Authors are Rockstars

Today’s post is brought to you thanks to Sally’s inspiration from one of her posts, #AUTHORSAREROCKSTARS, way back at the beginning of March…

(Side note, my friend Dawn texted this yesterday…but who’s counting?!?)

Two years ago, our school read The Year of the Dog, by Grace Lin as our One Book, Two School read (You can read more about that here). We timed the reading to align with a visit from Grace Lin herself. It was one of the best One Book reads we’ve had (and we’re on year 9) and also one of our best author visits. We then passed the books along to my kids’ school. They put the books “on ice” as my husband likes to say and just got around to using them for their own One Book reading experience this year. There were many nights I found myself rereading Grace’s semi-autobiographical tale to my children, often as they ate breakfast or dinner around our kitchen island. Adi was particularly into the book and when it was over, she ran straight to her bookshelf to find the signed copy of The Year of the Rat I had purchased for her from my school’s author visit, two years earlier.

I was reminded of the power of read aloud and also series. Adi is often what I would call a reluctant reader, so I was grateful she was hooked enough for the next book in the series.

One night, as she was reading, Adi flipped to the back of the book to check out the author page. “So that’s what Grace Lin looks like,” she said, studying her photograph. “She’s your friend, right mom?” she asked.

I smiled. There were times during Covid that Grace’s face filled my Zoom screen, captivating all three of my children during a Saturday Reunion. That, coupled with the signed books I brought home were enough to make Adi think we were pals. I think Adi wanted to believe we were somehow more connected to this #rockstar. I had to break the news that I’m just a fan.

Published by Jessica Carey

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I'm a mom of three daughters and a literacy coach in CT. I love to learn and share with others.

11 thoughts on “Authors are Rockstars”

  1. Adding it to my TBR. I learned once that kids who read series are more likely to continue reading into adulthood. I’m really glad that Adi found a series she likes – and, hey, if her mom happens to be “friends” with the author, well that can’t hurt, either. 🙂

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  2. A few years ago – COVID time – I had a book club with a gifted 1st grader and we read many Grace Lin books. I found a YouTube video of Grace teaching how to draw dragons, and we had so much fun drawing dragons and writing fantasy stories about them.

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  8. I, of course, had to click and read when I saw you were inspired by me! So glad my slice got you to write this slice where I feel like I fly on the wall at your house because you describe the interactions with your girls so well. Keep those book conversations going and keep being a fan! Having author rockstar friends is the best for your girls!

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  9. I remember that year as one of the best. Grace Lin would definitely be your friend. I remember a drive down to DC on a Saturday reunion day. I was listening to Grace Lin present while I was driving. It was great, except that It was so frustrating when she was teaching us how to draw a tiger, and I had that pesky “keep your eye on the road” thing to worry about. I also remember when Sarah was Adi’s age and thought I was friends with Ralph Fletcher because he had done a writers’ workshop in my classroom. I never set her straight, though.

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  11. I love everything about this post, especially about how an author’s autograph and on-screen presence has motivated Adi to read the next book. Once kids see authors are real people and they interact with them in person, it can turn them on to reading. 

    I broke the news to our students that we will be hosting Jerry Craft in May at one of our high schools. I’m flipping out over this visit! 

    Here’s to great authors and the readers they help create.

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