October 8, 2026

Buckley’s third graders enjoyed a special visit on Thursday from New York Times bestselling author Jen Calonita, who shared her journey as a writer, offered a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, and encouraged students to explore the possibilities of their own imaginations.

Calonita, who has written more than 30 books for children and young adults, spoke about how she began her writing career and the inspiration behind her stories. She introduced students to the wide variety of books she has authored, including Isle of Ever, a mystery-filled adventure involving a vanished island, a hidden fortune, and a centuries-old curse, as well as her contributions to Disney’s popular A Twisted Tale series. These imaginative novels put unexpected spins on familiar Disney stories, inviting readers to consider what might happen if a beloved character’s story unfolded differently.

Throughout her presentation, Calonita gave students insight into the work that goes into creating a book, discussing how ideas develop into stories and the steps involved in bringing characters and their adventures to life. Her visit offered our third graders a valuable opportunity to learn directly from a professional author and consider how they might apply those same creative techniques to their own writing.

Adding to the excitement, each third grader received a copy of Isle of Ever, generously provided by Northport Books, allowing students to continue exploring Calonita’s storytelling long after the visit, along with a few other titles to add to our vibrant library collection.

We extend our sincere thanks to Northport Books for supporting this wonderful literary experience, and especially to Jen Calonita for taking the time to share her passion for writing with Buckley’s aspiring young authors. What a memorable way to celebrate the power of storytelling and inspire the next generation of writers!

Check out photos from Jen’s visit to Buckley here on our SmugMug page!