Nikki Tate’s Great Pony Express Adventure 2002

Canadian Children's Author Makes Final Mail Drop In Nevada

RENO, NV – Whooping and hollering, just like the Pony Express riders of 1860 would have done, Nikki Tate came racing into the playground of Reno’s Hunsberger school Friday to deliver the mail on the last stop of her trek across Nevada.

Digging into the mochila on her pony, Breezy’s back, Nikki delivered mail from students in her home province of British Columbia to students at Hunsberger, who had written letters for her to deliver on her return to Canada.

Over the past two weeks Nikki has talked to approximately 3,200 students at 18 schools across Nevada about the historical events that inspired her latest children’s novel, Jo’s Triumph (Orca Book Publishers). Starting out at Ely near the Utah border, she rode sections of the Pony Express trail mentioned in her book, re-living history and collecting stories that are sure to make their way into a sequel to Jo’s Triumph, a request of many of the students.

"I hope that by visiting the students I have managed to share some of my enthusiasm for both reading and writing," Nikki said. "If even one child discovers the magic of reading as a result of my trip, it will have been worth it".

Nine of Nikki’s 11 novels are included in the Accelerated Reader program, which is the core of many of the schools’ literacy programs. She received warm receptions from the smallest, 20-student school to her largest audience of over 500. Her Pony Express adventure also garnered attention from the media, resulting in newspaper, radio and television coverage.

Nikki’s visit to Nevada ends Saturday at the Great Basin Book Festival in Reno where she will be involved in several activities. The only Canadian amongst the 25 authors, she will participate in a panel discussion about children’s literature, and will be talking to aspiring writers in the Teen Tent.

Next week Nikki will be travelling the west coast of California continuing to talk with students and appear at book signings in various locations.

Follow Nikki Tate's Pony Express Adventure on her website at www.stablemates.net.

PONY EXPRESS 2002 SPONSORS:

Bolen Books (Victoria, BC) Clearsilver Media (Victoria, BC) Horse Council BC (Aldergrove, BC) Leisure Time Rentals (Victoria, BC) Orca Book Publishers (Victoria, BC) Scrapbook Parade (Victoria, BC) Sono Nis Press (Winlaw, BC) Theatre Row Auto Sales (Victoria, BC) Karl Schutz (Chemainus, BC)

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