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Evergreen was so lucky to host two amazing authors this week. Lisa McMann and Jennifer Nielsen took time out of their busy touring schedule to visit students in the Library Tuesday morning. Several 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Language Arts classes were lucky to be able to hear the presentation. It was a PACKED house!
Now, right off the bat, let me just say that I was very happy to be able to organize this event as I am a HUGE fan of BOTH authors and their books. I was also glad that I was feeling well enough to be there so I could meet them. (I tried not to embarrass myself too much by gushing like a teenage fan-girl...I promise).
Such a good time was had by all. AND we received some great advice to help us with our writing. Here are just a few of the important things to keep in mind:
(1) Story connects all of us! Books, music, dance, art...all creative endeavors tell a story.
(2) When you write something you think it's AMAZING, and you're sure that your teacher will think it's PERFECT. No such luck, right? The teacher always thinks your work needs revision. UGH! But Ms. Nielsen decoded the word "revision" for us: This is your teacher's way of saying what you have done is pretty good, but it could be great...with revision. "It's not enough to be good, I expect you to be great."
(3) Great writing comes in re-writing.
(4) Ms. McMann reminded us to always ask the "What If?" questions...no matter where you are, or what you see, there's a story in it.
Their combined tips for wannabe writers:
(1) Read your favorite book over and look at it like a writer.
(2) Don't give up!
(3) Don't be afraid to fail.
(4) Be true to who you are. Write your own voice. "We need your voice!"
(5) Read!
(6) Keep writing.
Besides being a fan of each other's books, Ms. McMann admitted to being a fan of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and the "Chronicles of Narnia" books when she was a tween/teen. Ms. Nielsen loved (and still does) "The Outsiders" when she was in middle school. (Great choices, ladies!)
About the morning, Ms. Nielsen had this to say, "So glad to have met you, and the others there, and the fantastic students. Lisa and I really enjoyed our time at your school." Well, we really enjoyed our time with both of you! Thank you...and a big THANK YOU to Third Place Books for bringing this event to us.
To hear more about their books, read this previous "Trailer Tuesday" post.
And if you ever have a chance to see these dynamic women in person, DON'T MISS IT! You will not regret it. And if she doesn't tell you the story, ask Ms. Nielsen how her and Suzanne Collins share something in common.
Tonight was curriculum night at my daughter's school. Ahhhh, third grade. Such a big year of growth, and since she has a wonderful teacher, I am sure that she is going to have a great year! Of course, while I should have been paying attention to all the good curriculum information, I was actually snooping through her desk to see what she was reading. Hey, at least I wasn't sniffing around the classroom library to make sure it was up to par.
Looks like the book in my daughter's desk this week is "Judy Moody, M.D.: the Doctor is In," book #5 in the series by Megan McDonald. I am so glad that she is finally discovering the Judy Moody books. She scored an advance copy of "Judy Moody, Girl Detective" (book #9) at the ALA Conference in June, but has not read it yet. (It was officially published in August, but I might not tell her that until after she reads it...she thinks it's pretty cool to have books before other people do. Heck, I still think it's pretty cool).
I was paying attention to the teacher's presentation though, I promise. I discovered that the class will be reading books from different genres each month, and that they should be AR books. Okay, I will not use this forum to comment about Accelerated Reader. Not a fan, let's just leave it at that.
But oh, that genre wheel. I have mixed feelings about it and it's use in the classroom. I like the fact that kids are introduced to different books than they might normally read. Those kids addicted to their one series are given the opportunity to read something new. Often, that kid will find out that they like books they never imagined they would. Yeah for that!
However, I blame that darn genre wheel for killing my son's love of reading, and it happened in 3rd grade. He was the kid, you know that boy, that wanted to read the Guinness Book of World Records, Calvin & Hobbes, the almanac, and his favorite, "The Book of Lists." Sadly, those types of books usually aren't on the genre wheel, and he was discouraged from reading them. He surely did not want to read a fantasy, and could not have cared less that all his friends were reading "Harry Potter."
In having to force him to read an historical fiction book because it was part of his homework, I had to be the bad cop when it came to reading. And now, five years later, he would rather poke his eyes out with an ice pick than read (okay, those are my words, not his, and I am slightly overdramatizing for effect). But my point is, the genre wheel made reading NOT fun for him, and he was forced to read books that he really didn't like all year long. If only I could turn back that clock...
So my question is, genre wheel or no genre wheel? What are your thoughts? Do you use it? Why or why not? Can't wait to hear your thoughts, especially if you are a student!
Though I should sign off to finish reading a book, I am going to watch the finale of America's Got Talent. I MUST know who wins! Shhhhh, don't tell me.
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