Lower School to welcome author Diane Z. Shore

Darlington’s Lower School will welcome children’s author Diane Z. Shore on Nov. 9 for its annual author visit. She will speak to students in all classes.

Shore is the prize-winning author or co-author of six books for young readers, including “This is the Dream” (2006), a compelling, boldly illustrated book that chronicles episodes before, during and after the Civil Rights movement in America. It has been chosen for inclusion on the inaugural list of “25 Books All Young Georgians Should Read” in 2010 by the Georgia Center for the Book.

Born in 1958 in Mattoon, Ill., she is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a degree in accounting. She worked as a CPA for nearly six years and as an auditor for Equifax for another three years before getting married and raising a family. In 2003, she published her first book, “Bus-a-Saurus Bop,” which won a 2004 Children’s Choice Award from the Children’s Book Council. It was followed by “Rosa Loves to Read” (2004), “Look Both Ways” (2005), “This is the Feast” (2008) and “How to Drive Your Sister Crazy” (2008).

Shore’s work has been published in a variety of magazines including Highlights for Children, Cricket, Spider, Ladybug, Humpty Dumpty, Jack & Jill, Turtle, Children’s Playmate, Boys’ Quest and various teaching publications. A full-time author and read-aloud advocate, she travels all across the U.S. inspiring kids to read with her lively “A-Rockin’ and A-Readin’!" and “Poetry Party!” presentations!

Shore currently lives in Marietta, Ga., with her husband and two children.

Past guest authors/illustrators visiting the Lower School have included Patricia Reilly Giff, David Winsniewski, Robert San Souci, Jack Gantos, Lynn Cullen, Mike Lester, Carmen Agra Deedy, Helen Lester, Jane Kurtz, Mordicai Gerstein, Eric Kimmel, Grace Lin and Lola Schaefer.