Posts Tagged teachers

Why Your Teens Need Writing Conferences

By on June 13, 2025   /   Articles, For Teachers   /   Leave a comment
Neal Shusterman, Margaret Peterson Haddis, Marissa Meyer present on a panel at youth writers conference

Writing Conferences

I had the opportunity to volunteer at a writing conference for teens this year, and it was incredible! I seriously feel like that was an understatement. I hadn’t brought my own kids because I signed up to volunteer last minute and I didn’t realize how amazing it would be. Now I want every school and family to know about these opportunities.

Author speaking to teens at writers conference

Haddix Inspires Young Writers

The conference I attended is called StoryCon, previously known as Teen Author Boot Camp. This is only one of multiple writing conferences for kids in my state (there are also conferences for adults and some specifically for educators). I am willing to bet that there are some in your area as well, so I want to help you find them.

Why Should I Go To a Writers Conference?

  • First off, they are so much fun! The energy there from the speakers, volunteers, and attendees is amazing.
  • Interacting with friends. Whether you bring them with you or make them there. It is always fun to have friends who have an interest in books like you.
  • What’s that you say? You’re not interested in writing? Then this next reason is for you! You may discover some new skills and interests you didn’t know that you had. And even if you aren’t into writing, if you are a reader it is so cool to hear from these amazing authors about how and why they write.
  • Which brings me to my next point. These conferences are so inspiring. Margaret Peterson Haddix is up there in all humility saying things like, “and when you get published, because you will get published…” If we’re speaking honestly, it is hard work to get published, and here we have an author who has really made it in the publishing world, standing up there encouraging YOU! Believing in YOU! These presenters were so motivating that even if you just have a tiny seed of interest in writing, they will help you water and grow that seed into something more.
    Neal Shusterman, Margaret Peterson Haddis, Marissa Meyer present on a panel at youth writers conference

    After the panel presentation teens had the opportunity to ask questions

  • For you teachers who are looking for opportunities for kids to do something good (in addition to maybe the great athletic opportunities offered), this is why you should organize a group from your school to attend a writing event! Can you imagine getting a group of students from your school excited about books! What would that look like to you? How would it feel for you to have made a difference to these kids in developing an interest in writing talents?
  • Develop skills. What if you’re not a writer… yet? That is why you are going to this conference. My friend, we all start somewhere and some of these events will have times for you to start right then and there learning and applying what you are hearing.
  • Meet authors and get some of your books signed! This conference I attended had some incredible names that I already knew and loved. Neal Shusterman. Marissa Meyer. Magaret Peterson Haddix. Shannon Hale. Brandon Mull. Jennifer A. Nielson. Dhonielle Clayton. Janet Sumner Johnson. As well as some that I got to meet and discover a new love for. Kaela Rivera. Frank Cole. Aubrey Hartman. Rena Barron. And so many more.
    Meeting author Jeff Kinney

    Meeting the author of Diary of a Whimpy Kid, Jeff Kinney

  • So get signed up. Sit with your friends (or new friends). Get fired up about writing. Set some practical goals. And then take the energy from the conference and keep it going in your life. Extra advice – come again next year. You don’t want that new little seed to shrivel up and be forgotten. There will be new authors presenting with new things to inspire you with.

How To Find the Best Writers Conference for You

I found out about this conference through a writer friend, but the first and easiest thing to day is to go type this phrase into your favorite search engine: writer’s conference in (add your state). Also check with local universities to see if they have any conferences, camps, events. Sometimes they don’t name them ‘writing conference’ so it can sometimes take some digging. You might try other phrases like: teen writer (switch it to writing), teen writing camp, books for young readers, conference with authors of children’s books (or middle grade or young adult). Another place to ask is your local library, they sometimes know about these events. Or ask your school/school district. These conferences often reach out to school districts to share their information and not all of it gets passed on. I’m going to pick some random cities around the US and do these searches and see what we come up with here:

Clearly this does not cover every state and every option for teens. And there are even more options for educators, librarians, and other adults interested in writing or fostering a love of reading/writing. But hopefully some of these links will get you excited to start your own search of what might be available or your area.

What if I Can’t Afford to Attend a Writers Conference?

There are often scholarships available through the conference itself. You could also check into funding through your school PTA, district offices, or seek out local sponsors. This conference I was at offered a significant discount if you brought of group of 10 or more people. Even if you are just an interested parent you could contact your school to help get a group organized or create a homeschool (or book or writers club) group to qualify for the discount. This event even offered a complimentary educator pass for the teacher accompanying the group of students. Believe me, adults will love attending their own classes or being a part of the contagious spirit of the event.

