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EDUCATION

The National Geographic School Publishing branch has bought the re-print rights for My Great-grandmother's Gourd, to be used in their 5th-grade ESL program. This means kids will not only be reading the book, but also studying it. Al Hamdillilai!

PRESENTATIONS

On February 12th I presented "Behind the Books" at the Elaine Ione Sprauve Library and Museum on St. John. Autographed books were available, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the library as a fundraising effort.

On February 18th I presented "Behind the Books" at the Maho Bay Eco-Camps on St. John.

ACTIVITIES


Ran a three-hour writers workshop called "Using the 5 Senses in Writing". It was part of a seminar program for Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park.


Attended a three-day conference in Miami of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)


Joined Goodreads and TeensReadsToo


PRESENTATIONS
"Behind the Books” takes kids through the process of writing and publishing a book.  I discuss where my ideas come from, and the necessary process of re-writes. I show a manuscript sent back by my editor, with lines and squiggles and arrows decorating it. There is always a guaranteed sigh of exasperation from the kids, and also an element of relief that even writers don’t get it all right the first time. I also show a strip dummy, galley proof, and the folded and gathered stage. This part of the presentation ends with the final product and a guess from the kids about how long the whole process takes. > Learn more

> BOOKSHELF

My newest YA novel, called Trouble in Timbuktu, now in bookstores, was an interesting challenge because I find my setting of Timbuktu is as a much a character as the main characters Ahmed and Ayisha. It’s definitely a challenge writing about the Sahara while living in the Caribbean, but fortunately I have detailed journals about my 3 trips to Timbuktu to bring the place alive on the page.

My next book will be Animal Party, a book about group names for different animals. Keep checking my website for more updates.

Order your books today on Amazon.com!

 
FEATURES
The ASPCA featured Jubela and Our Secret, Siri Aang in their Henry's Book Club for Kids, named for the founder of ASPCA and namesake of the Henry Bergh Children's Book Awards.
Featured on AuthorsDen
Radio interview on
Photo: Cristina presents at the Coral Bay School, now named the Gifft Hill School of St. John.
Photo: KIDSCARE 3rd grade talent show

Award-winning books for children and young adults.
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© cristinakessler.com, 2010. St. John, US Virgin Islands. Contact Cristina Kessler Website by Welffens Consulting, LLC