Michael Northrop Author Visit Kit
Brief Bio & Introduction
Michael Northrop grew up in a small town in New England and currently lives in New York City. A former baseball editor of Sports Illustrated Kids and one-time standup comedian, he is an energetic and entertaining speaker. His books cover a range of ages/reading levels, from middle grade to older teens. The American Library Association/YALSA has included his novels on their prestigious Best Books for Young Adults, Readers’ Choice, and Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers lists. You can find out more at www.michaelnorthrop.net.
Program Description
Would, Could, Will!
Grades 5 – 12
(30 minutes) This is a writing workshop in which Michael talks with students about his writing process and helps them write their own stories. His approach to writing, which he calls the would/could method, is fun and easy for students to learn and use. In this energetic exercise, kids either write their own stories or work together to write one as a class.
Fastballs, Snowstorms, and High Stakes
Grades 5 – 12
(30 minutes) Michael reads selections from his novels and shares stories about where he came up with the ideas for specific scenes. He discusses the writing and editing processes to show how those ideas took shape and became part of a finished book. He also talks about the difference between his current career as an author and his former career as a sportswriter and ends the presentation with a lively Q&A. (An alternate version, Writing About Sports, focuses on his middle grade baseball novel, Plunked, and his experiences covering the Super Bowl and other events.)
Take Me to Your Reader
Grades 5 – 12
(30 minutes) Michael discusses a realistic (and personal) approach to reading. Michael was diagnosed as dyslexic when he was a kid. He repeated second grade and was a classic “reluctant reader” for years after that. He talks to students about finding the sort of reading (and writing) that works for them, and discusses what worked for him, providing pathways to increased reading and strategies for viewing reading more enthusiastically (or less antagonistically, as the case may be).
Conferences & Festivals
Fastballs, Snowstorms, and High Stakes
30 min. Michael reads selections from his novels and shares stories about where he came up with the ideas for specific scenes. He discusses the writing and editing processes to show how those ideas took shape and became part of a finished book. He also talks about the difference between his current career as an author and his former career as a sportswriter and ends the presentation with a lively Q&A. (An alternate version, Writing About Sports, focuses on his middle grade baseball novel, Plunked, and his experiences covering the Super Bowl and other events.)
Take Me to Your Reader A realistic (and personal) approach to reading
(30 minutes) Michael was diagnosed as dyslexic when he was a kid. He repeated second grade and was a classic “reluctant reader” for years after that. He talks to librarians about finding the sort of reading (and writing) that works for their students, and discusses what worked for him, providing pathways to increased reading and strategies for viewing reading more enthusiastically (or less antagonistically, as the case may be).
Virtual Visits
Michael is just the type to drop in by Skype. He is available for a 30-minute virtual visit and Q&A with classes, reading groups, and book clubs that have read at least one of his books. He discusses the book(s)—his inspiration for certain scenes, challenges he faced along the way, amusing anecdotes—and answers questions. The fee for the visit is $100.
AV Tech
Michael provides most of his own materials. For the workshop, he also requires something to write on that the entire room will be able to read (a board, dry-erase board, or large easel of paper). If he is speaking in an auditorium or a similarly large space, he requires a microphone and a podium.
Honorarium
$1000 per day plus expenses
Ordering Books
Schools and libraries may order books at a discounted rate by visiting the Scholastic Teacher Store or by calling 1-800-SCHOLASTIC.
Book list
|
9780545097499 |
GENTLEMEN |
4/15/2009 |
17.99 |
Young Adult |
|
9780545115841 |
GENTLEMEN (Paperback) |
11/1/2010 |
9.99 |
Young Adult |
|
9780545297141 |
PLUNKED |
3/1/2012 |
16.99 |
Middle Grade |
|
9780545210126 |
TRAPPED |
2/1/2011 |
17.99 |
Young Adult |
|
9780545210133 |
TRAPPED (Paperback) |
12/1/2012 |
9.99 |
Young Adult |
