Two-time Coretta Scott King Award-winner Sharon Draper recently headed out on tour to present her new middle grade novel Out of My Dreams. This book marks the third entry in Draper’s Out of My Mind series, which began in 2010 with Out of My Mind, by now a modern-day classic. The series follows Melody, a tween with disabilities, as she navigates growing up. Over the course of 12 days, Draper visited four states, including her hometown of Ohio, dropping by several schools to share the latest installment to her series. We’ve gathered highlights of her trip.
On September 3, Draper kicked off her tour with a visit to Charles R. Drew Charter School in Atlanta, hosted by Little Shop of Stories.
Students at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta were eager to have their books signed by Draper during a visit hosted by Little Shop of Stories on September 3.
Draper with a stack of her books, before speaking with students during a visit to Humbolt Academy in St. Louis, Mo., hosted by The Novel Neighbor on September 4.
Draper then made her way to the St. Louis County Library for a public event with The Novel Neighbor. Here Draper meets a reader.
On September 5, Draper signed a cast for a young reader at a public event at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in her hometown of Cincinnati. Draper learned that she had previously signed a cast for the same student on a previous visit.
Draper, a former teacher in Cincinnati, serendipitously encountered an Uber driver who was a former student, while on her way to an event.
Joseph-Beth hosted a school visit with Mariemont Elementary School on September 6, where Draper got to meet with young readers.
Draper with Lisa Moraleda (r.), VP and director of publicity at Simon & Schuster, enjoying a “must have” sweet treat from Graeter’s Ice Cream in Cincinnati.
Draper held a visit to the School for the Creative & Performing Arts, hosted by Joseph-Beth, on September 6.
