I want to thank you again for visiting our school and speaking to some of our students. Everyone enjoyed your presentation. All of your books have been in constant demand since your visit. There is a long waiting list for PERFECT CHEMISTY and LEAVING PARADISE. I have purchased extra copies to meet the demand. I’m afraid several of my copies have found new homes. You have a great talent for humor and the teenage mind. Sandy Parker, Media Specialist, Fort Dorchester High School, North Charleston, SC
Thanks for visiting our Fremdland’s Writers Week XV. You were one of the best visiting writers because you understand the teenage mind, and your jokes were chucklish. (And you inspired us to create new words!) PS. ¡Es un libro! PPS. It’s a book!
Mr. Gary Anderson’s 4th Period English Class, William Fremd High School, Palatine, Illinois
Thanks to you we have been receiving many compliments from those that attended our Literary Magazine Conference. Everyone enjoyed meeting you and had fun listening to your presentation. Thanks again!
Dan O’Byrn, Alan B. Shepard High School, Palos Heights, IL
When I heard that Simone Elkeles was coming to Ridgewood H.S., immediately my head was filled with all the questions I knew I wanted to ask. I had already read two of her amazing books, Leaving Paradise, and my personal favorite, Perfect Chemistry. I had fallen in love with her writing because it was so easy, fun, and relative to my life as the average American teenager. After her comical, eccentric, and rather creative presentation, I had a few words with the author myself, for I share the same passion for writing. All in all, my peers and I loved hearing from Simone as much as we love reading her books. I look forward to meeting Ms. Elkeles again someday as a writer myself.
Robert J. Quagliato, student, Ridgewood High School, Norridge, IL
Thank you so much for helping make Focus 2009 a resounding success! Your presentation was a big hit with the students, not only for the passion and humor you brought along but also for drawing us such an honest and funny picture of the writer's life.
Marie-Andree Laberge, Chair, Creative Writing Committee, Focus on the Arts 2009 at Highland Park High School, Highland Park, IL
Thank you…thank you…thank you…What a buzz we STILL have in the air here in South Carolina ! Our students can’t say enough about your novels. You left a lasting impression with our at-risk youth and made a difference here at the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. Wow – this new energy is powerful and amazing, especially when you see students pick up a book for the first time and really enjoy it page after page! Thank you again.
Pamela Lynn Childress-Altman, Lead Teacher, SC Department of Juvenile Justice – Coastal Evaluation Center, Ridgeville, SC
The presentation you gave has had an enormous impact on our students at the Coastal Evaluation Center . One of our reluctant readers announced during social studies that he finished the book on the evening following your visit. It is not often that an author will take the time to visit a juvenile correctional facility and spend the amount of time with at-risk students that you were willing to spend. I believe that personal connection with our kids has made a lasting impression, and fostered a new willingness to read and complete a novel. Again, thank you for sharing your wit, knowledge, and concern for our at-risk students in South Carolina . Our students, teaching staff, and institutional staff appreciate your visit. It will not soon be forgotten.
Michael “Tony” Martin,
Teacher, SC Department of Juvenile Justice – Coastal Evaluation Center, Ridgeville, SC
Simone Elkeles completely ROCKED two of the most challenging audiences any speaker will ever have to face. She came to Charleston , SC in January 2009 and spoke to over 100 incarcerated teens at the Department of Juvenile Justice - Coastal Evaluation Center and about 25 teens at the Carolina Youth Development Center. I have never seen them pay such rapt attention to anyone. I know she inspired more than one to start writing. These kids are in pretty tough situations, and she gave them exactly what they needed: a chance to laugh, extra attention, and hope. Oh, and by the way, she's hilarious. I saw the presentation three times and was still laughing when it was over. When I say I was extremely impressed with her stage presence and comedic timing, you should probably also know that my degree is in Theatre Performance and I'm kind of a snob about it. Anyway, enough rambling. If you want a mind-blowingly awesome presentation for your teens, get Simone to come to your school or library as soon as possible! (If you want a boring presentation...find someone else.) What are you waiting for? Email her now!
