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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
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| 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 |
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> 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! |
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| Photo: Cristina presents at the Coral Bay School, now named the Gifft Hill School of St. John. |
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| Photo: KIDSCARE 3rd grade talent show |
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The ASPCA featured 
