kathleen odean

         expert on children's & young adult books

WHAT PARTICIPANTS SAY ABOUT KATHLEEN'S WORKSHOPS

What a wonderful wealth of information for my needs in a high school special education reading program!  Thank you for providing such a great resource for me and, in turn, my students.
            --  Nancy Leffler, Reading Specialist, Hamilton/Wenham Regional HS, Hamilton, MA

Thank you so much.  This was great!  With schools looking for ways to keep kids reading, this workshop is essential!  I plan on returning next year, only with more of my colleagues next time!
--  Jonathan Rourke, English Teacher, Spaulding HS, Rochester, NH

Excellent information.  Well-prepared presenter.  Lots of good ideas and book ideas to bring back to the classroom.
            -- Shauna Bryk, 6th Grade Teacher, Burnt Hills, NY

As always, a wonderful and engaging presentation chock-full of great ideas and great books!
            -- Jackson Hyde, Middle and High School Librarian, Turin, NY

“The presenter’s knowledge, humor, insight and experience made the entire day just fly by.”
--  Megan Fogarty, Title I Reading/SPED Teacher, Turners Falls, MA

“Knowledgeable speaker.  Great ideas for classroom application.  Even computer-shy older teacher felt inspired by ideas.”
            --  Kathleen Herold, English/Reading Teacher, Glens Falls H.S., Glens Falls, NY

I so look forward to this conference every year.  Thanks so much.
--  Pat Evans, Literacy Specialist, Saco Middle School, Saco, ME

I get so much out of this seminar.  I can’t wait to take my new knowledge back to my school and shaer it with colleagues and students.  Thank you!
            --  Mary Shannon, Engish teacher, Binghamton H.S., Binghamton, NY

This seminar is de riguer for me.  I could not be this informed regarding YA books any other way.
            --  Phyllis Peters, Literacy Teacher/Consultant ELA, BOCES #1, Fairport, NY

I’ve been attending this seminar for three years now, and every time I have I am excited and re-energized.
            --  Bridget Renfer, ELA Teacher, Eastridge H.S., Rochester, NY

This workshop helps student learning because it directs me in my practice.  It gives me ideas.  It gives me ideas of strategies to share with the teachers and helps me share more books and ideas with teachers and students.
            --  Donna Good, Teacher/Librarian, Narragansett H.S., Narragansett, RI

What an absolute joy to participate in this valuable and inspiring workshop…Wow!  I can’t wait to attend next year.
            --  Reina R. O’Connor, 6th Grade Teacher, Advanced Math & Science Academy, Marlborough, MA

Fantastic!  Learned so much about new books out there for young adults as well as ways to use books in the classroom.  It’s great to hear someone who has read the books and understands the young adult mindset!
            --  Amanda Mello, Grade 8 ELA, O’Maley M.S., Gloucester, MA

Fabulous! I learned so much: new books, new tools, new teaching ideas!
            --  Julie Lascher, ELA 6th Grade Teacher, Coolidge M.S., Reading, MA

This is truly a not-to-miss workshop.
            --  Alice Chen, Library Teacher, Cambridge Rindge & Latin, Cambridge, MA

Thank you for your energy and enthusiasm! It is always inspiring!
            --  Melanie Scalice, 7th Grade English Teacher, R.J. Grey J.H., Acton, MA

Best workshop ever.  Great overview of many titles.  Great ideas for promoting books.  Loved it!!
            --  Susan Kashmanian-Smith, Teacher/Librarian, Putnam Voc/Tech H.S., Springfield, MA

This is a great tool for any teacher!
            --  Paula Chapin, English Teacher, Palmer H.S., Palmer, MA

I’ve come to perhaps six of Kathleen Odean’s  seminars and have never been disappointed.  She helps me broaden my YA reading and supplements my reading lists to recommend books to my students.  Her ideas for promoting books and for fun assignments are wonderful.
            --  Mara McCarthy, Library Media Specialist, Granville Jr/Sr High, Granville, NY

Wonderful presentation – interesting – diverse – creative!
            --  Kathleen A. Morton, ELA Teacher, Cairo-Durham HS, Cairo NY

