Adora Svitak
Encyclopedia
Adora Lily Svitak is an American child prodigy
and internationally published author
, known for her essays, stories, poems, blogs, and full-length books. Adora first became known to the public when, at the age of 6, she was recognized on local news in Seattle for her writing abilities. Adora became an object of national interest at the age of 7 when she appeared with Diane Sawyer
on Good Morning America
. Her book Flying Fingers describes Adora's abiding love of language and writing and contains tips and hints for other aspiring writers. In 2005, at the age of 7, Adora began writing blog
s and keeping an online journal, where she comments on matters of both international significance and subjects of personal interest. Since Nov, 2005 Adora has been promoting literacy and interest in reading and writing. She has lectured before large audiences of both students and adults across the United States, and in the United Kingdom.
As of January 2007, Adora is completing her first full-length novel, Yang in Disguise, serving as a spokesperson for Verizon Reads campaign for literacy, and editing a novella, "The Pickpocket Princess". She has now finished her second book, Dancing Fingers — which her older sister Adrianna, who is a musician, helped write. In January 2009 she appeared in a Channel 4
documentary, The World's Cleverest Child and Me, presented by Mark Dolan
.
Professor Joan Freeman, psychologist and author of How to Raise A Bright Child, believes "There's a big difference between a gifted child and a gifted adult. All a child has to do is be advanced for their age. An adult has to push the frontiers of knowledge."
"Currently, Adora loves what she does and gets glory and praise. Problems may arise when she hits adolescence. You can't work as hard as she does whilst also giggling with girlfriends, hanging out with boys, stomping around and slamming doors. Life could get very difficult."
In February 2010, Adora spoke at the TED Conference, saying the world needs "childish" thinking: bold ideas, wild creativity and especially optimism. Kids' big dreams deserve high expectations, she says, starting with grownups' willingness to learn from children as much as to teach.
On October 19, 2010, Adora spoke to the faculty and students of Full Sail University, on creativity in the classroom.
Child prodigy
A child prodigy is someone who, at an early age, masters one or more skills far beyond his or her level of maturity. One criterion for classifying prodigies is: a prodigy is a child, typically younger than 18 years old, who is performing at the level of a highly trained adult in a very demanding...
and internationally published author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, known for her essays, stories, poems, blogs, and full-length books. Adora first became known to the public when, at the age of 6, she was recognized on local news in Seattle for her writing abilities. Adora became an object of national interest at the age of 7 when she appeared with Diane Sawyer
Diane Sawyer
Lila Diane Sawyer is the current anchor of ABC News' flagship program, ABC World News. Previously, Sawyer had been co-anchor of ABC Newss morning news program, Good Morning America ....
on Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
. Her book Flying Fingers describes Adora's abiding love of language and writing and contains tips and hints for other aspiring writers. In 2005, at the age of 7, Adora began writing blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
s and keeping an online journal, where she comments on matters of both international significance and subjects of personal interest. Since Nov, 2005 Adora has been promoting literacy and interest in reading and writing. She has lectured before large audiences of both students and adults across the United States, and in the United Kingdom.
As of January 2007, Adora is completing her first full-length novel, Yang in Disguise, serving as a spokesperson for Verizon Reads campaign for literacy, and editing a novella, "The Pickpocket Princess". She has now finished her second book, Dancing Fingers — which her older sister Adrianna, who is a musician, helped write. In January 2009 she appeared in a Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
documentary, The World's Cleverest Child and Me, presented by Mark Dolan
Mark Dolan
Mark Dolan is an English comedian, writer and TV presenter. Dolan was born in Camden, North London, where he eventually returned and now lives with his wife and son.-Television:...
.
Professor Joan Freeman, psychologist and author of How to Raise A Bright Child, believes "There's a big difference between a gifted child and a gifted adult. All a child has to do is be advanced for their age. An adult has to push the frontiers of knowledge."
"Currently, Adora loves what she does and gets glory and praise. Problems may arise when she hits adolescence. You can't work as hard as she does whilst also giggling with girlfriends, hanging out with boys, stomping around and slamming doors. Life could get very difficult."
In February 2010, Adora spoke at the TED Conference, saying the world needs "childish" thinking: bold ideas, wild creativity and especially optimism. Kids' big dreams deserve high expectations, she says, starting with grownups' willingness to learn from children as much as to teach.
On October 19, 2010, Adora spoke to the faculty and students of Full Sail University, on creativity in the classroom.