YA
Fantasy Author Best-selling author Cinda Williams
Chima began writing romance novels in middle school,
which were often confiscated by her English teacher.
Her first published novel is The Warrior Heir,
a modern young adult fantasy set in Ohio (Hyperion,
2006). A sequel, The Wizard Heir, was
released in May, 2007, and her third novel, The
Dragon Heir, was published in August, 2008. The
Heir series has appeared on The New York Times
best-seller list, and The Dragon Heir on the
USA Today and Indie Bestseller lists. Chima has
contracted with Disney-Hyperion Book Group for a new
fantasy trilogy. The first book, The Demon King,
is set to release in fall, 2009. The series will
also be published as adult fantasy in five countries
overseas. The Warrior Heir was named to
Voya’s Best Science Fiction and Fantasy
2005-2006, is a 2006 Booksense Summer Reading Pick,
appears on the 2007-2008 Lone Star Reading List, and
ALA’s Popular Paperbacks list and was a finalist for
the 2006 Great Lakes Book Award. Warrior Heir
received a starred review in the Bulletin of the
Center for Children’s Books and a “Perfect Ten” (5Q,
5P) in Voya. The Wizard Heir received a
“Perfect Ten” from Voya and was named to the 2008
New York Public Library’s Books for the Teen Age.
The Dragon Heir received a starred review from
Kirkus.Chima was recently honored with the Writers
and Their Friends Literary Award for Fiction by the
Literary Center of Cleveland, and named one of
Cleveland Magazine’s Most Interesting People. Chima
is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University and
the University of Akron. She is a member of the Lit
Center of Cleveland, the Society for Children’s Book
Writers and Illustrators and the Science Fiction and
Fantasy Writers of America. She has been a workshop
leader and speaker at writing conferences, including
the Northern Ohio SCBWI Conference, the Western
Reserve Writers’ Conference, and the Skyline
Writing Conference. She frequently speaks to young
writers and readers at schools and
libraries nationwide. Chima lives in Ohio with her
family, and is always working on her next novel.
For over twenty years, Kevin Cordi has told stories in
over forty states, England, Scotland, Singapore and
Japan. His story work has been commissioned by The
International Book Fair, Newsweek, and The John F.
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He is a regular
performer at storytelling events including the
International Storytelling Festival. Kevin brings his
Appalachian roots to storytelling with an Italian
spice. He shares stories with a highly energetic and
interactive style and is considered by many
storytelling professionals as one of the most
influential and dynamic storytellers and teachers
today. With each story he tells, the audience connects
with Kevin-his passion shines through. His work is a
must see for adults and kids alike.
In addition to being a well-known storyteller, Kevin
has been named by the National Storytelling Network as
“the first full time high school storytelling teacher
in the country.” He is co-author of the award-winning
book Raising Voices: Youth Storytelling Groups and
Troupes and is featured in recently released August
Book of Scary Stories. He is the founder of both Y.E.S.
(Youth, Educators, and Storytellers) SIG and The Story
Box Project. He recently served at OSU as the first
Academic Storyteller-in-Residence for the university.
He worked alongside with The Multicultural Center using
stories to address social justice, equity, and
diversity.
Kevin
brings a MA in Storytelling and Education from the
University of Akron/East Tennessee State University and
will soon hold a doctorate studying story and process
drama at The Ohio State University. He currently works
teaching English methods as an Assistant Professor at
Ohio Dominican University. Find out more at
www.kevincordi.com
With
almost a million books in print, Sharon G. Flake is
considered one of the top young adult authors in the
nation. Her work is used in elementary through high
school, is required reading on college campuses around
the country, and is popular with adult and youth book
clubs. Flake has won numerous awards and recognitions,
including three Coretta Scott King Awards; Best Books
for Young Adult Readers; Best Books for Reluctant
Readers; The YWCA Racial Justice Award, and many, many
others. Her work has been translated into French and
Italian, and can be purchased and enjoyed in London,
Italy, the Bahamas and Canada. Flake's unique ability to
tell breath taking, realistic fiction, has resulted in
her work being used in a variety of settings including,
gifted and special-ed classrooms, urban and suburban
schools, churches, group homes and youth clubs. Named
an author to watch by Publisher's Weekly, Flake has
written six novels and is awaiting her seventh, You
Don't Even Know Me, whicharrives in
bookstores inJanuary 2010.
Dr.
Steven L. Layne serves as full time
Associate Professor of Education and
Literature at Judson College in Elgin, IL.
