RCS Welcomes Award-Winning Author/Illustrator, Grace Lin, to Campus
On Friday, November 20, the RCS Upper Campus was privileged to meet, and learn about, the writer’s craft from Grace Lin, an award-winning author and illustrator.
In the morning, Ms. Lin met with the sixth graders for workshops focused on her book Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. The sixth graders were especially engaged as they had just finished their study of ancient China in humanities and read Where the Mountain Meets the Moon in language arts class. They learned about Ms. Lin’s research and the many Asian myths and folktales that inspired her books. In addition, they learned about her journey to become a children’s book author and how her life experiences shaped her path to becoming a writer.
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After completing the workshops with the sixth graders, Ms. Lin spoke to the entire campus, presenting her program “Behind the Art,” where she discussed the inspiration behind the art in her books as well as her journey to becoming an author. In the afternoon, she met with the faculty for a presentation entitled “The Path of a Multicultural Author.” Ms. Lin shared what it was like to grow up as the only Asian-American in her upstate town and what it was like for her to rarely see herself in the stories she loved to read. These experiences, as well as her art school and travel experiences, helped her learn more about the value of multicultural literature. All people benefit from, and enjoy reading, different types of stories. In addition, reading enables us to see through “windows” and learn about people with different stories from our own, while we must also promote reading books that allow us to look into “mirrors” and see ourselves in the stories we read.
Ms. Lin’s visit to RCS provided an opportunity for students to learn about the writing process from a published author. Ms. Lin confirmed that it takes time and hard work to revise writing that meets editorial standards for publication! This authentic experience is one of many ways we are building our community of readers and writers at school.
Ms. Lin currently resides in Massachusetts, but she grew up in upstate New York. She is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design and is the author and illustrator of over twenty picture books, early reader books, and middle grade novels. She published her first book, The Ugly Vegetables, in 1999, which was soon named an American Booksellers Association “Pick of the List” and a Bank Street College Best Book of the Year. Other awards followed. Her first middle grade novel, The Year of the Dog, drew on her family’s cultural heritage and was followed by The Year of the Rat and Dumpling Days. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon was published in 2009 and was awarded a 2010 Newbery Honor and was chosen for Al Roker’s Today Show Kid’s Book Club and was a New York Times Bestseller. This book was followed by Starry River of the Sky. The first in Ms. Lin’s series of early readers, Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same won the Theodor Geisel Honor in 2011. Ms. Lin has been recognized at the Boston Public Library, receiving the Literary Lights for Children Award, and was an Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award nominee for the United States. On her website, Ms. Lin is quoted as saying: "Books erase bias; they make the uncommon every day, and the mundane exotic. A book makes all cultures universal."
The Upper Campus will long remember its special day with Grace Lin. Many thanks to all who supported this wonderful visit.
Ms. Lin’s visit to RCS provided an opportunity for students to learn about the writing process from a published author. Ms. Lin confirmed that it takes time and hard work to revise writing that meets editorial standards for publication! This authentic experience is one of many ways we are building our community of readers and writers at school.
Ms. Lin currently resides in Massachusetts, but she grew up in upstate New York. She is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design and is the author and illustrator of over twenty picture books, early reader books, and middle grade novels. She published her first book, The Ugly Vegetables, in 1999, which was soon named an American Booksellers Association “Pick of the List” and a Bank Street College Best Book of the Year. Other awards followed. Her first middle grade novel, The Year of the Dog, drew on her family’s cultural heritage and was followed by The Year of the Rat and Dumpling Days. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon was published in 2009 and was awarded a 2010 Newbery Honor and was chosen for Al Roker’s Today Show Kid’s Book Club and was a New York Times Bestseller. This book was followed by Starry River of the Sky. The first in Ms. Lin’s series of early readers, Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same won the Theodor Geisel Honor in 2011. Ms. Lin has been recognized at the Boston Public Library, receiving the Literary Lights for Children Award, and was an Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award nominee for the United States. On her website, Ms. Lin is quoted as saying: "Books erase bias; they make the uncommon every day, and the mundane exotic. A book makes all cultures universal."
The Upper Campus will long remember its special day with Grace Lin. Many thanks to all who supported this wonderful visit.
Rippowam Cisqua School
439 Cantitoe Street
Bedford, NY 10506
phone: (914) 244-1250
439 Cantitoe Street
Bedford, NY 10506
phone: (914) 244-1250
Rippowam Cisqua School is a PreK-Grade 9 independent day school in Westchester County, New York. RCS offers challenging academics built on innovation, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, wellness, leadership, service learning, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.
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