September 25, 2009

Harding University Young Adult Author Series begins Nov. 13

SEARCY, Ark. — The 2009-10 Young Adult Author Series begins Nov. 13 at
Harding University. Sponsored by the University’s Graduate Reading
Programs, the line-up includes authors:

•       Patricia McCormick, Nov. 13-14, 2009
•       Roland Smith, Jan. 15-16, 2010
•       Kimberly Willis Holt, Feb. 5-6, 2010
•       Jordan Sonnenblick, April 23-24, 2010

The series gives teachers and students an opportunity to hear
firsthand from accomplished young adult authors. The informative
workshops will help teachers connect with authors who are part of
their classroom curriculum.

McCormick is the author of the National Book Award Finalist Sold, My
Brother’s Keeper and Cut and has worked on numerous free-lance
journalism projects. Formerly an adjunct professor of journalism at
Columbia State University, she was also instructor of creative writing
at the New School University.

Smith, who studied to be a writer, ended up in a job at the Portland
Zoo for more than 20 years. The author of Jack’s Run, Elephant Run,
and Peak, his experience as a zookeeper has greatly influenced his
literary work. He has also written many nonfiction books about
animals.

Willis Holt grew up traveling the world with her military family but
has always called Louisiana, a place where seven generations of her
family have resided, home. Her Southern influence is evident in the
award-winning When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, My Louisiana Sky and
Keeper of the Night.

Sonnenblick focuses on children and teen audiences and spends his
spare time traveling to elementary and middle schools to speak about
his work. He is the author of Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie, Notes
from the Midnight Driver, and Zen and the Art of Faking It. His latest
book, Dodger for President, is the sequel to Dodger and Me.

The Young Adult Author Series will present four weekend events during
the 2009-10 school year. Each conference includes three discussion
sessions and book signings. The cost is $125 for one event, $100 each
for two events, and $75 each for three or four events. Registration
fees include Friday night dinner with the author, continental
breakfast on Saturday, and author information packets. If students
attend any three of the conferences, they may receive three hours of
graduate level credit from Harding for $350.

For more information, call 501-279-5107. Space is limited, and spots
are available on a first-come, first-served basis.