On Wednesday, January 15, 2020, Kent School will welcome author Suzanne Goldsmith to campus for an afternoon of book discussion with students in grades five through eight. Students in grades seven and eight will engage in writing workshops with Ms. Goldsmith. Ms. Goldsmith’s most recent novel Washashore was selected as the novel that all Middle School students read this past fall. She is a freelance magazine writer who lives in Ohio. Washashore is her first novel. Ms. Goldsmith has also published a non-fiction book entitled, A City Year, about an internationally known service program based in Boston.
Washashore tells the story of Clementine Harper, a 14 year old spending the summer on Martha’s Vineyard. “She’s what the locals call a Washashore — an outsider. Clem doesn’t fit in . . . here. Her parents aren’t getting along . . . here. Coco, her best friend from Boston, just plain isn’t . . . here. But then Clem finds a fallen bird – an osprey – on the beach, And she meets a lonely boy named Daniel. And everything changes.”
“Washashore is particularly meaningful to our Middle School students for several reasons,” said, Julia Gross, Language Arts Teacher and Kudner Leyon Visiting Author Program Coordinator. “First, an osprey is at the center of the story. The osprey is not only our school mascot but we also have a nesting pair right on our campus. Our school community looks forward to their return each March.” Gross continued, “Secondly, the theme of the story includes relevant Middle School topics like friendship and inclusion. Middle School students want to fit in. This story helps our students understand what it feels like when you don’t fit in.”
Nancy Mugele, Head of School at Kent School said, “We are intentional in teaching our students empathy strategies. It is part of our Middle School Advisory curriculum. Washashore is a perfect compliment to our curriculum. We are deeply grateful to the Kudner and Leyon families, and their friends, for establishing the endowment that brings professionals in the literary arts to our students several times each academic year.”
Ms. Goldsmith’s visit is made possible by the Kudner Leyon Memorial Endowment, established in 2000. This endowment allows Kent School to bring authors, illustrators and experts in child development to campus each year to work with students, teachers and parents. The Kudner Leyon Visiting Writers Program is named for Ariana Kudner and Amanda Leyon, members of Kent School’s Class of 1991, who shared a love of reading, books and creative writing. Sadly, Ariana and Amanda lost their lives in a tragic car accident. This program is a wonderful and lasting tribute to their legacy and touches every student at Kent School each academic year.
For more information about the Kudner Leyon Visiting Writers Program, Kent School or Suzanne Goldsmith visit www.kentschool.org or call 410-778-4100 ext. 110.
Kent School located on the bank of the Chester River in historic Chestertown, is an independent school that serves boys and girls from Preschool through Grade Eight. Kent School’s mission is to guide our students in realizing their potential for academic, artistic, athletic, and moral excellence. Our school’s family-oriented, supportive, student-centered environment fosters the growth of honorable, responsible citizens for our country and our diverse world.