Meet the Authors
by Rhoda Wahl, Exeter-Milligan Language Arts
Instructor
Exeter-Milligan
junior high students met Trent Reedy and Linda Sue Park at the Plum Creek
Literacy Festival on September 23. These published authors shared their
insights on writing and reading along with other authors and illustrators
brought together by Concordia University in Seward, NE.
Before
the festival, English students in 8th Grade read Trent Reedy’s book Divided
We Fall, a story about a 17-year-old high school senior who serves in the
Idaho Army Reserves. The author drew on his own experiences in Afghanistan as a
member of the Army Reserves
Students
in 7th Grade read A Long Walk to Water, by Linda Sue Park. This true
story chronicles the challenges of Salva Dut, one of the Lost Boys of South
Sudan, who was forced to flee his country during their civil war. A parallel
story is also told of the current crisis in South Sudan. Nya, a young Sudanese
girl, spends her days carrying water for her family and livestock. The two
stories then merge when Salva, the founder of Water for South Sudan,
comes to Nya’s village to drill a well.
Both
authors shared experiences that inspired each of their stories. They also
described their writing strategies and encouraged everyone to enjoy reading and
write often. Everyone learned something new about literacy. Some of their
reviews are as follows:
Alec Schlueter: My favorite author is Linda Sue Parks. One
thing she said, ”Video games make two parts of the brain.” The second thing she
said, ”Reading make your brain stronger.’
Briana Capek: I liked Trent Reedy the best because he told
about his life story and you could tell it was real because he even cried. He
told about all of his books and they all sounded interesting. I learned that it
takes a really long time to write a good book and it has to go through a lot of
different stages and versions. He was very inspirational.
Kole
Svec: My favorite was Trent Reedy. I liked him because he talked about football
a little. He also likes the Hawkeyes so he has some issue. He went to
Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks. He said that writing takes a lot of
time and you are going to make thousands of mistakes while you write.
Daisy Kanode: Trent Reedy
was one of the speakers at the Plumb Creek Literacy Festival. He got most of
his ideas for his books from being in the army. He told us it was a very long
process to get a book published. It takes a lot of patience to be a good
writer. He also said it might be easier to write a book if you keep a journal.
The last tip he gave us was that errors help you become a better writer so
don't give up and keep making to book better. Another
author that talked to us was Linda Sue Park. She told us that most of her books
didn't just come from one idea. They have ideas from all over all put together
in one. She gave us a lot of great tips too. I liked both of the authors very
much but I liked Trent Reedy just a little bit more.
Blake Meyer: I like Trent Reedy because of what he told us
that it is difficult to become a writer. I also liked Trent Reedy because of
the stories that he told us about Afghanistan. I learned that is hard to become
a writer. I also learned that it takes a writer about 4-5 different drafts
before they publish the final copy. I learned it takes a long time to write a story. Linda Sue Park said
that reading a paper book stimulates the brain and activates all parts of the
brain. She also said that she wrote around 38 books. I liked Linda Sue Park
because of the stories she told us. I also like Linda Sue Park because of the
facts that she told us.
Pictured
- Katelyn Babula had her book signed by Linda Sue Park
Wahl8thReading
pic –
Front:
Jackson Beethe, Sean Gibson, Dylan Bonds, and Blake Meyer
Back:
Brock Steuben, Clint Oldehoeft, and Casey Jindra
