Freshman English teachers show off some of Maa's books.  Left to right: Mr. Mike Coco, Ms. Lori Gingras, Mari Padian, and Mrs. Benedict

Pictured left to right: Kris Austin, Maria Padian, and Coleby Vasoll.

Jaid Elsemore chats with Maria about the craft of writing.


It's not every day that GAHS gets a visit from an award-winning author and especially not one that set her novel in Lewiston, Maine.

But last week, Maria Padian visited with close to 100 ninth grade English students as they finished her novel, Out of Nowhere. This book won the 2013 Maine Library Association Young Adult Lupine Award. 

Students have called this book the best they have ever read and were amazed that Padian, a famous author, "is just like one of us." Ms. Padian had high praise for the students' preparedness and the warm welcome they gave her.

This is Ms. Padian's fourth visit. She said that she always loves coming to Gardiner High noting, "Everyone seems really happy here."

Special thanks to grade nine teacher, Ms. Gingras, for arranging the visit, and to Mrs. Benedict, Mr. Coco, and Ms. Gingras for hosting Ms. Padian in their classrooms. It was an award-winning opportunity to hear from an award-winning author.