Sandburg Regional students learn and create with help from award-winning author

Acclaimed author/illustrator Jason Walz engaged with students at Sandburg Regional High School (SRHS), exchanging ideas and putting pen to paper in a lesson of storytelling and creativity.

Why it matters: Students thrive when they have resources that match their interests. With five graphic novels to his credit, including winning the 2026 Minnesota Book Award in the Young Adult Literature category, Walz encouraged students to “use their voice” and led them through the steps to create their own character. In addition to his work with publications, Walz is an experienced special education teacher who knows how to translate his message effectively for students. 

Award winner: Walz collected the Minnesota Book Award for his most recent work "The Flip Side", a graphic novel where a teen loses his best friend and finds himself in a world where everything is turned upside down. Learn more about his work at www.jasonwwalz.com.

Go deeper: The special visit was coordinated through a grant from the Anoka County Library and coordinated by SRHS teacher Kristi Weidlein. Anoka County Library staff shared resources, no-cost activities and reading challenges for students over the summer months. The visit is aligned with a school goal to inspire student creativity and build interest in graphic novels as a reading genre.  

Sandburg Regional High School serves students from throughout the Anoka-Hennepin School District who benefit from a smaller school setting. The school is located in the historic Sandburg Education Center in downtown Anoka. 

View photos from the event.