Sunshine State Author Series
The Sunshine State Author Series brings top-notch writers of children’s and young adult literature to Orange County for public readings, writing workshops and visits with students to spark interest in reading. Each featured writer has written a book that has been on the Sunshine State Young Readers Award or Florida Teen Reads lists.
The Sunshine State Author Series includes events only open to registered school groups located in Orange County. View upcoming Events for School Groups.
Important Dates (Subject to Change)
| Author | Event Dates | |
|---|---|---|
| Kelly Barnhill | October 18-19, 2017 | Event Schedule |
| James Ponti | November - December 2017 | Event Schedule |
| Sharon Robinson | January 25-26, 2018 | Event Schedule |
| Jeff Zentner | March 27-28, 2018 | Event Schedule |
| Sarah Weeks | April 25-26, 2018 | Event Schedule |
| Carmen Agra Deedy | June 7, 2018 | Event Schedule |
Featured Authors (Subject to Change)
Kelly Barnhill received the Newbery Medal in 2017, and is the winner of the World Fantasy Award, the Parents Choice Gold Award, the Texas Library Association Bluebonnet, and a Charlotte Huck Honor.
James Ponti began his career writing and producing television shows for the likes of Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, PBS, Spike TV, History Channel, and Golf Channel.
Sharon Robinson is the educational consultant for Major League Baseball. She has written several widely praised books about her father, baseball legend Jackie Robinson.
Sarah Weeks has written more than fifty picture books and novels for children and young adults including the best selling novels, Pie and So B. It – which is now a feature length film, directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal.
Carmen Agra Deedy has been writing for children for over two decades. In 2001, she was presented with the Jane Addams Peace Association Book Award (Honor) at the United Nations for her book The Yellow Star.
Jeff Zentner is the author of the William C. Morris Award winning and Carnegie Medal longlisted book The Serpent King (2016) as well as Goodbye Days (2017).
Sponsors
Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
Partners
A special thank you to:
ZORA!™ Festival
Page 15
Mayor Buddy’s Book Club
Orange County Public Schools
Writer's Block Bookstore
Past Sunshine State Author Series Guests
Sharon Draper
Jason Reynolds
Brendan Kiely
Jackson Pearce