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Visiting Author

The Visiting Author program is one of the targeted programs the Foundation for ICCSD supports. In collaboration with Hills Bank's Community Reading Month, two authors are chosen annually to interact with students in the District, sharing insights about their writing and journeys. One author engages with elementary students, while the other connects with secondary students. Discover more about each program below.

Don Tate

In December 2024, Author Illustrator Don Tate spoke to every 2nd grade in the District as part of our longtime Visiting Author program sponsored by Hills Bank. Tate engaged our students with his creativity and humor and incorporated our theme of "Changemakers." 

After our visit, Tate spoke to Iowa Public Radio and offered the following, "I spent the last couple of days speaking in schools in Iowa City, and I received some feedback from some of the teachers who told me things like, “After your presentation, a student walked up and told me that, 'Hey, I want to grow up and become an author just like Don Tate.'” I didn't know that I could do that. I feel gratified that my presentations and that my stories are inspiring the next generation of storytellers.I don't remember having authors come to my school and speak — most definitely not African American authors. It is really important that authors are brought together with young readers to inspire a love of reading. One of my earliest memories was my mom taking me to an art lesson at one of the elementary schools one evening. I remember the artist, his name was Brother Larry Harris, and he taught us how to draw a face. He framed the face in a big, curly afro. Years later, I still use the techniques of Brother Larry Harris and my drawings that I learned as an 8-year-old kid. That is why these kinds of visits with authors and artists are so important, because they're creating memories that children will carry with them for a lifetime."

Dusti Bowling

Every 6th grade student in Iowa City Community Schools read Dusti Bowling's The Canyon's Edge. Teacher Librarians and Language Arts teachers collaborated to develop a curriculum around the novel that would both address Common Core standards and help prepare students for the author visit.

All 6th graders enjoyed a virtual visit from Dusti Bowling thanks to the Foundation and Hills Bank's Visiting Author program. 

Samira Ahmed

Samira Ahmed visited our 4 high schools in May of 2025. Students interviewed the author and spoke to her in small groups. The experience is made possible by the Foundation and Hills Bank. 

Ahmed is the New York Times-bestselling and award winning author of young adult novels Love, Hate & Other Filters; Internment; Mad, Bad & Dangerous to Know; Hollow Fires, This Book Won’t Burn, as well as the Amira & Hamza middle grade fantasy series. She is the first South Asian Muslim writer of the popular Marvel Comics superhero Ms. Marvel. Her short stories and poetry have appeared in publications and anthologies including The New York Times, Who Will Speak for America, Take the Mic, Color Outside the Lines, Vampires Never Get Old, and A Universe of Wishes.