Virginia is for Authors: Ginjer Clarke

Virginia has talent! I'm here to highlight another Virginia author in our Virginia is for Authors series.

My classroom library has several of Ginjer Clarke's engaging, nonfiction animal books that the students have always loved. Until this year I never realized that she was a Virginia author! I was lucky enough to have her visit my school last week and get to know her.

  

You may recognize some of her Out Series books. These early chapter books are filled with fun, weird facts about a variety of animals that will definitely get readers engaged.

Ginjer also writes a baby animal series that has books that focus on specific animals and their young.

Ginjer's latest series, What's Up, is geared towards older readers. What's Up in the Amazon Rain Forest is the first book in this series. The second book in the series, What's Up in the Gobi Desert, is going to be released on March 15. Ginjer mentioned there may be a few giveaways coming up, so be sure to like and follow her facebook page (hint, hint).

Ginjer visited my school for a school visit and a family author night. During her school visit she tailored her presentations toward the different grade levels. Her kindergarten and first grade presentation, Animals are Fun, focused on  animals, books, games, and brief information about the book process. The second and third grade program, Really Reading, had more discussion about the book process and included more in depth books readings (The kids LOVED Gross Out!) and a question and answer session. In Let's Get Writing, her fourth and fifth grade presentation, she also incorporated opportunities for the students to practice the writing process. A big perk of her visit was being able to have students preorder books at a reasonable rate to have her sign during her visit.

 Ginjer is super friendly and easy to deal with for scheduling school visits. You can visit her website to find more information about her author visits. Our students, teachers, and families all really enjoyed her visit! We're so fortunate to have such amazing Virginia author talent!

I'm sure a lot of you are gearing up for Read Across America week. Be sure to head back to Virginia is for Teachers all this week for a special five part series on celebrating reading not just this week, but all year long!