Writer in Residence 2010: Fredrick McKissack, Jr.

The Allen County Public Library is pleased to announce the appointment of Fredrick McKissack, Jr. as our 2010 Writer in Residence. Fred has over 20 years of experience as a writer and editor. Last year, he published Shooting Star, his first novel for teens. In 1995 he received a Coretta Scott King Honor as the co-author of Black Diamond: The Story of the Negro Baseball Leagues. Fred lives in Fort Wayne with his wife and son.

As the Writer-in-Residence, Fred will bring his laptop to the library to work on a variety of projects through December 2010. He will divide his time between Children's Services and Young Adults' Services. Fred is ready to answer YOUR questions, but please don't disturb him while he is working. Send your questions to me and I will be sure that he gets them. Answers will be posted on the blog on a regular basis. Click here to read questions & answers.

Curious about what he is working on? His current projects are:

• Second novel for teens, tentatively titled Subjects.
• Non-fiction book about the Triple Nickels. The Triple Nickels were a battalion of black paratroopers who were the forerunners of today's forest fire smoke jumpers. Fred is working with a co-author on this project.

In the fall, Fred will present a variety of programs for kids and teens at the Allen County Public Library. Join Fred for the following programs:

• Teen Café - Tuesday, September 7th @ 4pm  at the Pontiac Library
• Rally to Read - Saturday, September 11th @ 11:30am at the Pontiac Library
• Afterschool Adventures - Wednesday, September 22nd @ 3:30pm at the Hessen Cassel Library
• Homeschool Writing Workshop for Kids (grades 3-5) begins Thursday, September 30th @ 2pm (meets once a week for 4 weeks) Children's Services, Main Library. Registration is required. Click here to register or call 421-1220.
• Homeschool Writing Workshop for Teens (grades 6 - 12) begins Tuesday, September 14th @ 2pm (meets once a month for 4 months) Young Adults' Services, Main Library. Call 421-1255 to register.
• Writing Workshop for Teens (grades 6-12) begins Monday, October 4th @ 7pm (meets once a month for 3 months) Young Adults' Services, Main Library. Call 421-1255 to register.
• Presentation to Students (grades 4-5), Tuesday, November 9th @ 9:30am, Theater, Main Library. Registration is required and will begin on October 1st, call Children's Services at 421-1220.
• Presentation to Students (grades 6-12), Wednesday, November 10th @ 9:30am, Theater, Main Library. Registration is required and will begin on October 1st, call Young Adults' Services at 421-1255. 
• By the Book - Friday, November 12th @ 10:30am at the Hessen Cassel Library
• Mock Coretta Scott King Presentation - Sunday, December 5th @ 1pm. Call Children's Services at 421-1220 to register.  

Books for Kids:
Holidays: Count and Celebrate! series. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow, 2009.  
Counting in the Biomes series. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow, 2009.  
This Generation of Americans: A Story of the Civil Rights Movement. Columbus, OH: McGraw-Hill, 2004.  
Black Hoops: The History of African Americans in Basketball. New York: Scholastic, 1999.  
Black Diamond: The Story of the Negro Baseball Leagues. New York: Scholastic, 1994.