Brittany J. Thurman
Encouraging Young Readers to Follow Their Dreams
About Brittany
Hi! I'm Brittany J. Thurman, the award-winning author of Fly, Forever and Always, Come Catch a Dream, and the middle-grade detective series, Opal Watson: Private Eye. My upcoming titles include The First Library: The True Story by and for Black America, illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera, which tells the story of the first library in the United States created for and run by Black Americans. Words Fail is my upcoming middle-grade novel in which a 12-year-old boy uncovers his father’s private struggles with functional illiteracy. Fly won the Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Text. Fly and Forever and Always represented Kentucky for the Library of Congress, Great Reads from Great Places. My work explores themes of family, friendship, history, resilience, possibility, and joy. I value my time spent in schools, libraries, and community organizations. My goal for any visit is to empower young readers to believe in themselves and their dreams. I believe the story becomes the reader's once it is in their hands. Serving students through engaging and interactive literacy-based author visits allows those stories to live beyond the page. I hold a Master of Fine Arts in Dramatic Writing from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from Kingston University, London, England. When I am not writing, I enjoy discovering the magic of new musicals, learning embroidery, and tackling home renovation projects. I live in my hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, where I hold tight to my elders, roots, and childhood home.
Books
What educators say
“Ms. Thurman visited my school for an author visit in 2025, and it was a wonderful experience for staff and students. She spoke to all of the students at Camden Station, grades Kindergarten through 5th grade. She created two different targeted presentations for our school; one for the K-2 students and another for the 3rd-5th graders. She was able to share her experience as an author, including all the parts of the writing process from brainstorming to publication. This had a really powerful impact on students because they could make connections to what they are working on in the classroom and how it translated into a real career for an author! I would also like to recommend Ms. Thurman’s books for any library collection. Her stories tell of bravery and perseverance, whether they are her picture books like Fly or chapter books like her Opal Watson series. The themes of the books also provide a great opportunity to teach about empathy. I hope that you have the opportunity to bring Brittany Thurman to your district!”
“Brittany visited our students, and her visit was an incredibly positive and meaningful experience for our school community. From the moment she began speaking, she connected with our students through her warmth, enthusiasm, and genuine love of storytelling. She shared her journey as an author, brought her books and characters to life, and inspired students to see the power of books, creativity, and imagination. What stood out most was Brittany’s ability to make reading and writing feel personal and exciting for students. Her stories and message encouraged students to believe in themselves, use their imaginations, and recognize that their own voices and stories matter. Our students were engaged throughout her presentation and were excited to learn more about her books after meeting her. As an elementary school librarian, I have the opportunity to see firsthand what sparks excitement in young readers. Brittany’s visit did exactly that. She provided our students with a memorable experience that extended beyond a single school day and helped strengthen their connection to books and reading. I would highly recommend Brittany J. Thurman for author visits, educational programming, and partnerships with public schools. She is professional, engaging, talented, and genuinely connects with students. We were grateful for the opportunity to welcome her to Western Elementary and would gladly welcome her back.”
“From the moment she engaged with our students and staff, it was abundantly clear that she is not only a gifted writer, but a master educator who understands how to captivate young minds. She possesses a natural, joyful rapport with students that immediately sets an inclusive and inspiring tone. During her time with us, Ms.Thurman delivered a presentation that was meticulously organized, deeply engaging, and tailored perfectly to her audience. She balanced storytelling with valuable lessons on resilience, creativity, and self-expression. Her books—such as Fly -- resonated deeply with children because they center on diverse characters navigating real emotions, pursuing their dreams, and celebrating community and family joy. What sets Ms. Thurman apart as an educational partner is her professionalism and her genuine commitment to literacy. Her visit left a lasting impact on our school culture, sparking a renewed excitement for reading and writing among our students long after she departed. Faculty members frequently praised how well she managed large groups, kept students actively participating through thoughtful Q&A sessions. Given her exceptional storytelling ability, impressive professional credentials, and proven track record of delivering high-quality school programs, Brittany Thurman will be an incredible asset to your district. I highly recommend her as an educational vendor and am confident that schools across your district will benefit immensely from her visits.”
Visit formats
What a visit includes
Each presentation is 45- 60 minutes. PreK – 2: · Brittany’s author journey with emphasis on childhood writing. · Selected books include the picture books Fly, Forever & Always, and Come Catch a Dream. Depending on the time of year, C is for Christmas · Interactive storytelling deep dive featuring elements such as genre, beginning, problems, solutions, characters, dialogue, and narration. · Storytelling extension: A PreK-appropriate activity, ex. craft based on a book. K-2 appropriate writing exercise in which we create one story as a group and/or an interactive art-based activity, in which students design their own character through the guidance of a prerecorded video from a picture book illustrator. · Q and A: Students ask their questions regarding books, writing, and being an author. · Book Signing 3-5 · Brittany’s writing journey from childhood to adulthood, including themes of trial, error, and perseverance. · Selected books include the middle-grade novels Opal Watson: Private Eye, Opal Watson: A Case Most Fowl, or Words Fail (Coming 2027) · Interactive storytelling deep dive featuring important storytelling elements such as plot, plot points: inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, character and character development, dialogue, and narration. Writing Activity. -Q and A, Book signing.
Fees vary by format, travel, and your school's needs. Reach out directly for a quote and open dates.
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