Benjamin

Ludwig

Critically Acclaimed Novelist

IndieNext Pick

Travels from: Manchester, NH

“A brilliant debut.” —Graeme Simsion, New York Times bestselling author of The Rosie Project

Benjamin Ludwig is a teacher and a writer.

He is the author of Ginny Moon, published by HarperCollins | Park Row Books in 2017. The book, inspired by his experience adopting a teenager with special needs, was an Indie Next and Library Reads pick, a Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers selection, and one of Amazon.com’s 20 Best Books of 2017. To date it has been published in 20 countries. His novella, Sourdough, was the recipient of the 2013 Clay Reynolds Prize for the Novella.

A public school teacher and literacy coach, Benjamin holds an MAT in English education and an MFA in creative writing. He and his family live in New Hampshire, where he directs the Teachers’ Writers’ Workshop at Plymouth State University, providing professional development and coaching to working K-12 and pre-service teachers. Currently he is working on his next book.

Ginny Moon

Park Row |

May 2, 2017

Novel

“A brilliant debut.” –Graeme Simsion, New York Times bestselling author of The Rosie Project

Full of great big heart and unexpected humor, Ludwig’s debut introduces the lovable, wholly original Ginny Moon who discovers a new meaning of family on her unconventional journey home.

Ginny Moon is exceptional. Everyone knows it–her friends at school, teammates on the basketball team, and especially her new adoptive parents. They all love her, even if they don’t quite understand her. They want her to feel like she belongs.

What they don’t know is that Ginny has no intention of belonging. She’s found her birth-mother on Facebook, and is determined to get back to her–even if it means going back to a place that was extremely dangerous. Because Ginny left something behind and she’s desperate to get it back, to make things right.

But no one listens. No one understands. So Ginny takes matters into her own hands…

Benjamin Ludwig’s whip-smart, unforgettable novel is an illuminating look at one girl’s journey to find her way home and one of the freshest debuts in years.

Disability & Mental Health, Diversity & Inclusion, Fiction, Male Author

A Teacher’s Identity: Why Teachers Need to Write and Publish

For K-12 teachers
60 Minute Presentation, followed by three 20-minute breakout/mentorship sessions

Teachers are in a unique position to observe society. Their voices are vital to our democracy. Through writing and publishing, teachers can contribute to their profession, and help shape the larger communities in which we live. If you’re a professional educator, your role as a teacher has the potential to extend far beyond your classroom.

Benjamin’s signature event, A Teacher’s Identity, is a one-day dip into the Teachers’ Writers’ Workshop. He’ll provide procedures and methods for setting up a writing cohort in your school, and will explore different ways that teachers can develop their own writing, and make their voices heard. More importantly, he’ll meet one-on-one mentor sessions with individuals and small groups to discuss your goals as a writer.

How to Sustain Your Teaching Career

For K-12 Teachers
60 Minute Presentation, followed by three 20-minute breakout/mentorship sessions

How is the culture and climate in your school? With a balance between practical advice and inspiration, Benjamin discusses four essential principles that will keep you going as an educator. Topics include 1) relationships with coworkers, 2) career development, 3) how we view our students, and 4) practicing your academic subject outside of school.

Building a Culture of Literacy: Writing Across the Curriculum

For K-12 Teachers
60 Minute Presentation, followed by three 20-minute breakout/mentorship sessions

As human beings we think in terms of narratives, and make use of articulated language in almost everything we do. It’s not a stretch at all to say that we’re language-based creatures. Benjamin talks about how teachers of all academic subjects can use writing as a tool to teach content and critical thinking. Together we’ll discuss how interdisciplinary collaboration, outlets for publishing, and acknowledging student creativity can create a thriving culture of literacy.

Hook, Line, and Sinker

60 Minute Presentation for up to 200 students, grades 7-12, with 20-minute breakout/mentorship sessions

When he was in third grade, wanted to impress a certain girl, so he started reading the same book she was reading, and ended up falling in love with books. Completely hooked on literature, he later decided to become an English teacher. He continues to teach, but now he also writes books and visits schools, where he talks about a well-kept secret: The greatest writers aren’t necessarily the kids who get the best grades in English class, but rather those who have something important to say.

Fox Cities Book Festival, Appleton WI
Mr. Ludwig was very interesting, very knowledgeable, and very involved in his craft. He actually mentors, online, someone who serves on the festival board (Colette), and I had her introduce him, which was excellent because she humanized him right away, portraying him as a generous writer willing to share his craft. And the audience warmed to him and felt they could ask his advice, which he willingly shared. I read his book, too – Ginny Moon – which is gloriously engaging. I remember the audience asking how he created Ginny, and he told us she simply appeared to him, complete. And her story certainly had to be told. Overall, he impressed us with being a conduit like that, which is what true artists are.

“Ludwig’s novel recalls Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in the singular way it filters domestic tensions through the hyper-alert yet skewed viewpoint of a special-needs child…. He also succeeds in locating a plangent, unpatronizing humor in Ginny’s literalness and deadpan certitude.”
-The New York Times Book Review

“Ludwig’s excellent debut is both a unique coming-of-age tale and a powerful affirmation of the fragility and strength of families…. Ludwig brilliantly depicts the literal-minded and inventive Ginny.”
-Publishers Weekly, starred review

“[E]nlightening…compelling…remarkably engaging…A heartwarming and unforgettable page-turner.”
-Booklist, starred review

“This stunning debut novel grabs readers by the heart and doesn’t let go. Fourteen-year-old Ginny Moon chronicles her increasingly harrowing life with her Forever Parents with one of the truest voices in modern literature…. Ludwig’s triumphant achievement is borne from his own experience as the adoptive parent of a teen with autism, and his gorgeous, wrenching portrayal of Ginny’s ability to communicate what she needs is perfection.”
-Library Journal, starred review

Benjamin’s Media

Benjamin’s Upcoming Events

Ginny Moon Discussion Guide

Honors, Awards & Recognition

An Indie Next and Library Reads pick
One of Amazon.com’s 20 Best Books of 2017
Selected for Barnes and Noble’s Discover Great New Writers program
Starred Reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Library Journal, BookPage, and Booklist
Selected as one of School Library Journal’s Best Adult Books For Teens
Recipient of the 2017 Handi Livres Award (France)
Recipient of the 2018 Great Reads Award (Ireland)
Published in 20 countries