Author in Residence

Each year, the Author-in-Residence program brings an author, poet, or author/illustrator to the HVRSD to spend an extended residency with students. In addition to the author varying from year to year, the program also involves students at different grade levels each year.

The program is a collaboration between the HVEF (using profits from the Book Lovers Luncheon) and district PTOs, who provide the funding, and the school Media Specialists, who work with the district Assembly Committee to select the author and determine each year’s program details. Some years, authors work directly with students in small classroom settings, while at other times, there are grade-level or school assemblies, opportunities for parents to meet the author, or other forms of hands-on interaction. Authors teach about writing, creativity, and share their personal experiences and knowledge.

Previous Authors

• 2024-25 - Matt Phelan – All Elementary Schools
• 2023-24 - Roxie Munro – All Elementary Schools
• 2022-23 - Tamika Charles – All Elementary Schools
• 2021-22 - Kate Messner – All Elementary Schools
• 2020-21 - Peter Brown - All Elementary Schools (Virtual)
• 2019-20 - Dan Gutman – All Elementary Schools
• 2019-20 - Jordan Sonneblick – TMS 
• 2018-19 - Bruce Coville – All Elementary Schools
• 2018-19 - Emily X.R. Pan – TMS and CHS
• 2017-18 - Janet Wong – All Elementary Schools
• 2017-18 - Jordan Sonneblick – TMS
• 2016-17 - Brian Lies- All HVRSD Schools
• 2015-16 - Lisa Funari-Willever – All Elementary Schools
• 2014-15 - Sarah Weeks – TMS and Elementary Schools
• 2013-14 - Margery Cuyler -- All Elementary Schools
• 2012-13 - Stephen Kellogg and Luray Gross – Elementary Schools
• 2011-12 - Luray Gross – Poetry Residency at CHS and TMS
• 2010-11 - Dan Gutman – All Elementary schools
• 2009-10 - Judy Freedman – All Elementary schools
• 2009-10 - Luray Gross – Poetry Residency at CHS and TMS
• 2007-08 - Irene Kelley – All Elementary schools
• 2006-07 - Neil Waldman – All Elementary schools