Reflections from the Road: Dacula Elementary and Mulberry Elementary

This week, I made a return visit to Gwinnett County, Georgia for two school visits. On May 11th, I was a guest of Dacula Elementary School. I previously visited Dacula for an evening appearance at their Scholastic Book Fair. This time, I came back during the day to give three separate Thrones & Bones book presentations to their third, fourth, and fifth classes respectively. It was a great time, and all together I spoke to around 560 students across the three grades. What's more, the students had made some fantastic Thrones & Bones fan art--always a highlight of school visits!


That evening, I was treated to Jim 'N Nicks Bar-B-Q by Media Specialist Paul Carey and his wife Dea, where we had great food and wonderful conversation (everything from Terry Pratchett to Babylon 5.)

Then it was up early on May 12th for my first visit to Mulberry Elementary School, marking what is my 40th school since I began touring with the debut of Frostborn. (If you want to see the full list of my travels, click here.) I did three back to back presentations for their 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes as well at Mulberry, and had an absolute blast! Thank you very much to Media Specialist Susan Noland for having me in her fine library  and making it such a fantastic visit!

Reflections from the Road: Fort Daniel Elementary and Dacula Elementary

Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of visiting two schools in Gwinnett County, Georgia, Fort Daniel Elementary and Dacula Elementary.

I drove down Wednesday afternoon, where Dacula Librarian Paul Carey and his wife met me for dinner at Jim 'N Nicks barbecue. We had a wonderful evening talking about books, gaming (role playing and board), Scifi TV, and other things, and ate entirely too much!

The next day it was up and off to Fort Daniel, where I met Librarian Beth Martinez. Beth showed me the fantastic artwork on their hallway wall depicting students' favorite scenes from Frostborn. I was really impressed, and, as you might imagine, honored and flattered. Then I presented to the fifth grade students (about 120 kids), followed by a signing of Nightborn (Their Frostborn order hadn't come in yet so I signed bookplates for that).

Afterwards, we had a lunch break - Domino's Pizza! - where I ate with Beth and about ten or so of her students. It was a very fun meal with some very bright kids (and one budding actress). Then I presented again to the fourth grade (about 115 students) and had another signing. Thanks so much to Beth Martinez and all her students for a great morning.

After a quick trip to the Barnes & Noble at the Mall of Georgai, and an obligatory recovery period at Starbucks, it was off to Dacula Elementary for their after-hours Scholastic Book Fair. Paul wisely planned my visit to coincide with their Literary Carnival, thus ensuring that there was a large turn out of parents and students. I was seated at a table with a big display of the Scholastic edition of Frostborn and my Thrones & Bones boardgames "travel set." I got to talk casually with parents and kids from 4pm to 7pm, after which I did a short presentation on my Thrones & Bones series. Having an author present during a book fair was great, and having a Literary Carnival there too was even better. I signed a LOT of books. And I got to meet Clifford the Big Red Dog!

Thanks very much to Librarian Paul Carey and all the parents and teachers.

Finally, after a fantastic day in Georgia, it was time to make the three hour drive home. But if you live in Gwinnett Country, don't worry. Like Frosty the Snowman, I'll be back again one day!