Inver Grove Middle Students Discuss Books with Local Authors as 'Read-a-thon' Concludes

Inver Grove Heights Middle School students will have the chance to meet and learn from local authors whose books they have read. Today is the last day of the February 'Read-a-thon' program in which the school is looking to raise $20,000 toward its library. To date, $10,000 has been raised from private donations an the school is hoping an additional $10,000 will come from student pledges.

Authors Geoff Herbach (Stupid Fast), Sheila O'Connor (Sparrow Road) and New York Times Best Selling Author Michael Hall (My Heart is Like a Zoo) will be giving presentations to all middle school students today.

Here's more from an Inver Grove Heights Middle School press release:

Spring and literacy is in the air at Inver Grove Heights Middle School. Tomorrow, Thursday, February 28, not one, not two, but three local authors will visit Inver Grove Heights Middle School. Authors Geoff Herbach (Stupid Fast), Sheila O'Connor (Sparrow Road) and New York Times Best Selling Author
Michael Hall (My Heart is Like a Zoo) will be giving author presentations to all middle school students.

Sixth- and eighth-grade students had the choice to read Stupid Fast or Sparrow Road in their language arts class. Lessons were centered on plot and character development, theme, setting, along with additional story elements. Students are excited meet the authors to learn how they got their ideas for their stories, how the characters in their book relate to the author’s lives, and their favorite books.

Seventh-grade students are about to embark on their children’s book project, author Michael Hall will inspire students about how to find their story. He will also give students tips on creating illustrations that match the story they create.

This event marks the end of a month-long focus on literacy. Teachers and students are tracking the amount of time students are reading and students are seeking sponsors to try and fundraise $10,000 for the middle school library.

Inver Grove Heights Middle School would like to thank The Friends of the Inver Glen Library, Thomson Reuters, Target of Inver Grove Heights, and the Inver Grove Heights Middle School PTSA for sponsoring the author visits. An additional thanks goes to The Rotary Club of SSP/IGH and Roberts Funeral Home for donating the author books for students to read.