NYT Bestselling author of middle-grade fairytales and fantasy
✦ Founding AuthorPre-KK–23–56–8K1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th📍 In-person💻 VirtualFree virtual Q&A✓ Published & vetted
Based in
Chicago, IL
Local zone
40 mi · no travel fee
Books published
7 titles
About Liesl
Liesl Shurtliff is the New York Times bestselling author of the (Fairly) True Tales series, including Rump, which was awarded an ILA Children’s Book Award and named to over two dozen state award lists. Her latest series, the Time Castaways trilogy, is a family time-travel adventure with “quirky, retro-tinged entertainment.” (Kirkus) Liesl lives in Chicago. She has visited hundreds of schools across the country, sharing her love of reading and writing.
Books
Rump: The (Fairly) True Tale of Rumpelstiltskin
Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2013
Jack: the Fairly True Tale of Jack and the Beanstalk
Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2015
Red: The (Fairly) True Tale of Red Riding Hood
Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2016
Grump: The (Fairly) True Tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2018
Time Castaways: The Mona Lisa Key
Katherine Tegen, 2018
Time Castaways: The Obsidian Compass
Katherine Tegen, 2019
Time Castaways: The Forbidden Lock
Katherine Tegen, 2020
Visit formats
📍
In-person
School visit
✓ No travel fee within 40 mi of Chicago, IL. Beyond that, travel is arranged together.
💻
Virtual
Virtual visit
✓ No travel — connect from anywhere. Often the most budget-friendly option.
🎁
Free
Virtual Q&A
✓ Free for classrooms that have read at least one of Liesl's books.
What a visit includes
✓Pre-visit planning call
✓Customized for your grade
✓Q&A with students
✓Live reading or demo
✓Signed book for library
✓Optional writing activity
✓Post-visit reflection guide
✓Parent follow-up note
Volunteer visits
Liesl offers 2 free visits a year
3 remaining this year. Qualifying schools receive a fully-funded in-person or virtual visit.
1
Show the need — Title I, under-resourced, or stretched budget.
2
Name a staff lead who will own the day.
3
Put books in hands first — students read at least one book beforehand.
4
Keep it going — share a plan for sustaining reading excitement.
