Virtual Author Visit: Linda Sue Park Workshops with Grade 6

Our FISW Grade 6 students had the honour of working with award-winning author, Linda Sue Park. On January 22 and 29, students engaged in two virtual meetings. The first session was a presentation around A Single Shard, Linda Sue Park's Newbery Medal winning book. Students read the book in English class and were thrilled to learn about the research and history woven into the story. 

The second virtual session offered students the opportunity to actively participate in a writing workshop. Linda Sue asked students to work through three exercises using a piece of original writing.

Ms. Carol wrote her a beautiful reflection on our time with Linda Sue:

 

“I am not a writer, I am a re-writer,” exclaimed Linda Sue Park. As an example, Park asked the students how many times they thought she re-wrote a book. Students guessed anywhere from one to ten times. Park, however, divulged that she had rewritten one book seven times and another book 39 times! That’s why she said that students should not be surprised or upset when their advisor asked them to re-write their first draft which she calls the “sloppy copy.”

Park, an American of Korean descent, grew up in Chicago, Illinois, where her family followed many of the Korean traditions. As an avid reader during her childhood, she searched for books about her parent’s culture—with little success. 

When Park began to write a book reflecting her heritage, she searched for something unique to Korea. And, what did she find?

“In the 11th and 12th Century, “said Park, “Korea produced the best pottery in the world. And, these potters kept the secret to their success to themselves.” From these amazing facts, Park began researching, writing and rewriting the book which won her the distinguished Newbery Award—“A Single Shard”–the book FISW Grade 6 class read in school.

As Park stressed, readers are “looking at black squiggles on a blank page, but these squiggles are magic.” She said, “By using this magic I can make you cry.” And, concluded Park, “By using my magic, I want to encourage young readers to grow up and change the world.”

We thank Linda Sue for her inspiration and laughs and for helping us all grow as readers and writers. As we work through DLP, she gave us something special to look forward to as a group. 

To learn more about Linda Sue Park, to watch her TED Talk on the power of children's books and to hear some of her stories read aloud, visit our author choice board by clicking the image below:

Here is a direct link to the Linda Sue Park Choice Board which includes excerpts from Linda Sue's website.