by Madison Bolling
Mill Pond School fifth-grader
On Friday, May 2, I, along with 250 other students, teachers and parents, attended Young Authors’ Institute at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Young Authors is a day to celebrate student authors in grades four through eight all around Aroostook County. Each young author receives “Potatoes & Pussywillows,” a book which has all the young authors’ stories and poems in it.
We got to meet two very nice ladies: Bethany Kimball, president of Aroostook Right to Read, and Meranda Castonguay, who is the secretary. They talked to us about what Young Authors’ is all about and how they were very glad to have published author Lynn Plourde at Young Authors’ again for 2014.
Contributed photo
YOUNG AUTHORS — Participating in the “Writing for News Readers” workshop during the Young Authors’ Institute held May 2 at UM-Presque Isle were, from left, Sam Marquis of Teague Park Elementary School (Caribou), Grace Gallagher of Caribou Middle School, Madison Bolling of Mill Pond School (Hodgdon) and Marissa Michaud, also of Caribou MS.
After they were done talking to us they welcomed Lynn to the stage. Lynn talked to us about truths. Some of her truths where about her family, family stories, and her home. She did grow up in Maine. She told us that authors write their truths.
After about 20 minutes of listening to Lynn and watching a very well put together slideshow, we got about 15 to 20 minutes of getting books signed by the author and buying stuff such as books, T-shirts, necklaces and, more. Then we went to the cafeteria and got a snack and something to drink.
When we got done in there we went to our own workshops. Mine was “Writing for News Readers” with Mark Putnam. There were other workshops such as: “From Ideas to Endings – an Author’s Advice on Writing” hosted by Lynn Plourde, “Pop-up” hosted by Alexis Gereben, “Decisions, Decisions: Form and Meaning in Art” hosted by Frank Sullivan, “Blast From the Past with Artifacts” hosted by Jay Blackstone, “Jazzy Journals” hosted by Lisa Bosse, “Lego Wedo” hosted by Kelley Marquis, “Someplace Warm” hosted by Reneva Smith, “Relationships” hosted by Candace McKellar, and last but not least, “Poetry Café” hosted by Mary Graham.
I was the only one in my workshop from Mill Pond, but that’s okay! In our workshop we learned about the newspaper, how to write articles and other things. We were in our workshops for a good hour or longer, but it was very interesting to learn about all that stuff. For the last five minutes of our workshop time we got to ask Lynn Plourde questions to help us get to know her better and to help us in our workshop assignment.
We went back to the workshop room to grab our stuff, and we went back into the student center and got some more books signed if needed. It was cool because, when Lynn Plourde signed your book she had you sign hers. Lynn would have you sign where your story was.
Lynn Plourde is a very creative person. She was very interesting to talk to and get to meet. I think that she has a very cute book out, “You’re Wearing That to School?!”. I am hoping to go to Young Authors’ Institute again. So, all in all, Friday was a very fun-filled and amazing day!
Editor’s note: Aroostook Right to Read is an organization of teachers throughout The County who seek to promote literacy in the lives of children. Each year, Aroostook Right to Read selects young authors from grades 4-8 to have their writing published in “Potatoes and Pussywillows” and have the opportunity to attend Young Authors’ Institute at UMPI. Madison was one of nine Mill Pond students to be selected this year. Other Young Authors were Lydie Carter, Lucas Ramsey, Damin Harris, Janelle Goff, Victoria Morris, Mikyla Howland, Autumn Ganzel and Joel Bond.
