For the past several years, I have been fortunate enough to connect with authors who are willing to share their time with my students through Skype visits.  I think this year has been the earliest I have been able set up a Skype visit with an author, and it is definitely the furthest distance.  It started out with an invitation to receive an ARC (Advanced Reader’s Copy) of Rose by Holly Webb and take part in a blog tour as this series comes from England to the United States.  I eagerly signed up, and read this delightful book about an orphan in Victorian England who just might have a touch of magic whether she wants it or not.  (You can read my review here.)  Then Holly graciously answered questions that I submitted from my students.  The next thing I knew, she was offering to do a virtual visit with my students.  When I shared the news with my first period language arts class, they were excited.  So was I.

Before the visit, I read a brief excerpt from Rose (the student who is currently reading it, didn’t want to let go of it for long.)  We visited Holly’s website.  Then the students wrote questions to ask her during the visit.  I knew from past experience that middle-schoolers get nervous and suddenly have nothing to say if they don’t write down questions first.  It also gives us an opportunity to discuss appropriate questions.  No, you probably shouldn’t ask, “How old are you?” or “How much money do you make?”  but it is okay to ask “How do writers get paid?”

Then Friday morning dawned.  I completed a test call with Holly before school that morning.  Thanks to the suggestions of my students, I used my iPad for the Skype visit instead of the webcam on my computer in the back of the room.  That way Holly could see more of my students than the back of their heads.  The classroom buzzed with noise right up until I hit pressed the connection.  When I turned around, I thought my students had been turned in to stone statues while they waited for Holly to answer.  Soon enough, she appeared on the screen and introduced herself.  She was warm and gracious and everything I had hoped for.  She shared her favorite books and described her life as a writer.  She answered all my students’ questions.  I hope this is an experience they will remember and cherish.  I know I will.

Here’s the picture from our visit.  I apologize that the image of Holly on the screen is shadowy.  Trust me, she is quite lovely.

Now all my other classes are jealous, so I will be looking for ways to connect them with authors, too.