Just in time for National Poetry Month, we will welcome author David Elliot to speak with our 7th and 8th grade students about two of his novels written in verse. The 7th graders have been reading his book, The Seventh Raven, which explores the unintended consequences of our actions, no matter our intentions, and is filled with powerful messages teased from a Grimms’ fairy tale. Our 8th graders have been reading Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc, a story told through medieval poetic forms and in the voices of the people and objects in Joan of Arc’s life, including her family and even the trees, clothes, cows, and candles of her childhood.
Having read these great novels in verse, students will now have the opportunity to interact directly with the author to discuss the books, poetic forms, and the writing/publishing process. Extension writing activities will be offered to students as well.
About David Elliot:
Born in Ohio, David has worked as a singer in Mexico, an English teacher in Libya, a cucumber-washer in Greece, and a popsicle-stick-maker in Israel. In addition to receiving a BA in anthropology and an MA in international administration, he attended New England Conservatory where he studied classical voice.
Currently, David lives in New Hampshire with his wife and a Dandie Dinmont terrier mix named Queequeg.
He has published more than twenty-five books for young people.
He can yodel.
For more about David Elliot, visit: https://www.davidelliottbooks.com/