I love coming to hear Kathleen’s presentations because I leave with wonderful classroom ideas in addition to book suggestions.
            --  Molly Flanagan, ELA Teacher, Cohoes MS, Cohoes, NY

This was my third time at Kathleen’s seminar.  I love it! You blink and the day has gone by!
            --  Lauren Corliss, Hollis-Brookline MS, Hollis, NH

Pacing, sense of humor, insights, strategies.  Always useful.  The one conference I won’t miss.
            --  P. Weisberg, Teacher, Epping MS, Epping, NH

I always leave this seminar renewed and excited about new activities.
            --  Thelma Thompson, Media Specialist, Epping MS/HS, Epping, NH

As always, very worthwhile.  Thank you!  I can’t wait for next year.
            --  Christine Luongo, ELA/SS Teacher, Epping MS, Epping, NH

Another wonderful, informative and interesting presentation.
            --  Laura Denehy, Librarian, Merrimack MS, Merrimack, NH

A wonderful day and a great resource to use at school.
            --  Gail Severy, SPED Teacher, Merrimack MS, Merrimack, NH

Very informative, great content, very helpful.
            --  Jason Lambert, 7th Grade Teacher, Gorham MS, Gorham, ME

Out of the best workshops I’ve attended.  Informative, concise, useful, and current.  Thank you!
            --  Lisa Peavey, English Teacher, Long Creek Youth Development Center, South Portland, ME

This is my third time attending this seminar.  I look forward to coming next year.  I wish that others in my school could join me.
            --  Wendy Simpson, ELA Teacher, Mt. Blue MS, Farmington, ME

I found this even more informative and entertaining than last year.
            --  Sharon Crowe, Library Media Specialist, Tilton School, Utica, NY

A seminar I look forward to all year long.  I go back to my students (and colleagues) armed with the latest relevant literature that keep them coming back for more reading material!
            --  Cindy DeBottis, English Teacher, Vernon Verona Sherrill HS, Verona, NY

From past experience, I can guarantee the books I learned about today will fly off my shelves.  Even though this is not my first time here, I am leaving with tons of ideas that I can’t wait to try.  Thank you for the (usual) great day!
            --  Allison Fennessy, English Teacher, Auburn HS, Auburn, NY

I can’t wait to share these ideas with my students and colleagues!
            --  Marcello Didio, English Teacher, East MS, Auburn, NY

I have been coming to this workshop for years, and it always offers something new and comforting – like a good book by the fire.
            --  Michelle Lewis, English Teacher, John C. Birdlebough HS, Phoenix, NY

As always, the presentation was informative, inspiring, creative, and funny!
            --  Jenn Epolito, English Teacher, John C. Birdlebough HS, Phoenix, NY

I am leaving with tons of titles and teaching ideas to use myself and share with my colleagues.
            --  Judy Weston, English 11 Teacher, Weedsport Jr/Sr High, Weedsport, NY
Always enlightening, informative, and entertaining. 
            --  Pam Goodness, Librarian, William M. Davies Career & Tech HS, Lincoln, RI

The day was fabulous.  I loved learning about new ways to promote books. 
            --  Anne Krive, MS Librarian, Moses Brown School, Providence, RI

Thank you for the many wonderful book ideas and ideas for sharing them.  Thank you, too, for the outstanding handbook; it’s packed with valuable and useful information that I will refer to often.
            --  Terry Ebbeling, 7/8 English, Whitinsville Christian School, Whitinsville, MA

I found the presentation engaging and insightful.  I feel motivated to share what I gained from today with others!
            --  Rachel Platten, English Teacher, Brockport HS, Brockport, NY

Very informative presentation.  I especially appreciate the opportunity to learn new ways to present literature and introduce new literature to students.
            --  Sarah Bandemer, Gr 8. Teacher, JFK Middle School, Cheektowaga, NY

This is my second year attending this conference and I love the wealth of information you offer about new YA fiction.  The booklet also offers a great resource for me and my students after the conference.  Great web resources, too!
            --  Rebecca Kryger, English Teacher, Brockport HS, Brockport, NY

Very informative; not only did it enourage me to read,, but also to want to write!  Great presentation!
            --  Kelly Maresco, English Teacher, Cairo-Durham HS, Cairo, NY

