Author Visits
New! I now offer classroom visits via Skype and am happy to visit with you about particulars. Just
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I enjoy author visits to schools and libraries, giving keynote addresses to all kinds of groups, and giving in-service programs for educators. I will talk about one, several, or all of my books, the research and writing process, and/or the history that inspired a particular event, such as the orphan trains, or what happened to children in the Holocaust. Here are some of the topics I have spoken on:
• Writing for young readers-the toughest audience!
• Techniques for bringing history to life on the written page
• I have an idea, now what! How to write a nonfiction book
• The special challenges in researching and writing history
• The orphan trains
• The homestead pioneers
• Children in the Holocaust
• Children in the Civil War
• Themes in my books
• How Charles Dickens Used His Writing to Help Poor People 
I love to give seminars and workshops on writing, but to do them well I need several hours of presentation/writing/interaction time with participants. However, I have developed a presentation on writing creative nonfiction that is suitable for all grade levels and is very well received by students and their teachers.
I have been the guest author in many schools, talking to all grade levels. I have also keynoted events for librarians and educators, been featured at writers conferences, and provided in-service education for teachers, librarians and administrators. I have been interviewed on NPR several times, and am featured in the Emmy-award winning documentary, The Gateway Arch, narrated by Kevin Kline.
A few of the groups I've given presentations for include:
*United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
*Harry Truman Presidential Library
*American Book Festival
*KU Children’s Literature Collection Dedication
*Ohio State Literature Conference
*Ottawa Literature Festival
*Outreach Conference for Missouri Educators
“Nebraska Writers Guild
*Nebraska State Reading Association
*University of Kansas Literature Festival
*Kansas State Teachers of English
*Dallas Children’s Book Fair
*Ozark Writers League
*Orphan Train Heritage Society of America
*Dozens of IRA groups, teacher education workshops, libraries, college classes, and schools across Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Texas, Ohio, Maryland, and Oregon.
I have been featured twice on National Public Radio, C-SPAN's "Booknotes," and the programs Crossroads, Writers on Writing, Between the Lines, Meet the Author, and CBS This Morning. I have been interviewed in a long list of publications, including the Boston Globe, the Washington Post, and the Kansas City Star. I have appeared at the Truman Presidential Library, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and at dozens of schools, libraries, and universities across the country. My books are regularly reviewed in such publications as Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and The Horn Book.
 If you are interested in having me as your speaker, please contact me, telling me who you are, where you’re located, and the type and length of the event you wish to have. I will respond and discuss my fee and other particulars with you. Please note that when I drive several hours or fly to visit a school or organization, I adjust my fee to cover travel time and expenses. Comments on my presentations: "We are a group of middle school students in Oregon, Wisconsin who participate in a weekly book club. We rate each book we read and your book "Surviving Hitler" received the highest score of five stars from every member. We all loved it. Thank you for writing your wonderful piece of literature!
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-Mary, Erin, Mike, Paul and Michaela "You did a wonderful job holding the children's interestand answering their many questions. It was truly exciting having you with us. You're a great speaker."
-S. Gleason, Elementary Principal, Grand Island, NE "We received many enthusiastic comments about your presentation and want to have you back."
-Kathleen O-Dell, Events Chair, Writers Hall of Fame, Writers Conference, Springfield, MO "Thank you so much for your wonderful presentation to our Form 3-5 students. Your program was outstanding and captivated both students and teachers. You were highly engaging, with an artful way of inspiring questions. It was amazing how often you referred to the very things being taught in our classrooms. We welcome you to return to Saint Mary's Hall any time!"
-Linda Abati, Lower School Librarian, Saint Mary's Hall, San Antonio, Texas
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