3 rd Annual Family Literacy Night

1. 3rd Annual Family Literacy Night It’s an Author-Palooza!!

2. Monday, March 24th!!! DAVIS HIGH SCHOOL 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

3. The Authors!!

4. Keynote Speaker:Richard Paul Evans • Richard Paul Evans is the #1 bestselling author of The Christmas Box. • Each of his 18 novels has appeared on the New York Times bestseller list. • There are more than 14 million copies of his books in print worldwide, translated into more than twenty-five languages.

5. Upper Mid-Grade Authors:

6. Jenni James • I'm a mom of seven rambunctious children (including teenagers!). • When I'm not writing up a storm, I enjoy reading, acting, portrait painting, directing plays, cooking, planning eleborate parties and chasing my kids around the house. • I also find time to practice my awesome ninja skills and expert pirating techniques—I secretly dream of becoming a master at both.

7. Lisa Mangum • Lisa Mangum has loved and worked with books ever since elementary school, when she volunteered at the school library during recess. • Besides books, Lisa loves movies, sunsets, spending time with her family, trips to Disneyland, and vanilla ice cream topped with fresh raspberries. • She is the author of The Hourglass Door, The Golden Spiral, The Forgotten Locket & After Hello.

8. Kristen Chandler • Kristen Chandler has been a ranch hand, waitress, salesperson, ice cream store manager, secretary, free-lance journalist, and college writing instructor. • Kristen lives outside Salt Lake City with her four children, two cats and a bad dog.

9. Sydney Salter • I didn’t always want to write. I wanted to be a marine biologist so I could hang out with whales • I love reading, hiking, skiing, cooking, going to movies and rock concerts. • When two of my teachers encouraged me to write, I was nervous to because I didn’t know if I could really do it. Then I realized I really didn’t want to do anything else.

10. Kim Williams-Justesen • My name is Kim, and I live in Sandy, Utah. • I have three mostly grown kids, one very old dog, and two kitties. • My husband and I like camping, golfing, and snow shoeing together. • I also love crocheting, kitting, reading, and eating chocolate.

11. Middle Grade Authors:

12. Jennifer Nielsen • For as far back as Jennifer can remember, she has shared her brain with imaginary characters. She figures it’s okay if she talks to them as she’s working on her stories, as long as they don’t start talking back. • Jennifer loves chocolate, old books, and lazy days in the mountains. • Jennifer is the author of the Underworld Chronicles, The Ascendance trilogy and the Infinity Ring book 6: Behind Enemy Lines.

13. Tyler Whitesides • Tyler Whitesides has always loved telling stories. Growing up, he was even willing to do extra housework if his mom would type his stories on the computer. • Tyler enjoys cooking on the barbecue, spending time in the mountains and vacuuming. • He has worked as a music teacher, firework shooter, taste tester and janitor.

14. Matthew Kirby • Matthew Kirby was born in Utah, and grew up in Maryland, California, and Hawaii. • As an undergraduate he majored in history, and then went on to pursue an M.S. in school psychology. • For ten months out of the year he works with students, and during the rest of the year he writes. • He and his wife currently live in northern Utah.

15. Frank Cole • Frank L. Cole has lived in such exotic places as the Philippines and Kentucky, and currently lives with his wife and three children out west. • While Frank strived for years to earn his publishing credits, Frank considers sharing his message of “Exercising Your Imagination” to over 45,000 kids across the country as his greatest accomplishment.

16. Chad Morris • Chad Morris grew up wanting to become a professional basketball player or a rock star. • (Inspired by Animal from the Muppets, he’s been banging on drums since he was eight years old.) • After high school, he wrote and performed sketch comedy while going to college, and eventually he became a teacher and a curriculum writer. • Chad would love to teach at Cragbridge Hall.

17. Platte Clark • Platte F. Clark shares his first name with the Platte River, which he's been told means "wide and shallow." Despite that he was able did find a woman to marry. They have seven children. • Platte graduated Cum Laude with a BS in Philosophy and an MS in English, and currently lives with his family in Utah.

18. B.K. Bostick • B.K. Bostickresides among the magnificent Rocky Mountains. • In addition to writing, he has spent his career in education. He has worked as a teacher, after school program coordinator, junior high school counselor, and most recently as a teacher mentor for a University. • He loves spending time with his lovely wife and two dogs. In his spare time, he enjoys eating Cheetos and watching old episodes of the Twilight Zone.

19. Peggy Eddleman • Peggy Eddleman is the author of the middle grade post-apocalyptic adventure SKY JUMPERS, and the forthcoming THE FORBIDDEN FLATS. • Peggy lives at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains with her three hilarious and fun kids, and her incredibly supportive husband. • Besides writing, Peggy enjoys playing laser tag with her family, doing cartwheels in long hallways, trying new restaurants, and occasionally painting murals on walls.

20. Picture Book Authors/Illustrators:

21. Caralyn and Mark Buehner • Husband and wife team Caralyn & Mark Buehner have created many fabulously funny picture books together. • In addition to illustrating some of Caralyn’s books, Mark has also illustrated many others. • They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, with their seven children and their superdog, Carmy.

22. Linda Bethers • Linda Bethers works as an elementary school librarian, having studied library science at both Utah Valley State College and Brigham Young University. • Linda Bethers is the author of Christmas Oranges.

23. Jean Reagan • Jean lived in Japan most of her childhood. Her mom home-schooled her in English. • Jean LOVED being read to, but learning to read didn’t come easy. • Jean’s son died when he was nineteen. She wrote “Always My Brother” for him. • As a family, Jean likes to camp, hike and boat, but her favorite thing to do with her family is read stacks and stacks of library books. • Jean & her husband volunteer at Grand Teton National Park.

24. Kristyn Crow • When I was in Kindergarten, I told my teacher, “I want to be an author when I grow up.” • I’m married to a police officer, who occasionally pulls me over if he sees me driving down the road. When he approaches my window, I slowly drive forward so he has to walk faster. • My hope is that something I have written will make you laugh, clap, tap, snap, stomp, pound, smile, gasp, jiggle your feet, wiggle in your seat, giggle to the beat, dream, imagine, listen, wonder, hum, drum, sing, or belch really loud. (Okay, maybe not belch really loud.)

25. Greg Newbold • Greg is an Author and Illustrator • Greg doesn’t remember life without art. His parents kept him supplied with all the paints, pencils, paper and clay he could use. • When not painting Greg can be found enjoying vegetable gardening, fishing, or camping in the great outdoors with his family near their Salt Lake home.

26. Program: • 6:00 Keynote Speaker: Richard Paul Evans & door prizes in the auditorium! • 6:45 Workshops • 8:00 Author signings Thank you & Welcome to Family Literacy Night!