On Wednesday, Sept. 1, Nanucket’s award-winning author Connor Gifford will be on the Vineyard to speak before the 300 teachers of the Martha’s Vineyard school system at the invitation of assistant superintendent Laurie Halt.

Mr. Gifford also will be at Edgartown Books on Wednesday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. to sign his hit book, America According to Connor Gifford, with co-author Victora Harris.

Mrs. Halt said that “Connor was so inspiring when he spoke at the Vineyard Haven Library in May that we wanted his remarkable insights shared with all of our teachers. We are delighted that he will be our honored guest speaker.”

Mr. Gifford and Ms. Harris collaborated on the award-winning book by Hargrave Press that received the Gold Medal from the Independent Publishers Association as one of the outstanding books of the year. “I was thrilled that it was named ‘most inspirational and heartfelt,’” Connor said. The IPPY Awards is the largest book award internationally and includes the nation’s colleges, universities presses and independent publishers.

The book features 53 perceptive profiles of key people and events that shaped America’s character over 400 years — each with one of Connor’s highly original drawings. It was endorsed by the late Tim Russert and by Nathaniel Philbrick.

“I am so thrilled to be invited to Martha’s Vineyard to be with your teachers because it is important for them to know what I went through in public school, and why I became an advocate for those who are challenged.

“People want to know how Victoria and I made the book, about my long journey to become who I am, how I feel about having the gift of Down syndrome, and how lucky I am to have the love and support of my friends and family,” Mr. Gifford said.