Author Visits
Virtual School Visit
More economical and flexible than an in-person school visit,
you may customize it by adding Q&A sessions to provide more students with a personal author experience.
Virtual School Visit includes (Fee $300):
-- a 45-minute live presentation via the platform of your choice in which Suzanne shares her journey to become an author, details about her engineering career and how she worked on rockets, how a book is made (research and edits), the inside scoop on what illustrators do, how her book Astronaut Annie soared to the ISS and was read by an astronaut, and an interactive Q&A session where students can ask any and all questions.
[Note: For K/1st grades, program is 30 minutes ($200).
Author will share how a book is made and read a book.]
-- Plus links to more video resources by the author such as "How a Book is Made", book readings, and video of astronaut Anne McClain reading Astronaut Annie.
Schools may schedule additional Q&A sessions for $50 each.
Schools within a 30-mile radius of Libertyville IL have the option to purchase autographed books.
In-Person School Visit (Fully booked for 2023-24):
Suzanne has visited hundreds of elementary schools.
She presents up to four 45-minute sessions per day.
During this visit she shares ...
- how she became an author
- how her book Astronaut Annie soared to the Space Station
- an *amazing* science experiment
- how a book is made (including research & edits)
- a behind-the-scenes video of what authors really do
- and answers to all student questions (Yes, all of them!)
*Update: Suzanne's school visit schedule is booked through 2024, so unfortunately she is unable to accept new school visit requests at this time. But she has created author videos so your class can "visit" her anytime!
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Use the form below to reserve your author visit date or ask questions.
Or email Suzanne at slade357-visit (at) yahoo.com
Notes From Teachers & Students
“We had a faculty meeting this morning and I can't even begin to express how impressed our principal was with your event! The kids and teacher are still talking about it. You've truly encouraged so many children in so many ways!”
Tiffany Maronpot,
3rd grade teacher, Stroudsburg Elem.
Prairie Crossing's awesome Thank Yous
“I wanted to let you know how much we appreciated your author Skype session. You did a wonderful job connecting with the students and sharing your writing process. I especially appreciate your encouragement to the students to not give up and keep practicing their writing.
This was truly the highlight of our school year!”
Book posters by students at Lester School
Wonderful letters from Mrs. Groncki's 3rd grade at Kildeer Elementary
“Thank you so much for coming. It was a fabulous day for all of us. You did a wonderful job of combining your story, how to research, how books are made, and lots of humor that kept the kids enjoying your presentation.”
Jill Berry,
Media Center Director, Elm School
Lecia Avey,
RJ Elementary, Metlakatla Alaska
Cards from Mr. Pepitone's Class, Mount Prospect Elementary, NH
Out and About
Colorful "Thank You" note from Adler School
Reading to 300 children, Read Across America Day,
Navy Pier, Chicago
Illinois Young Authors' Conference
Presenting COUNTDOWN at the National Book Festival, Washington DC
The awesome Anderson's Bookshop
A COMPUTER CALLED KATHERINE
interview on ABC's Windy City Live
Tara, 3rd Grade Teacher, Belle Aire School
“Thank you so much for the extremely engaging presentation!
You were hands-down the best author visit we have ever had!
Thanks for inviting me!
Adler Elementary School
Alta Vista Montessori
Apollo School
Ascension Elementary
Aspen Elementary School
Banting Elementary School
Barbara's Bookstore
Barnes & Noble, Vernon Hills
Belle Aire School
Betsy Ross Elementary
Brilliant Sky Toys & Books
Butterfield School
Canterbury Elementary
Cherokee Elementary
Chicago Children's Museum
Christa McAuliffe Elementary
Clearview Elementary
Collins Elementary
Compass Point Homeschool
Cook Memorial Library
Copeland Manor School
Cottonwood Creek Elementary
Country Meadows School
Country Trails School
Countryside Elementary
Crocodile Pie Bookstore
Cross Lutheran School
Eaton Elementary
Eccles Elementary
Edison School
Elm School
Euclid Elementary
Everett Elementary
Fernback Science Center
Fields School
Ford Elementary
Fremont Library
Fremont School
Glacier Ridge Elementary
Glen Flora Elementary
Glen Grove School
Glendale Primary School
Goodrich Elementary
Greenbrier Elementary
Harrison School
Hickory Point Elementary
Highland Middle School
Highland Park Library
Hillcrest Elementary
Hodgkins School
Hoffman School
Holly Springs Elementary
Hope Institute
Illinois Reading Council
Illinois Young Author's Conf.
Indian Knoll Elementary
IRA Conference
ISLMA Conference
Ivy Hall School
James C. Bush Elementary
Jefferson School
Johnsburg School
Johnson Elementary
Kildeer Elementary
Kinder Korner Preschool
The King's Academy
Lake Forest Country Day
Libertyville Homeschool
Landmark Elementary
Lester Elementary
Lily Lake Elementary
Little River Elementary
Longfellow Elementary
Mackeben Elementary
Madison Elementary
McHenry Library
Meadowview Elementary
Model School
Mt. Prospect Elementary
NSTA Conference
National Book Festival
NEA Read Across America
Oak Grove Elementary
Parkside Elementary
Pierce Downer Elementary
Prairie Crossing Elementary
Politics & Prose Bookstore
RJ Elementary
Rockland School
Royston Elementary
Sheridan School
Spring Meadows
St. Gabriel School
St. John’s Lutheran School
Stephens Intermediate School
Sycamore Elementary
West Elementary
Westgate School
Westbrook Elementary
Westfield School
Woodbridge Library
Woodview School
Zion Benton Library
Politics and Prose Bookstore
warmly welcomes COUNTDOWN
Group photo during a Skype visit
