Bring David Patneaude to Your School!
David Patneaude is the
award-winning author of nine mystery and suspense novels for children that have
been nominated for more than 30 state awards. He tailors his presentations to
meet a school's expectations, and he conducts sessions for faculty and parents
as well as students. He has visited hundreds of schools from coast to coast and
has presented a variety of programs with one factor in common: the kids had a
great time learning!
Home: Woodinville, WA
Travels to: David will travel anywhere he is invited!
David is the author of: Someone Was Watching
(Albert Whitman); Dark Starry Morning
(Albert Whitman); The Last Man's Reward
(Albert Whitman); Framed in Fire
(Albert Whitman); Haunting at Home Plate
(Albert Whitman); Colder Than Ice
(Albert Whitman); Thin Wood Walls
(Houghton Mifflin); Deadly Drive
(Albert Whitman); and A Piece of the Sky
(Albert Whitman).
Rates
Half-Day Visit (2 presentations): $600 plus travel expenses
One-Day Visit (4 presentations): $1,100 plus travel expenses
Biography
David Patneaude is the
author of seven mystery and suspense novels for children that have been
nominated for 25 state awards. Someone Was Watching was a winner or
runner-up in several states and was included in the "Best of the Texas
Lone Star Reading Lists" compilation. The Last Man's Reward,
honored by the New York Public Library, received six state nominations. Framed
in Fire, a Society of School Librarians International Honor Book, was
chosen for three state lists, and Haunting at Home Plate, runner-up for
the 2002–2003 Volunteer State Award in Tennessee, has made eight lists so far.
Equally at home in
elementary and middle schools, in assemblies and workshops, David likes to
inform students while allowing them to enjoy themselves and see that writing
can be fun. He tailors his presentations to meet a school's expectations, and
he conducts sessions for faculty and parents as well as students. He has
visited hundreds of schools from coast to coast and has presented a variety of
programs with one factor in common: The kids had a great time learning!
David was born in St.
Paul, Minnesota, but moved to the Seattle, Washington area with his family at
the age of six. David currently lives in Woodinville, Washington with his wife
Judy, his daughter Jaime, his younger son Jeff (older son Matt is married and
out on his own), and his dog Sydney. When he isn't writing, he likes to read,
run, watch movies and plays, coach kids' sports, and enjoy the outdoors.
Event Description
David's presentations are
best suited for grades 3–8, but he has spoken to all-school assemblies that
have included younger grades.
Assembly
Presentations
A typical large assembly
presentation runs 45 minutes to 1 hour. David prefers 200 or fewer students for
assemblies, but he is willing to do larger assemblies if it's the only way for
all the kids to get a chance to participate. His presentation includes opening
comments on writing, a slide show that covers—in a mostly lighthearted way—some
of what it means to be a writer and what it takes to get a book written and
published, an interactive activity or two with the audience to illustrate some
of the points discussed, and a short question-and-answer period.
Workshops
Workshops can last 45
minutes to 1 hour, but if more time is available, more ground can be covered,
more actual writing can be done, and more interaction can take place. David
prefers to hold his workshops in the same classroom throughout the day but is
willing to move to a second room if necessary. Workshop presentations
include—depending on the time available—discussion of basic writing concepts,
idea formation and development, general writing traits, components of fiction
writing, and one author's approach to the nuts and bolts of getting a story on
paper. Handouts are provided. After a discussion of constructive criticism
(critique), short, fun, writing assignments are given and shared.
Teacher Presentations
Teacher in-services or
parent-teacher programs can cover a variety of subjects: what it's like to
write books for kids; how to help kids become better writers and actually enjoy
writing; incorporating six-trait writing in the real world; how to explain and
teach voice; teaching kids (and adults) how to (and how much fun and worthwhile
it is to) critique their own writing, that of their classmates, and grown-up,
published authors. Adult sessions can even take the form of basic
fiction-writing workshops, a kind of teach-the- teacher (or maybe the future
novelist) approach.
Testimonials
"I have heard such
wonderful feedback from the teachers as well as from the students. You made
writing fun for them; now they are so motivated to write, it is just awesome.
The kids were so inspired by you that they gave up valuable recess time to come
back and get your books and autographs and to chat. You should feel very proud
to know that you touched so many kids in such a positive way today."
—Susan Marcolina, Event Coordinator, Issaquah Valley
Elementary School, Issaquah, WA
"Thank you so much
for an incredible day you had with us at Elk Plain. The staff, as well as the
students, appreciated the humor (especially your dry wit!) in your assembly
presentation. It appealed to all levels, K–6th. The best part was how your
teaching style and content in the classroom workshops enthused students for
writing."
—Debbie Bomar, Reading Coach, Elk Plain School of
Choice, Spanaway, WA
"Thank you so much
for a great presentation at Valley View—the kids and teachers are still talking
about it! One of our 3rd grade teachers was just telling me how the process of
writing—particularly longer stories—has really clicked for his students since
hearing your book read aloud, and then your presentation on how it came about.
Your slide presentation and writing exercises were pitched just right, and the
kids who got to eat lunch with you were thrilled—a highlight of our school
year!"
—Pat Youngman Smith, Librarian
"I just wanted to
thank you again for visiting our school. One mom said her daughter and a
neighbor boy went home that day and spent a good hour making up 'story
starters.' Some of the teachers are doing lessons using Someone Was Watching."
—Meg Handy, Librarian, Fall City Elementary
"Thank you so much
for making our Young Authors' Conference a great success. I am hoping that you
will be able to participate in our conference this next year. Thank you again
for a great workshop."
—Marie Weltz, Coordinator, Young Authors' Conference,
Mt. Vernon, WA
"David really did a
wonderful job when he visited our school. His presentations were well-paced,
and he used humor and other effective techniques to engage the students. His
promotion of writing was outstanding! He spoke so the kids could understand and
relate to him and his ideas. He was exceptionally accommodating—he even agreed
to do informal visits to our two kindergarten classes that weren't included in
our scheduled assemblies. David was one of the best authors we've had at our
school, and we've been bringing in an author every year since 1983."
—Jan Weber, Hawthorne Elementary School, Kennewick, WA
"My students are
still talking about David and his presentation. Students continue to read his
books and vote on their favorites. His slide presentation was informative and
entertaining. I would have him back in a few years, if I am still around!"
—Carol Hattemer, Media Specialist, Westgate Elementary
School, Kennewick, WA
From Students...
"You have written
some of the best books on this planet! Your book Someone Was Watching is
a page-turner. I couldn't put it down because it is so exciting. When you came
to my school, Coral Cliffs, it was such an awesome experience to see my
favorite author in person."
—Nicole, Student, Coral Cliffs Elementary School, St.
George, UT
"Thank you for
coming to our school. It is very rare that someone special comes to Woodland
Middle School. It was a real treat. You have changed my thoughts about writing.
Because of you I may someday become an author. I really appreciated your
visit."
—Jared, Student
If you are interested
in booking an event with David Patneaude, please fill out the Speaker Visit Query form
or contact our Author Appearance Manager at 800-338-2232, ext. 105, or admin@authorsinschools.com.
We look forward to working with you.