Author Archives: kmessner

Yesterday, while I was talking about books and writing with an amazing group of 4th and 5th graders in Western New York, another group of elementary school students took shelter in their school, clinging to walls, huddling in the protective arms of their teachers as a tornado swept through their city. Later on, I saw [...]

Dear Ms. Creech, This is a thank you note mixed with a confession. Read on, and you’ll understand. First, I have to say that I loved your talk at the New England SCBWI Conference and was thrilled to finally meet you in person. So thank you for that. But that’s only part of the thank [...]

Last Friday, I was lucky enough to be one of the two keynote speakers for Vermont’s annual Dorothy Canfield Fisher Conference, a full day celebration of books and reading.  When this invitation landed in my email a while back, I have to admit that I did a little happy-dance. First, because Vermont teachers and librarians [...]

I’m not a big recipe-sharing person online, but today is one of those days…  In a little while, I’m giving a Skype historical fiction writing workshop for a school in Vermont, and later I have a virtual author visit with 2nd graders in Ohio. I’m on deadline for a new book that I’ll be working [...]

I spent this weekend at the New England SCBWI Conference, which is always an amazing opportunity to talk writing and learn about craft as well as a chance to see so many friends. This was the first regional SCBWI Conference I attended back in 2007, and I so remember working up the courage to say [...]

I loved working on the KidLit Cares Sandy Relief Effort for so many reasons – mostly because we raised more than $60,000 for American Red Cross Disaster Relief. But an added bonus has been the books I’ve discovered through my own KidLit Cares auction offering, the School and Library Planning & Publicity Package. Author Dayna [...]

 I spent the past few days at the International Reading Association Convention in San Antonio, and after some travel troubles on the way there, it was a wonderful weekend full of great book-talk with amazing teachers and librarians. I spoke on two panels – a fun Saturday session about mysteries with fellow author April Henry, [...]

I’m at the International Reading Association Convention in San Antonio this weekend, which is a lovely, lovely place to be. I’m looking forward to lots of book talk with teacher-librarian-reader friends, and I hope if you’re here, too, you’ll try to catch up with me. Here’s where I’ll be… Saturday: 10:30-11:00 Signing EYE OF THE [...]

Dear kids, By the time you read this, your school may already be well into the ten hours of state assessments you’ll take in ELA and Math this month if you live in New York State.  People will be reading you all kinds of directions and things, giving you tips for test taking, telling you [...]

I traveled to Maine for the Maine State Libraries Reading Round Up this week.  One thing that made the trip special was the lovely bed & breakfast where I stayed, Maple Hill Farms. When I checked in, I decided to take a walk and asked the innkeeper about the animals in the farm yard. “Is [...]