Local author Brad Strickland recently visited eighth-graders at East Hall Middle School. Strickland, author of more than 60 books for children and young adults, spoke to the students as part of their study of literature written by Georgia authors. Strickland explained to the students how he finds inspiration for his books in his everyday life. He also had one-on-one conversations with students and signed autographs, and he donated multiple signed copies of his books to the school's media center.

Georgia Whitehead, a fifth-grader at Duluth Montessori School who is from Gainesville, will play the lead role of Madeline in the upcoming production, "Madeline's Christmas," at the Horizon Theatre of Atlanta. The show runs from Dec. 13-31. The theater is located at 1083 Austin Ave. in Atlanta. For more information, call 404-584-7450.