Authors
Brad Meltzer: Brad Meltzer is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Ordinary People Change the World kids book series (I am Amelia Earhart, I am Abraham Lincoln, I am Rosa Parks), which inspired the hit TV show on PBS KIDS, Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. He is also the author of The Escape Artist and eleven other bestselling thrillers, as well as non-fiction books like The First Conspiracy and The Lincoln Conspiracy. In addition to his fiction, Brad is one of the only authors to ever have books on the bestseller list for Non-Fiction, Advice, Children’s Books, and even comic books, for which he won the prestigious Eisner Award. Brad is also responsible for helping find the missing 9/11 flag with his History Channel TV show, Brad Meltzer’s Lost History.
The first 400 classes to attend Brad Melter's event will receive a copy of Ordinary People Change the World.
Bao Phi is an award-winning poet and children’s book author. His stunning debut picture book with illustrator Thi Bui, A Different Pond, won a Caldecott Honor, a Charlotte Zolotow Award, an Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, an Ezra Jack Keats Honor, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, and numerous other awards and accolades. Bao is a single co-parent father, an arts administrator, and a book nerd.
Session 1: Monday, March 3 from 10:30 am - 11:00 am PST
Session 2: Monday, March 3 from 11:30 am - 12:00 pm PST
*Both sessions are identical. Please register for the time that will best suit your schedule.
Sue Fliess ("fleece") is the award-winning, bestselling author of over 55 children's books including ALA Notable and Blueberry Honor book, Cicada Symphony, Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket, How to Trap a Leprechaun, Mary Had a Little Lab, Rumble and Roar, the Beatrice Bly's Rules for Spies series, the Kid Scientist series, the Magical Creatures and Crafts series, and many Little Golden Books. Her books have been translated into many languages and have been selected to the Junior Library Guild, named to ALA Notable lists, made many Best Books lists including A Mighty Girl, earned starred reviews, honors from SCBWI, and have been used in school curricula and museum educational programs. Fliess's titles have been featured on Reading Rainbow Live, NBC Chicago, and included in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in the US and Australia. She's a member of SCBWI & Children's Book Guild of DC. She speaks at elementary schools, universities, and conferences, and lives with her family and a silly yellow lab in Virginia.
Session: Tuesday, March 4 from 9:30 am - 10:00 am PST
*Co-presenting with Ann Marie Stephens.
Hanna Kim is a children’s book author and middle school English language arts teacher. Just like Ben, she was made fun of for her Korean lunches, and it took her some time to be proud of her culture. In her free time, Hanna loves to draw, read, make fun crafts, and eat Korean snacks. She lives in Michigan with her husband and cat, Zoro.
Session: Wednesday, March 5 from 10:30 am - 11:00 am PST
Donald Lemke works as a children’s book editor and writer. He has written dozens of books for young readers—from board books to middle-grade novels—that often include today’s most popular characters, such as Batman, Superman, Scooby-Doo, and more. He lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with his beloved family, which includes his wife, Amy, and their three growing-up-way-too-fast daughters.
Bob Lentz is the other half of the Lemke & Lentz creative team and a co-creator of their Basic Training and Wearable Books series. He works as an art director and has illustrated—but thankfully not written—several books for children. Bob lives in Bloomington, Minnesota, with his wife, Rosalee, and their two children (and a very hungry Boston terrier).
Session: Wednesday, March 5 from 9:30 am - 10:00 am PST
Shannon McClintock Miller, an international speaker and author, is the K-12 district teacher librarian at Van Meter Community School District in Iowa. She also serves as the Future Ready Librarians Spokesperson, working with librarians, educators, and students around the world. Shannon is the author of the award-winning The Library Voice blog, has published two children’s book series on libraries and makerspaces with Capstone, and was named a Library Journal Mover and Shaker. She received the Making It Happen Award from ISTE in 2016 and was named the AASL Social Media Superstar Leadership Luminary in 2018. Shannon is the proud mom of three amazing kids and lucky wife of Eric.
Session: Thursday, March 6 from 9:00 am - 9:30 am PST
Session: Thursday, March 6 from 10:00 am PST - 10:30 am PST
Miriam has a master’s degree in children’s literature from the University of Cambridge and a dog who is scared of cardboard. She lives in Minneapolis, MN, where she makes books and drinks tea.
Session: Monday, March 3 from 9:30 am - 10:00 am PST
Mika Song makes children's books about sweetly funny outsiders. Henry, Like Always by Jenn Bailey and illustrated by Mika received the Schneider Family Award and a Geisel Honor from the American Library Association. Her graphic novel for early readers Donut Feed the Squirrels was nominated for an Eisner award.
She lives in Queens, NY in walking distance to all her favorite places to eat.
Session: Tuesday, March 4 from 10:30 am - 11:00 am PST
Ann Marie Stephens is the author of numerous picture books including the Arithmechicks series, the CATastrophe! series and more. Her books have been translated into several languages and have been featured on lists such as, Fuse #8, Children’s Book Council, and Hot Off the Press. Ann Marie’s poetry and literacy work has been included in Bon Appetit Magazine and on NPR. She is also a retired, award-winning elementary teacher and mentor with over 30 years in the classroom. While teaching, she received several grants for her inventive literacy projects and community outreach programs. She’s taught dozens of original writing and education-based workshops for children, educators, and authors through The Writing Barn, Chautauqua Institution, and various school systems. She was a contributing author for Kwame Alexander’s The Write Thing, and a co-writer for Scholastic’s Trait Crate Plus for third and fifth grade. She is represented by Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt Agency and lives in Virginia.
Session: Tuesday, March 4 from 9:30 am - 10:00 am PST
*Co-presenting with Sue Fliess.
NY Times Bestselling Author-Illustrator (and Reno resident!) Apryl Stott grew up drawing and making delightful creative messes. Her first story, “How to Get Rid of My Baby Sister,” was written in third grade. Since then, she has learned to be kind to her sister and to clean up after herself—mostly. She spends her days working in her studio, listening to podcasts, and picking up after her daughter’s delightful creative messes.
Apryl has been honored with a Northern Lights Book Award, named a Barnes & Noble national pick, had her work featured in a national story time with Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, and has had multiple books printed as Barnes & Noble "Special Editions."
Session: Friday, March 7 from 9:00 am - 9:30 am PST
Gina Usufzy is a Nevada-based author who loves sharing stories inspired by her family, especially her son Maverick. As a busy hockey mom and the founder of the Jake Kielbs Hockey Foundation, Gina spends her days cheering from the stands, running youth hockey programs, and finding creative ways to give back to her community.
Her writing comes straight from the heart, blending real-life experiences with relatable characters and messages about family, friendship, and working together. Gina’s latest book, The Old Barn, is a touching story about resilience and community, inspired by her love for youth sports and her own journey as a mom.
When she’s not writing or managing the hustle and bustle of life with three kids and two dogs, Gina enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband, exploring new ideas, and connecting with her community. She’s excited to be part of Nevada’s Reading Week and can’t wait to share her love of books and storytelling with students and families across the state.
Session: Friday, March 7 from 10:00 am - 10:30 am PST