author visits
Each year, we welcome a variety of children's authors to Clinton School to talk with our students about their latest books and get them excited about reading. We have several great authors lined up this spring, and students have the opportunity to order autographed copies of their books!
The Clinton PTA welcomes author/illustrator Michelle Hollow December 16, 2024
Michelle C. Hollow will be visiting the fourth grade students to discuss her newest book, Jurassic Girl.
At age 12, Mary Anning found the skeleton of the first ichthyosaurus, a fish-like creature that lived during the Jurassic Period. It was more than 17 feet long! But according to many of the men in London’s Geological Society, the fossil could not be real due to several reasons:
- Mary was female.
- She was 12 years old.
- She had no formal education.
- She was poor.
Discover the fascinating life of 12-year-old Mary Anning, a fossil hunter who would grow up to be a famous paleontologist, in this historical fiction book for children interested in learning about dinosaurs, fossils, and women in STEM, like Grace Hopper, Marie Curie, and Jane Goodall.
To order Michelle’s book online you can use this link.
To order online please use the LINK
The Clinton PTA welcomes author/illustrator Jon Klassen
September 21, 2023
Caldecott Medalist and New York Times best-selling author-illustrator Jon Klassen delivers a deliciously macabre treat for folktale fans.
Jon Klassen’s signature wry humor takes a turn for the ghostly in this thrilling retelling of a traditional Tyrolean folktale. In a big abandoned house, on a barren hill, lives a skull. A brave girl named Otilla has escaped from terrible danger and run away, and when she finds herself lost in the dark forest, the lonely house beckons. Her host, the skull, is afraid of something too, something that comes every night. Can brave Otilla save them both? Steeped in shadows and threaded with subtle wit—with rich, monochromatic artwork and an illuminating author’s note—The Skull is as empowering as it is mysterious and foreboding.
Jon Klassen is the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of several books, including I Want My Hat Back and This Is Not My Hat, for which he won the Caldecott Medal. Two of his picture books have been named Caldecott Honor books: Sam and Dave Dig a Hole and Extra Yarn (winner of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award), both by Mac Barnett.
To order Jon’s book online you can use this link: HERE
The Clinton PTA welcomes author/illustrator Jay Cooper
June 2, 2023
Jay Cooper will be visiting the third and fourth-grade students to discuss his newest book, The Last Comics on Earth.
Jack, Quint, June, and Dirk are about to face a challenge unlike any they’ve faced before . . . At their local comic book store, the kids make a startling discovery: they’ve read every last issue of their favorite comic, Z-Man, and no new issues are coming...ever! (Thanks a lot, apocalypse.). Nooo!
Our heroes have but one choice: continue Z-Man’s legacy by writing and illustrating THEIR OWN COMIC BOOK! Step one? Knock off their beloved Z-Man and cast themselves as super rad, super goofy, superhero protectors of the mysterious city of Apocalyptia. What could possibly go wrong? Just about everything!
Fans are sure to love this hilarious, action-packed, four-color graphic novel series by the creators of The Last Kids on Earth.
To order Jay’s book online you can use this link: https://clintonpta.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/232051
You may also send in the form below to your child’s homeroom teacher and pay by cash or check. Please make all checks payable to Clinton PTA.
PLEASE ORDER BY MAY 20th
The Clinton PTA welcomes author Kelly Yang - February 3, 2023
Award-winning author Kelly Yang will be visiting all SOMSD 5th graders virtually to support her latest book Finally Seen. Kelly is the New York Times bestselling author of Front Desk, winner of the 2019 Asian Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature, Parachutes, and Three Keys. Front Desk also won the Parents’ Choice Gold Medal, was the 2019 Global Read Aloud, and has earned numerous other honors including being named the best book of the year by Amazon, The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and NPR.
Finally Seen is a gripping middle-grade novel about a young girl who leaves China to live with her parents and sister, after five years apart, and learns about family, friendship and the power of being finally seen.
To order Kelly’s book online you can use the QR code or this link: HERE
The Clinton PTA welcomes author Kelly Yang - February 18, 2022
Award-winning author Kelly Yang will be visiting Clinton Elementary School virtually to support her latest book New From Here. Kelly is the New York Times bestselling author of Front Desk, winner of the 2019 Asian Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature, Parachutes, and Three Keys. Front Desk also won the Parents’ Choice Gold Medal, was the 2019 Global Read Aloud, and has earned numerous other honors including being named the best book of the year by Amazon, The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and NPR.
New From Here is a poignant middle-grade novel about courage, hope, and resilience as an Asian American boy fights to keep his family together and stand up to racism during the initial outbreak of the coronavirus.
