Author Varian Johnson Visits Hoffman Middle School
Hoffman Middle School students recently met [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Varian Johnson. He is author of the critically acclaimed novel The Great Greene Heist. The visit was made possible by Scholastic. Last summer, Hoffman students read nearly 1 million minutes for [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Scholastic’s Summer Reading Challenge. Students significantly raised the minutes they logged from the previous year.
Seventh and eighth grade students listened to Johnson’s presentation. He discussed his inspiration for writing The Great Greene Heist. The author also involved students in a conversation about the book. He also answered students’ questions and signed copies of his book.
Several district-level administrators also attended. They included Alonda Jacks-Moorehead and Nancy Gauthier. They serve as program directors for Title 1. Cindy Buchanan was also present. Buchanan serves as the program director of library media services. Sonia Castro from the Multilingual Department stopped by too. The program specialist dressed as Clifford the Dog. Also present at the event was Joe Shaw from Scholastic.
[icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Johnson is the author of three other novels, including My Life as a Rhombus, Saving Maddie, and A Red Polka Dot in a World Full of Plaid.
His newest novel, The Great Greene Heist, is his first work for younger readers. It was recently named a Publishers Weekly Best Summer Book of 2014. Kirkus Reviews praised the novel in a starred review.
[quote]”The elaborate bait and switch of this fast-paced, funny caper novel will surprise its readers as much as the victims. They’ll want to reread immediately so they can admire the setup.” — Kirkus Reviews[/quote]
A big thanks goes out to Scholastic and Varian Johnson for visiting with students. And a big congratulations to [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Hoffman Middle School students for reading during the summer!
Johnson talks to students at Hoffman Middle School.
[icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Hoffman is an [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. The campus provides the Middle Years Program. Aldine ISD offers the entire IB continuum — Primary Years Program, Middle Years Program and Diploma. The campus received a [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]School of Distinction Award in 2014 Magnet Schools of America.
