WENDELIN'S SCHOOL VISITS

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Comments From Hosting Schools and Libraries

Wendelin was a star from beginning to end. She arrived from sunny California into a freezing January Chicago winter around midnight, her plane having been delayed. She was cheerier than one would expect under the circumstances. Her presentation was energetic, informative, a real crowd pleaser. For months afterward there was not a Van Draanen book on the shelf in our library. This is an author that is amazing on a personal and professional level. Wendelin is a special guest that adults and children remember long after her visit.

Peg Ciszek, Public Library School Liaison

Wendelin Van Draanen spares no energy, and her enthusiasm for writing is contagious! Our teachers and students, ages 10-12, were totally enthralled by her dramatic and engaging presentations, both to large and small groups. Her flexibility to scheduling, style and substance of presentation is a plus, too. A human dynamo!

Linda Bennett, Library Media Teacher

Wendelin Van Draanen has a personality that makes an instant connection with middle school kids. With her energetic vibrant style, she is able to share thoughts and ideas about writing and being an author that is appealing to students. Her musical talent sprinkled with jewels of humor throughout, crowns her enthusiastic presentation. Wendelin promotes her three R’s philosophy with a passion. Reading, Running and Rock-n-Roll drives each day of her life with a positive attitude to be presented in her books and in each of her presentations.

Jeff Edwards, Principal

Sammy Keyes came alive when Wendelin visited our school. She Shreds!!

Vicky Turk, Principal

Wow! Wendelin was fantastic!!! We loved her funny, lively, animated, heartwarming talk. She shared with us personal experiences from her childhood and really touched us with how she turned hardships into triumphs. We have all become avid readers of her books. Shredderman, Swear to Howdy, Flipped and Sammy Keyes have been mainstay read alouds in our library.

Steffani Lera, Library Media Assistant

Wendelin is a big hit at our schools. Her high energy presentations really get the kids interested in reading her books. Even middle schoolers show enthusiasm when she is here. We will invite her to come again soon!

George Pilling, District Librarian

Wendelin is a motivational speaker. Her assemblies are always entertaining and result in increased writing effort by the students. She captivates her audience and instinctively knows how to differentiate her approach to keep the attention of both the primary and upper grade students.

Kathy Pritchard, Principal

Wonderful! I loved her, the kids loved her, they’re still asking for her books!

Wanda Adams, Language Arts Teacher

My students loved her, and so did I.

Donna Johnson, Language Arts Teacher

Two enthusiastic thumbs up!

Leslie Furlong, Language Arts Teacher

Having Wendelin visit our school was wonderfully entertaining! She brings a sense of fun and adventure along as she shares her life and the craft of writing. Just as Sammy Keyes and Nolan (aka Shredderman) have a dry wit and clear sense of justice, Wendelin herself brings her characters to life when she shares herself with an audience. Our students delighted in knowing more about Wendelin, her stories and the writing process.

Roberta Hough, Teacher

Wendelin talks about the writing process with the kids. She talks about the frustration and excitement and ultimately the sense of accomplishment of writing. Wendelin encourages the kids to write, write, and write. She sings and dances during her visit, the kids love her. My classroom is full of Sammy Keyes fans.

Anne Harris, Teacher

We were very fortunate to have Wendelin Van Draanen visit our school. One of the students said that just listening and watching her makes you want to read. She is very entertaining and I recommend her to all librarians when want an author visit.

Connie Oberneder, Librarian

A visit from Wendelin Van Draanen is a very special treat. Her winning smile and vibrant personality are contagious. Our students loved her energy as well as her wit. We can’t keep her books on the shelf. That’s what it’s all about—convincing them to read, and she does that!

Becky Young, Instructional Assistant

Wendelin Van Draanen is an enthusiastic speaker who captures the attention of children and young adults through her dynamic style and affection for the characters she has created. Listeners leave her presentations with an excellent understanding of the creative writing process, the desire to read ALL of her books and the remembered laughter of a joyful experience. The Van Draanen section on the fiction shelf is always empty for several months after one of her visits!

Melinda Steep, Assistant Library Director

Field School enjoyed having Wendelin Van Draanen visit. Her presentations are captivating and she has the knack for holding the audience attention from start to finish. She is very animated and having the CD with her songs brings her presentation to a different level than any other author we have had. The students will truly enjoy this wonderful writer. Our students continue to check out the Sammy Keyes books as well as Wendelin's other books.

Mrs. Jane Everett & Mrs. Patti Kisielius, Librarians

We were so fortunate to have had Wendelin as our visiting author. Not only was she delightfully entertaining in her presentation, but highly informative and insightful about the writing process and the highs and lows of getting published, always keeping my students' rapt attention. Her books flew off the shelf and continue to hold a strong audience.

Judy Baldwin, Librarian

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Illustrations copyright © 2004 Robert Krogle
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