SCHOOL VISITS...
  
"It’s a thrill.  Kids usually pour up onto the stage, sometimes they stand up to applaud.  They often hand me impulse gifts: a key chain figurine; a metallic pencil; a story they wrote; a drawing they've done...one third grade boy gave me his lunch.  
 
At my last school visit, there was a spontaneous shout of goodbye from one boy on the playground as I was leaving.  I turned to wave and another boy shouted, then a girl.  The first boy started chanting,

"Goodbye Ms. Duey!

Goodbye Ms. Duey!"


...and the whole playground crowd turned, picking it up, until they were all shouting. This was end-of-day crowds, 500 kids streaming toward buses and mothers--and they all stopped to join the chant. 
 
I stood there, flabbergasted, grinning at them. Finally, I waved.  The chant dissolved into a cheer.  It was an unbelievable feeling.  I finally turned to head for the parking lot with the teacher who was driving me.  Inside the car she said. 'I have never seen anything like that in my life. That was wonderful.' 

I could only agree. I floated home.  But then, even without a playground mass-farewell, I usually float home. 
I do love schools. 
That's where the kids are.”
-Kathleen Duey 
                                                                                                 

contact:  This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

	Abu Dhabi, 2007, after the session...

KATHLEEN'S INTERACTIVE SESSIONS:

In her school programs,  Kathleen Duey explores history, journaling, research and writing craft. Keeping the format fun and flexible, she inspires kids to join the human conversation as active readers and writers--
   
Using anecdotes from historic diaries, snippets of old literacy laws, pictures of  corset fashion-victims, carriages, hoopskirts and wigs,  Kathleen  shows children that everything has changed--and nothing has:  

 
"We may drive cars instead of horses hitched to wooden wagons, but we all still want to make it home safely.  Everyone needs love and respect. We no longer wear corsets or waistcoats, but we all want to like the way we look. The courage it took to cross the country in a wagon, to make homes out of bare dirt, to risk everything to better our lives has not disappeared. It resides in us.  Our connection with the past is immediate and real. Our ancestors shaped our world. Kids will shape the future. 

Each child is powerful, needed, and important."   kathleen duey
  

cover art: copyright omar rayyan

BOOK SALES: 
 

Kathleen Duey's books are popular, affordable (many are $3.99- $4.50 paperbacks) and most are easily available. 

See BOOKS for a complete listing.
 
 Book sales can be handled directly through Kathleen’s publishers, or through a local bookstore.  School discounts are available and sales can help offset author’s fees. Kathleen visits only 15-20 schools a year and the calendar fills fast.  Please contact her early to get your date reserved.

  An email explaining fees  etc. is available on request.  Please write:    This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it  

Kathleen enjoys speaking for writers' classes and writing conferences, for parents' groups, booksellers, homeschool groups, teachers, librarians, corporate groups and others.



She has addressed DAR groups, genealogical clubs, women’s groups, school author and book fairs, business and civic groups and others with an interest in the gifts of history and literacy and the art and power of storytelling.  contact:   This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it  

PLANNING RESOURCE:

                                              FEEDBACK

The K students suprised me with this comment at the closing assembly--KD, still smiling from a week of wonderful school vists!
  

2007

American School, Dubai, UAE, RAS, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Kathleen Duey was one of the best writers in residence we have ever hosted. She's full of energy and enthusiasm and great ideas for writers. Best of all, she cares about children - our students recognized this immediately, and fell in love with her from day
one. Thanks very much Kathleen for coming to ACS and making our week so fantastic.
Steven Crandall, librarian

Rabat American School, Morocco:
Kathleen Duey came to our international school in Morocco...It turned out to be a great week for all involved! We were extremely pleased with the Writer-in-Residence...Kathleen spent a week in English classes talking with students about literacy and writing, as well as holding writing workshops for these students.  These conversations were thought-provoking and engaging for our students. In addition to this, Kathleen met with teachers, parents, and students informally...By the end of the week, Kathleen was sought out by all members of the school community, and I had a hard time keeping her schedule manageable (for her) because there were so many requests!  Kathleen speaks frankly and openly to students; she takes risks when she works with them -she shares a part of herself with them.  In turn, they take risks with her, and in their own storytelling.  I would wholeheartedly recommend Kathleen to any school, and would recommend that you have Kathleen for an extended period of time.  She is a gem! 

Mike Emborsky
Middle School Coordinator
Rabat American School


 Kathleen was especially wonderful with our kids! N. Hakim (grade 8) told me that listening to "the author" was the best and most inspirational event of her many years at RAS. a wonderful opportunity for students to meet with "real authors" and become more excited about books, ideas and writing skills.  Kathleen encouraged kids to read often and widely, and confessed that her success as a writer is a result hard work. Her colorful stories were a great inspiration to us all.  Last week's school ethos felt intellectually rich and humanly energized because of Kathleen's visit. I sensed that she will have many fond memories of  Rabat American School and our students.

