Libby Koponen - Writer

Libby's Visits to Schools

"Every so often we come across a book destined to become a classroom classic. Such is the case with Blow Out the Moon..." Education Oasis

Awards for
Massachusetts Honor Book, 2005
New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading & Sharing, 2004

What to Expect from a Visit
Libby's visit is a combination of presentation, discussion, and interactive activities. The exact mix depends on the teachers and students in each class.

Blow Out the Moon is based on Libby's childhood and includes stories and letters she wrote then, mistakes and all. In the classroom Libby talks frankly about her writing process. She shows early drafts, editors' comments and cuts, and the stages the manuscript went though on its way to becoming a printed book.

Libby's presentations and visits have received rave reviews from librarians, teachers, and students. Libby is happy to provide references.

Grades 3-6

Introduction and quick ice-breaking activity, such as students voting on cover designs artists submitted for Blow Out the Moon

Interactive author talk and demonstration: "From First Draft to Published Book." Libby talks about writing and answers questions while passing out early drafts, manuscript pages with editors' comments, and galleys. People are often surprised by how long the process was, how much rewriting Libby did, and how much the editors cut.

Reading aloud either from Blow Out the Moon or from what one child called "the missing chapter," a section cut from the published book

Group discussion, including specific details about what was fictionalized. People usually have many questions and comments at this point, and presenting to one class at a tine gives everyone an opportunity to share their ideas.

Optional/as time permits: Reading student writing or singing a song from Blow Out the Moon (Libby brings music and a small keyboard), inscribing. Libby brings cards so if some students have bought books and others have not, everyone goes home with something signed.

Libby can also sign cards and books at lunchtime, between presentations, at the end of the school day -- or not at all, if that is your school's preference.

College/Adult Level

Writing for children: discussion, in-class writing exercise for attendees

How Blow Out the Moon made it from one more manuscript on the slush pile to a published book.

Working with an editor, including a comparison of an edited and unedited chapter (discussion).

Q&A

Optional: Book signing (books must be pre-ordered)

Libby prefers to present to one class at a time -- her presentation is truly interactive. She can present all day, with a short break for lunch. Please allow forty-five minutes to an hour for each presentation.

"The thing I liked about Libby coming was that she got to read us the missing chapter. It was so funny we all burst out laughing. We told her why we liked it so she could show those editors..."
--A fifth-grade boy's comment (Click here to see letters from students)

"Every so often we come across a book destined to become a classroom classic..."
Education Oasis

"Occasionally, we come across a book that is destined to become a classroom classic. Such is the case with Blow out the Moon. In its pages we find a spirited main character who shares with us the silliness and seriousness of growing up and the sudden, sweet realization that the world is wide-open with possibilities..."

"The new novel BLOW OUT THE MOON by Libby Koponen (which I think was mentioned here several months ago--the reason I picked it up) is definitely a story of transition, and transformation. I loved the heroine's voice, one of the truest child-centered voices I've read in a long time. Libby (the novel is autobiographical) is an American tomboy whose family moves to England for a year. She is an adventurous sort, but encounters a wall of grey English indifference until she goes away to boarding school, where the adventure really begins.

What I loved about this novel was its theme of self-determination. Once she begins to see herself through the eyes of her boarding school classmates, Libby decides she needs to make some changes to her brash impulsive personality. The way she does it--without losing what she thinks of as her "Americanness" makes for a warm, funny, insightful story. Things do not just happen to Libby; she MAKES them happen--she goes out and seeks the
world.

There are also great scenes that depict a child's viewpoint on cultural differences. A great read!

CALL 617 901 7516 (cell phone -- Libby is in Connecticut)
or email Libby.koponen@gmail.com

See also:
Advance Planning
You and Libby can plan her visit to your school together. Click here for general tips on things schools do beforehand to make the most of a visit.

School discount, ordering books
Click here for the publisher's phone number and the best person to speak with if your school would like to order Blow Out the Moon. There is a 40% school discount and all books are returnable.

*REFERENCES: Teachers and librarians from the schools Libby has visited will be happy to supply references, but this site does not post identifying information such as school names or student names.

The ifyoulovetoread.com site is mainly for children. It links to sample chapters from Blow Out the Moon, fairy tales,more photographs, letters about the book from children, the rules for cat's cradle and, eventually, other games we played at the boarding school in Blow Out the Moon.