Ohio Educational Library Media Association

2003 Annual Conference

October 15-17, 2003
Columbus Convention Center 

AUTHORS

Our conference theme is Planning for the Future, and we all know the future would be dim without a literate citizenry! In this bicentennial year, help celebrate a literate Ohio with Ohio authors and those with Ohio connections Our conference program is packed with authors for everyone, authors who appeal to the history buff, authors for music lovers and a great mix of celebrated children's and young adult authors. No matter what day or days of our annual conference you attend, there's an author for you!

A cadre of authors like these would not be possible without the generous support of our vendor sponsors this year, who have underwritten most of our authors. Be sure to thank them as you visit the Vendor Reception Wednesday night and throughout the conference. You are sure to be energized, entertained, and empowered to plan for the future, advocate excellence, facilitate change and make a difference in the lives of Ohio's students at the OELMA 2003 conference!

Author Opening Session With Will Hobbs - Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003
Go wild at our Wednesday evening gala that kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with Will Hobbs, award-winning young adult author with a flair for adventure. In  his program "Into the Wild with Will Hobbs," Will discusses his popular outdoor adventure tales against the backdrop of a dramatic slide presentation showing the settings of his novels. On Thursday, Will has a treat for picture book fans as he shares anecdotes about writing Beardream and Howling Hill.

Award/Author Luncheon with Arnold and Jaime Adoff - Friday, Oct 17, 2003
On Friday, a literary family will host the Awards Luncheon at 12:30 p.m. as we welcome Ohioians Arnold Adoff and Jaime Adoff. This dynamic duo will entertain and regale us with stories as only a father-son act can. Jaime is a legend in the making and Arnold already is one! Arnold is recognized as one of the first and finest champions of multiculturalism in children's and young adult literature. A teacher, poet, and anthologist, Arnold, along with his deceased wife, the beloved young adult author Virginia Hamilton, has nurtured another literary talent in Jaime. Jaime Adoff lives in New York City, but still remembers those days in Yellow Springs fondly. He is a graduate of Central State and the Manhattan School of Music. His first book of poems, The Song Shoots Out of My Mouth, is a dynamic collection of 24 free verse poems about music. Jaime will have a novel out soon and Arnold is his agent. Join us for lunch and find out why Jaime thought it took 3 hours to make a cheese sandwich! 
(His father and mother were busy being creative!)

Meet these additional others on Thursday and/or Friday
Author Signing Schedule

Denise Fleming: Denise Fleming, known for her Caldecott Honor book, In the Small, Small Pond, typically presents a fast-paced slide show of her book illustrations. Her humor and personality shine through in her book signings, too!

Judy Freeman: Join nationally known consultant Judy Freeman, who writes on all aspects of children's literature, storytelling and librarianship. Judy will share her Hi Ho Librario and Act It Out workshops, which feature a musical, dramatic approach to learning.

Russell Freedman: If history is your passion, you'll be thrilled on Thursday to hear Newbery-winner and celebrated author Russell Freedman. Freedman comes to us courtesy of Carolyn Brodie, who connected with Freedman in Dayton earlier this year as he spoke about his Wright Brothers' biography during the Celebration of Flight. You'll be able to make those Social Studies content standards come alive after hearing Russell, author of more than forty nonfiction books, speak about his "take" on American history.

Shelley Pearsall: The history connection continues with Ohio author Shelley Pearsall, who wrote about Ohio's Underground Railroad. Her first young adult novel, Trouble Don't Last, was designated by Booklist as "one of the Top Ten Historical Fiction Books for Youth."

Margaret Peterson-Haddix: For the young adult aficionados, Margaret Peterson Haddix will join us on Thursday, October 16. Her highly praised novels deal
with topics that range from religious cults to science fiction to dystopias. Her book Among the Hidden was a Buckeye Children's Book award finalist for grades 6-8.

Sandra Phillipson: Sandra Philipson wrote the popular Max & Annie series. These two English Springer Spaniels are now Hollywood stars to be seen on Animal Planet in the movie, Miracle Dogs, on August 16, 8:00 p.m. The movie is based on Philipson's book Annie Loses Her Leg, but Finds Her Way. This book has been therapeutic for children with cancer.

Nancy Pollette: Another well-known speaker on the national circuit is Nancy Polette, who will speak to us on such topics as research without copying.

Marcia Schonberg: OELMA favorite, Marcia Schonberg, returns with more of her slice of Ohio history and folklore. Marcia just completed a set of 6 new Ohio books this year.