Knollwood Students Get a Glimpse into the Life of an Author

Award-winning young adult fiction author Jordan Sonnenblick speaks to eighth grade students at Knollwood School
Photo/Fair Haven School District
Award-winning young adult fiction author Jordan Sonnenblick visited Knollwood School recently to give students a glimpse into the mind of a writer who explores teenage life.

 Sonnenblick, who visited the Fair Haven middle school on March 27, is well-known for exploring the complicated themes of friendship, family, and real-life tragedy with a comedic twist.
“Jordan Sonnenblick’s personal story of overcoming challenges left an enormous impression on all of our students,” Knollwood School Principal Amy Romano said. “The students were so engaged by his presentation that you could hear a pin drop.”
Sonnenblick’s books convey an understanding of life as a teenager. Titles include: Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie, After Ever After, Zen and the Art of Faking It, Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip, Are You Experienced? and Falling Over Sideways.
After Ever After, the sequel to Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie, was the 2011 Middle Grades winner of the American Library Association’s Children’s Literature Award.
In advance of Sonnenblick’s arrival, Knollwood School Library Media Specialist Patrice Horan gave each of the students in sixth through eighth grade the opportunity to create an “application” detailing why they would like to have lunch with him. Ten students were chosen to join Sonnenblick for lunch.
Sonnenblick’s visit was organized by Patrice Horan and by Supervisor of Instructional Programs and Support Kathy Elgrim, and funded by the PTA and the Board of Education.