November 17, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Ann Miller amiller@solanocounty.com; (707) 784-1506

Award Winning “Schooled” Author Visits Seven Local Libraries

Solano Kids Read, a community reading project led by Solano County Library for the last three years, makes it possible for the whole community to read and be involved with the same book at the same time.  This fall young people throughout the county have been reading and discussing Schooled, a story about a 13-year-old boy who moves from a protected life on a hippie commune to the very real world of a middle school. The book’s author, Gordon Korman will visit seven Solano County Library locations from December 9-11 for author talks and book signing.  All these events are free and open to the public.  “Solano Kids Read is a great way for us to connect with our schools. Thanks to our Friends of the Library and Foundation we were able to send class sets, enough for each reader in a class, to local schools,” said the library’s community relations coordinator, Ann Miller.

Korman’s writing career began at the age of 12 with a story assignment for his seventh-grade English class.  Korman sent his manuscript to the publishers Scholastic Canada, and two years later, at the age of fourteen, he witnessed the publication of his first book and first best seller, “This Can’t Be Happening at Macdonald Hall!”

After his initial success, Korman published books at the rate of one per year, writing them during summers when he was on vacation from school.  At age 18 he was voted the “Most Promising Writer Under 35” by the Canadian Author’s Association, and he became a popular author on school and reading tours across Canada and the United States.

“Solano Kids Read is a way to encourage kids to read for pleasure.  What better way than to read a good book and meet the person who created it.  Kids are often running in so many directions, we need to give them a chance to take a break and read,” said Miller. Schooled was selected for this year’s Solano Kids Read because the broad appeal Korman enjoys with young readers and his reputation for lively, humorous presentations.  Schooled has been well received by parents, book reviewers and children and discussions of the book often lead to topical issues about conformity, peer pressure and bullying.  Solano Kids Read is sponsored by Solano County Library, Solano County Library Foundation and the Friends of the Library.

Author Meet and Greet

Wednesday, December 9, 9:30 a.m.

RiverviewMiddle School: Rio Vista

Wednesday, December 9, 3-4:30 p.m.

SuisunCityLibrary

Wednesday, December 9, 6-8 p.m.

FairfieldCordelia Library

Thursday, December 10, 10 a.m.

John F. Kennedy Library, Vallejo

Thursday, December 10, 7 p.m.

VacavillePublic Library – Cultural Center

Friday, December 11, 10 a.m.

Springstowne Library, Vallejo

Friday, December11, 1:30 – 3 p.m.

FairfieldCivic Center Library

Writers Workshop with Gordon Korman

VacavillePublic Library – Town Square

Thursday, December 10, 4 p.m.