Julia Ebel

Julia Taylor Ebel celebrates nature, heritage and cultural history through stories and poetry that speak to readers across generational lines. She is the author of six books, including The Picture Man; Dresses, Dreams and Beadwood Leaves; and  Jack Tales and Mountain Yarns as Told by Orville Hicks, which received the American Folklore Society’s Aesop Accolade.  Julia’s books reflect her commitment to keeping stories from North Carolina and to encouraging others to pass along their own stories.  www.juliaebel.com

Orville Hicks: Mountain Stories, Mountain Roots:  Biography of the Appalachian storyteller who tells tales handed down through generations of his family; a

window into mountain life and culture. 160 pages; ages 8 to adult. $21.95

(Willie Parker Peace History Book Award)

Walking Ribbon:  A historical tale set in Liberty, NC, 1898. Young

Maggie walks with her run-away calf; a nostalgic glimpse of the by-gone world of a small southern town. 32 pages; ages 4 to 10. $16.95 (Clark Cox Historical Fiction Award)

Caroline McAlister

Caroline McAlister teaches writing at Guilford College. She lives in Greensboro with her husband Clint Corcoran and two teenage daughters, Abby and Allie. Every week she goes to the library and gets out more books than she can possibly read and runs up big fines, which she pays gladly because
she likes to support the library. She also writes many more stories than she actually publishes. She enjoys cooking, quilting, gardening, and tennis. She is available for school visits and makes presentations to home schooling groups.

Caroline will be reading from the book, Brave Donatella and theJasmine Thief.

What would you do for love? When the evil Cosimo de Medici imprisons Antonio for stealing a sprig of jasmine, Brave Donatella risks everything to rescue him.
[Picture book for 4-8 year olds]

Holy Mole! (Atlanta: August House, 2007). When Carlos accidentally gets in the way of the cook, ingredients go flying and a new dish is born. *Holy Mole!* is based on a Mexican legend about the origins of mole sauce, a
savory dish that originates in the region of Pueblo. [picture book for 5-10 year olds]

http://www.carolinemcalister.com/

A lifetime educator, Bonnie J. Doerr has lived in in ten states and taught students from kindergarten to college. Though her advanced degree is in reading education, she credits her experience as a science teacher with the inspiration to write ecological mysteries for ages ten and up. Her work has been honored by NOAA and included in literary field guides. She is the author Island Sting, a nominee for YALSA's 2011 crime scene list, and winner of the 2011 EPIC (Electronic Publication Internet Coalition) eBook award for outstanding children's fiction.
Her most recent novel is Stakeout, a February 2011 release. When not writing and researching in the Florida Keys, she lives in a log cabin in North Carolina.www.BonnieDoerrBooks.com or www.BonnieBlogsGreen.blogspot.com

Island Sting (Leap Books, 2010):

 Island Sting is a contemporary romp through the Florida Keys with crime-cracking teens, Kenzie and Angelo. Island Sting, an eco-mystery, combines the hearts of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys with the environmental themes of Carl Hiaasen. Included in Island Sting are maps that geographically orient readers to the Florida Keys, as well as author notes on the tiny endangered Florida Key deer, the National Key Deer Refuge, and its history. Island Sting is appropriate for ages 10 and up.

Stakeout (Leap Books, 2011): In Stakeout, a stand alone sequel to Island Sting, Kenzie's haunting visions of an ancient sea turtle cause her to take dangerous risks, strain her friendship with Angelo, and place her name on the hot list of endangered species. Joining the crime-cracking team in Stakeout, wheelchair-bound Ana Muñoz who heroically rides into the middle of the latest Florida Keys eco-mystery. 

Maps are included in Stakeout, as are author notes on The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida, its mission and history, and additional information on research and threats to sea turtles throughout the world. Stakeout is appropriate for ages ten and up. 

