High School Author Extravaganza

Last year students of the Perry High School Library Council held an Author Extravaganza which drew over 600 sixth through twelfth graders from eight different schools for a full day celebrating reading and writing.  Students listened to nine young adult authors, including Chris Crutcher and Rachel Alpine, speak about their writing process and share stories. Students were able to ask the authors questions during panel discussions and personally meet with them. Authors signed hundreds of books.  Afterwards, one student said, “I have never been to an event with so many people who have the same passions as me.  It made me feel special!”  

The Library Council students (see the blue shirts on the pictures) who organized the event gave up countless hours to create an event that students would enjoy.  They selected and booked authors, handled the logistics of reserving an entire school for an event, and learned how to work within a limited budget.  Last year’s event cost $7,000, which took Library Council students two years to raise by selling candy bars.  Most of that money went for authors’ speaking fees, travel, and refreshments,  The school donated the theater, custodial help and printing which greatly helped to reduce the costs.

This spring the students in Library Council were anxious to plan next year’s Author Extravaganza.  Their ‘dream’ list for the next one includes more authors, lunch for the participants and ideally a two day event with writer’s workshops for students.  Factoring in all of our fundraising efforts, it would still take two years to build up enough funding for a small event. Students don’t want to wait another two years, we need your help now!  The $8,000 we are asking for would run an event similar to this past Author Extravaganza, accounting for an additional $1,000 for facilities and cleaning staff expenses compared to last year.  Any additional money donated will help students to invite more authors, extend the length of the extravaganza, or be saved for the following year.

On a personal note, as the advisor to the Library Council and PHS Media Specialist, I have never worked with a more selfless or dedicated group of students.  They set a goal and met it.  They created a day for their fellow students devoted to reading and writing.  Who does that?  The fact that they want to go through the complicated, time-consuming process all over again and make it bigger and better is humbling.  Graduating seniors have been replaced with eager underclassmen wanting to continue their legacy by making the Author Extravaganza a yearly event.

If you have never been in an auditorium with 600 high school and middle school students you might imagine a pep rally with kids yelling and screaming.  That was not the case for the Author Extravaganza.  They were quiet.  They were encouraged to live tweet the event.  During Chris Crutcher’s talk, there were students, and teachers, openly crying at the touching stories he told.  Seventh grade boys were actually crying and not ashamed of doing so.  Students asked thought provoking questions about the writing process, motivations for becoming writers and advice on how to become a writer.  (The answer to the last question is to read a LOT and write a LOT.)


Help make the PHS Library Council’s dream a reality by donating and letting your friends know about us!  Thank you.