Author Visits

Sarah’s Programs

Sarah speaks with audiences from kindergarten through high school. Below are some examples of presentations she offers, although she is happy to discuss ways to tailor a talk to a specific book or to incorporate specific curriculum areas.

Download a PDF about author visits with Sarah Albee!

Large Group Presentation:
Research, Write, Revise!

  • Grades 3 and up: 45 – 60-minute presentation, no limit to size of audience
  • Grades K – 2: 30 – 40 minutes plus time for Q and A (the modified version for younger kids will include more personal details about the life of a writer, and where writers get their ideas.)

In this highly interactive and visual presentation, geared toward larger groups, Sarah discusses how writers choose a topic, and then delves into her research process, which often takes an “unconventional” turn, given the unusual slant on history that her books focus on. To demonstrate how stories from the past may be told from many different perspectives, she uses props, photographs, and volunteers to help dramatize the lives of everyday people from the past. 

Young writers will also learn how a professional author faces many of the same revision challenges they do, and Sarah gives tips for improving a piece of writing and creating clear, interesting prose. There will be time for Q&A at the end.

Make it Snappy!
A Nonfiction Writing Workshop

Grades 3 – 9, 45 – 60 minutes; limited to groups of fewer than 25 students.

Using intriguing images, fun props, and student participation, Sarah draws on the content of her nonfiction books, with a lively discussion about the writing process, from the idea phase all the way to the completed book. She then models ways kids can develop their own unique writer’s voice, using mentor texts and by demonstrating her own revision strategies. Kids can apply what they’ve learned to revise their own writing.

Request a visit!

The Details

To Request a Visit…

For details about her honorarium and to schedule a visit, please contact Sarah’s school booking agent here:

Request a visit!

Or (second best option!) contact Sarah directly by filling out this form.

After the visit date is confirmed, Sarah’s booking agent will provide a letter of agreement for co-signature, spelling out the mutually-agreed-upon details of the visit, as well information about ordering books, and tips for a successful visit.

Request a visit!

NOTE:

  • A basic school visit includes three presentations, lunch with kids, and a book signing (which is not essential but strongly encouraged). Note that travel expenses are additional.
  • Please note that a three-school/three-day minimum is requested for visits requiring more than half a day’s drive, or air travel, but it’s a great way to share travel expenses among multiple schools.
  • Sarah also offers limited numbers of virtual visits–please contact her to discuss details.

What They’re Saying: Teacher Testimonials

A Dream Author Visit

“Incredibly engaging, responsive and flexible. Sarah Albee was a dream author visit. The students and teachers are STILL talking about it. Sarah’s student-centered, interactive approach made a lasting impression on our young writers. I have not hesitated to recommend Sarah to my professional learning community.” —Media Specialist, Canal Winchester, Ohio

Witty, Energetic, Interactive!

“Sarah had our K-5 students (and teachers!) hanging on her every word as she brought history and science to life with her witty, energetic, interactive style! ” —Library Teacher, Woodland Elementary, New York

Amazing Day

“What an amazing day with Sarah Albee! It was awesome seeing so many smiling faces and conversations about books at breakfast & lunch to several engaging presentations! Can’t wait to talk about the day with my students tomorrow.” —Fifth Grade Teacher, Tyngsborough, Massachusetts

“Sarah held a grade level in the palm of her hand”

“Let me tell you about a recent author visit by Sarah Albee at my middle-school.
It
was
awesome!
In three presentations, Sarah held a grade level in the palm of her hand, as she talked of becoming a writer and some of the more interesting stories from her incredible works of non-fiction. Her [book], Poison: Deadly Deeds, Perilous Professions, and Murderous Medicines, is fantastic! My students are reading it like crazy. In fact, don’t tell the other authors, but we sold MORE of Sarah’s non-fiction books during her visit than books by any other author to have visited our school.” —Middle School Librarian, Manassas, Virginia

Highly Recommended!

