Members of the guest author welcoming group pose with author Martha Brockenbrough (far right) for a photo outside the Main Entrance to North Tama Schools on Tuesday, October 12. Pictured left to right, school counselor Teresa O’Meara, teacher Jess Schults, teacher Katey Holbach, art teacher Danica Minard, and Brockenbrough. Holback and Minard are dressed as characters from Brockenbrough’s young adult book “The Game of Love and Death.” Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

North Tama School District knows how to roll out the red carpet.

Guest author Martha Brockenbrough visited North Tama on Tuesday, October 12 as part of the district’s visiting author series.

Brockenbrough — who is based in Seattle — arrived on campus at 8:20 a.m. by way of a fire truck ride hosted by the Redhawks Cheer team — much to the delight of the entire North Tama student body which had assembled outside along the west and north sides of the building.

Every aspect of her arrival was tied in some way to one of her books which include works of young adult fiction, nonfiction, picture books, and a chapter book series.

“I am slain,” Brockenbrough said while placing both her hands on her heart as she stepped down from the fire truck, pausing at the Main Entrance to the school. Golden retrievers Sully and Kap — along with their owners North Tama counselor Teresa O’Meara and special education teacher Jess Schults, respectively — showering her in attention and love.

Seattle-based author Martha Brockenbrough and the Redhawks cheer team wave from atop a Traer fire truck to the North Tama student body assembled along Walnut and Sixth streets the morning of Tuesday, October 12. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Brockenbrough had been scheduled to visit North Tama in the spring of 2020 but the visit was postponed due to the pandemic. According to former North Tama Schools High School secretary Suzanne Earley — who was part of the welcoming committee Tuesday morning — Brockenbrough is either the fifth or sixth author to visit the district.

North Tama Vocal Music teacher Terry Shay has been instrumental in arranging the author visits, Earley said, often becoming good friends with the authors either before or as part of the visit.

“[Brockenbrough] is here for two days and that’s kind of special,” Earley said. “Most schools don’t get that special of treatment.”

Following her rock star arrival, Brockenbrough held an assembly in the gym for the elementary school during which she addressed her writing process.

“Today I’ll be talking about how an idea becomes a story,” Brockenbrough told the assembled students. “Every single one of [my] books … started off with an idea. My hope is that all of you will see yourselves as writers and storytellers.”

Visiting author Martha Brockenbrough places her hands over her heart in stunned disbelief upon seeing two North Tama teachers dressed as characters from one of her books on Tuesday, October 12. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Brockenbrough’s most famous titles include “Into the Bloodred Woods,” a work of young adult fiction, and the children’s

In an effort to cultivate the writing ability of the North Tama student body, Brockenbrough planned to visit every classroom during the course of her two-day visit.

But it seemed the highlight of her 48 hours in Traer had already taken place ahead of the assembly.

“Being escorted to school on the fire truck with sirens,” Brockenbrough said to the young North Tama students, “was the best day.”

Learn more about Martha Brockenbrough by visiting the website http://martha-brockenbrough.squarespace.com/about.

Sully — a golden retriever owned by North Tama school counselor Teresa O’Meara — waits patiently outside the school building for the arrival of guest author Martha Brockenbrough. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Guest author Martha Brockenbrough speaks to North Tama elementary students during an assembly on Tuesday, October 5 in the gym. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Guest author Martha Brockenbrough speaks to North Tama elementary students during an assembly on Tuesday, October 5 in the gym. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Visiting author Martha Brockenbrough speaks to North Tama students ahead of an elementary assembly on Tuesday, October 12. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

The Main Entrance to North Tama Schools welcomed guest author Martha Brockenbrough on Tuesday, October 12. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

North Tama teachers Katey Holbach (left) and Danica Minard (center) pictured with guest author Martha Brockenbrough (right) while dressed as the characters Love and Death, respectively, from Brockenbrough’s book “The Game of Love and Death.” Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker