Nerissa Nields brings to her school visits her experience as a professional musician who spent ten years on the road as a member of the beloved folk rock band, The Nields, performing all over North America and releasing twelve CDs.  She shares with students her journey from musician to novelist and back again.

A graduate of Yale University, she also brings a background in education, having worked as a music instructor as well as a creative writing teacher for the eight years prior to the rock star phase of her career.  For the past three years, she has taught writing workshops to teens and adults, leading workshops and retreats out of her home in Northampton, MA.

A typical school presentation may include a reading from her novel, a performance (She is likely to whip out her acoustic guitar and sing some of her hit songs), as well as her understanding of the creative process and living as a professional writer and touring musician. She may have the students write their own stories and songs, which they would share with the group.  She is funny, engaged and a seasoned speaker and storyteller.

Her first novel for Scholastic, Plastic Angel is a wry, poignant first novel about friendship, music and being true to who you are — even if it means disappointing your parents and everyone around you. It is a deeply inspiring book, which encourages young people to be true to their dreams and to be who they really are.

Nerissa has also developed "Writing It Up in the Garden", a teacher's/adult ed course in writing in all genres, and a writer-in-residence program in creative writing and songwriting for students of all grade levels.

Author's Home: Northhampton, MA
Suggested Audience: Gr. 4–8, adults
Author's Honorarium: $1,100.00 per day plus expenses
Website address: www.nerissanields.com

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  	Plastic Angel by Nerissa Nields null $17.95 Hardcover Book | Grades 4-7

  
  Plastic Angel
  Grades 4-7 $17.95