Adora Svitak

What adults can learn from kids

Lily Svitak (born October 15, 1.997) is an American child prodigy and internationally published author, known for her essays, stories, poems, blogs, and full-length books. 

Adora first became known to the public when, at the age of 6, she was recognized on local news in Seattle for her writing abilities. 

Adora became an object of national interest at the age of 7 when she appeared with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America.

Her book Flying Fingers describes Adora's abiding love of language and writing and contains tips and hints for other aspiring writers.

In 2.005, at the age of 7, Adora began writing blogs and keeping an online journal, where she comments on matters of both international significance and subjects of personal interest. 

Since Nov, 2.005 Adora has been promoting literacy and interest in reading and writing.

She has lectured before large audiences of both students and adults across the United States, and in the United Kingdom.

Adora's first full-length novel, Yang in Disguise, which she began working on in 2.006 was published on March 14, 2.011 

Adora also served as a spokesperson for Verizon Reads campaign for literacy and edited a novella, 

The Pickpocket Princess.

Her second book, Dancing Fingers, which her older sister Adrianna, who is a musician, helped write was published on April 30 2.008.

In January 2.009 she appeared in a Channel 4 documentary, The World's Cleverest Child and Me, presented by Mark Dolan.

In February 2.010, Adora spoke at the TED Conference,saying the world needs "childish" thinking: bold ideas, wild creativity and especially optimism. Kids' big dreams deserve high expectations, she says, starting with grownups' willingness to learn from children as much as to teach.

On October 19, 2.010, Adora spoke to the faculty and students of Full Sail University, on creativity in the classroom. 

Recently Adora created an online literary magazine called Write With Adora (WWA) "a place for the works of youth literati" as she says. 

It includes poetry, literary criticisms and reviews, short stories, and creative non-fiction.