Author Visits

At Almaden Country Day School, we're serious about welcoming famous authors to campus every year; our students greet them dressed like characters from their stories, with strobe lights, rock bands and explosions of hearts and more. Author visits are a popular tradition and an exciting learning experience that help inspire our students to imagine, create, and publish their own writings.

Each visit is unique and tailored to the individual author. Students research authors to learn about their books, their passions, and their background and then make sure every writer is welcomed and celebrated in style.

Dozens of authors have visited the school and talked to students about writing, persisting, and appreciating the importance of books, including:

• Dave Barry, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of many popular humor books including "I'll Mature When I'm Dead", and young adult books like "The Worst Class Trip Ever" and "Worst Night Ever" were greeted by both parent and student fans.
• ACDS alumni Ben Costa and James Parks came to talk to students about their Junior Library Guild Selection graphic novel series “Rickety Stitch."
• Alison Inches, aka Wanda Coven, an ACDS parent who was welcomed by her own magic spell, “Dipide doo, Dipide dee, Make the author and illustrator come to me!” celebrating her accomplishments as the author of the best-selling Heidi Hecklebeck series.
• Ken Jennings, Jeopardy champ and author, who shared his Junior Genius Guides with students.
• Shannon Messenger, author of the “Keeper of the Lost Cities” series, who shared stories of resilience.
• Michael Northrop, who was greeted by students in pharaoh crowns in keeping with his multi-platform series, TombQuest.
• Kathryn Otoshi, welcomed with dozens of beautiful handprints created by students in honor of her book, “Beautiful Hands”.
• Jessie Sima, who was greeted by students holding up construction paper hearts to welcome her and her love-filled book, “Love, Z."
• Wendelin Van Draanen, who with her husband author Mark Huntley Parsons, joined students on the blacktop for a rousing game of four-square after they shared with the children about their work.
• Gene Luen Yang, National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and MacArthur "Genius" Grant winner, is a graphic novelist who uses his medium to explore present-day and historical Chinese culture.

ACDS brings numerous authors and illustrators to campus during the school year coinciding with their readings and book signings at local and independent Hicklebee's Children's Bookstore.