Skype An Author

Skyping with an author is an incredible opportunity for students to learn more about the books they love, ask questions about the writing process, and share a literary experience.

Author Kate Messner keeps a database of authors who do free Skype conversations with classes and book clubs. There is also the Skype An Author Network, which lists other authors who do free Skype chats.

Author Darcy Pattison has a list of 24 tips for Skype author visits.

At my school in The Bahamas, we had a free Skype conversation with Tom Angleberger, the author of the extremely popular Origami Yoda series. Our students prepared their questions in advance, which I sent to Mr. Angleberger (the Bahamian accent can be tricky!). He then taught the students how to make their own origami Yodas. We closed the conversation with our own Oprah-style giveaway: the kids got a copy of the second book in the series. There were screams and vows to "keep the book until I'm 21!"

Mr. Angleberger has agreed to Skype with our Colombian students this month.

Our Skype chat with Tom Angleberger 

(Yes, it's projected on a towel...we improvised in The Bahamas!)

It was an unforgettable experience to learn how to fold an Origami Yoda from the author.