Highlights and special moments

Recently, someone asked me, "What was your most satisfying moment, after you got your first novel, The Red Scarf, published? Well, there were several moments that stand out, such as signing 76 books in an hour at Barnes and Nobel Bookstore, having a local book signing party where I signed over 200 books. But honestly, going to various schools and talking to assemblies packed with excited kids, were the most satisfying moments I've had. There are two schools, out of over 20, that gave me a very special feeling. One of my first stops was my old grade school in Norphlet, Arkansas. The Red Scarf is set in Norphlet in 1944 and all the younger characters in the novel attended school in Norphlet. It was a rewarding experience to stand before a packed school assembly and tell them about the novel. But I really didn't tell them about the book. When I talk to schools I give a totally different speech than I give to book clubs or to any adult function. I tell the kids one the wild stories about Richard and his best friend John Clayton. It keeps their attention, and gives them a feel for the book's characters.





The other school that comes to mind is Ocelola, Arkansas. It's a school that has some of the most dedicated teachers in the state. These teachers are doing everything they can to help their students improve their benchmark scores. Ocelola has a majority of disadvantaged students, and it's a relative poor school district. Well, my little talk went great. A lot of laughs and cheers as the story went along. After I finished, and before the students left, I stepped down off the stage to sign one of my books for a teacher. Then a young girl walked up and asked for my autograph. The teacher nodded yes, but I'll bet she regretted that, because in a few seconds another 150 students immediately lined up behind her. I signed autographs on everything from scrap paper to gum wrappers. Of course, my autograph is worthless, but to those kids, it was something tangible to help them remember an unusual morning, and maybe encourage them to read--not just The Red Scarf, but to become readers.