2008 Weekend Event features celebrated writer

Harding University

January 2, 2008

2008 Weekend Event features celebrated writer

SEARCY, Ark. — The 2008 Weekend Events, part of the Young Adult Author Series at Harding University, continue Feb. 1-2 with a workshop featuring accomplished young adult author Pam Muñoz Ryan.

Ryan has authored more than 25 books for young people. Her novel Esperanza Rising won the Pura Belpre Medal, the Jane Addams Peace Award, and the America's Award Honor Book and was named an American Library Association Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults. Her novel Riding Freedom won the national Willa Cather Award and the California Young Reader Medal.

She has also written a number of picture books for audiences of all ages including the award-winning stories Amelia and Eleanor Go For A Ride and When Miriam Sang.

Ryan's workshop opens at 6:30 p.m. Friday with a dinner presentation in the American Heritage Center Founder's Room. The seminar continues Saturday from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in Cone Chapel. Ryan will discuss the use of her books in the classroom and sign books during the three sessions.

The Young Adult Author Series is sponsored by Harding University Graduate Reading Program. The series offers an opportunity for veteran and future educators to hear firsthand from accomplished young adult and children's authors. The informative workshops will help teachers connect with authors who are part of their classroom curriculum.

The last Weekend Event, which concludes the Young Adult Author Series, features Rick Riordan April 11-12. He is a middle school English and history teacher-turned author and has won numerous awards for his works Tres Navarre, an adult series, and the children's series Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Weekend Events cost $125 for one weekend conference, $100 each for two conferences, or $75 each for all Weekend Events. All seminar costs include a Friday night meal, continental breakfast Saturday and an author information packet. Three hours of graduate credit from Harding University are available for an additional $300 if attending all three conferences.

Call (501) 279-5107 to register or for more information.

Harding is the largest private university in Arkansas and attracts more National Merit Scholars than any other private university in the state. This year, another record enrollment of nearly 6,300 students is expected. The student body represents 50 states and more than 50 foreign countries. Harding also maintains campuses in Australia, Chile, England, France/Switzerland, Greece, Italy and Zambia.