Combs Intermediate School scholars recently had the amazing opportunity to meet award winning African-American author Zetta Elliott. The scholars met Elliott via a virtual video call in which they learned more about being an author.

Elliott has won a number of awards for her writing. Most recently, she was awarded the 2021 Caldecott Honor for her book, A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart. She has also been awarded the Kirkus Review Best Book of the Year, NPR Best Book of the Year, a Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year, and Best Middle Grade Book of 2019 by CBC Books just to name a few of her awards. 

“We are excited to have such a decorated author to join us during Black History Month. Our hope is that our students will be empowered to see themselves as writers and possibly become an author themselves one day, said Leslie Washington-Thomas, Combs principal.

Elliott’s virtual visit was made possible by the not-for-profit organization, The Noble Neighbor (in partnership with The Novel Neighbor Bookstore). In addition to funding the author’s visit, the organizations are making it possible for each student to receive a copy of Elliott's book, Dragons in a Bag. The Noble Neighbor is also donating two copies of Elliott's book to each classroom library and to the Combs' library. 

Combs librarian, Stephanie Goh, is responsible for arranging Elliott’s visit through her relationship with the Novel Neighbor Bookstore.