Jon S. Lewis's goal is to inspire young people to rediscover the magic of the creative process, particularly as it relates to the written word. In a world dominated by video games, online communities, and big budget action movies, books can appear to be an archaic form of learning and entertainment. In this highly visual, interactive, entertaining, and deceptively educational presentation, your students will walk away with a fresh excitement about the power of storytelling.

Using humor to engage the audience, each assembly begins by the author sharing about the heroic storytellers who inspired him as a child (J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Maurice Sendak, George Lucas, etc.).  The focus shifts into how his personal adventures growing up in wooded areas and lake towns in the rural Midwest inspired the backdrop to the novels he is writing today. There is interaction between the author and the audience during the entire presentation, as well as a bevy of colorful visual aids to keep the students engaged.  The students will learn that their own personal experiences can and will make a strong backbone for their own stories. Then the author reviews the writing process, starting with brief descriptions of how he comes up with plots and characters, and finishing on the critical nature of editing. The presentation is capped with the message that the students will have every opportunity to achieve their dreams if they never give up.  just like the author did. Then there is a 15-20 minute question and answer period.

WORKSHOPS:

Writing Workshop (45 minutes)
This general workshop will cover the basics of storytelling, touching on character and plot, as well as outlining techniques, how to ensure you never have writer's block, the importance of keeping your story unpredictable and much more. Questions are appropriate for this session. Class size should not exceed 40.

Character Creation: Heroes & Villains (45 minutes)
This session focuses on the specific development of heroes and villains, including how to make a character sheet that outlines the important facts you need to know about your characters, as well as the traits required for both strong heroes and villains. Questions are appropriate for this session. Class size should not exceed 40.

Character Design: How Sketching Benefits Writing (45 minutes)
As a former professional animator and illustrator, the author leans heavily upon his drawing skills to create his characters, worlds, and action sequences. In this session, students will learn how they can utilize these exciting techniques to add richness to their stories, and more importantly they'll learn how drawing can make a potentially boring assignment exciting.

Author's Home: Phoenix, Arizona
Suggested audience:  Grades 3-8
Maximum number of presentations per day: 4
Honorarium:     School Assembly (Phoenix Metro area): $250 
                        Half-Day (Phoenix Metro area): $375 
                        Full-Day (Phoenix Metro area): $600 
                        Full-Day Presentation (Outside Phoenix Metro area): $1000 plus expenses

Please note: At this time, the author is accepting a maximum of one city and five days outside of the Metropolitan Phoenix area per month.  These trips require a minimum two-day booking.

The author is available for School Assemblies in the East Valley of the Metropolitan Phoenix Area (Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe) from 8:30 am to 9:45 am, 10:30 am - 11:45 am, and 1:00 pm to 2:15 pm during all weekdays.

For visits to schools in Scottsdale, Queen Creek, Apache Junction, North Phoenix, and the West Valley, visits must be booked for a minimum half-day or be made in tandem with another school (at least two School Assemblies/day).

• Teacher Store
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  The Teacher Store

  The Revenge of the Shadow King: Grey Griffins Book One by J.S. Lewis Max Sumner and his three best friends -- Harley, Ernie, and Natalia -- seem to be the only people in their very normal Minnesota town to notice that strange things have started to happen. When creatures like goblins and fairies and unicorns, all characters from a card game they play, begin to make appearances in Max's backyard, Max and his friends know something is terribly wrong. And it's up to them to stop the wicked creatures from destroying their town -- indeed, their world. $10.99 Hardcover Book | Grades 3-6

  
  The Revenge of the Shadow King: Grey Griffins Book One
  Grades 3-6 $10.99
  
• Scholastic Store
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  The Scholastic Store

  Grey Griffins #2: The Rise of the Black Wolf by Derek Benz and J.S. Lewis In The Rise of the Black Wolf Max and his fellow Grey Griffins, Ernie, Harley, and Natalia, set off on another extraordinary adventure - traveling to Scotland to visit Max's dad for the winter holidays. It doesn't take long before strange things start to happen to the four kids while they explore Mr. Sumner's ancient castle. Once again, the Grey Griffins must do battle with the forces of evil - Fireball Pixes, Werewolves, and Morgan the Black Witch. But when Max's dad disappears, it's up to the Grey Griffins to rescue him, with the help of Knights of Templar! $12.99 books;hardcover books;hardcovers | Ages 9-12

  
  Grey Griffins #2: The Rise of the Black Wolf
  Ages 9-12 $12.99