Matthew C. Winner

Web Dropin 4

June 3, 2006

Author Showdown

It’s great to see so many 4^th graders reading and sharing what they read! But do you think all great writers get their start the same way? Do all writers finder inspiration in the same places? Are they all great writers right from the start? This activity is designed to help you get to know your favorite authors a little better (and help answer some questions for my future authors about being a successful writer!).

Two of the most well known children’s authors by far are Avi and Judy Bloom. Avi is well known for such books as Crispin: the Cross of Lead, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Who Stole the Wizard of Oz?, and Poppy’s Return. Judy Bloom is most well known for Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Superfudge, Freckle Juice and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.

Print out and complete the chart below as you research each author. Look for similarities and differences between the authors. Answer each question and be prepared for a class discussion about what you learned.

	Avi (http://www.avi-writer.com/)	Judy Bloom (http://www.judyblume.com/)
When and where was the author born?
Why did he/she decide to become an author?
What was he/she like as a kid?
What job(s) did he/she have before becoming a children’s author?
Where does the author get his/her ideas and inspiration?
Has he/she won any awards for his/her writing? If so, what?
*This space may be used to tell us any other interesting facts you learned about the author.