Kids Need to Read is honored to welcome author Tom Leveen to the foundation’s Advisory Council, where he joins author PJ Haarsma, actor Nathan Fillion, writer Margaret Bostrom, author/illustrator Jackie Morris, and author/illustrator James A. Owen, as well as two additional new council members, author Janette Rallison and author/illustrator Steven Riley. Tom Leveen is the author of three contemporary young adult books with Random House: Party (2010), Zero (2012) and Mustardseed (2013), and a horror YA novel announcing soon with a second publisher. Tom has been active as a theatre actor and director since 1988, having directed more than thirty-five plays and performed in equally as many. He trained for five sessions with the Utah Shakespeare Festival Actor Training, and was the co-founder and artistic director of Is What It Is Theatre in Phoenix and Chyro Arts Venue. His favorite part of the writing life is speaking with junior high and high school students, presenting at teacher and writer conferences (such as SCBWI, AETA, Kennesaw State University, and others), and generally finding any way possible to let teens know they are awesome. He is a frequent writing teacher for schools, libraries, bookstores, and other organizations. In his blog, Tom’s reflections on life are delivered in his signature amusing and inspirational writing style. Tom and his wife, Joy, and son live in Arizona.
PJ Haarsma, Tom & Joy Leveen, and Robert Tabb at the KNTR HIKRZ Jamboree
Tom has long supported Kids Need to Read through various fundraising events. He participated in a special hike-a-thon at the Kids Need to Read HIKRZ Jamboree, an outdoor literacy event that took place at Usery Mountain Regional Park in Mesa, Arizona. His sense of humor shined when he gave a thumbs up to the organization for creating the kooky Leveen Party-thon page to gather donations during the Jamboree.
His latest novel, Zero, launching April 24th, contains a special acknowledgment to Kids Need to Read, demonstrating the author’s commitment to the cause of childhood literacy.
Please join us in welcoming Tom Leveen to the KNTR Advisory Council.
