In May of 2000 the Michigan Library Association voted Janie Lynn Panagopoulos Michigan Author of the Year for good reason. Her novels celebrate the history of the Great Lakes with entertaining stories of the past and have become favorites of young readers, as well as their parents and teachers. Panagopoulos has worked in the field of historical research, interpretation, and writing for many years. She not only knows the stories and people of our past but also understands them. She shares the experiences of her characters so she can accurately relay them to the reader, whether this means sleeping in snow shelters or traveling in a covered wagon. Interesting details, delightful humor, and realistic dialogue make her writings particularly rich and lively. Her storytelling skills have also made Panagopoulos a popular guest speaker in schools. Her books include:
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Little Ship Under Full Sail - An Indian captive story - Winner of the MRA Reader's Choice Award
The Runes of Isle Royale - A mysterious story about the island
Mark of the Bear Claw - A story of a young Odawa boy during the uprisings at Forts Detroit and
Michilimackinac in 1763.
"Something I learned from Janie is you should have three characters - two friends and an evil one. Something else is you should never start a story with, "Once upon a time" The last thing I learned is never stop writing." Michael (student)
Janie can be reached at www.JLPanagopoulos.com
Dan Bylsma is a professional hockey player in his 9th season in the NHL. Jay Bylsma (Dan's dad) has spent much of his adult life at his five children's athletic events. They have written two books on hockey, So You Want to Play in the NHL and So Your Son Wants to Play in the NHL and the pair are committed to putting sports into perspective and helping young people see the relationship between sportsmanship and scholarship. Their most recent books, Pitcher's Hands is Out! and Slam Dunks Not Allowed! take quite a different turn, blending historical fiction with good sports stories. These books, set in the Great Depression and World War II respectively, use a sports theme to cast a spell that will capture the most reluctant readers.
What students have to say about Jay:
"I had a great time when you came to our class. I thought it was going to be boring, but it was fun." Michael (student)
"I really enjoyed the stories you told. I never knew that World War Two was so interesting. I never knew that history had a story in it. I like how you talk about sports and history at the same time." Alexa (student)
"Jay Bylsma has a true talent for using sports in history to reach even the most reluctant readers. Adults and kids alike will love his stories." Ali Doyle, Reading Specialist
Jay can be reached at his website www.hockeydan.com
Shirley has done graduate work in the field of writing and was an elementary teacher before she began to write for children. She is the author of a number of books for young readers, including picture book "The Jacket I Wear in the Snow". She has also written a beautifully illustrated book of Ojibwa legends, From the Land of the White Birch. Her newest book, Liberty and Justice for All, is a young people's introduction to our core democratic values. These stories put abstract ideas such as equality, justice, and diversity to work in familiar school settings that make them understandable to young people.
"We especially liked where you let children know you change words and ideas, and that many drafts go into creating a book. They always think once is enough." Barbara Polles, 2nd Grade Teacher
"The kids spoke about you for days. The boy who said he had never met a real author before has now added being one to his list of dreams. You made an impression." Linda Gold, 1st Grade Teacher
Shirley can be reached at (616)698-8849 or shirley@shirleyneitzel.com
Carolyn's lively pictures have captured the fun in Paul Bunyan and the Winter of the Blue Snow a delightful tale of the north woods. Through her detailed illustrations Carolyn has brought to life the intentions of our Founding Fathers in the book , Liberty and Justice for All. Her personification of the core democratic values will bring them alive for students. Known for her attention to detail and expressive characterization, Carolyn has received widespread recognition for her work.
Carolyn can be reached at 616-786-2711 or www.CarolynStich.com
Widely known as The Poetry Lady, Denise does school programs that are guaranteed to make adults and children smile, laugh and giggle while imparting a love of language and poetry. Her first book A Little Bit of Nonsense is more than a little bit of fun. Her newest book, Great Lakes Rhythm and Rhymes, is sure to enliven any study of the Great Lakes and make learning and memorable for students. Poems include "Niagara Calls, "Meeting Moose", and Mammoth Ice Cube".
"Your programs were great and the kids really seemed to enjoy them. I can't tell you how many teachers have come to me and made a point of telling me how excited their students were and how terrific the program was." Pam Proctor, Media Specialist
Denise can be reached by phone at 248-542-4012 or at www.thepoetrylady.com
Peter and Connie Roop have written more than 60 children's books. Their books have been recongized by the National Association of Science Teachers, National Council of Teachers of English, the Children's Book Council, and the American Library Association.
Peter, a Wisconsin State Teacher of the Year, has written extensively for Cricket and Cobblestone magazines. He now writes and speaks full time.
Connie, a high school environmental science teacher, is a recipient of the Women Leaders in Education Award from the American Association of University Women and a Kohl Education Foundation Award for Exceptional Teaching.
They can be reached at Peterroop@aol.com.
Lori McElrath-Eslick grew up in rural Michigan, which fostered her interest in the landscape. She often paints on location for her own enjoyment. Lore has illustrated many children's books, including: Da Wei's Treasure, Mommy Poem, Nishnawbe, and Hen and Chick.
You can reach her at EslickArt@aol.com.
Listed in the 2004 edition of Who's Who Among America's Teachers, Susan Berg Heeg has dedicated herself to the art of teaching and to kids for 34 years. She has had numerous award nominations for the Illinois Those Who Excel Award, the Chicago area Golden Apple Award, and the Disney's American Teacher Award. Heeg graduated from Augustana College, Rock Island, IL and received her MS degree from National College of Education, Evanston, IL. She has always been intrigued with voice in writing, becoming famous where she teaches in Naperville, IL for the voices she uses when reading aloud. Her first book, Voyage to Victory: The Voice of a Sailor in the Pacific 1943-1945, grew from a collection of letters which her dad wrote duringWorld War II to the members of his family. The voice changes in the letters depending on the family member receiving the letter. Susan Heeg has woven these letters together with chapter introductions, photos, a glossary, and a timeline to help the reader catch a glimpse of what it was like to be there in boot camp, on a tug in the Pacific during WWII, or in Nagasaki after the atomic bomb was dropped. Beyond teaching about the war, Heeg's book can help students synthesize what is truly important in life. Susan has developed an hour presentation about WWII, showing many artifacts such as posters, gas masks, captured flags, uniforms, trench art, jewelry, homefront literature, music, ads, ration books, war bonds, and toys. She not only informs about the war, but talks in depth about how the whole country (including the children) worked together during WWII.
What students have to say about Susan:
"The fact that your book contains more than the raw facts makes it more approachable and easily read. Books like yours help to emphasize the importance of simple things and help us to remember those who died for our country. Thank you for a wonderful reading experience, both mentally and emotionally." - Richa (eighth grade student)
"I just finished Voyage., and all I can say is 'Wow!' After I was about several letters in, I was hooked and was reading it every opportunity that I got.even before school on Wednesday. Thank you!" - Neils (high school student)
"I was awestruck on how much knowledge and how many artifacts one person like you could have on WWII. Your dad has really influenced many lives and is a great inspiration to me. Thank you for your presentation." - Sasha (fifth grade student)
What teachers have to say about Susan Berg Heeg:
"I would like to thank you for taking the time to share your father's letters and pictures and all the other things you have collected to make WWII come alive for all of us. You are a wonderful model for so many things - teacher, author, daughter, life-long learner, thinker, American citizen."
- Cheryl Williams (teacher)
After she retires, Susan will be available for presentations in the fall of 2005. Susan can be reached at sdheeg@aol.com or 630-896-8272.