Mitali Perkins: MS Writers' Symposium 2019

The Middle School was thrilled to welcome MS Writers' Symposium author Mitali Perkins this week. Mitali gave a delightful presentation to the entire Middle School, sharing lots of laughs and stories of her growing up: born in Kolkata to Bangladeshi parents, she grew up in the US and has lived around the world, and all of this has affected her writing. She talked with the students about finding stories in their own lives, and answered many questions from her eager audience. Mitali also did writing workshops with the 5th and 6th graders, helping them learn the value of strong nouns and verbs over words that tell rather than show emotion. The students all had a chance to do some writing, and some lucky students even had their work read aloud by Mitali. Mitali also took the time to sign books for a number of students, and to share a lunch with MS English teachers.

In preparation for her visit, 5th and 6th graders read her book Bamboo People, and 7th-8th graders read a chapter of her YA novel You Bring the Distant Near.

Many thanks to all the MS English teachers and Nate Edmunds, who helped this to be such a success for the students, and to Bricks and Mortar Bookstore for supplying books for the sales/signing. Thanks also to the kitchen staff who put our lunches together.

Image credits: Dave Chudzik