Next year I am going to this same writers conference, but this time I am taking all three of my kids who are old enough to go. I know there are writers conferences, camps, and events for teens (and others) interested in writing in most states. So you should start taking advantage of some amazing opportunities.

Back to Top

STEM Tuesday– Cephalopods — In the Classroom

By on June 10, 2025   /   Cephalopods/Mollusks, STEM Tuesday   /   Leave a comment

 

Oooh, this month’s theme is cephalopods! I’m always amazed but the things octopuses and squids can do—escape aquariums, camouflage in an instant, mesmerize predators with flashing colors, and so much more. I even read that octopuses can sometimes grow a ninth arm when they are injured!

There’s so much to amaze kids too. And while they are not in the classroom right now, here are some activities to get kids thinking about cephalopods and learning more about them!

 

Ink! 100 FUN Facts about Octopuses, Squid, and More by Stephanie Warren Drimmer

You can’t go wrong with National Geographic. This very visual book introduces readers to a variety of squids including cuttlefish that camouflage themselves and octopuses that outsmart their predators. The text is written by experts with first hand experience and includes many fun facts. It’s both educational and entertaining.

Activity: Octopuses and squid are a lot alike in many ways, but they do have some key differences. Use the facts found in this fascinating book to create a game to test players’ knowledge of these different kinds of cephalopods. Use index cards and write a fact on one side. Or print a picture or draw a diagram of a squid or octopus body part. Take turns guessing if the fact or image is that of an octopus or cephalopod. Whomever gets the most correct wins the game!

 

Amazing Octopus: Creature from an Unknown World, written by Michael Stavaric, illustrated by Michele Ganswer

This book takes a unique approach. It explores and views octopuses as otherworldly, almost as aliens. The text and original, black and white illustrations really capture the magic and mystery of these creatures. It introduces this topic by first talking about the evolution of all sea creatures, to provide context.

Activity: What if octopuses DID come from another world? What would that world look like? What would an octopus spaceship look like? Imagine that world and make a list of details about it (their homes, their favorite places to eat, their communities). Imagine their spacecraft, too. How different would it be from our spacecraft? Then make a short comic about these alien octopus astronauts traveling to Earth long ago. Use some free comic panel templates. You can find some here:

 

Giant Squid: Searching for a Sea Monster by Mary M. Cerullo and Clyde F. E. Roper

Part science textbook, part detective story, this Smithsonian book recounts biologist Clyde Roper’s search for a real-life sea monster. Readers will enjoy unearthing clues about the giant squid as they follow along with Roper’s ocean adventures. Cerullo’s text is full of facts and accompanied by a variety of eye-catching images, including both black-and-white illustrations and up-close photographs.

Activity: It’s not easy studying sea creatures and scientists have to be creative with how they study them. One method is to use a Crittercam, a camera described in this book. The scientists used a Crittercam on a sperm whale to try to capture the elusive giant squid on camera. Watch a few videos showing how this is done. It takes many steps and tries to complete successfully. Then write a step-by-step process for attaching a Crittercam to a sperm whale. This is a a good exercise in describing a process in a simple way when writing about a topic. Include diagrams if you’d like and share it with a friend. Ask: Does this make sense? Do you think I left a step out? What is confusing?

Here are some videos to watch:

Karen Latchana Kenney is a children’s author and editor who loves creating all kinds of STEM books and classroom content. Find her at https://www.karenlatchanakenney.com/.

Back to Top

STEM Tuesday– Cephalopods — Book List

By on June 3, 2025   /   Cephalopods/Mollusks, STEM Tuesday   /   Leave a comment

 

Octopuses, squids, cuttlefish, and chambered nautiluses all belong to a special group of mollusks called “cephalopods,” which literally means “head-footed.” These sea creatures have long captivated scientists, inspiring some surprising inventions and discoveries throughout history. This month’s book list celebrates the wild and wonderful world of these incredible animals!

 

The Lady and the Octopus: How Jeanne Villepreux-Power Invented Aquariums and Revolutionized Marine Biology by Danna Staaf

Version 1.0.0This biography of Jeanne Villepreux-Power dives deeply into both the historical context that shaped Jeanne and the scientific questions that captivated her. Jeanne’s passion for observing animals in their natural habitat, at odds with the conventions of her time, led to her invention of the glass aquarium, which she used to make many important discoveries about marine life. Jeanne’s contagious enthusiasm for cephalopods jumps off the page in this multifaceted portrait of a scientific pioneer, written by marine biologist Danna Staaf.