What a great seminar!
            --  Alisa Scapatici, Chair of English. The Albany Academies, Albany, NY

Always a great presentation.
            --  Kathleen Kutny, Librarian, Waterford-Halfmoon, Waterford, NY

Outstanding – my third time to see Kathleen Odean.  She is an amazing presenter with a stead, calm voice, limitless knowledge, and a perfect summary of each book she chooses to share.
            --  Diane Gallagher, Gr. 7 English,. Diamond MS, Lexington, MA

Very nice relaxed seminar.  You really know what teens are interested in!
            Erin Twohig, Reference Librarian, Noble and Greenough School, Dedham, MA

out science, modeled on familiar poems like Poe's "The Raven" and Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." Topics include dinosaurs, the food chain, and the scientific method, among others. Stylish, funny pictures by Lane Smith add to the pleasure of this over-sized, sure-to-be popular book.

The Tarantula Scientist by Sy Montgomery. Photographs by Nic Bishop.
Ages 10 and up. This installment in the excellent "Scientists in the Field" series follows tarantula expert Sam Marshall to South America, where he studied tarantulas, and back to his lab at Hiram College in Ohio. Along the way readers learn not just about spiders, and particularly about tarantulas, but also about how scientists approach their work. Terrific photographs show spiders and other animals. Extra information at the end can leaders to other resources. Outstanding.

You're on Your Way, Teddy Roosevelt by Judith St. George. Illustrated by Matt Faulkner. Ages 6-10.
Teddy Roosevelt turns out to have a fascinating childhood, conveyed here in well-chosen details and lively illustrations. Quotes from his journals and anecdotes about his family bring young Teddy alive in a way that will appeal to kids. There's his home museum, with its snakes and snapping turtle. And the time he took off his hat in the streetcar, only to have frogs hop out. He pursued body building and boxing to great success. A delightful introduction to a memorable president.

The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies. Illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Ages 6-10.
Charming watercolor-and-collage illustrations and a graceful text tell the story of how Audubon, newly arrived in Pennsylvania from Frances, came to love, study and draw birds. He was the first person in America to band birds, to see if they returned to the same place after migrating, a remarkable aspect of his life included here. A wonderful picture-book biography.

Little Dog and Duncan by Kristine O'Connell George. Illustrated by June Otani.
Ages 4-9. s the title of the first poem conveys, "Big News" is afoot at the home of Little Dog. They are having a visitor, Duncan, a scruffy dog larger than Little Dog and the little girl he lives with. Elegantly simple, accessible short poems capture the excitement of the visit, the fun and friendship the dogs share, and the slight tensions that spring from their different sizes. Appealing watercolors on well-designed pages reinforce the emotions and depict their outings. This companion to Little Dog Poems will convince any doubting children and parents that poetry is pure pleasure.

Five Pages a Day: A Writer’s Journey by Peg Kehret. Ages 9-13
Peg Kehret, author of many popular children’s books, traces her path to becoming a writer in this entertaining memoir. She begins in childhood when she launched a short-lived newspaper about neighborhood dogs, one of many links between her love of writing and her love of animals. With the eye for well-chosen details that characterizes her other writing, Kehret mines her experiences for anecdotes young readers will appreciate. For example, early in her career she concentrated on writing for contests—and won a car, among other prizes. Even those who don’t expect to be writers will enjoy hearing about quirky research she has done for her books and will absorb her recurring theme about the importance of persistence. While not as emotionally compelling as her earlier autobiography, Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio, this account of her writer’s journey will appeal to her fans as well as to future writers.

19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East by Naomi Shihab Nye. Ages 14 and up
This elegant poetry collection evokes the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the Middle East, especially Jerusalem, as experienced by a Palestinian-American poet. The sixty poems reflect the strength Nye derives from her father's family and heritage, and the pain she feels reading countless “deeply sorrowful headlines” concerning Arabs. With so few books for teens by Arab-Americans, this moving collection and Habibi, the author’s fine novel set in Jerusalem, are all the more important for beginning to understand and appreciate Arabic culture.

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© 2008, Kathleen Odean, all rights reserved.