School Days Program
As part of the Kentucky Book Festival, the School Days Program brings authors to dozens of schools across Kentucky to meet students in an exciting, interactive learning experience. Each student receives a signed book from the author to add to their reading collections at home. Schools awarded incur no charges for these visits thanks to support from our sponsors.
School Days Authors
JESSICA YOUNG
Jessica Young grew up in Ontario, Canada. The same things make her happy now as when she was a kid: dancing, painting, music, digging in the dirt, picnics, reading, and writing. When she was little, she wanted to be a tap-dancing flight attendant/ veterinarian, but she’s changed her mind!
Book: All Paws on Deck
Region: West/South Central
Adair County Elementary, Bristow Elementary, Caverna Elementary, North Livingston Elementary, Park City Elementary and Science Hill Elementary
AMANDA DRISCOLL
Book: Duncan the Story Dragon
Region: North Central
Bloomfield Elementary, Brookside Elementary, Edna L Toliver Elementary, Hardinsburg Elementary, Roby Elementary and Southside Elementary
BRITTANY J. THURMAN
Book: Fly
Region: North Central
Hogsett Primary, Kathryn Winn Primary and Strode Station Elementary
WILL HILLENBRAND
Book: First Star: A Bear and Mole Story
Region: Northeast
Brookside Elementary, Justice Elementary and Mount Sterling Elementary
LATRELL HALCOMB
Book: Brownie Boy
Region: West
Adairville School, Bend Gate Elementary, Calvert City Elementary, East View Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Lewisburg Elementary, North Todd Elementary, Mayfield Elementary and Muhlenberg South Elementary
SUSAN MILLS
Book: Alex, the Awesome and Artsy Allosaurus
Region: North Central/Northeast
Arnett Elementary, Bowen Elementary, Cartmell Elementary, Garth Elementary, Ninth District Elementary and Southgate Public
NANCY KELLY ALLEN
Book: Dear Komodo Dragon
Region: Southeast
Girdler Elementary and Lynn Camp Elementary School
SHAWN PRYOR
Book: The Gamer
Region: North Central/Northeast
Camargo Elementary, Crab Orchard Elementary, Mount Sterling Elementary, Newport Intermediate, Russell Cave Elementary and Science Hill Independent
The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels supports 2023 author visits and book giveaways as part of the KBF School Days program. The Kentucky Colonels is an organization of talented and capable men and women appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky because of their service to the state.
The Kentucky Book Festival is proud to be a Library of Congress Center for the Book Affiliate. The Library of Congress Center for the Book, which also administers the Poetry and Literature Center, promotes books and libraries, literacy and reading, and poetry and literature. The affiliated Centers for the Book bring the national Center’s message of the importance of books and reading to audiences nationwide. Learn more here.
Jessica Young grew up in Ontario, Canada. The same things make her happy now as when she was a kid: dancing, painting, music, digging in the dirt, picnics, reading, and writing. When she was little, she wanted to be a tap-dancing flight attendant/ veterinarian, but she’s changed her mind!
WILL HILLENBRAND is a celebrated children’s author and illustrator whose published works include over 70 books. He uses a combination of traditional drawing methods and direct impression media to create his magical illustrations.
Growing up in Kentucky halfway between Troublesome Creek and Hell-for-Certain and near a town named Hazard, Nancy learned to take the non-risky route of looking before leaping. After a peek at a school’s collection of books, she leaped into a profession she couldn’t resist—librarian. During the day she read to children and at night wrote for them. Working with children in a variety of jobs primed her for her present and future venture, writing.
Her first book was published in 1999 and her latest is book number 52, Dear Vampire, which received a five-star review by the Books Children Read organization.
Brittany J. Thurman is the author of Fly, from Caitlyn Dlouhy Books. She is the co-author of Fearless: Boulevard of Dreams, by Mandy Gonzalez. Brittany holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from Carnegie Mellon University. During her graduate years at Carnegie Mellon University, Brittany’s plays were produced in Aspen, Colorado, and on New York’s City’s Theatre Row.
Amanda Driscoll was born, raised, and still resides in Louisville, Kentucky. She is the author and illustrator of four picture books: Little Grump Truck (2021), Klondike Do Not Eat Those Cupcakes! (2018), Wally Does Not Want a Haircut (2016), and Duncan the Story Dragon (2015), all published by Knopf. For more information about Amanda and her books, visit her website at: www.amandadriscoll.com.
Shawn Pryor’s (he/him) work includes the hi/lo reader series THE GAMER (Capstone), the middle-grade graphic novel THE DEADLIEST RACE (Capstone), the middle-grade graphic novel series Cash and Carrie, the 2019 Glyph Nominated sports graphic novel Force, several books for Capstone’s Jake Maddox Sports and Adventure series, and the upcoming graphic novel FAST BREAK with artist Courtney Hahn in 2023 from FSG/Macmillan.