Questions? Contact Mrs. Latimer jlatimer@somsd.k12.nj.us
The Clinton PTA welcomes author Jarrett Lerner - May 27, 2021
Author/illustrator Jarrett Lerner will be visiting Clinton Elementary School 1st and 2nd grade students to share his love of storytelling and drawing. He is much loved for his support of libraries, especially during this time of hybrid and remote learning. While this visit will be virtual, we are confident that Jarrett will engage our children with his presentation and bring out their creativity. Please note, the books that we are highlighting are activity books to engage offscreen creativity.
You can order books below.
Mrs. Latimer will deliver books to those students who are in school and will coordinate with families who remain virtual.
Deadline: May 13th
►Click here to order copies of Jarrett Lerner's books
The Clinton PTA welcomes author Adam Gidwitz - April 21, 2021
Author Adam Gidwitz will once again be visiting Clinton Elementary School to speak to our 3rd & 4th Graders. In 2015, he wowed students and teachers with stories and discussion of his Grimm series including the popular A Tale Dark and Grimm. Since that time he has written the Newbery Honor Award winning book, The Inquisitor’s Tale and visited us in 2018 with the release of his book The Unicorn Rescue Society. While this visit will be virtual, Adam is a true storyteller and a master at engaging children.
Deadline: April 14th
►Click here to order copies of Adam Gidwitz's books
Clinton School Welcomes Nina Crews - March 25, 2020
Author/Illustrator Nina Crews will be visiting Kindergarten - 2nd Grade students on March 25th to discuss her newest book A Girl Like Me. We are excited to welcome her to Maplewood!
I am so pleased to have illustrated this wonderful poem by Coretta Scott King and MacArthur Prize winner Angela Johnson. A celebration of the power of girls that encourages them to embrace their dreams and more!
- Nina Crews
Deadline: Friday 3/13
►Click here to order a personalized signed copy of "A Girl Like Me"
Ibi Zoboi - September 26, 2019
Author and Maplewood resident, Ibi Zoboi, visited 4th and 5th grade to discuss her newest book My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich. We were excited to welcome her national tour to Clinton Elementary School and excited that her first middle grade novel just hit the New York Times bestseller list. It was also reviewed by the New York Times in August.
"Highlights the importance of imagination and learning to celebrate what it means to be different in a world that demands conformity." –Horn Book
Versify Tour Update - April 4, 2019
The sun was shining and it was a beautiful spring morning when right on time, the Versify Tour bus pulled up in front of school. Authors Kwame Alexander, Kadir Nelson, Lamar Giles and Raúl the Third were greeted by the students of Clinton in a most excited manner. It felt like we were part of American Idol or a 1960's Beatles tour. It was a magical moment where authors were greeted like rock stars.
Today was National School Librarian Day and the students excitement was a gift I will not forget.
- Mrs. Latimer
Versify Tour - April 4, 2019
Clinton Elementary School proudly welcomes Newbery-Award winning and best selling author Kwame Alexander as he brings his Versify Tour to us. Raúl the Third will meet with Kindergarten & 1st grade while Kadir Nelson will meet with 2nd & 3rd and Lamar Giles will meet with 4th & 5th grade.
Books will be signed by the author, but they will not be personalized for the individual student.
Richard Scarry's Busytown gets a Mexican-American makeover in the marketplace of a buzzing border town from Pura Belpré Medal-winning illustrator Raúl the Third.
"The Last Last-Day-of-Summer reminds me that all children deserve to exist in magical spaces where their imaginations and familial bonds will them into heroism. Every single child should have the freedom to be one of The Legendary Alstons. And I, for one, am grateful to Giles, and this brilliant story, for that reminder. "
- Jason Reynolds, author of Newbery Honoree Long Way Down
Presents an illustrated retelling of Kwame Alexander’s poem of the same name, which celebrates black life in the United States, from the trauma of slavery to the perseverance of great black leaders such as Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn Brooks. Contains extensive backmatter detailing a survey of black historical figures.
Ellen Potter
Author Ellen Potter will be visiting the 2nd grade students at Clinton Elementary School to discuss her newest book, Big Foot and Little Foot - The Squatchicorns. We are excited to welcome her to Maplewood.
★ "This warmhearted new series, particularly suited for reluctant readers or chapter-book newbies, promises more laughs and exploits from the entertainingly paired Hugo and Boone."
~ Booklist, starred review
Voted one of New York Public Libraries Best Books of 2018.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Contact Us:
Clinton School PTA
27 Berkshire Road
Maplewood, NJ 07040
973-378-7686
