Media Advisory

For Immediate Release: May 28, 2008

New York Times best-selling author, Da Chen, to speak to classes at Scotia-Glenville High School on Friday, May 30

New York Times best-selling author, Da Chen, will speak with grade 10 students at the Senior High School from 10-11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 30. He will speak to students in the auditorium followed by a book signing and up-close discussions with students in the library.

Da Chen will speak to four classes – two English and two Global Studies . The classes have been reading his book, Colors of the Mountain, about his struggle growing up during the upheaval and political persecution of the Cultural Revolution in Communist China.

“He’s a truly gracious man who emphasizes the importance of learning all you can during your teen years,” said English teacher Diana Carpenter. “I wanted my students to imagine what it is like to struggle and sweat for an education, an education that is freely given and often less-appreciated than it could be in the US.”

Her students are also producing memoir chapters of their own, which will be bound in a book and presented to the author as a thank-you gift at the assembly.

In addition to Carpenter’s students, classes taught by English teacher Kelly Neiderer and Global Studies teachers Larry Post and Martin Ziac will also hear Da Chen.

Da Chen’s books are now required reading for freshmen at several college campuses and he loves meeting with young people and urging them to take advantage of their educational opportunities, she added.

He is a popular author across the US, having recently spoken at Google. His web site is dachen.org. He has also written China’s Son, Sounds of the River, Wandering Warrior and Brothers. He has been featured in several magazines and newspapers, including Newsweek, Time Asia, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Newsday and New York Magazine.

For more information, contact Diana Carpenter at SG High School, 382-1231, or Robert Hanlon, Communications, at 386-4343