Author Gillian McDunn Visits Sewickley Academy
In partnership with Penguin Bookshop, Sewickley Academy’s Lower School hosted author Gillian McDunn this morning in the Marion Hutchins Library. Students in Grades 4 and 5 had the opportunity to learn about writing, how she crafts memorable characters, and the importance of the revision process to transform stories into finished pieces.
In Ms. McDunn’s newest book, Queen Bee and Me,” learning about bees was an essential part in developing the characters’ personalities. She showed pictures and videos while explaining her research methodology in shaping this story – reading books, including children’s books that often simply explain complex matters; interviewing experts, visiting a beehive, and checking facts. She also shared some fun personal facts about herself, friendships, family, and dog, and talked about the illustration process for the covers of “Queen Bee and Me” and “Caterpillar Summer.”
Students asked the author tons of questions about her research on bees, writing books, her favorite places to travel, shared their own experiences that were connected to the characters and themes in her books, and gave tips on fun things to do while she was in Pittsburgh. They also had the chance to view the book’s trailer.
Ms. McDunn is in town promoting her new middle-grade novel, “Queen Bee and Me,” a story about friendship and staying true to oneself.
