Sharon Draper Author Visit

The kids shuffled into the auditorium one overcast morning. They sat politely in metal folding chairs, waiting for their classmates to settle in. Then a woman in a brilliant orange jacket with an equally bright smile lit up the stage. Sharon Draper had come to Willard. For an hour she kept 300 of our students entertained and engaged as she talked about her life as a writer and the books she has written. Some of them were shocked to learn that even though she is a New York Times Bestselling author and has won the Coretta Scott King Award five times, she does not own a private jet or even consider herself wealthy.
Ms. Draper finds the life of a writer rewarding. But she emphasized the hard work it takes to be successful in her field or in any field the students choose.
I was most impressed with how her stories captured the students’ attention. Her books are extremely popular, even with reluctant readers. And in real life she is just as engaging. Kids described the event as “inspiring” “funny” and “cool”. They raved about meeting a “real author” and are begging for more of her books. The kids glowed as they left Willard’s cafetorium.

Thank you to the Berkeley Public Education Foundation and the Willard PTA for helping fund her visit and purchasing extra copies of her books. And thanks to all the students who helped me set up and welcome her.