Many thanks - Gail McMillan, counselor 

Student feedback:
Kathleen Duey is a person that really touched my heart.  For once in a life time I listened to somebody talk for more than 1 hour without losing interest !!!!!!!! Her stories are GREAT, and what she says always has a lot of meaning to it. I miss her already!!!!!!! 

Mounia, Morocco, Grade 7 Student, Rabat
American School, Rabat, Morocco

Mrs. Duey is one of the most interesting people I have ever met. Her stories are unpredictable and more colorful than the most beautiful rainbow on the sky.
Listetning to her, is a journey to another world; a world of fantasy, imagination and all people hidden behind the covers of books in the library. Traveling in this world with Kathleen Duey is the most wonderful and teaching experience that can happen to you in the library. Julia, Poland,  Student

Kathleen Duey is a wonderful woman and teacher with so many ideas and stories. In a week she has helped me understand what is so facinating about writing. I talked to her so much and found out a lot about her. The one thing that touched my heart the most was when she told us the story about her great grandfather and how that if he died she wouldn't be alive now. How she made up a story in 80minutes with all our crazy ideas was
shocking....a whole week with Kathleen Duey was fun
and a great learing experience. ....Not only has she talked to me, she has touched my heart and left a spot on it---A Life Experience Of Mrs. K Duey.

Sabah, Morocco/Holland - Grade 7 Student,
Rabat American School

Dear Ms. Kathleen Duey,
I would like to give you a really big thank you for coming to this school and inspiring us all to write more and especially read much more. After all your great stories and memories about your family and the books that you have writen. I am a person who doesn't actually read a lot so after you came here you really urged me to read more. I like to write in my free time but never usually do it. Your tales that you  told us were great and were something that we all enjoyed...
Luke, Wales, Grade 7 Student, Rabat American School

2006, a week in Augusta Georgia:

Kathleen Duey is an exceptional speaker. She seems as at home with Kindergarten children as with middle schoolers.  Out students talked about her visit for weeks afterward. I know her messages with stay with them for a long time.
T. Gresset, event organizer.

2005

From educators involved in my weeklong visit to Fort Collins, Colorado, November 2004

Kathleen Duey is a great presenter!  We need to get her back next year!!!

Ms. Duey’s visit inspired many of the students to write and the ones who were already writing wrote even more! Thank you and the Rotary Club!


Kathleen Duey was our 2003 Visiting Author at St. Francis de Sales School on
Wednesday, April 9th. MAGICAL. That is how we would describe the day Kathleen spent with our 3rd through 8th Grade students. Kathleen gave them gifts far beyond telling them about being an author and her wonderful stories. She gave them the confidence to believe in themselves and reassured them that generations of children before them reached great heights and were heroes. The teacher's appreciated Kathleen's encouragement to get the most out of school. Our school principal enjoyed her slide show of what women used to wear in history. And, the children were on the edge of their chairs listening to her tales of terrifying disasters and forces that made her characters  find the courage to
survive.  We give Kathleen high marks as a Visiting Author!
Marianne Ellis, Visiting Author Chairperson, St. Francis de Sales School,
Sherman Oaks, CA.

Kathleen Duey visited our school on May 1, 2003.  Her visit was an astounding success.  Her presentation was outstanding and her rapport with students, teachers, and guests was exceptional.  The students and teachers were talking about it until the end of the school year.  I
would highly recommend her as a visiting author for middle school students.

Kaye Wallace
Library Media Specialist
Maryville, TN

Enclosed are over a hundred thank you notes from the children.  This was NOT a required activity.  They loved you.  The event was the highlight of the year and perfectly timed with the kids so worried about the world...your messages about courage and competence were perfect."
A. Hanick, teacher

What you told the boys about reading seems to have made a deep impression. Lots of books flying out of the library. 
Selma C, school librarian

Our school has never had an author before.  The kids loved listening to you!  After the impression you made on kids and staff...we are going to have a much easier time getting  author funding next year and every year. 
Terry B.  PTO president

I was watching the kids from where I sat.  Their mouths kept dropping open. They would have sat quietly for another two hours if you had kept talking. The writing project you suggested at lunch is going really well. Thanks."
G. Levenson,  3rd grade teacher

You are the best author-speaker we have ever had here.  The kids are still talking about things you told them. 
C. H. L. ,reading specialist.