 

 

 

Obsessive about Octopuses by Owen Davey

Filled with incredible illustrations and fascinating factoids, Owen Davey introduces readers to the “weird and wonderful” world of octopuses. This browsable book features some of the lesser known species, like the wonderpus octopus and the flapjack octopus, and even gives out awards to the most sociable, most nimble, and most fashionable octopuses in the ocean.

 

 

 

Ink! 100 FUN Facts about Octopuses, Squid, and More by Stephanie Warren Drimmer

You can’t go wrong with National Geographic. This very visual book introduces readers to a variety of squids including cuttlefish that camouflage themselves and octopuses that outsmart their predators. The text is written by experts with first hand experience and includes many fun facts. It’s both educational and entertaining.

 

 

 

The Octopus Scientists written by Sy Montgomery, with photographs by Keith Ellenbogen

This book whisks young readers off to Moorea, Tahiti where they take front seat with scientists who devote their lives studying octopuses and their superpower abilities. The pictures are remarkable and engaging, and the writing is equally captivating.

 

 

 

 

Search for a Giant Squid written by Amy Seto Forrester, illustrated by Andy Chou Musser

This enthralling choose-your-own-adventure book places readers right inside a submersible to search for the elusive giant squid. Readers will learn about both ocean life and submarine technology as they make decisions about where to explore and how to overcome the obstacles they encounter along the way. And if they don’t find the giant squid on their first try, they can always start over for a whole new adventure!

 

 

 

Amazing Octopus: Creature from another World written by Michael Stavaric, illustrated by Michele Ganswer

This book takes a unique approach. It explores and views octopuses as otherworldly, almost as aliens. The text and original, black and white illustrations really capture the magic and mystery of these creatures. It introduces this topic by first talking about the evolution of all sea creatures, to provide context.

 

 

 

 

What Do We Know About the Kraken? by Ben Hubbard

This book explores the kraken, a legendary sea monster of enormous size, a mix between a squid and octopus. It’s part of the “What do we  Know ABout” series that takes a look at popular monsters from folklore. The kraken was spoken and written about for centuries, and readers can find out what sea creatures may have inspired these myths.

 

 

 

The Incredible Octopus: Meet the Eight-Armed Wonder of the Sea by Erin Spencer

This book combines fantastic photographs with in-depth facts about octopuses. It shows what life is like for these magical creatures, how their suction cups work, how they use their nine brains, what they eat, and what adaptation skills they have. It also features real stories about octopuses that escaped from their tanks.

 

 

 

Giant Squid: Searching for a Sea Monster by Mary M. Cerullo and Clyde F. E. Roper

Part science textbook, part detective story, this Smithsonian book recounts biologist Clyde Roper’s search for a real-life sea monster. Readers will enjoy unearthing clues about the giant squid as they follow along with Roper’s ocean adventures. Cerullo’s text is full of facts and accompanied by a variety of eye-catching images, including both black-and-white illustrations and up-close photographs.

 

 

 

Octopus Ocean: Geniuses of the Deep by Mark Leiren-Young

This recently released book is part of the Orca Wild series, which provides in-depth looks at fascinating creatures from across the planet. Leiren-Young shares his own octopus encounters as he uncovers what makes these animals so unique. This playful book covers octopus history, physiology, habitats, habits, and threats to their survival.

 

 

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This month’s STEM Tuesday book list was prepared by:

Author Lydia Lukidis

Lydia Lukidis is an award-winning author of 60+ trade and educational books for children. Her titles include UP, UP HIGH: The Secret Poetry of Earth’s Atmosphere (Capstone, 2025), DANCING THROUGH SPACE: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights (Albert Whitman, 2024), and DEEP, DEEP, DOWN: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench (Capstone, 2023) which was a Crystal Kite winner for the Canada and North America division, Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Honor, a Cybils Award nominee, and winner of the Dogwood Readers Award. A science enthusiast from a young age, Lydia now incorporates her studies in science and her everlasting curiosity into her books.  Another passion of hers is fostering a love for children’s literacy through the writing workshops she regularly offers in elementary schools across Quebec with the Culture in the Schools program. For more information, please visit www.lydialukidis.com.

 

 

author Callie Dean

 

Callie Dean is a researcher, writer, and musician living in Shreveport, LA. Her first picture book, Marvelous Mistakes: Accidents That Made History, will be published in 2026. For more information, please visit https://calliebdean.com.

Back to Top