Melissa Hermann, Young Adult Services,
Charleston County Public Library, Charleston, SC
All of my afternoon classes wanted to talk about your presentation, and your books flew off the shelf once again. I had a teacher tell me she couldn't believe how attentive the entire student body was while you were speaking as that rarely happens during an assembly. As far as the small group of students you spoke with in the library, well, what can I say, you really impacted their school experience in a unique and positive way. Thank you so much for having such a profound impact on our school.
Amy Magnafichi-Lucas, English Department Chair, Midland High School , Varna , IL
Thank you so very much for visiting Reilly school today! I already have received several emails from 4th-8th grade teachers telling me how wonderful your presentation was and how excited their students were to hear you speak and how the students really want to read your books!
Erin E. Wengerhoff, Branch Librarian, Reilly Elementary School , Chicago , IL
Simone Elkeles was the new student favorite at this year's Write Now! Aspiring Author Workshop. Her levels of energy and enthusiasm were through the roof! She skillfully uses humor to reach students on their level and gives them concrete examples and real solutions for fiction writing and dialogue problems. Hurry and sign her up to come to your school any day except May 6, 2009; the CHS Write Now! student staff members already know she'll be invited back next year! :)
Charmaine Wierzbicki, Collage and Write Now! Sponsor, Calumet High School , Gary , IN
Simone, a graduate from Gemini Junior High School , came back with a BANG! Warmly received by teachers and students, her gift to excite children and inspire teachers is a big boost to reading and language arts.
John McLaughlin, Gemini Junior High School , Niles , IL
We loved Simone's presentation. Her talk was great for the teens (and the adults, too) - very humorous and engaging. Just fabulous!
Randi Carreno, Teen Librarian, Fountaindale Public Library District, Romeoville , IL
Simone visited Harmony Middle School in Overland Park, Kansas and spoke with nearly 200 students. As their English teacher, I can say that she inspired our students to read and write. After hearing her speak, I too was inspired to write and have since begun my first novel. She is incredible!
Brian Bolinger, English Teacher, Harmony Middle School , Overland Park , KS
“Simone's energy and humor are contagious! She has a way of relating to the teens that I, as a teacher, envy! After her presentation all I heard from the students was "Wasn't she fun!" and "I can't wait to read her books!"
Tracey Contino, English Teacher, Oswego High School , IL
“What a wonderful day we all had! Both the teachers and students cannot stop raving about your presentation and your dynamic personality. This is really the first time we, as an English department, have done anything like this. Our principal was so pleased that he is asking what we are "plotting" next. (One of our special needs teachers brought all of her classes in the afternoon. She wanted me to let you know how great it was to have the special needs kids hear you too; they loved it.)
Pam LeBlang, English Department, Springfield High School , IL
“Simone Elkeles gave a riveting presentation that not only held our creative student writers’ attention, but moved them to think outside the box in their own novel and poetry writing. An awesome session and one not to be missed.”
Paulette Goodman, Librarian, Kennedy Junior High School, Naperville District #203, IL
“Energetic, interactive, and entertaining for high school students that are not easily entertained!”
Rachel Lesinski, English teacher, Grayslake Central High School
“Simone held the attention of over 150 junior high students! She has a gift for using humor and great stories to capture her audience. We would enjoy having her come again.”
Amy Alessio, Young Adult Librarian, Schaumburg Public Library
“What a hit! The kids loved your presentation and I had students come and ask if you were speaking again later in the day because they heard it was so good!”
Sally Sigan, English teacher, Buffalo Grove High School, Buffalo Grove, IL
"Simone led a lively discussion of her book Leaving Paradise and enthusiastically shared her thoughts on writing and the creative process with a group of nine teen boys from the Hulse Juvenile Detention Center in Vernon Hills. Like Caleb Becker in Leaving Paradise, these young men have had to deal with the serious consequences of their actions. It was remarkable to watch them share their opinions, feelings and ideas with Simone who put them at ease with her warmth and humor."