"Stakeout was chosen by the Children's Book Council for its 2011 Go Green reading list."  http://www.cbcbooks.org/readinglists/GoGreen 

Sara Harrell Banks

was raised in Georgia and Alabama by a number of loving and eccentric relatives. She comes from a newspaper family and has followed in the tradition of her great-grandfather, M. L. Yeatman, who was editor and publisher of the Choctaw Herald, and her grandmother Huberta Margaret, who was his printer's devil and wished to write stories for the paper. Ms. Banks lives in High Point, NC. Her book, THE EVERLASTING NOW has been selected for the Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2011 bibliography! This prestigious list is put together annually by the Children's Book Council and the National Council for Social Studies. The bibliography will be published in NCSS's Social Education publication.

She has taught creative writing in schools and colleges, including West Georgia College, Georgia Southern Univ., and the University of South Carolina at Beaufort, S.C. She won the 1997 Georgia Author of the Year Award for Under the Shadow of Wings, which was An American Booksellers Pick of the Lists, and the 2000 Georgia Author of the Year award in the YA division for Abraham's Battle: A Novel of Gettysburg. Her newest

book, The Everlasting Now, was just released in April,.

HunterDarden grew up in Elkin, NC, the daughter of a doctor and a kindergarten teacher. Her most valuable lessons about life were learned through her parents, both influential role models. Her father, with his humble nature, taught her about character and strength in spirit. Her mother, with her enthusiasm for life, taught her that anything is possible if you have the drive and the will to succeed.

After her father's death,Hunter was thrown into the most common position of explaining the reality of death and the concept of eternal life to her children. As a catharsis, she resorted to her most natural instinct. Hunter, at last being completely inspired, began to write. After thirty years, these had culminated into her first book, The Everlasting Snowman, a story of the cycle of life, is an inspirational book for children and adults alike. With its beautiful watercolor illustrations by Tamara Scantland Adams, it explains that the natural cycle of life goes on and on. It paved the way for seven more books and a wonderful career.

Hunter Darden will be reading from Gorgeous Georgia-a story of inner beauty.

The other books she will have to sell are:

I Only Eat Trout—Learn to Cope With Worry

The Everlasting Snowman-A Story of the Cycle of Life

Tapestry-A Story of The Healing of The Soul

Gorgeous Georgia-a Story of Inner Beauty

Horse Sense and Savvy

Vampirologist, Theresa Bane has been featured on Discovery Channels’ “Twisted History: Vampires” as well as E!’s “10 Sexiest Vampires” for her knowledge and expertise on the undead.Bane is the author of The Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology, Actual Factual: Dracula,Haunted Historic Greensboro, Ghost Stories and Folklore of the Piedmont, North Carolina, and The Encyclopedia of Demons. She has also written a dark humor book entitled The Bloodthirsty Weasels: On the Loose and Buck Wild as well as regularly writing content and satirical articles for on-line magazines. Recently she has delved in audio books and has been the Associate Producer on Patricia Brigg’s “Dragon Bones” and “Dragon Blood,” both produced by Buzzy Multimedia.

When not writing, Bane travels educating audiences about the differences between traditional mythology and horror fiction. A diehard gamer originally from the NY/NJ area, she currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, T. Glenn Bane. Please feel free to visit her website at www.theresabane.net

Ms. Bane will be reading a story called "The Vampire Chair;" from the Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology.

Carol left WGHP-TV, High Point, NC, in July, 2002.  She wanted to be at home with her son Nicholas.  She also wanted to explore other dreams.  As a result, she is publishing books and conducting inspirational talks and workshops.

“I want to empower others to follow their dreams,” she says.

“The best part of this,” says Carol, “is that I have more of a say in the direction my life is taking. I am this open canvas, trying to live the life God would have me live.”

Her first book, The Giggle Wind, illustrated by North Carolina illustrator Steven M. Cozart, met with rave reviews.  Her second book, Speckled Angels, is currently making its way into homes and schools across America.  On this book she collaborated with another North Carolina illustrator, Idalia Canter of Pfafftown.

Jim Young was born in Greensboro NC .  Jim lived in New York for 14 years and now currently resides once more in Greensboro .  He is the author and/or illustrator of over two dozen books for children.  He is a librarian with the Greensboro Public Library.   He is also married with two children.  He also plays banjo with local old-time band – The Nutbush Ramblers.

Jim will be reading My Bunny and will have copies of Puppies In The Snow for sale. 

