Dozens of passionate readers and potential future authors filled South Elementary School’s library for a special visit from New York Times best-selling author John Schu on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

SEE MORE PHOTOS: PGCPS on Flickr

Schu has made a career out of advocating for the people and things he cares about most: kids, books, and the people who connect them. The Naperville, Illinois, native serves as the children’s librarian for Bookelicious and the New York Times best-selling author of Louder Than Hunger; This Is a School, illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison; This Is a Story, illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Lauren Castillo; Ruthie Rose’s Big Idea, illustrated by Holly Hatam; Lily-May’s Joyful Day, illustrated by Holly Hatam; and The Gift of Story: Exploring the Affective Side of the Reading Life.

His educational background, earning a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, and master’s degrees in teaching and leadership, along with library and information science, served him well during his assemblies with South’s third, fourth, and fifth graders. Throughout his storytelling, Schu engaged with students, recounting his life and experiences as an author while passing out free books.

Thanks to fundraising throughout the school year, including their annual read-a-thon and book fairs, South Elementary’s librarians ensured students had their own free copies of The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, which recounts the true story of a captive silverback gorilla named Ivan, told from his point of view.

“I read The One and Only Ivan on December 27, 2011, and remember feeling as though I was glued to the book,” Schu recounted in his book, The Gift of Story: Exploring the Affective Side of the Reading Life. “The fictional tale of a real-life shopping mall gorilla, who discovers the healing power of friendship, went everywhere with me…Ivan’s story moved me on such a personal level that I began to share his book with everyone I could. As a reader, teacher, and school librarian, I’d read thousands of books by that point. What was it about this particular book that spoke to me?”

Schu continued, “In hindsight, I realized that Ivan’s story spoke to me in a private, quiet way. As I was reading it, I started to understand parts of myself. His experiences through struggles, loss, survival, friendship, and hope are universal stories that, when shared through the heart, connect us all.”

Following the assemblies and after each student received their own copy of the Newbery Award-winning book, Schu hosted a book signing event, giving students the opportunity to chat with the author and have their books autographed.

Experiences like author visits allow students to see and interact with real-world authors and learn about pathways to writing from industry professionals, potentially inspiring the next generation of writers within our community.

Along with South Elementary, Schu will also visit L.L. Beazley Elementary School and David A. Harrison Elementary School during the week of February 16.

To see more photos from John Schu’s visit to Prince George County, visit PGCPS’ Flickr channel.