Student teachers from Samford University and Miles College will lead 170 fifth graders from Fairfield city schools in booktalking and Reader's Theater activities at Samford Friday, April 28.

The third annual Young Authors Conference will feature guest storyteller Debbie Strevy and a morning of storytelling activities involving all the children.

The youngsters will visit a series of stations that will emphasize a different type of literature: fantasy, realistic fiction, historical fiction, and poetry. In another session, each student will read aloud their own original written work.

"These fifth graders have just finished their testing and assessment, so it is a fun reward for their hard work," said Dr. Michele K. Haralson of Samford's Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education and Professional Studies.

Students spend a lot of time writing during the fifth grade, she said.

The young writers represent Glen Oaks, Robinson and C.J. Donald elementary schools.

The event, sponsored by the teacher education departments at Samford and Miles, begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 1:45 p.m.