Samantha Abeel, MSW, is the author of two award-winning books. Her first book, Reach for the Moon, was a collection of poetry published when she was only fifteen years old. It won the Distinguished Book Award from the International Reading Association, was named a Best Book for the Teen Age by the New York Public Library, and was a 1994 Margot Marek Award winner for the best book on the subject of learning disabilities. Her second book, My Thirteenth Winter, an American Library Association Book Award Winner, published in 2003, is a memoir about the challenges of growing up with a learning disability. An inspiring story of persistence and strength, Kirkus Reviews said it was "educational and beautifully written, perfectly demonstrating how learning disabilities can coexist with real talent." Samantha can do a variety of presentations for different audiences.

Creative Writing Workshop
In this workshop Samantha conducts exciting writing workshops that motivate kids to produce their own creative poetry or prose. The workshop includes hands-on writing exercises as well as a Q&A session with Samantha.

Workshop/Talk with a Focus on Overcoming Challenges
Samantha can conduct a workshop or talk about the power of overcoming challenges. Speaking from her personal experience, she can inspire children who have learning disabilities - and adults that work with them. She is also effective addressing a general audience who gain insight and empathy about what it is like to struggle with a disability - fellow classmates, brothers and sisters, friends and family. She shares the tools that she developed in order to cope and excel - in elementary school through college. Appropriate for children or adults.

Keynote Speaker for Educators and Parents
With a message of promoting positive self-esteem, awareness, advocacy and hope, Samantha makes a powerful keynote speaker - to small groups as well as large audiences. She can address, not only the academic challenges of ‘learning differently', but the importance of addressing the accompanying social and emotional issues as well. She speaks eloquently about the way writing and creative arts were both healing and transformative, and how anyone can face and overcome obstacles in their life. She is also experienced at conducting teacher/parent sessions and providing proven techniques that work.

Author's Home: Traverse City, Michigan
Suggested Audience: Grades 4–12, educators and parents
Maximum number of presentations per day: 2 for students, 1 additional for teachers and parents
Author's Honorarium: $1,200.00–$1,500.00 per day plus expenses.


 

ISBN	Title	Level	Retail Price
PAPERBACK
0-439-33905-7	My Thirteenth Winter: A Memoir	Gr. 7 & up	$5.99

 

ARTICLE	Boundless Bravery: Interview with Jeff Ladow, Member of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Presents an interview with Jeff Ladow, member of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists. Jeff's life is as adventurous as they come. He paints, travels to exotic places, and goes camping and skydiving.