Alumni Authors | Authors in April

Alumni Authors 2020

Grade K-1: Angela Dominguez was born in Mexico City and grew up in the great state of Texas. She now resides on the east coast with her boyfriend, Kyle, and petite dog, Petunia.

She is also the author and illustrator of several books for children and a two-time recipient of Pura Belpré Illustration Honor. Her debut middle grade novel, Stella Díaz Has Something To Say, was a New York Public Library and a Chicago Public Library pick for Best Books for Kids in 2018, Sid Fleischman Award winner, and an ALA Notable. When Angela is not in her studio or visiting schools, she teaches at the Academy of Art University, which honored her with their Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013.

Mary Amato

Grade 2-3: Mary Amato is an award-winning children’s and YA book author, poet, playwright, and songwriter. Her books have been translated into foreign languages, optioned for television, produced onstage, and have won the children’s choice awards in Ohio, Minnesota, Utah, and Arizona. She teaches popular workshops on writing and the creative process around the country. (info from https://www.maryamato.com).

J.J. and Chris Grabenstein

Chris Grabenstein is the New York Times bestselling author of the Lemoncello series, the Wonderland series, the award-winning Haunted Mystery series, and The Island of Dr. Libris. He is also the co-author (with James Patterson) of the #1 Bestsellers I Funny, House of Robots, Treasure Hunters, Jacky Ha-Ha, Word of Mouse, Pottymouth and Stoopid, and many others. J.J. (Myers) Grabenstein is the co-author of SHINE! with her husband, the award-winning #1 New York Times best-selling author, Chris Grabenstein. SHINE! is the first book she’s ever written. But it’s not the first book she’s ever read. In fact, you can hear J.J. read you several of her husband’s books as the narrator for the audio versions of The Crossroads (An "Earphones Award" winner), The Hanging Hill, The Smoky Corridor, and The Black Heart Crypt from his haunted mysteries series as well as The Explorer's Gate, a fantasy set in New York City's Central Park. (from https://chrisgrabenstein.com/)

Watt Key

Middle School: Watt Key is an award-winning author from Alabama. While enjoyed by all ages, his novels and essays are widely used in elementary and middle grade classrooms for their success with young reluctant male readers. His debut novel, Alabama Moon, was published to international acclaim in 2006. Alabama Moon won the 2007 E.B. White Read-Aloud Award, the 2006 Parent’s Choice Gold Award. is listed on the ‘100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time’ list by Time Magazine, and has been translated into eight languages. All of Watt’s books are highly awarded and widely used in school curriculum. (info from https://wattkey.com/)