Hello!
It's time to update this
letter. First, let me thank you for visiting my web site. It's written
for my young readers, as well as the adults in their lives. I hope you
find everything you're looking for here. If not, please shoot me an
e-mail and tell me what you think is missing. And if you're a student
whose school I have visited, yes, I really mean it when I say I will
continue to answer your questions via e-mail. So keep on sending those
questions! Click here to
send them to me.
I can't believe When Is
a Planet Not a Planet? The Story of Pluto is about to celebrate
its first birthday. It was published August, 2008 by Clarion Books and
it has found its way into schools and libraries across the country.
Look for it in your library. Or order a copy for yourself. In October,
it will be joined by another space book, Mars and the Search for
Life, also published by Clarion. This is a book about the Mars rovers,
Spirit and Opportunity, and the discoveries they are making on Mars.
Yes, those two rovers are still working on the Martian surface!
Mars is the planet in our solar system most like Earth, and scientists
are eager to learn more about its formation and history, so they can
in turn learn more about what Earth's fate might be in the future. Mars
appears dry, but is there liquid water hidden beneath its dusty surface?
Were there ever rivers and oceans on Mars? Could human beings live there
one day? Has any life ever been found on Mars? These are questions scientists
are asking. You may find some answers in this book.
Since the United Nations
has declared 2009 the International Year of Astronomy, I have been receiving
a lot of requests to come visit schools and talk about my books--especially
those that deal with space science. Maybe I'll come to your school this
year--who knows?
Of course I love all kinds
of science, so I'm also excited about another fall book, All About
Sleep from A to Zzzzz, which will be published by Viking Children's
Books. Did you know that some people have died from lack of sleep, or
that the loudest snoring on record is 90 decibels--about as loud as
a train whistle? These fun facts, plus lots more, are included in All
about Sleep. If you've ever been curious about where you go when
you go to sleep, I hope you'll read this book.
In February, Secrets of
the Cirque Medrano was published by Charlesbridge. Secrets
is something different for me--a novel. I was inspired by Picasso's
famous painting, The
Family of Saltimbanques, which now hangs in the National Gallery
in Washington, D.C. The story revolves around 14-year-old Brigitte,
the café where she works and lives with an elderly aunt and uncle, a
young acrobat from the Cirque Medrano, revolutionaries and Russian diplomats,
and of course…Picasso. It is nothing like the story I began to write,
but of course, that's why writing is so exciting. The writing process
is like a journey that takes you to a destination you may not have planned.
Right now I'm busy writing
next fall's book, Eye on the Universe: The Story of the Hubble Space
Telescope. It's another Clarion title, and as its name implies it
will tell a lot about Hubble, and how it has helped astronomers around
the world learn more about our universe. Keep checking back on the web
page, as I will be updating it from time to time, as I plan new projects.
In the meantime, work hard, play a lot, keep sending those e-mails,
and enjoy the beginning of a brand new school year!
Elaine Scott
Honors and Events
When is a Planet Not
a Planet? won the 2008 Texas Reading Association's Literature Award.
Elaine will be a featured
author at the International
Reading Association Conference in Phoenix, AZ, February 21-25, 2009.
Elaine was a featured speaker
at the 2008 Texas Library Association Conference in Dallas, TX.
Elaine was a featured author
at the 2007 Texas Book Festival in Austin, TX.
Elaine was one of a select
group of children's authors invited to participate in Laura
Bush Celebrates America's Authors, part
of the extended Inaugural Activities on January 19, 2001.
Read about her experience in the Special Events section of the site.
Secrets of
the Cirque Medrano has been named one of Bank
Street College's Best Children's Books of the Year!
More Information:
Click
