APPLY TO HOST KERN CARTER (IN PERSON)

BIOGRAPHY

Kern Carter writes the kinds of stories that make you feel something. His books dive into friendships, family, and the twists and turns of growing up—the kind that can make life messy but also unforgettable. His novels, And Then There Was Us, Boys and Girls Screaming, and Is There A Boy Like Me?, have found readers who love stories full of heart and real-life drama.When he’s not writing, Kern talks about books, pop culture, and storytelling in ways that make readers think differently about the world. He also teaches writing at the college level, leads workshops for aspiring young writers, and speaks about creativity and the power of stories. Kern lives in Toronto, but his stories travel everywhere.

Home Location: Vaughan, Ontario
Creator Type: Author
Genres: Middle-grade fiction, young-adult author
Website: www.kerncarter.com
Tour Region: Quebec
Target Audience: Grades 5 - 11
Cost: For one 60-minute presentation: $300 plus 5% GST       

NOTE: The fee of $300 (plus tax) will be paid to The Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) upon receipt of an invoice from the CCBC. After Book Week, the CCBC will pay the author their presentation fee of $250 (plus taxes, if applicable).  

PRESENTATION DESCRIPTIONS

Writers Are Superstars

Target Audience: Grades 5 - 11
Preferred group size: 60 students
Maximum group size: 90 students

“Writers are Superstars” is an interactive experience that exposes students to multiple forms of writing – TV, video games, books, scripts – through a variety of fun activities. Students learn how they can enjoy writing as a hobby or earn money from writing as a career. And because I make references to pop culture, my personal journey, and perform short readings from my novels, the entire session is beneficial to any student, regardless of their current level of interest in writing. 

Required equipment: pencil and paper for each student + large bristol board or construction paper for each group (10 max)
Required materials: whiteboard  

Dealing with Expectations

Target Audience: Grades 5 - 11
Preferred group size: any
Maximum group size: any

It’s all about expectations young people face, both internally and externally, from their environments and how those expectations can either build them up or break them down. We discuss techniques to manage these expectations and I use examples from throughout my life to describe how those expectations shaped me (both positively and negatively), along with speaking about my journey as an author and my current success.

Required equipment: none
Required materials: whiteboard  

 
BIBLIOGRAPHY

And Then There Was Us – Tundra / Penguin Random House, 2024.

Is There a Boy Like Me? Scholastic, 2024.

Boys and Girls Screaming. DCB, 2022.

Beauty Scars. CreateSpace, 2017.