Visiting Author program
The Visiting Author Program provides Gordon students the unique experience of delving into the writer’s craft by working with nationally recognized authors and illustrators. It is supported by the Karla Harry Visiting Author Fund, which was established in 2006 in memory of Karla Harry, Gordon’s beloved librarian and adored community member. This fund was initially endowed by Almon, Suzanne, Stephen, and Sara Hall. Gifts from Karla’s friends and family have expanded its mission, and this permanent fund has become a vital part of the school’s library program and literature curriculum.
2007 Visiting Author Kimberly Willis Holt
2009 Visiting Author Marilyn Nelson
2010 Visiting Author Julia Alvarez
2011 Visiting Author April Pulley Sayre
2012 Visiting Author Joseph Bruchac
2013 Visiting Author Doreen Rappaport
2014 Visiting Author Andrea Davis Pinkney
2015 Visiting Author James Howe
2016 Visiting Authors Robin Page and Steve Jenkins
2017 Visiting Author Nikki Grimes
2018 Visiting Author Kwame Alexander
2019 Visiting Author Monica Brown
2020 Visiting Author Grace Lin
2021 Visiting Author and Illustrator Kwame Mbalia and Eric Wilkerson
2022 Visiting Author Karina Yan Glaser
This December, Gordon welcomes Christina Soontornvat to campus as the nineteenth annual Karla Harry Visiting Author.
Christina Soontornvat is an award-winning author, engineer, and STEM educator. Her many works for children include picture books, chapter books, and the New York Times bestselling graphic novel series, The Tryout.
She is a three-time Newbery Honor recipient, most recently for The Last Mapmaker, which was also named a Best Book of the Year by the New York Times, and she is the only author to be awarded Newbery Honors for both fiction and nonfiction in the same year. Her account of the Thai cave rescue, All Thirteen, received numerous accolades, including the Kirkus Prize for Young People’s Literature.
In addition to being an author, Christina holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Science Education.
During her visit to Gordon, Christina will be working with all three divisions of the school.