We Need Diverse books is a great start. This is something that can take some time. I spend time looking at author websites for info about visits on their page. I'm actually already looking for someone for the 2019-20 school year. If they don't have info about school visits, then I don't usually bother contacting them. Also author prices can vary widely, but having a diverse author visit your school is a great grant to write. I wrote a grant to have Grace Lin come to our school and she was excellent.
Based on your location, you do have access to NYC area authors and maybe they can come on the train for the day so you don't have to pay for a hotel room and additional food and transportation. Here are a few authors or websites I recommend that might work for you.
http://www.calexanderlondon.com/ - we hosted him in person and he is fabulous and one of our middle schools Skyped with him. I know others who have as well. He has a great new YA book that I read and has received a host of accolades such as a We Need Diverse Books Must read of 2018.
Those are ones I can think of off the top of my head. I'd definitely try and see if Alex London can do a Skype because I know he does them. Good luck! This sounds like a great way to celebrate diversity!
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
Currently reading:The Night Diary by Veera HiranandaniThe Botany of Desire: A Plant's Eye View of the World by Michael PollanFront Desk by Kelly YangSpeak: the Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse AndersonRecently finished:Jasmine Toguchi: Mochi Queen by Debbi Michiko FlorenceInsignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti BowlingThe Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann BradenIt Ain't So Awful Falafel by Firoozeh DumasI Kill the Mockingbird by Paul AcamporaEducated by Tara WestoverMonstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama (audio)Black Wings Beating by Alex LondonAmal Unbound by Aisha Saeed (rereading for Global Read Aloud '18)Outrun the Moon by Stacey LeeOn Thu, Jan 24, 2019 at 12:45 PM Jenny Lussier <jlussier@rsd13.org> wrote:Hi Jackie -Kate Messner's blog has great ideas from World Read Aloud Day along with links to authors.It's a place to start.JennyOn Thu, Jan 24, 2019 at 11:50 AM DeLoma, Jaclyn <delomaj@stratk12.org> wrote:Hi Everyone,_______________________________________________I am new to the LMS position this year and was looking to get some advice/help in securing and researching authors' visits. I am planning on a #Appreciate Diversity Celebration during the month of April and was looking for authors who write diverse literature. Does anyone have any suggestions or know of any links or authors that I can look into? I've tried emailing publishers and authors outright and so far have had no luck or responses. Are there any suggestions for inexpensive visits, virtual would be fine as well, and also specific authors?I would really appreciate your help with this! The students would be beyond inspired!Thank you ahead of time!JackieWooster Middle SchoolStratford, CT--
