Students in Grades 5-7 enjoyed a special visit on Monday, Sept. 3, from celebrated Young Adult author Sharon Draper. Among her many accolades, Ms. Draper is a five-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Literary Award and is a New York Times bestselling author, after her book "Out of my Mind" spent nearly two years at the top of the Young Adult list. Another of her novels, "Copper Sun," was named one of the Best 100 Books of All Time by TIME Magazine. 

Students gathered in the FAB to hear Ms. Draper talk about her career as a writer and what inspires her stories. She encouraged the audience to "write about what you love," and that the best way to become a great writer is to become an avid reader. The students got to meet Ms. Draper and get their books signed after the talk. 

Thank you, Ms. Draper, for sharing your insight and stories with our students!