"Debbie Miller...visited nine schools, saw approximately 2675 students, did twenty presentations and had four sit down lunches with small groups of promising student writers. A little girl figured out her process and gave a nice summation. “So you learn all the facts with your own eyes and interview people, and then you put those facts in your book.” That girl just may grow up to be a nature writer herself. Ms. Miller’s years of teaching experience allowed her to adapt quickly and change topics when she saw a teachable moment. At the beginning of one session, she found out the group had begun a study of marine biology. She immediately switched into telling about her current research for a future book about the Olive Ridley Turtles in Mexico and showing slides of them heading out to sea. The shared interest between her and those students was palpable. There was one difficulty that hovered all week long. Clocks kept ticking. Neither the children nor Ms. Miller were ever ready for the time to be up. One couldn’t help but wonder how long the sessions could have happily continued if there had not been a need to address another group, get to the cafeteria, or catch a bus to go home. Words of appreciation abounded after her visit from teachers, administrators, parents, and children. They might be summed up by one of the professors at the University of Southern Mississippi who had not seen a presentation himself but said, “You really got your money’s worth from Debbie Miller. There is quite a buzz around town about her visit.”

     -Virginia McGee Butler, Retired Teacher/Working Writer, Hattiesburg, MS

 

 

​"Ms. Miller - My son is a student at Oak Grove Elementary. You appeared at his school and he came home so excited. I have never heard him come home so excited about learning and about a BOOK!!! I can't believe how much he learned from you. He has been telling us all about Alaska and honestly, I can't explain it. He retained so much and I just wanted to thank you. You really peaked his interest (he is 9) in reading and learning new things. I really wish I could explain in words how Noah was inspired and came home and told us word for word the things he learned from you. Thank you so much! You have made a difference in the life of a great 9 year old!!

     -a parent in Hattiesburg, MS

 

"Ravenscroft Lower School recently hosted Debbie Miller. Mrs. Miller's presentation to our students in Grades 1-5 was both informative and entertaining. She shared her many adventures drawn from 24 years living in Alaska and materials she has gathered over the years, such as clothing and boots, mittens, and hides from the caribou. Her presentations included a discussion of what it is like to live in Alaska and a slide show of the wildlife and natural scenery of the state. The children thoroughly enjoyed her enthusiasm for and knowledge of the caribou, polar bear, and plover! She explained journal writing, the writing and editing process, and research involved in publishing a book. In addition to presentations, Mrs. Miller worked with fourth graders who became authors of animal stories, and first graders who illustrated new text she has written and hopes to have published. This author is a gift to the children's world of books. She is an exceptional presenter and does such a nice job of addressing each grade level appropriately. Every presentation was different in some way! She took our students on "a journey to Alaska" that they will never forget!"

      -Sarah Adams, Librarian, Ravenscroft Lower School, Raleigh, North Carolina

 

"Our students found her presentations informative, interesting and fun! The slides were really great and helped students visualize the vastness of Alaska's wilderness. Her presentations have an excellent balance between talking, showing, and answering questions."

     -Sheila Carey, Librarian, Ravenwood Elementary School

 

"Debbie Miller was wonderful. The children loved her presentation. They came back to class feeling they had been on a real journey."

      -Chugiak Elementary School

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"...I really enjoyed your presentation. It was just great. One day I would like to be a writer like you. What encouraged me to think about this career is that I noticed when you gave all of the information to us, you seemed to really enjoy writing yourself..."

     - a fifth grader from Pleasanton, California

 

"...You are very lucky to live in such a beautiful state. There is such a large amount of caribou that you can go out into the wild and study their habits. Then you can put your research and notes together and write wonderful stories that tell about real life in Alaska. I hope you can continue writing about your wonderful Alaska adventures..."

      - a third grader from Salem, Oregon

 

"...I love your stories and the paintings. The paintings make me feel like I'm in them. They really describe the words. The stories are really interesting. I really want to go to Alaska. I want to see Mr. Van Zyle's dogs and the Disappearing Lake..."

     -a fourth grader from Northbrook, Illinois

 

"...I thought it was very spectacular the way you researched your books. I especially was fascinated when you told us 40,000 caribou were coming toward you! Also, you have experienced many things while researching like, falling flat on your face, getting your foot stuck in a crack on the sea ice, and seeing polar bear tracks around you..."

      -a fifth grader from Seattle, Washington​

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"Dear Ms. Miller: Every year our family follows the Iditarod and I do a unit study on Alaska with my 3 children. As I read "Big Alaska" to the children today I felt compelled to write to say thank you for producing such fantastic books. Your books are truly "living books" and they bring Alaska right into our schoolroom (aka my kitchen table). We may never get to see the race first-hand (although every March 1st my husband threatens to sell everything we own and head up there!) but your books have helped us get a bit closer. Iditarod is a family affair for us - I suppose what the Super Bowl might be to other families. Your books make these 2 weeks a richer time for us. I've read "Disappearing Lake" and "Caribou Journey" year after year. This year, "Big Alaska" and "Arctic Lights, Arctic Nights" will be new. Thank you for all the hours you have put into creating a picture of America's greatest state for those of us in the lower 48. Now that I've discovered your website, we will add 'author study' to our lessons!"

     -a parent in Georgia