Hello fellow lovely librarians! Happy Spring!

Val beat me to sharing about this as well as about his visit. I returned from an extended medical leave just a day before his visit April 27th & 28th so I'm a bit behind on everything, but I wanted to reiterate how completely fantastic Alex London (aka C. Alexander London for his middle grade books) was when he visited my elementary school and spoke to third through fifth graders. I completely agree with Val that he is a dynamic speaker. 

Everyone here is also still talking about his visit, including parents that attended. He was truly inspirational to kids and adults alike! I've never received such positive feedback after an author visit. I'm receiving demands for him to return. During his presentation, Alex shares his "secret" which is that he hated to read until fifth grade so even the reluctant readers identify with his story. He also answers thought provoking questions with the same gusto as simple questions and managed to turn even the worst question into an exceptional answer.

I highly recommend booking him for a visit for any level grades 3-12 as he has written two YA novels as well as 10 middle grade novels. My readers of all types love his middle grade books- reluctant readers to avid readers alike. It is also nice that he is in NYC so you don't have to pay the high cost of airfare for a visit.

I actually just read the ARC of The Wild Ones last weekend and was very moved by the great messages woven into an action packed book that fans of animal fantasy and adventure are sure to love! 

I'll leave you with a quick video of the thoughts of two third grade boys two days after the visit.

https://youtu.be/S6snsc671_I

Please let me know if you have any questions about C. Alexander London and my experience with his visit.

Sarah

Sarah Lynch, National Board Certified Library Media Specialist
Wolcott Elementary- West Hartford Public Schools
71 Wolcott Rd., West Hartford, CT 06110
Telephone: 860-561-2300 Ext. 3638

On Wed, May 6, 2015 at 3:06 PM, Valerie DiLorenzo <vdilorenzo.rumsey@gmail.com> wrote:
Please read details from Alex London below about his newest book which is so fun and filled with life lessons too. Sarah Lynch let us all know via CASL-L last fall that she was having London come speak if anyone else was interested. I investigated and decided to piggyback on her visit. This was probably one of the best decisions I've made in a long time! Alex had our entire grade 6 - 9 student body mesmerized last week. He is one of the most dynamic speakers I've ever seen in my life. Teachers, students, and administrators are still talking about his visit. Our grade 3 - 5 students loved his presentation as well (which was a bit different than our Upper School presentation).

I thank Sarah for sharing him and I thank this listserve for making me a better librarian.

Kind regards,
~Val

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Alexander London <alex@calondon.com>
Date: Wed, May 6, 2015 at 2:27 PM
Subject: Free! Advance Readers Copy of The Wild Ones (and a visit to YOUR library?)
To: PYRG Visits <penguinauthorvisits@gmail.com>


Hello Teacher & Librarian friends!

If you're getting this email, it's because I've spoken at your school, Skyped with your students, met you at a conference, or found your email address carved into a forlorn tree at the edge of a nameless desert. 

Regardless, I've got a proposal for you!

On Aug 25th, Penguin is releasing my new Middle Grade novel, THE WILD ONES, the first in a brand new series, and I want to give you (yes, you!) an Advance Readers Copy (if you want one). 

Just reply to this email and let me know where to have it sent!

Feel free to share this offer with your own communities and lists. 
The more the merrier! 

THE WILD ONES tells the story of Kit, a country raccoon who is forced to flee the big city, where he quickly falls in with the wrong crowd in the wrong neighborhood. Ankle Snap Alley is the home of mobster snakes and pickpocket rats and two bit crooked pigeons. But when the People's house pets in the houses beyond the alley want to rid the place of all its wild vermin, Kit will have to pull the greatest trick a raccoon has ever pulled: turning this rag-tag bunch of critters into a community worth fighting for. Only the brave of heart and quick of paw can save the Wild Ones now.

This book is a labor of love for me, my answer to a letter Brian Jacques, author of Redwall, wrote to me when I was 11. I think of this book as my thank you note to the animal fantasy that made me a reader...with a touch of Gangs of New York in the mix! I hope you enjoy it!

BONUS!  
If you do enjoy the book and want to have a Skype visit with me, I will a Skype with any class that orders a classroom set of The Wild Ones this Fall. 

If possible, I could even visit your school in person next year! 

Regardless, the ARC is yours if you want it, no strings attached. 

Thanks for your time and I look forward to hearing from you!

From Howl to Snap,

__
C. Alexander London

“Raccoon hero Kit and his ragtag community of creatures will sneak their way into your imagination and steal your heart...This is a fantasy that kids will adore (and quick-of-paw parents will steal). A wild ride from a wildly imaginative author.”
–Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal-winning author of The One and Only Ivan

“Bold deeds, betrayals, and buffoonery kick off this series with gusto.”
–Kirkus Reviews






--
Valerie DiLorenzo
Library Media Specialist & Archivist
Rumsey Hall School
201 Romford Road
Washington Depot, CT 06794


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