New York Times Bestselling Author Jen Calonita Visits Hoffman Middle School

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William Schaller, Hoffman Middle School librarian (with book in hand), introduces author Jen Calonita (in dress).

Hoffman Middle School students had an exciting opportunity to meet New York Times bestselling author Jen Calonita on October 24, 2025. The acclaimed author, known for her engaging storytelling, conducted two special sessions on campus, sparking the students’ imagination and love for reading and writing.

The morning session, an Author Visit and Q&A, was held in the school library with 90 sixth-grade students. Calonita discussed her novel Isle of Ever (published March 25, 2025), the first book in her new series about a girl who must solve a centuries-old mystery to inherit a fortune. A few eighth-grade classes also enjoyed a surprise First Chapter Friday read-aloud from her spooky, twisted tale, Mirror, Mirror.

The second session, an Afternoon Writer’s Workshop, included 24 seventh- and eighth-grade students selected by their teachers to benefit most from participation, including emergent English speakers. The library was transformed for the workshop with fairy lights in honor of Calonita’s Tinker Bell: An Enchanter’s Tale (published September 2, 2025).

During the workshop, Calonita shared her inspiring journey to becoming an author. She didn’t always know she wanted to write until a teacher encouraged her in school. She began her career at Teen People magazine, where she interviewed celebrities including Beyoncé, Jennifer López, and Dwayne Johnson. Her first book, Secrets of My Hollywood Life (2007), was inspired by her experiences as an entertainment journalist.

Calonita also discussed her writing process, emphasizing that ideas can come from anywhere — including news articles, personal experiences, and collaboration. Students were actively involved in a hands-on project, creating the basis of their own stories by selecting heroes, villains, goals, and settings. Calonita provided feedback, encouragement, and even awarded bookmarks for great ideas. Each student received an autographed copy of Tinker Bell: An Enchanter’s Tale.

“I learned that I can make a story about anything and pull ideas from anywhere, or be about anyone,” said seventh-grade student Liam Villarreal.

On the importance of visiting schools across the country, Calonita explained, “I love meeting students. Getting to meet an author was not something I had growing up. I want to inspire and motivate students. If they want to write, I want to help them see that it is doable with patience and practice.”

Hoffman librarian William Schaller coordinated the visit and emphasized that author visits create a “buzz around reading” and encourage tweens to enjoy reading for fun. The impact of Calonita’s visit was evident as students had already engaged with her work, reading Isle of Ever in a spring book club and even creating videos to share their excitement for the sequel, The Cursebreaker: An Isle of Ever Novel (available March 10, 2026). Her other recent work includes The Taylors (October 7, 2025).

Calonita has written over 40 books for middle-grade and teen readers, including the Fairy Tale Reform School series and Disney’s A Twisted Tale series. Her latest works continue to capture readers’ imaginations with tales of friendship, adventure, and magic.

When Calonita isn’t writing, she enjoys traveling, visiting Disney Parks, and spending time in New York with her husband, two sons, and her feisty chihuahua, Ben Kenobi. Visit Calonita’s website to learn more about her and her books.

Hoffman Middle School, an Aldine ISD Choice School offering the College Prep program, fosters literacy by allowing students choice in reading, hosting book clubs, attending Houston book festivals, and cultivating a culture of reading throughout the campus.

As the district looked to realign and allocate resources and support to campuses before the start of the 2025–2026 school year, district leaders identified several campuses as Opportunity Schools, including Hoffman Middle School. The realignment allows district and campus leaders to provide additional support to accelerate outcomes and remove barriers and obstacles more quickly and effectively.