Sharon Draper
SOUTHEAST BRONX NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS, INC.
BRONX, NY
MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2003

Sharon Draper at Southeast Bronx Neighborhood Center.

Two months before Ms. Draper's residency, more than 100 participants from ages six to 21 prepared for the author's visit by reading one or more of the following books: Darkness Before Dawn, Double Dutch, Forged by Fire, Romiette and Julio, Tears of a Tiger, and books from the Ziggy and the Black Dinosaur series. In addition, all of the participants were given an autographed color photo of Ms. Draper.

On the day of Ms. Draper's arrival, she was warmly welcomed by the coordinators and shown a wall that displayed her books. Ms. Draper met with participants from the SEBNC's after-school program, out-of-school young adults, and mentally challenged teens and adults.

All photos: Sherrie Young.

Every day for four days, the author met with pre-teens and teenagers from the Southeast Bronx's after-school program. Ms. Draper and the participants sat in a circle or in an informal group and discussed her books, how she got started, and why she writes. Pre-teens acted out parts from Ziggy and the Black Dinosaur series of the book for Ms. Draper. The mentally-challenged group was familiar with Ms. Draper and was able to participate by asking questions, laughing, or by just enjoying the energy her visit generated.

The staff and the participants showed their appreciation, by presenting Ms. Draper with a certificate and small gifts. Upon acceptance, Ms. Draper complimented the staff on their hard work in preparing the participants for her visit.

Simon Pulse of Simon & Schuster donated books for these programs. Holiday House, Just Us Books offered books at a discount, which were donated by the Foundation to participants.

The National Book Foundation Settlement House Author Residency program is made possible through a leadership grant from the Theodore H. Barth Foundation, with additional funding from the Educational Foundation of America, New York Community Trust, R.R. Donnelley, and the New York State Council on the Arts.