Award-Winning Authors Hold Writing Workshops at Chelsea Schools

The Chelsea District Library will hold its 4th annual "Authors in Chelsea" program on March 20.

This day-long event brings three nationally known authors to Chelsea to present free workshops to students. Children and their families can also attend an event at the library from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to meet the authors and get books signed.

This year’s line-up includes Dori Hillestad Butler, author of the book series, The Buddy Files and 2011’s Edgar Award winner for Best Juvenile Mystery; Tim Smith, Michigan author of the Buck Wilder series; and Kenneth Oppel, author of many adventure/fantasy books for middle grade readers, including the popular trilogy Silverwing, Sunwing and Firewing, and the novel Airborn, and its sequels, Skybreaker and Stairclimber.

Children will explore the art and craft of writing and illustrating during the event, which will focus on the importance of literature.

“In all small communities the schools and the district library need to have a strong relationship. We have students, staff, and families using both our building library and the Chelsea District Library to enrich our mutual goals," said Marcus Kaemming, principal of North Creek Elementary School.

"One great way in which North Creek Elementary and the Chelsea District Library foster this relationship is bringing in relevant authors to support our students’ efforts. Our children thrive on making real life connections and these authors assist with this. The Chelsea District Library continues to make this happen for [our] children," Kaemming said.

Through intensive workshops with the authors, students will work to improve their creative writing and reading abilities. The library donated books by each author to the participating school classrooms.

“It’s exciting to see our students reading Kenneth Oppel's books and then seeking out more books by him in our media center. We greatly appreciate partnering with the Chelsea District Library to bring an acclaimed author and his works to our students,” said Nick Angel, principal at Beach Middle School. 

Each author will be visiting Chelsea schools to teach writing workshops in the morning and afternoon with all the classes in 2nd, 4th and 6th grades.

Authors in Chelsea is made possible with grants from the Chelsea Education Foundation, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts, and with funding from the Friends of Chelsea District Library.