Award-Winning Author Neal Shusterman Visits RIS, Inspires Students
On April 30, 2025, RIS had the honor of hosting bestselling and award-winning author Neal Shusterman for a special presentation to students in grades 5 through 10. Widely known for books such as Scythe, Unwind, and Challenger Deep, Shusterman brought storytelling to life through an engaging and insightful talk about his work, his writing process, and the themes that shape his novels.
Shusterman captivated the audience with personal stories from his writing career, including the inspiration behind some of his most well-known books. He even hinted at an upcoming TV series based on his book Scythe!
“The students at RIS asked some very thoughtful and challenging questions,” Shusterman commented after the event.
Throughout the presentation, students were engaged in what Shusterman described as a “dialog” between him and the students.. Many were excited to learn more about how Shusterman develops complex characters and builds the futuristic worlds that define his work.
“I’ve read and love Scythe, but hearing him talk about where the idea came from made me appreciate it even more,” said eighth-grader Donovan Craig, Class of 2029. Another student shared, “He made me realize writing isn’t just about having ideas—it’s about shaping them into something meaningful.”
Teachers and staff also praised the event. “He is a master storyteller,” said Mr. Aaron Schmidt, Middle School Visual Arts teacher. “I was very impressed with his ability to share engaging anecdotes on the process of writing. His personal stories showed how reading and learning different subjects can lead to innovative ideas.”
Head Librarian Ms. Laura Losch, along with the library team, were pivotal in organizing this event and hope to bring more author visits to RIS in the future. “I was so happy to host Mr. Shusterman and hear about his writing process—he goes through over 10 drafts of his work before it even gets in the publisher’s hands! It was amazing to learn about his process and the amount of time it takes to write such eye-catching, entertaining stories!”
