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MICHELE TORREY Author
Visiting
schools and connecting with my readers have generated, for me, some of my most
memorable experiences as a writer. How can I forget the time when, following an
assembly, a little girl ran up to me, hesitated only briefly, and then threw
her arms around my waist to give me a hug? When I responded in turn, twenty or
so other children all converged, and we celebrated in a spontaneous group hug!
Or the time when I felt a tug on my shirt; there stood a little kindergartner
who said with all sincerity, "You're my favorite Arthur."
Choosing an author to visit
your school can be a daunting task. You want an author who can not only inspire
and connect with your students, but who can provide them with quality
literature that stands the test of time. I have over fifteen years of writing
experience, and am a seasoned speaker to all ages and sizes of audiences. My
books have garnered praise from critics and fans alike. Best of all, my stories
resonate with both girls and boys.
It's a thrill for librarians to see boys lining up to check out my books!
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Over the past few years, I've
had the opportunity to connect with thousands of schoolchildren in dozens of
schools. It is an honor to share my life and stories, and to see students
respond with enthusiasm and creativity. My goal is to inspire, to open
students' eyes to the realities of the writing process - how a book is created
from the idea-stage to book shelf - and to get them thinking that maybe, someday,
they too can live their dreams.
A typical day for the
author visit is fun, exhausting, and exhilarating! More specifically, a typical
day includes up to four author presentations and / or workshops, a booksigning,
plus an intimate "author lunch" with some select students.
Currently, I offer the
following programs/workshops:
The
Inside Scoop: An Author Tells All - My presentation is informal,
entertaining, and interactive. Partly biographical, my presentation details my
journey in becoming a writer, how I generate ideas, my typical work day, and
the business of writing and publishing. It incorporates all of my books,
touching on such subjects as life at sea and exploration, finishing with a
mini-science demonstration complete with students glowing in the dark. Adapted
to the age of the audience, my presentation is suitable for elementary through
college (40-minute presentation + 10-minute Q&A per session. A modified
20-minute presentation + 10 minute Q&A is available for grades K-2.)
"BLAH, BLAH, BLAH" - Beating the Dialogue Doldrums - My dialogue workshop is with a group of
pre-selected students (not to exceed twenty-five students). In this hands-on,
interactive workshop, students learn how to create great dialogue using "tricks
of the trade," from dialogue tags to character voice. Students will spend
approximately 15 minutes of the workshop writing. Suitable for third grade
through college; adapted to the age of the participants. (50 minute workshop)
Writing That
Sizzles: In this intensive half-day to all-day workshop, participants learn the
secrets of creating an under-the-covers-with-a-flashlight page-turner. While
practicing their hand at writing, students learn the fundamentals of pacing,
plot, character, plus useful tricks-of-the-trade such as hooks, cliffhangers, and
the use of active language. Not to exceed thirty students; suitable for fifth
grade through college; adapted to the age of the participants. (Half-day to
all-day workshop.)
Special arrangements can be made for an evening event, if
desired.
First day of school visit
is $800 per day for WA state; $1000 for OR state; $1100 outside WA/OR. Each
additional day is $800. Fifth day is free. Schools in close proximity can share
the visit and the cost, if desired. Evening events are an additional $300.00.
School pays all travel expenses.
TESTIMONIALS
"Thank you so much for
sharing your experiences with our students. You made a big impression on our
students, and your books are never in the library long enough to be reshelved." -- Julie Custer, Librarian, Adams Elementary School, Spokane Valley, WA
"Thank you for the
wonderful presentation yesterday at Whitman Middle School. I was impressed with
how you connected with such a large group of kids and involved them in your
talk." -- Erin Ostrander, Seattle, WA
"I
know you've had good authors before, but honestly, she was the BEST" -- Mr.
Schreiner, Graham WA
"Your visits to Bonney Lake and
Maple Lawn were such fun! ... Numerous teachers made a point of telling me
later how well you connected with their students ... Thank you for sharing
your experiences and expertise in such a warm and gracious way." --Linda Miller, Librarian, Sumner, WA
"Thank you for coming and telling about your life. I learned about how you
write your book and made me want to do that when I am older. I would love to
read your book about the great explorer Magellan." Magen, Spokane, WA
The Case of the Terrible T. Rex - Doyle and Fossey: Science Detectives, Sterling, 2010, Ages 8-11"
"A sure hit with new and established fans." (School Library Journal)
The Case of the Crooked Carnival - Doyle and
Fossey: Science Detectives, Sterling, 2010, Ages 8-11
"Aspiring science detectives and their teachers will welcome the return of these super-sleuths." (Kirkus Reviews)
The Case of the Barfy Birthday - Doyle and Fossey:
Science Detectives, Sterling, 2009, Ages 8-11
"All books in the series are excellent!" -
Children's Literature
Junior Library Guild Selection
The Case of the Graveyard Ghost - Doyle and Fossey:
Science Detectives, Sterling, 2009, Ages 8-11
"Accessible, understandable, and hilarious science
for the youngest problem solvers." - Kirkus Reviews
Junior Library Guild Selection
2005 Rhode Island State Children's Book Award
Nominee
The Case of the Mossy Lake Monster - Doyle and
Fossey: Science Detectives, Sterling, 2009, Ages 8-11
"Teachers will be among the first fans of this
series, as the cases would make great read-alouds in elementary classrooms" - Kirkus Reviews
Junior Library Guild Selection
The Case of the Gasping Garbage - Doyle and Fossey:
Science Detectives, Sterling, 2009, Ages 8-11
Tongue firmly in cheek, Torrey bases the four
problems and their solutions on basic, well-articulated scientific principles
and techniques, reinforced by several related experiments or activities at the
end to keep fans of this hardboiled series opener busy as they pine for the
next installment.' - Booklist
PUBLISHED BOOKS:
Voyage
of Midnight, Knopf, 2006, ages 10+
"A
powerful, beautifully written tale" - School Library Journal
Chosen for 2006 NYPL's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
list
Starred review, "Kirkus"
Named one of the "Best Children's Books of the Year" by
the CBC at Banks Street College, 2006
Voyage
of Plunder, Knopf, 2005, ages 10+
"A sea yarn that can stand solidly beside other
classic pirate stories" - Booklist
Winner, Zola Awar
2007 Sakura Medal Nominee
2008 Sequoyah Award Nominee
2007 WA State Book Award Finalist
Sisters Unto Death, Royal Fireworks Press, 1999,
Ages 12+
Bottles of Eight and Pieces of Rum, Royal
Fireworks Press, 1998, Ages 8-12
Voyage
of Ice, Knopf, 2004, ages 10+
"Torrey unspools a nail-biting adventure" - Publisher's
Weekly
Cited in Nancy Pearl's, Book Crush
2005-'06 Maine Student Book Award Nominee
2007 Sequoyah Young Adult Book Award Nominee
To the
Edge of the World, Knopf, 2003, ages 12+
"Torrey
deftly maintains the taut thread of adventure that, along with the cast of
memorable characters, keep the pages turning" - Publisher's Weekly, starred