“Sarah is as funny and smart in person as her books are! Our students, K-6, and teachers were completely wrapped up in Sarah’s presentation, and it was clear long after the visit that they had learned a great deal about research and writing. Highly recommended!” —Librarian, West Pawlet, Vermont

Full of Audience Participation

“How do you engage an auditorium full of middle schoolers in a presentation about the research process? Well, if you played semi-pro basketball in Egypt you should open with some stories about that. Then you can share about your time writing for Sesame Street, and seque that into your process for writing a history of plumbing and sanitation (be sure to include some facts that induce an ‘eeeewwwwwwwww’ from the crowd). . . . Sarah’s presentation was full of audience participation . . . . Sarah joined students for lunch and and answered all sorts of questions about being an author. Sarah also took the opportunity to ask students questions and learn about them!” —K – 12 librarian, Winooski, Vermont

Writing Workshops

“Sarah came on board as our professional author in residence for a week. She helped the students shape their stories and troubleshoot potential problems. Throughout the entire process, Sarah offered useful advice and tips. The students valued her wisdom and eagerly sought her constructive criticism. Due to Sarah’s guidance, my students produced some terrific children’s books that they were very proud of!” —Dean of Faculty/High School English Teacher, Watertown, Connecticut

The Kids Had a Blast

“Sarah Albee was a great addition to our middle school STEM day. Her enthusiasm for writing and research was clearly evident in her assembly and the kids had a blast.” —PTO Coordinator, Old Saybrook, Connecticut

“You will be so thrilled”

“Sarah has visited our school for the past two years. She is incredibly smart and funny and really explains the nonfiction writing process in an accessible way that leaves both students and staff in awe. You will be so thrilled when you bring her in for an author visit.” —School Media Specialist, Barrington Schools, Rhode Island

Superintendent called Sarah “Brilliant”

“Tonight the Superintendent called [Sarah] brilliant at the Board meeting. Twice. Recommendations are going out to other schools we’re connected with as we speak.” —Media Specialist, Granby, Connecticut

Highly Recommend

“Sarah’s use of props, her animated read alouds, and her wealth of knowledge kept my students interested and engaged throughout her presentation. I would highly recommend Sarah’s presentation for any literacy program who is looking for a unique way to get kids excited about reading and spread the love of learning.” —Teacher Librarian, Minoa Elementary, New York

Entertaining and Inspiring

“Fourth grade, with the help of our PTO, welcomed author Sarah Albee, and we could not have been more entertained and inspired by her! In the words of a fourth grader: ‘I never knew studying history could be so much fun!'” —Elementary School Librarian, Mason, Ohio

Fantastic presentations

“An amazing day! Students, teachers and parents are still raving about [Sarah’s] presentations! I’m so grateful to [her] for giving students insights and encouragement for their own research, not only at school, but for cultivating their natural curiosity. The teachers and I are going to strike while this iron is hot and build off the fantastic presentations to continue to help the kids develop their research, note taking, and revising skills.” —K – 8 Librarian, Arlington, Virginia

Kids and teachers are still talking about it!!

“We had Sarah visit in March and kids and teachers are still talking about it!!” —5th Grade ELA/SS Teacher, RJO School, New York

Incredible visit today!!

“Such an incredible visit today!! Thanks for inspiring us Sarah Albee! (And grossing us out in THE BEST WAY).” —5th Grade Teacher, East Syracuse, New York

Wonderful feedback from our students and teachers

“We received such wonderful feedback from our students and teachers after her visit. Sarah engages the students with her sense of humor and allows them opportunities to interact with her throughout the presentation. She also shares “her story” with students helping them to see how she became inspired to be a writer at a young age. Finally, she even managed to connect our monthly character education lesson into her presentation!” —Associate Principal, Warwick Valley Middle School, New York

A Sixth-Grade Favorite

“Sarah Albee is a favorite for my sixth-graders. They were pumped when Dog Days of History came out this spring. I now have a book bin dedicated to her books in my classroom library!” —Sixth Grade Teacher, Westlake, Ohio

My students “loved to hear about what real writers do”

“[Our] 3rd-6th graders learned so many cool historical ideas about toilets, poison, clothing, and so much more from Sarah Albee! We also loved to hear about what real writers do: READ, travel, talk to “experts,” take notes, & form a structure to name a few.” —Media Specialist, Ellington, Connecticut

Incredible and Impactful

“The kids were SO inspired to write after [Sarah] gave them such incredible & impactful advice & tips, listened to their story ideas, & answered their tough questions!” —Fourth Grade Teacher, Martin Elementary, Illinois

Captivating Speaker

“I highly recommend Sarah Albee as a presenter for your school. Sarah came to speak with our Lower School, kindergarten through grade 5, last school year. In two sessions, grades k-2 then 3-5, our students enjoyed their time learning about her books and sharing in her many work and life experiences. Sarah is a captivating speaker and a true professional who will tailor her programs to your needs.” —Lower School Head, Washington, Connecticut