His vast array of experience working at
multiple grade levels in the public schools
allows him a unique camaraderie with
teachers and librarians and his
award-winning books for children and young
adults add another appealing element to his
dynamic presentations. He is a frequent
keynote speaker at large conferences and
gatherings of literacy educators and
librarians throughout the world. In
addition, Steve continues to do a few school
appearances each year as a guest author
and provides inservice for schools
throughout the nation.
Steve has been honored with numerous awards
for his work as an educator and researcher.
In 2001, he received one of the Milken
Foundation's National Awards for Teaching
Excellence in the amount of $25,000.00. He
was also named to the 2001 All-Teacher Team
by USA TODAY newspaper and was chosen as the
Edwin A. Hoey Award Winner for U. S.
Outstanding Teacher at the junior high level
by NCTE in 2001. Steve was the 2000 ICARE
for Reading Award winner and the 1999
Reading Teacher of the Year in Illinois. In
addition, his doctoral dissertation research
garnered the Outstanding Researcher Award
from Northern Illinois University's College
of Education Alumni Council as well as the
Winn Research Award given by the State of
Illinois Association for Supervision and
Curriculum Development in 1997.
Steve's interest in state and community
literacy organizations has led to active
leadership positions on the boards of the
Northern Illinois Reading Council and
Literacy Volunteers of America's Fox Valley
Affiliate. He has also served as a reader
for the Rebecca Caudill Young Reader Award
Committee and been active in the DuPage
Literacy Roundtable. Steve has been a member
of several committees for the Illinois
Reading Council throughout his involvement
with the organization and currently serves
as its past president.
YA
Fantasy Author Best-selling author Cinda Williams
Chima began writing romance novels in middle school,
which were often confiscated by her English teacher.
Her first published novel is The Warrior Heir,
a modern young adult fantasy set in Ohio (Hyperion,
2006). A sequel, The Wizard Heir, was
released in May, 2007, and her third novel, The
Dragon Heir, was published in August, 2008. The
Heir series has appeared on The New York Times
best-seller list, and The Dragon Heir on the
USA Today and Indie Bestseller lists. Chima has
contracted with Disney-Hyperion Book Group for a new
fantasy trilogy. The first book, The Demon King,
is set to release in fall, 2009. The series will
also be published as adult fantasy in five countries
overseas. The Warrior Heir was named to
Voya’s Best Science Fiction and Fantasy
2005-2006, is a 2006 Booksense Summer Reading Pick,
appears on the 2007-2008 Lone Star Reading List, and
ALA’s Popular Paperbacks list and was a finalist for
the 2006 Great Lakes Book Award. Warrior Heir
received a starred review in the Bulletin of the
Center for Children’s Books and a “Perfect Ten” (5Q,
5P) in Voya. The Wizard Heir received a
“Perfect Ten” from Voya and was named to the 2008
New York Public Library’s Books for the Teen Age.
The Dragon Heir received a starred review from
Kirkus.Chima was recently honored with the Writers
and Their Friends Literary Award for Fiction by the
Literary Center of Cleveland, and named one of
Cleveland Magazine’s Most Interesting People. Chima
is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University and
the University of Akron. She is a member of the Lit
Center of Cleveland, the Society for Children’s Book
Writers and Illustrators and the Science Fiction and
Fantasy Writers of America. She has been a workshop
leader and speaker at writing conferences, including
the Northern Ohio SCBWI Conference, the Western
Reserve Writers’ Conference, and the Skyline
Writing Conference. She frequently speaks to young
writers and readers at schools and
libraries nationwide. Chima lives in Ohio with her
family, and is always working on her next novel. 
With
almost a million books in print, Sharon G. Flake is
considered one of the top young adult authors in the
nation. Her work is used in elementary through high
school, is required reading on college campuses around
the country, and is popular with adult and youth book
clubs. Flake has won numerous awards and recognitions,
including three Coretta Scott King Awards; Best Books
for Young Adult Readers; Best Books for Reluctant
Readers; The YWCA Racial Justice Award, and many, many
others. Her work has been translated into French and
Italian, and can be purchased and enjoyed in London,
Italy, the Bahamas and Canada. Flake's unique ability to
tell breath taking, realistic fiction, has resulted in
her work being used in a variety of settings including,
gifted and special-ed classrooms, urban and suburban
schools, churches, group homes and youth clubs. Named
an author to watch by Publisher's Weekly, Flake has
written six novels and is awaiting her seventh, You
Don't Even Know Me, which arrives in
bookstores in January 2010.