My final in-person visit of the school year was with Ms Weverink’s grade 10 English students on May 25th. The class had read Hope’s War together, but they also had Making Bombs for Hitler on their literature list so it was really neat to talk about both of these books because one was the seed for the other. In fact, Hope’s War was the seed for my two WWII trilogies. The students asked a lot of nuanced questions about character development and research and what compels me to write a story about a particular time in history. That led to a discussion about writing on topics that are suppressed and why it’s so important to advocate for people who have been silenced. I pointed out that every single one of them had been bullied at some point and so they should use that experience to put themselves in the shoes of others and advocate accordingly. Some of the students had the refugee experience in their own families so this was a resonant discussion.
I love the banner above that says, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll still land among the stars.”
It was wonderful to do my first in-person US school visit since spring 2020 on May 19th with Maryvale Middle School in Cheektowaga NY. It was a busy day with three assemblies, two “donuts and discussion” roundtables with selected students plus a whole whack of book signings. There was a Scholastic Book Fair being held in the middle school library while I spoke in the high school auditorium, so students bought a LOT of books. Ms. Cortese was concerned that there wouldn’t be enough time for me to autograph them all but I assured her that I’d stay as long as necessary. I love face-to-face autographs. It’s such a neat opportunity to meet students. I thought it was also interesting that students with the same first name came in clusters to have their books signed. How nifty is that?
Maryvale has students from Ukraine, so it was also good to speak with them about the current war.
My hometown of Brantford and the Buffalo area are connected in an unusual way. The first 50 Ukrainian families came to Brantford not from Ukraine, but from Buffalo. They were employed by the Pratt & Letchworth foundry in Buffalo and when they opened up another foundry in Brantford, 50 of their employees from Ukraine settled here to work at the new plant. And the street many of them lived on in Brantford? Why Buffalo Street of course. Want to read more? Here’s an article I wrote about it way back in 1988!
The Cheektowaga Bee’s Elijah Robinson did a lovely interview and has given me permission to post it here.
This is how thick Oliver Twist (the first book I read) is. But I like to write shorter books because I try to leave out the stuff people skip over.The photo behind me is of Rhea Clyman, one of the rare journalists who told the truth during the Holodomor. Most journalists took bribes from Moscow and suppressed news of the millions of deaths by forced starvation.Students had fabulous questions.Sometimes it’s nice to get right inside the audience to answer questions face to face.Such an honor to sign books and meet readers face to face.An author’s dream: a LOT of books to sign!It’s so awesome having the opportunity to speak to small groups of students!One of two donut and discussion sessions with selected students. Some really great questions.
The wonderful Ms Bartholomew invited me to Riverside Elementary, Suwanee Georgia, for two back to back visits this morning. I think this is the third time I’ve visited Riverside and always, the students are such a pleasure to speak with. Thank you, Ms Bartholomew and Riverside educators for your great prepping!
I didn’t think to ask for a photo until the second session was almost over — that should tell you how excited I was to get back in the class with students after the holiday break. This spring I have a number of in person visits scheduled and I’m really looking forward to that.
Books – XXI has acquired Ukrainian rights to Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch’s Making Bombs for Hitler. The middle-grade novel is described as a pulse-pounding novel of survival, courage, and hope that shows us a lesser-known piece of WWII history. The deal was arranged by Scholastic Canada’s Maral Maclagan in cooperation with Literary Agency OVO in Ukraine. The publisher has acquired the three books in this trilogy: Making Bombs for Hitler, Stolen Child, and Underground Soldier.
The students selected Making Bombs for Hitler for their reading club and it was such a pleasure to answer their questions about the real history behind the novel, as well as why I write what I write, and my own learning struggles as a kid.
It was such a pleasure meeting Tom Cox Intermediate students in Texas — the Skype visit was streamed into classrooms as well, so all 925 students could participate.
Here are students from Bain Elementary in Charlotte NC! So much fun – great conversations!Enthusiastic students at Ola Middle School in GA!Greater Atlanta Christian School
It was fun chatting with students about Stolen Girl, Making Bombs for Hitler and The War Below! I spoke with students from River Crest Elementary in Hudson WI, Wisconier Middle School in Brookfield CT and Trion Middle School in GA. Thanks, Scholastic Book Fairs for arranging this!
I was picked up in the wee hours of Easter Sunday morning to begin my trip to Louisville Kentucky on behalf of Scholastic Book Fairs and the publication of Stolen Girl. It was a quick three day trip but in that time I met with enthusiastic students and staff at 6 schools!
My first stop was Buckner Elementary:
These 4 patient students were the last in a long line-up, waiting for an autograph.
Along the way to the library I was greeted with these creative signs!
Scholastic Book Fairs Field Rep Carol Cook and Field Manager Cindy Herman then took me out for lunch, and since this was my first time in Kentucky, I had to try a Hot Brown, which was invented in Louisville. Yum! It was huge! I couldn’t eat it all but it was delicious!
A Hot Brown from Lou Lou Food & Drink: French bread on the bottom, thin sliced turkey, Mornay cheese sauce, garnished with tomato and bacon!
Next school was Holy Trinity, where I was greeted with a large bomb-festooned banner and many enthusiastic students.
I asked those who had questions to come up to the front to ask them. Their questions were displayed on the screen so all of the students could see.
On Tuesday, we visited Bloom Elementary. I was very impressed with the stately architecture of the building itself and loved the bright and airy renovations, in particular the broken glass mosaic tiles in the front foyer.
It was a large and attentive audience at Bloom and the questions were perceptive.
I LOVE this picture! Thank you, Bloom students for your patience and enthusiasm!
These five students were at the very last of the line-up, so I thought it was fitting to get a pic. Thank you for your patience!!On Tuesday afternoon, I spoke with 100 grade 4 students at Lowe Elementary.
I was packed and checked out when Cindy took me to our first school on Wednesday, Mount Washington. A beautiful banner decorated the entrance!
There were very many avid readers and enthusiastic book purchasers at the school. The two students sitting with me organized the books — you can see sets stacked on the shelves waiting to be signed. Classes came in one at a time. There were so many books to sign and students to say hello to that I opted to skip lunch so I could greet everyone personally. Thank you, Mount Washington students and educators for your reading enthusiasm!
The final school on the trip was the Christian Academy. It was a good thing Carol and I didn’t stop for lunch because there were FOUR car accidents on the road between Mount Washington and Christian Academy! As it was, we got to the school in plenty of time. Students were enthusiastic and asked great questions!
Thank you, Cindy and Carol for taking such good care of me! It was an awesome adventure!!