Robert Nutt

Born and raised in Iowa

Graduated from The Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale

Has been in Graphic Design for 28 years

Book: Amy's Light, published by Dawn Publishing, recipient of the Gold iParenting Media Award, and the Gold Mom's Choice Award 2010

Currently living in Greensboro NC with my wife and two daughters

Clay Carmichael

TERRANCE ZEPKE studied journalism at the University of Tennessee and later received a Masters in Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina. Zepke has traveled to every continent and lived all over the world. She always returns to the Carolinas. To learn more about the author,visit her website, www.terrancezepke.com. She is fascinated by maritime history, nefarious pirates, lowcountry history and folklore, ghosts, southern fiction, mysteries, strange phenomenon (such as UFOs and crop circles), voodoo, and travel.

Cynthia Moore Brown has been an acclaimed performer and educator for over three decades in North Carolina & the South. She has traveled our country and Europe performing, conducting workshops and collecting stories. She has been a television personality, radio show host, festival & workshop planner & performer for many years.  Her folktales are featured frequently on NPR for WFDD radio from Wake Forest University.

Cynthia uses her many talents to bring texture to her down home Southern style. With her sparkling whirl of music, stories, and audience interaction her folktales are energized for listeners of any age.

Cynthia is an author as well. Her new book will  be published soon, possibly right at Easter this year.

Cynthia’s stories can be enjoyed on her CD “Ghost Stories from the Graveyard.”

Cynthia's new book.....

          GHOST STORIES    & FOLKTALES OF PIEDMONT  NORTHCAROLINA

Joe Ferguson

Joe Ferguson is a nationally known storyteller, humorist, and early childhood consultant known for his warmth and captivating personality.  He is the first male graduate of NC A&T State University in the field of Early Childhood Education.  He has been a teacher, assistant librarian, and now a substitute teacher and tutor. 

Joe uses games, music, and movement to provide creative adventures in oral communication through his storytelling.

He uses a unique blend of humor and straight talk to teach and to address many vital and diverse issues that facilitate social, emotional, and academic success.  His stories are lighthearted and include lessons from the early childhood curriculum, as well as character education tools.

Joan Anderson is a local author who has written a children's book, The Great Isabella.

The Great Isabella -The tiny caterpillar Isabella senses her greatness before changing into a magnificent butterfly. While the mystery and magic of nature take place within her, she imagines the possibility of first being a snake crawling among the leaves, then soaring into the great blue sky as an airplane.

Judith Geary joined Bob and Barbara Ingalls in forming High Country Publishers in 2001 and still edits for its successor, Ingalls Publishing Group, Inc, as well as freelancing. She has edited and/or designed over 40 titles in fiction and nonfiction, working with award-winning and bestselling authors, and with independent projects. Her background includes an MA in Education from George Peabody College, continued graduate work in writing, editing, literary criticism and involvement in High Country Writers since 1996. She has taught in the Department of Communication at Appalachian State since 1985 and currently serves as Scenario Director (first evaluator) for the NC affiliate of International Future Problem Solving and as an evaluator on the international level. Her own writing passion is historical fiction and her YA Getorix series, set in ancient Rome, is endorsed regionally for classroom use. The second in the series: Getorix: Games of the Underworld will be released in fall of 2011.

Carole Weatherford

New York Times best-selling author Carole Boston Weatherford has 40 books, including Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom, winner of an NAACP Image Award and Caldecott Honor Medal. Her young adult debut Becoming Billie Holiday and picture book biography Before John Was a Jazz Giant: A Song of John Coltrane both won Coretta Scott King Honors. Birmingham, 1963 won the Jefferson Cup and Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, and The Sound that Jazz Makes won the Carter G. Woodson Award from National Council for the Social Studies. Among her recent releases are The Beatitudes: From Slavery to Civil Rights and First Pooch: The Obamas Pick a Pet. Recipient of the Ragan-Rubin Award from the North Carolina English Teachers Association and the North Carolina Award for Literature, Carole is a professor at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina.

The Library Ghost

Ill. by Lee White

A ghost bugs nursery rhyme and fairy tale characters to help her solve a mystery.

Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-ins

Ill. by Jerome Lagarrigue

On the dawn of the sit-ins, a fictional narrator longs for a banana split at the whites-only lunch counter.

Before John Was a Jazz Giant: A Song of John Coltrane

Ill. by Sean Qualls

A picture book biography celebrates the sounds of the jazz saxophonist’s High Point childhood.

A Negro League Scrapbook

A celebration of all-black baseball’s glory days.

Donna Lawrence

Donna is as native of Pine Hall, North Carolina where she was raised on a farm with her parents and seven brothers and sisters. Living in the country was fun, but she dreamed of one day living in the city. From an early age she enjoyed dressing up and experimenting with new hair styles. This was to become her career when she decided to go to Leon’s Beauty School in Greensboro. While working at a salon, she met her husband Roy. He convinced her to pursue her dream of opening her own hair salon. In August, 1992, that dream was realized when she opened the Kutting Edge.

In October, 2008, Donna was attacked by a pit bull and nearly died. Understandably, the attack left her very fearful of dogs. But all that changed in August, 2009. That is when she met Susie, the little puppy that was found beaten, burned and left to die in a Greensboro park. Susie helped Donna overcome her fear of dogs and gave her inspiration for her new life.

Today, not only is she running her own business, but she is also involved in a very special project called, “Susie’s Hope.” Susie and Donna travel all over North Carolina educating children and adults about the importance of animal care and safety. With the help of many supporters, they helped change North Carolina’s animal cruelty law. “Susie’s Law” went into effect in December, 2010.

Donna says, “Susie and I share a similar story, as I too was wrongfully attacked. We both lived to tell our stories. I think that is why we share a special bond. We have helped each other overcome our fears – her of humans and me of dogs. We both have learned to love, trust, and forgive. This brought hope back into our lives. This is Susie’s story.”

Susie's Hope is.....

  Susie's hope is a powerful message of Love, Hope, and forgiveness.

                               It's about:

• Facing your fears and watching them disappear.
• Getting a second chance at life, and running with it.
• Never giving up hope.
• Loving and trusting again.
• Moving forward and not looking back.
• Living for the moment and not living in the past.
• Not holding on to the negative in life, but focusing on the positive.
• Forgiving those who hurt you and then you will go from being a victim to becoming a victor.

    Susie and I are on a personal journey to educate and inspire people of the importance of “animal safety and animal care”. We have been working together as   a team to motivate people to love and respect their pets. Education is the best prevention when it comes to animal abuse.

We have been visiting schools, churches, organizations, our special needs community, pet adoption fairs, and fund raisers. Soon we will be visiting hospitals and medical facilities to inspire burn victims, cancer patients, along with victims of any kind of violence and abuse. Susie and I are being certified under “Delta Pet Partners” and plan to use this training to minister to and touch the hearts of people everywhere. We tell the story of two Miracles, human and animal. How we both survived a brutal attack and lived to tell about it.   Visit the website below for more information.

 http://susieshope.com/home.html

Kathy Nider Wolf

Kathy was born a coal miner’s daughter in southwestern Pennsylvania. Her parents moved to Rochester, New York where she grew up with four younger siblings. She earned a teaching degree at the State University of New York at Cortland and later a Masters in Education from the University of North Carolina. 

Kathy has over twenty-five years experience in educational publishing as a writer, editor, and product development manager. She continues teaching as an associate professor of early childhood education as well as freelance writing and editing for textbook companies and Christian education publishers.

She is the co-author of “Make a Joyful Noise: Music, Movement, and Creative Play to Teach Bible Stories” and author of “Bible Arts and Crafts.” She helped edit “Susie’s Hope,” as well as “The Yearning Tree,” by Gina Farago, a book for children who have experienced the loss of a loved one, as told through the eyes of two family pets.

Kathy commented, “Caring for my three-year-old grand daughter as well as a Cavalier Spaniel/Bichon mix puppy, I’ve seen how pets and children can learn love and trust from each other. Beauregard thinks Riley is a walking vending machine!”

     Jamestown Public Library                  

        200 West MainStreet          

Jamestown, NC 27282
Phone 336-454-4815
Fax 336-454-0630