Gary Schmidt

Gary Schmidt is a wildly popular, award-winning author of books for young people.

In 2011, Gary 's book, OK for Now was a National Book Award finalist and in 2008, The Wednesday Wars was a Newbery Honor selection. He also received both a Newbery Honor Award and a Printz Honor Award for Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy. The Minneapolis Children's Theatre is producing a stage version of Lizzie Bright and the Buckminister Boy in Spring 2012.

He lives with his family on a 150-year-old farm in Alto, Michigan, where he splits wood, plants gardens, writes, and feeds the wild cats that drop by.

photo by Shirleen Hieb

Margi Preus

Margi Preus is no stranger to Spotlight on Books and we are delighted to have her this year as a Featured Author.

Her 2010 book, Heart of a Samurai, won multiple awards, including a Newbery Honor award. This book has taken Minnesota - and the country - by storm. Her other books include Celebritrees: Historic and Famous Trees of the World ; The Peace Bell; and The Legend of the Ladyslipper.

Brian Lies

Brian Lies is a popular illustrator and author, who has illustrated more than twenty-five books, including his own most recent book, Bats at the Ballgame. He says, " My other four written-and-illustrated books to date are the New York Times bestsellers Bats at the Beach and Bats at the Library, Hamlet and the Enormous Chinese Dragon Kite, and Hamlet and the Magnificent Sandcastle." To add to the fun, Brian will be doing illustrations for the 2012 Collaborative Summer Library Program!

Brian lives in Massachusetts and has family roots in Minnesota. We welcome him back to Minnesota.

Friday Afternoon Workshop with
Rebecca Rapport

Join us for fast-paced workshop on books, kids, reading, using books with kids, supporting literacy, and exploring what's new in the world of children's books.

This interactive workshop with Becky Rapport, from the Department of Instruction and Curriculum at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, will cover a lot of territory. Becky's life-long passion has been connecting young people to books and supporting literacy.

Becky has long been associated with, and serves as the current editor of, the annual publication, New Books for Young Readers. Take a look at this rich, annotaed resource for new children's literature.

Becky will bring lots of books, will help us review them critically, provide strategies for selection of books, tips on incorporating books into curriculum, and working with readers to develop a love of reading.

It will be an energetic workshop with take- aways, active participation, and hands-on experience with "new books for young readers".

Dessert is made possible by the Friends of the Grand Rapids Area Public Library.

To show support of their Project Read each Conference attendee is asked to contribute a new or gently used early childhood book to Project Read. These will books will be made available for free to the parents and young children in the Grand Rapids Area. Say Thanks to the Friends with a book donation!

Optional Thursday Evening events

Come for the chocolate -- and Stay for the Conversation

If you come the night before, join us Thursday evening, 7-9pm, for a free, informal soiree with friends and colleagues:


"If you wanna be a writer you gotta be a reader." - Will Weaver

• Complimentary gourmet coffee and chocolate reception furnished by Sugar Lake Lodge
• Author Will Weaver talks about the National Book Award process as a judge in 2011 - the ups, the downs, the thrills and even some spills!
• Book Discussion: My Name is not Easy by Debby Edwardson - a 2011 NBA finalist
• Informal networking and rich conversation - with cash bar
• Box lunch dinner available for purchase on-site (5:30 -6:30 Reserve a box lunch on your reservation form).
• Add Thursday night at Sugar Lake Lodge will be at Conference rates.

Please join Will and other early arrivals for a relaxing evening
of conversation and discovery!

Book discussion: My Name is Not Easy by Debby Edwardson will take place on Thursday evening -- grab a copy and give this 2011 National Book Award finalist a read!

Friday morning activities will be announced