Clare Hodgson Meeker is an award-winning author of eight published books and over 24 magazine stories for children.

Her most recent book “Soccer Dreams” tells the story of a Kenya boy named Todo and how his love of soccer brings him from Africa to Seattle, Wash.

On Saturday, June 18 at 3 p.m., at the San Juan library, Meeker will discuss her writing, her many travels and how something as simple as a soccer ball can inspire the world.

Her books include  “Lootas Little Wave Eater,” which was selected as a 1999 Notable Book for Children by Smithsonian Magazine and her story “Beavers, Berries, and Bears, Oh My!” was a finalist for the Association of Educational Publishers Distinguished Achievement award in 2008.

Meeker teaches writing and makes author appearances in elementary and middle schools throughout Washington and Oregon.

She also teaches writing for children to adults at Richard Hugo House, a writers cooperative in Seattle, Wash.

Meeker writes on her website, “When children become writers themselves, they learn the power of their own words to move people. They feel the excitement of searching for answers to their own questions. And they give voice to their own rich imaginations.”

The author was born and raised in New York. She graduated with a Bachelor  of Arts in Music from Boston University and received a law degree from Hofstra University. She left the practice of law to raise two children and write children’s books.

She is also a founding member of The Righteous Mothers, a female vocal group that has performed nationally for over 25 years. She also performs with a funk band called Funk Pro Tunc.

This program is free with light refreshments courtesy of the Friends of the Library.  For more information call 378-2798 or visit www.claremeeker.com.