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Jane Sutton is “a real live author” who has never forgotten what it’s like to be a kid. Through her entertaining school and library talks, students (from pre-school through college) learn about the writing process and the trials and rewards of being a writer, and are inspired to want to write themselves.
Born in NYC, Jane grew up on Long Island, where she was voted class comedienne. After graduating from Brandeis University, she has been a special education tutor, a creative writing teacher, a newspaper reporter, and an advertising copywriter. She and her husband live in Lexington, MA where their two children attended Lexington Public Schools.
Selected Works:
THE TROUBLE WITH CAULIFLOWER (picture book, Dial)
ME AND THE WEIRDOS (middle grade novel, Houghton Mifflin; Bantam paperback; ALA-CBC Children's Choice; Utah Children's Book Award; translated into French)
NOT EVEN MRS. MAZURSKY (middle grade novel, Dutton)
CONFESSIONS OF AN ORANGE OCTOPUS (middle grade novel, Dutton; translated into French)
DEFINITELY NOT SEXY (YA novel, Little, Brown; ALA Recommended List for Reluctant Readers)
WHAT SHOULD A HIPPO WEAR? (Picture book, Houghton Mifflin; excerpted in Cricket Magazine)
“You have a wonderful way of giving feedback to children so that they hear what can be improved and yet feel positive about what they accomplished.”
—an enrichment volunteer parent
“Your presentation is lovely, low key and filled with information to help children appreciate authors and their work.”
—an enrichment volunteer parent
“Many thanks for coming to [school] to enlighten and inspire our students.”
—a teacher
“Our class learned so much about how to write books and how to get ideas for writing. We appreciate your kindness and help.”
—a third grade class
Program Info
Program Descriptions:
To allow children and teachers to get the most from a visit by an author, Jane tailors presentations to the age group and, when requested, to support ongoing curriculum. For example, when describing the writing process, she goes into more or less detail, depending on the audience grade level. With older students, she brings along shockingly messy drafts, galley sheets, and even heartbreaking rejection slips.
Jane’s talks are peppered with humorous anecdotes, and she allows plenty of time for questions and dialogue.
Program Pricing:
$200 for 1 presentation, $175 per presentation for more than 1 presentation per day, plus travel expenses outside 10 mile radius of Lexington
Special Features:
Single or multiple sessions can be scheduled. Teacher-requested topics include How to Show Characters’ Personalities and Emotions, Fictionalizing Personal Experiences, Doing Research to Make Fiction Authentic, and Using Senses to Create Vivid Descriptions. In Multiple-session presentations include interactive, group activities and/or conferencing with individual students.
Teachers are provided with suggestions for follow-up activities. Schools have the option to order copies of Jane’s latest book, which she will happily sign for individual students.
Audience Levels:
Preschool; Lower Elementary; Upper Elementary; Middle School; High School; Adult
Contact Info
Contact Email:
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Home State:
Massachusetts
Articles
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Jane Sutton