Maria Laplaca Bohrer

Maria LaPlaca Bohrer recently retired after 28 years as a classroom and reading teacher. She has also taught Children’s Literature and Writing graduate courses for teachers. She lives on Long Island with her husband. They both enjoy reading, boating, spending time with their grandchildren, and eating Italian food (especially meatballs). Her picture book, Sofia’s Stoop Story: 18th Street, Brooklyn, received the 2015 Teachers’ Choice Award. Kirkus Reviews states that this book is “a richly sentimental picture of a Sunday gathering from the author’s youth.” Maria enjoys sharing her passion for reading and writing with children at her school presentations. She encourages students to treasure their families' stories and to write them down. She hopes to one day, read one of them in a published children's book!