As a former teacher, Kristin Butcher understands the rollercoaster world of young people. This is reflected in her novels, which hold the interest of even the most reluctant readers. Addicted to books from the time she knew what they were, Kristin is dedicated to sharing this love through her writing, classroom visits, and workshops.

A published author since 1997, Kristin’s works include 10 juvenile and young adult novels with translations in Dutch, Slovenian, Spanish, and German. She also has two biographies for primary readers. Her short story, "Waltzing Annie Home" was a runner-up in The Great Canadian Short Story competition in Storyteller Magazine (1999).

Kristin has two new books in the works for 2010. First there is The Last Superhero (Napoleon Publishing), a juvenile novel that watches a small but fiery girl take on the school bullies single-handed. Look for that in April. For teens there is Cheat, a hi-lo book in Orca's Currents series that uncovers a major high school exam cheating scam. That book should be out in the fall.

In addition to creative writing, Kristin has also reviewed books for CM Magazine and the Canadian Book Review Annual. Before becoming a fiction writer, she worked as a technical writer, compiling course profiles for universities and colleges in Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and the United States.

Classroom visits provide Kristin with an opportunity to talk about her books with her readers. The experience is always such a battery-charger that afterwards she scoots back to her computer with renewed energy and enthusiasm, not to mention a brain jammed to overflowing with new ideas inspired by her audience. (Author presentations are tailored to meet the needs of individual groups and may focus on a theme, skill, particular novel, etc. as required.)

Workshops are perhaps the most fun—all the pleasure of teaching, without the report cards! Kristin is an experienced writing teacher, who understands that writing is an accumulation of hundreds of individual skills. For her, the excitement kids experience as they master each of these skills is almost as magical as writing itself. Falling back on her expertise as a mentor and professional development presenter during her teaching career, Kristin also enjoys presenting writing process workshops to teachers.

Publications

The Runaways. Kids Can Press, 1997.

The Tomorrow Tunnel. Thistledown Press, 1999.

The Gramma War. Orca Book Publishers, 2001.

Cairo Kelly and The Mann. Orca Book Publishers, 2002.

The Hemingway Tradition. Orca Book Publishers, 2002.

The Trouble with Liberty. Orca Book Publishers, 2003.

Summer of Suspense. Whitecap Books, 2002.

Zee’s Way. Orca Book Publishers, 2004.

Chat Room. Orca Book Publishers, 2006.

Zach & Zoe and the Bank Robber. Lorimer, 2008.

Pharaohs and Foot Soldiers: One Hundred Ancient Egyptian Jobs You Might Have Desired or Dreaded. Annick Press, 2009.

Return to Bone Tree Hill. Thistledown Press, 2009.

Zach & Zoe Bully and the Beagle. Lorimer, 2009.

The Last Superhero. Napoleon Publishing, 2010.

Cheat. Orca Book Publishers, 2010.