Gina Sheade, Adult Services Librarian, Vernon Area Public Library, Lincolnshire, IL
“The students in our high school really enjoyed your presentation during Teen Read Week. You certainly stayed true to the theme, “LOL @ your library!” You were definitely prepared for your high-school audience and did a great job of connecting with them. Your books are flying off our shelves. Thank you.”
Yvonne Mullins, Director, Library Media Center, Hinsdale South High School, Darien, IL
“Lively and passionate, Simone easily entertained students and staff with her stories and photos. Her visit was a great way to bring her books to life. After hearing Simone speak, students couldn’t wait to check out her books. Leaving Paradise was an instant hit, we can’t keep it on our shelves.”
Ellen Lawrence, Media Specialist, Hinsdale South High School, Darien, IL
"Simone is wonderfully witty and engaging. Our 7th and 8th graders were totally captivated for an hour. That is the ultimate approval!”
Renee Krauss, English teacher, Sinai Akiba Academy, Los Angeles, CA
“Our BBYO and Chai High students ate Simone up. Not only is she charming, hilarious, extremely accessible, and great in front of a crowd – she wrote a great book. I believe she is going to be one of the great YA writers of our time.”
Micah Eckman, Director of Cultural Arts, Barshop Jewish Community Center of San Antonio, TX
“Our 8th graders thoroughly enjoyed Simone Elkeles’ day with us. She has a special captivating talent, relating to her audience with humor and reality. Simone talks their language!”
(This is an email forwarded from one of the teachers at Fremont Middle School to the librarian: FYI- after school, I heard some 8th grade girls talking in the hall. They were commenting on how cool the author talk was. Good choice! Thanks for doing it.)
Trudi Snavely, Librarian, Fremont Middle School, Mundelein, IL
“Simone spoke to our entire classes about her books, the writing process, and her experiences which led to her novels. The kids loved her and want her back!”
Laura Rushakoff, teacher, Solomon Schechter Day School, Northbrook, IL
“Simone spoke with 180 upper school students and they enjoyed her presentation because she has their dialogue, interests, and idiosyncrasies down pat. Simone is really in touch with her YA audience!”
Jennifer Burrell, Emery Weiner School, Houston, TX
“My creative writing English class really enjoyed her presentation on writing teen novels. It was both funny and educational.”
Eliot Hurtig, English teacher, Deerfield High School, Deerfield, IL
“Thank you so much for the wonderful book discussion. Please send me some info in digital form that I can send out to my librarian friends because I want to spread the word to my colleagues about you and your books!”
Merrilee Andersen Kwielford, Maine East High School, Des Plaines, IL
“Simone, can you come back every year and speak to our students?”
Renee Fremond-Woods, English teacher, Aptakisic Jr. High School, Buffalo Grove, IL
“Simone gave a wonderful book talk at our school. She grabbed the attention of all our students with her interesting presentation. Comments from students were extremely positive. Simone receives an outstanding rating from me!”
Rita Dessner, Aptakisic Junior High 7th grade teacher, Buffalo Grove, IL
“Simone’s presentation was half book talk, half pep talk! The audience – comprised of freshmen through seniors (including some of our most reluctant readers) - laughed with Simone as she shared her personal story and the genesis of her heroine. This visit will be the catalyst for many to find their own voice and publish.”
Mary Howard, English teacher, Hinsdale South High School, Darien, IL
“Our students met and enjoyed Simone as her star is on the rise!”
Monica Tolva, Librarian, Vernon Hills High School, Vernon Hills, Illinois “Simone’s presentation was as lively and personable as her writing. The students listened, laughed and responded with interest and questions. Better still, they continue to read, discuss and request her books.”
Kathleen Krepps, Library Director, Hinsdale Central High School, Hinsdale, IL |
