Brian Crawford is the first guest author in a series of speakers at Orcas Island School District Library funded locally by the Orcas Island Community Fund.

Author and educator Crawford is a strong proponent of the value of global education. He uses literature as a window into diverse viewpoints and has led 10 international trips for students, including four to Rwanda. A speaker of six languages, he is a multiple award-winning author of 14 novels, a curriculum guide, and a culture and etiquette guide to Rwanda. A strong advocate for human rights and against intolerance, Crawford is an active member of the Holocaust Center for Humanity’s Educators for Change.

Crawford will visit Orcas Island School District Library on Monday, Jan. 30 and Tuesday, Jan. 31. He will present to the middle school and some high school classes his experiences in Rwanda and his writing process. A reception for adults only will take place in the library Monday, Jan. 30 at 7:45 to 8:30 p.m..

Crawford has written many books for young adults. He has two historical fiction series, as well as a travel guide to Rwanda. He will present his novel Weaver’s Scar on his visit to the library. He received his bachelor’s degree in French and German from the University of Georgia and a dual master’s in French Literature and Modern German Culture from Indiana University. From 2009 to 2018, he taught middle school Language Arts at Seattle Country Day School, where he was a founding member and former president of the Pacific Northwest Middle School Debate League. He is currently teaching at The Downtown School in Seattle.