Invite Me To Your School or Library!

Pictures by Paul Goyette.

Here I sit, paws on the window, my tail slowly wagging in hopeful expectation, waiting, hoping, aching for you to invite me to speak at your school or library.

Will I make a mess? Almost certainly. Will you be forced to swat me on the nose with a newspaper, push my face into my own book, and shout “bad! bad!”? Absolutely–indeed I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to it. Will you be forced, in the end, to tie my leash to a pole because I’ve bitten some of your students whom I felt required a good biting? That’s entirely your decision, but let me be entirely clear: I’m going to bite your students.

What happens when I visit your school or library? We can customize the details, but usually I do a couple spastic, theatrical readings from my fantasy novel The Order of Odd-Fish (one of the Smithsonian’s Notable Books for Children 2008, and which Booklist called “hilarious” — oh heck, just go ahead and read the tons of fantastic reviews right here).

I talk about what it’s like to be a writer, tell strange anecdotes about living in Japan for three years, answer questions, and ask some questions of my own. I’ve been a junior high school teacher and I’m trained in improvisational comedy, so I know how to talk to a room full of students. (And again, just so there’s no misunderstandings: I can and will bite them.)

I have a special place in my heart for librarians. I’m married to a librarian, and my speech at the 2009 American Library Association conference in Chicago–in which I stripped Neil Gaiman (The Graveyard Book) of the Newbery Award, winning it for myself fair and square in a fantastical series of trials–was hailed as a surprise highlight.

Want something spectacular? Ask me about the “Dome of Doom” event, in which teens dress up as gods from my book (I even bring the costumes!), learn how to write threats and insults in the classical Eldritch City style, and perform them against their friends in fighting-dancing duels.

Want something a bit more intimate–something hilarious and sophisticated for about 10 participants? I’ve written and can lead some “Host A Murder” scenarios that can provide an unforgettable night for theatrically adventurous participants.

Not satisfied with just one James Kennedy–you want three astonishingly handsome authors at once? Look no further. I’m a member of the Brothers Delacorte with Daniel Kraus and Adam Selzer. All three of us are published on Random House’s Delacorte Press imprint and live in Chicago. Find out more about the Brothers Delacorte.

In any case, I’m looking forward to biting your students and library patrons. Vigorously, and without apology.

“James Kennedy, as well as being a talented author, is a natural entertainer. The audience hardly had a chance to stop laughing during his readings and Q & A session. Most importantly, he was an inspiration to the teens—taking time to talk to them personally and encouraging them in their creative endeavors.”
—Kricket Hoekstra, Teen Librarian, Rochester Hills Public Library

“James engaged all of my students throughout his visit with his elaborate and colorful personality. Many of them have a newfound excitement and joy towards reading and writing a novel. He was a great visitor to my class and hopefully we can have him back.”—Michael Eng, 5th Grade Teacher, Oak Park, IL

“James’ programs are as unique as they are engaging. The teens at my library continuously ask me when he is coming again! I have rarely seen such creative dramatic energy in a teen program. Even my shyest teens were hurling creative sallies in the Dome of Doom. James is a professional and an utter pleasure to work with, as he has such respect for both libraries and teens.”—Amy Alessio, Teen Coordinator, Schaumburg Library, IL

“James’ dramatic and energetic interpretation of his intelligent and witty writing was beyond entertaining. He left my students with a plethora of intrigue and inspiration for their own writing!”—Kim Tobash, Teacher, Mary Poppins National Tour

“I have never seen my students as engaged as they were during James Kennedy’s visit to my classroom. He is an incredible speaker—my students were on the edge of their seats. Not only was his reading fascinating, my students also enjoyed his explanation of how he became a writer. His story proved to them to them that everyday people can become published authors.”—C.L. Underwood, High School Teacher, Chicago

I’ll leave you with this: here you can see me cavorting with the teens of the Schaumburg Township Public Library, when they caught me in the wild, tied me up to the reference desk, and tried to “tame” me. The School Library Journal’s Elizabeth Bird concluded that “James Kennedy is the greatest physical comedian/writer of his generation.” Are you seriously going to disagree with the School Library Journal?!