Authors in the Schools
One of Unbound’s core missions is to encourage a love of reading and writing in all ages, but especially in the young.
Research has shown again and again that bringing authors in live, direct contact with students is one of the very best ways to encourage literacy and a passion for reading. Through the generous support of the Assistance League of Mid-Missouri, Daniel Boone Regional Library, the CPS Foundation, and all our donors and sponsors, we are able to do this, and also to purchase additional copies of their books for school libraries.
In 2025, our “Authors in the Schools” keynote speakers will give presentations at four schools in Columbia, Missouri, on Friday. In addition, other festival authors will be visiting classrooms on Friday to discuss their work. We’re so grateful to these writers for providing a unique and incredibly valuable experience for Columbia students.
Ellen Oh will appear at 10 a.m. and Pedro Martín will appear at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at Daniel Boone Regional Library for a free presentation open to everyone.
Our 2025 Keynote Speakers
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Pedro Martin
Pedro Martin is the Newbery Honor Award, Eisner Award, Harvey Award, and the Pura Belpré Author and Illustrator award-winning author of Mexikid, a graphic memoir about a Mexican-American boy’s family and their adventure-filled road trip to bring their abuelito back from Mexico to live with them.
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Ellen Oh
Ellen Oh is the editor and author of You Are Here, with eleven other amazing authors, and the author of the middle grade novels Haru, Zombie Dog Hero, Finding Junie Kim, The Dragon Egg Princess, and The Spirit Hunters trilogy (Spirit Hunters, Island of Monsters, and Something Wicked), the YA speculative fiction novel Colliding Worlds of Mina Lee, and the YA fantasy trilogy The Prophecy Series.
Support for all Unbound’s children’s activities is provided by Friends of the Daniel Boone Regional Library, the Assistance League of Mid-Missouri, and the Columbia Public Schools Foundation.
