Roar for Reading 2025 is excited to host and showcase the following authors at Laurelhurst K-8.
Where can you find books by the visiting authors?
- Check them out from Ms. Dixon at the school library
- Purchase a copy at the Laurelhurst Book Fair, October 6th-9th
- Order* books using the links below. Order by September 29th to receive an autographed copy by the author(s)!
*Instructions for ordering books: When ordering books please select “I would like to pick up this order” under pick up options and then select Laurelhurst School for pick up site. Please write your child’s name and their teacher’s name in the comment box so that the books can be distributed easily upon arrival.
Roar for Reading 2025 Guest Authors:
Breena Bard is an Oregon Book Award-winning cartoonist who writes for kids and kids at heart. Her middle grade graphic novels include Wildfire and Trespassers. She is currently working on her third graphic novel.
Click here to order Breena’s books
Leslie Barnard Booth writes lyrical picture books about science and nature. She is the author of A Stone Is a Story, a Bank Street Best Book of the Year, Crystal Kite Award Winner, and NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book; and, most recently, I Am We: How Crows Come Together to Survive.
Leslie will be visiting the 1st-3rd graders on Wednesday, October 15th, and she will be discussing her newly published children’s book I am We.
Click here to order Leslie’s books
Jonathan Hill is an award-winning cartoonist, illustrator, and educator. His graphic novels, such as Lizard Boy, capture the nuances of middle-grade life with energy, insight, and ample comic relief.
Click here to order Jonathan’s books
Aron Nels Steinke is a cartoonist and former elementary school teacher. His bestselling and award-winning Mr. Wolf’s Class series follows the adventures of a class of fourth graders and their teacher who just so happens to look like a wolf.
Click here to order Aron’s books
Alan Gratz is the New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books for young readers, including Heroes, Two Degrees, Captain America: The Ghost Army, Ground Zero, Allies, Resist, Refugee, and Ban this Book.
Alan will be visiting the 4th and 5th graders on October 27th.
*Autographed copies will be sold exclusively at the Roar for Reading Book Fair table Oct 6th-9th. Limited copies available!*
Dr. Radhika Natarajan is an assistant professor of history and humanities at Reed College. She also writes for wider audiences (adult and children) on the connections between imperial history and the present.
Dr. Natarajan will be visiting the 8th graders on Friday, October 17th, and she will be discussing her book, Hear Our Voices: A Powerful Retelling of the British Empire through 20 True Stories.
Dr. Natarajan’s book will be available for purchase at the Laurelhurst Book Fair.
Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author who has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His books include CROCODILES NEED FRIENDS, TOO! , BACK TO SCHOOL, BACKPACK!, and A USER’S GUIDE TO DEMOCRACY (Celadon) with Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice. Tom is currently working on a graphic memoir about becoming an artist during turbulent times.
Tom’s new book AND TO THINK WE STARTED AS A BOOK CLUB… came out on October 7th.
Tom will be visiting our 7th graders on Oct 29th. Information coming soon on our own Laurelhurst cartoon contest!
Author-illustrator Ana Velez grew up in Quito, Ecuador helping her crafty abuela with art projects. Ana went on to study fine arts and also holds a masters in education. She now serves as an early childhood specialist at PPS.
Ana will be working with our Kindergarteners and 8th graders on Thursday, October 16th, and will present her book The Three Little Guinea Pigs and The Andean Fox in Spanish and English.
Click here to order a copy of Ana’s book
Roar for Reading 