I think lives were changed.  Really.  I have never heard anyone speak about courage and hope like that. 
T. Sulby, 5th grade teacher

Our teachers and students came back raving about you. Thank you so much for speaking to our students! 
D. Adams,  Young Writers' Conference Coordinator 
                                      

Thank you for coming to talk.  I'm excited about writing.  You encouraged me to write more.
C. Orman, fifth grader

At first I thought it was going to be an ordinary, boring speech. It turned out to be the best ever for me. You inspired me to write more about my heart and feelings... 
P. Stearns, sixth grader

The eighth graders were listening intently, really focused.  There were a number of gems in the talk, the kind of thing kids will remember ten years later. 
R. Stevens, Social Studies teacher

Your appearances are always great.  The kids really enjoy the stories about history and all the research you have done.  The staff always stops what they are doing to listen... 
 L. Kessel, Little Professor Book Company

Kathleen Duey inspired the children to visit their own family histories through the eyes of their grandparents. 
 R. Woods, Grandparents' Day Coordinator

We were all fascinated the whole time. The children almost never sit that still! 
J. Stelle, 4th grade teacher
  

Kathleen Duey was the highlight of our Idaho Council of Teachers Conference in Pocatello, Idaho on October 4-5.  Just a few of the evaluation comments I heard about Kathleen’s keynote address on Friday morning include, 'best part of the entire conference, wonderful and inspiring, reminded us of what literacy is really all about, profoundly interesting and worthwhile, demonstrated a passion, even oozed enthusiasm for her work, a real historian, so powerful - I will use the ideas immediately.'  Idaho teachers are looking forward to bringing Kathleen back to speak and present at conferences, districts, and schools.
   Judy Beesley

I really enjoyed your presentation at CSLA. Thanks for the great time.     
L. Davidson, middle school librarian

I rarely go to authors' sessions--I guess I am too focused on getting ideas I can take home to my library classes.  But you were worth every minute of my time.  I am so glad I heard you speak. Inspiration like that is rare these days.
  G.R., CLA attendee 

We have never done an in-service with an author before.  I wondered, really, what you would be able to talk about beyond writing.  You completely surprised us all.  We went out for coffee after and everyone talked about your take on things the whole time.  
T.J.  middle school teacher. 

WRITING CONFERENCES and RETREATS:

Kathleen Duey’s abundant skill and and equally abundant heart made for an incredibly successful two-day workshop, “Building Your Novel Brick by Brick.” A baker’s dozen, 13 lucky writers in Hawaii had the first 10 pages of their manuscript critiqued by Kathleen, and each had a brief individual session with her during the workshop. Seeing the manuscripts ahead of time allowed her a glimpse of each writer’s strengths and weaknesses so she could make sure to address the writing issues each was grappling with. But more than sharing her knowledge about writing, Kathleen also provided a supportive environment that allowed participants to address the personal obstacles that affect their being able to write. One participant’s comment is likely true for many­if not all­who attended:  “I’ve done more writing more fearlessly since the workshop than I’ve ever been able to do before.”  Success? You bet!

This may change my life." This statement, written by one attendee at our Boise, Idaho SCBWI event - "So You Want to Have a Career Writing for Children", sums up what most of us felt after interacting with Kathleen.  She was open about her life, incredibly generous with her time and touched our hearts - encouraging us to believe we really can reach our goals.
 
A couple of weeks later, she shared even more as the keynote speaker at our "Forum on Children's Literature" conference in Orem, Utah.  Her thoughts about literacy..."It's our legacy" and history..."the stories of a big family", were broad enough to reach the mixed group of writers, illustrators, teachers, librarians and parents who attended - yet it felt like we were chatting one on one.  The breakout sessions she presented on "doing research for historical fiction" and "the uneasy of marriage of craft and business" were some of the best attended sessions during the entire two days.  Would we have her back again?  In a heart beat! 
Cathi Chipman, SCBWI regional advisor, Utah and Southern Idaho 

Participants at our Writer's Day were so taken with Kathleen Duey's main-stage presentation, "Writing in the Fast Lane: Streamlining a Writing Career" that they had us bring her back to do a full-on workshop in synopsis writing.  She's a consummate professional and high-energy speaker who is generous about sharing the "secrets" of her success.  
Alexis O'Neill, Regional Advisor, Ventura/Santa Barbara SCBWI

Kathleen Duey--author of more than 50 books. Her talks on "Writing a Killer Synopsis: Oh, Yes, You Can!" and "A Game Plan: Save Yourself Five Years" drew the most unsolicited raves from conference attendees.  Kathleen is the ultimate professional."
Joan Broerman, SCBWI Southern Breeze, regional advisor