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Below you will find a
number of talks that I have given. I am always happy to adapt or
tailor a presentation specifically to your goals, so do not hesitate
to ask. When the schedule permits, I
always allow time for questions at the end.
I am often asked to give a
general presentation. Two popular ones are:
I
introduce students to the major influences in my journey to become a
writer, starting with my childhood and continuing through my school
years. I talk about the time I got my first idea to write a story on
my own and how I pursued that hobby without realizing that it could
become a career. I give examples of how I get ideas for my books today
and the steps I take to research and write them. This is a very
personal account of what it's like to become a writer.
After a
brief introduction, I describe the sometimes strange but always
exciting experiences that I have researched my books, starting with my
first nonfiction book, How to Find a
Ghost (1988) and ending with whatever book I am currently
working on. Throughout the talk, students come to understand what is
involved in the research process and why it can be so rewarding.
I am often
asked to give a presentation about one or more of my nonfiction books.
I define what a bog is,
explain its "birth" and development, and discuss how and why
early European people placed objects and bodies in bogs (and other
watery places). I show about 40 images, including many
rare images that I discovered during my research for Bodies
from the Bog.
I take the audience on a
3000-year tour of mummification, showing how mummies (and their
coffins and their canopic jars) changed over that period of time. I
have approximately 80 rare images from museums around the world that
illustrate this dramatic evolution.
I describe how mountain
glaciers are formed, how they move, and where they are found. I
explain why scientists are concerned about the melting of glaciers
now. I show comparison photos of glaciers (then and now) to show how
much they have melted in recent years. I discuss the positive
side of melting glaciers from an archaeological standpoint. I
describe how glaciers were explored like long-lost continents, how
people who have died while crossing or climbing glaciers have been
discovered at the melting edge of glaciers now that they are thawing.
I discuss what scientists have found out about these discoveries by
studying their remains and the artifacts that accompanied them. I
also discuss the problems that may be caused by the melting of
glaciers (lack of drinking water and possible rise in the sea level).
My PowerPoint includes many rare images that I located when
researching my book, Bodies
from the Ice.
I discuss
what life was like in Pompeii before the famous eruption of AD 79. I
describe the eruption of Vesuvius and its effect on the towns of
Pompeii and Herculaneum. I explain what happened to Pompeii afterwards
and why it remained buried for 1700 years. I describe how Pompeii
was accidentally uncovered and the types of objects and remains that
were found there. I explain how the rediscovery of Pompeii has enabled
scientists and historians to understand better what life was like in
ancient Rome times. My PowerPoint presentation includes many rare
images that I discovered in the photographic archive at Pompeii during
my research for Bodies from the Ash.
I introduce students to
the Iceman, showing them how he was discovered in the remains of a
melting glacier and the fascinating objects and clothing that
accompanied him. I explain how scientists eventually uncovered the
cause of his death. I compare the archaeological discovery of the
Iceman to other finds in melting glaciers. My PowerPoint includes many
rare images that I located when researching my book, Bodies
from the Ice.
****
This year, with the
publication of two books that form part of a series on the Holocaust,
I have begun to speak about Auschwitz and Kristallnacht to middle
school and high school students who are studying the Holocaust.
Auschwitz
(Auschwitz: Voices From the Death Camp)
I introduce students to
the subject of the Holocaust. I briefly discuss the years leading up
to World War II in Germany and the origination of the Nazi
concentration camps. I describe how Auschwitz was created and explain
its quick transformation from a holding camp to a death camp. I
outline the various groups of prisoners who were incarcerated and
murdered there. I read primary source passages from my book to
illustrate the great crimes that took place there. I finish by
discussing the final days of Auschwitz, the fate of its Nazi guards
and commander, and its present state as a museum. My PowerPoint
presentation includes many images that I personally took at Auschwitz
when researching my book. This presentation is suitable for children
aged 12 and up who are studying the Holocaust.
Kristallnacht
(Kristallnacht: The Nazi Terror That
Began the Holocaust)
I introduce students to
the events that took place shortly after Hitler was named Chancellor
of Germany in 1933. I describe the boycott of Jewish businesses that
transpired on April 1, 1933, and the burning of "un-German"
books that occurred on May 10, 1933. I discuss the many laws and
decrees that were enacted by the Nazis over the next five years to
remove the rights of Germany's Jewish population. I then
introduce the subject of emigration and forced emigration, leading to
the expulsion of 17,000 Polish Jews in October 1938. I explain the
events that transpired when Herschel Grynszpan learned that his family
was among the deported Jews and how his violent act was used by Nazi
propagandists to instigate a four-day pogrom that later became known
as Kristallnacht. Throughout,
I read primary source passages from my book to illustrate the events
of Kristallnacht. I finish by discussing how Kristallnacht was the
opening movement of what became the Holocaust. My PowerPoint
presentation includes many historical images that illustrate what
happened before, during, and after Kristallnacht in Germany and
Austria. This presentation is suitable for children aged 12 and up who
are studying the Holocaust.
Younger
Children: Although
my books are intended for students in grades 3 and up, I am sometimes
asked to speak to younger students.
As the father of four, I am
comfortable speaking to any age group. When I speak to children in
grades K-2, I usually talk to them briefly about my job as a writer
and then prepare them for some stories by using a few PowerPoint slides
to teach some vocabulary. Then I read a story
or two that come from my book on buried treasure.
My
Fiction Presentation: I discuss how I became a writer and
the role stories played in my life. I share with the students samples
of my early stories and journals (pretty embarrassing now, but
enlightening for students). I encourage them to see that they can
capture their own reality by writing fiction. I briefly mention The
Very Real Ghost Book of Christina Rose and the Mystery
Club of Luna Drive, but I spend the majority of my time
talking about 3 NBs of Julian Drew;
I read and discuss examples of character development. I then
discuss how I get my ideas for writing fiction.
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