UPG Children's Literature Conference History

Louis Sachar
Featured Author
His unique style of satire and humor for children have provided real fun and laughter in classrooms. Sachar's books include: his first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom, Dogs Don't Tell Lies, and the Marvin Redpost series.

	Paul Zindel Featured Speaker He has used his own reminiscences of youth, as well as his experience as a high school teacher, to create characters infused with the spirit and longing of adolescence.
Erin McGonigle Brammer Featured Illustrator Since graduating magna cum laude in 1988, she has worked full time as a graphic designer and as a freelance illustrator in the field of children's literature. Books she has illustrated include: The Sea Maidens of Japan (author: Lili Bell) and Babes in Toyland.
	Marc Harshman Featured Storyteller Along with telling stories, he writes children's books, poems, and has taught in a three-room country schoolhouse. A frequent speaker and workshop leader for both adults and children, he has been featured at the Mazza Collection Institute, the Three Rivers Reading Council Conference, the West Virginia State Reading Conference, and many others. The Storm, A LittleExcitement, and Only One are three of Marc Harshman's children's books.

	Lois Lowry Author of over twenty books for young adults and is a two-time Newbery Medal winner.
Nancy Alberts A writing instructor for the Institute of Children's Literature at the University of Pittsburgh, she relives her own childhood through her writing.
	Sally Hobart Alexander Blind at age 26, Sally left teaching for a career in social work. After the birth of her children, she turned to writing.
Temujin the Storyteller Well known local storyteller, Temujin, shared his expertise through demonstrations, interaction circle stories and true-or-not stories.

	*Jerry Spinelli* Featured Author 1991 Newbery Medalist for Maniac Magee, author of Wringer, 1998 Newbery Honor Book.
*Laura Opshinksy & Charles Holden* Featured Puppeteers "We're Holden Puppets" - "Storytelling, acting, pantomime, music and dance can all be employed to focus on that most basic essential human social skill, communication."
	*MAZZA* Eclectic collection of the highest quality of original art from children's books, emphasizing the educational value.

	*Russell Freedman* Featured Speaker Author of over forty non-fiction books on subjects ranging from animal behavior to American history.
Mary Leonhardt Featured Speaker A long-time English teacher, reading specialist, and author of the popular books Keeping Kids Reading and 99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading.

	*Steven Kellogg* Featured Speaker A storyteller/illustrator since he was a child - He has illustrated over ninety books, many of which he has written. His goal is to “blend illustrations and words so that each book is a feast for eye and ear.”
*John Manders* Featured Illustrator His style was described by Kirkus as “madcap artwork” belying “a rigorous and elegant technique.” Originally a graphic designer and art director, he switched to illustration, using an old masters’ technique of layered colored glazes over monochromatic underpainting.
	*Pat & Richard Easton* Featured Authors Local husband and wife authors will discuss their work in publishing family folklore.

Betsy & Giulio Maestro
Featured Author-Illustrator Team The Maestros have been creating books together since 1974. They are well known in the publishing field for their nonfiction, which is characterized by their attention to detail and the clarity of both words and pictures. Their books have been praised for their simple, uncluttered presentions; clean accurate prose; and colorful, striking illustrations. They have collaborated on more than seventy books. The America Story series began with their highly acclaimed The Discovery of the Americas. This ongoing series continues to help readers understand and connect events in our nation's history.

Norma Fox Mazer
Featured Author Ms. Mazer has published a total of 27 books, including two collections of short stories and a novelization of a movie. She collaborated with her husband, Harry Mazer, to write three novels. A poetry anthology, plus a number of articles and short stories have been printed in magazines ranging from Redbook to Child Life to English Journal. She has received a Newbery Honor, along with numerous awards. A number of her books have been translated into various languages. Mazer's most recent book is When She Was Good.

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