Mount Holyoke College so they could see her with co-author Cassandra Clare. Amelia did such a good job introducing Holly Black at school that she was invited to introduce both authors at the public event.
Students were very enthusiastic in their enjoyment of the author visit that we will definitely do another. The plan is to alternate books for older students and younger students as well as fantasy and realistic fiction.