Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

"A Life without Books is like a House without Windows."

I started A Houseful of Books Appalachia when I realized that children can not love books if they don't have books. Some of the rural schools within an hour's drive of my home have very poor libraries and no funding to improve them; most of their students live in poverty and books are not a part of their lives. Through A Houseful of Books, I've been able to get books donated to place into these students' hands, to renovate libraries, and to maintain a library at a local group foster home. Books are starting to make a difference. A Houseful of Books Appalachia is not a 501c charity (because registering as such costs $5000); however, it's very real, and I cheerful accept donations toward its programs. I'm also delighted to hear from schools or organizations in need of books.

Knitting Olympics!

I was proud gold medalist of the 2006 Winter Knitting Olympics. I joined Team Wales, based on their excellent creed, and their willingness to accept anyone who likes sheep or daffodils or leeks.

For more on the Knitting Olympics--which featured more participants than the actual Torino games--follow the links.

About School Visits--

I love to visit schools to talk about my books and writing. I've given talks to preschoolers through high school students, but middle school students are my favorite.

I charge $750/day for local schools (50 miles or less from my home) and $1000/day plus all expenses including travel for schools farther away than that. I can do either 3 hour-long presentations or 4 45-minute ones, plus booksigning, depending on the school's needs.

I am also happy to speak to adult groups; for them, my fee is $150/hour.

Please plan your school visit well in advance. I accept a limited number of engagements based on my family's schedule. At this time I have a limited number of openings for fall 2008, and am scheduling dates for spring 2009.