5th Grader: Mr. Schu, we've had a lot of amazing authors visit our school library: Harry Bliss, Jennifer Holm, Eric Wight, Dan Gutman, Marianne Malone, Ruth Spiro, Kate Messner, JJK, and Linda Urban.
Mr. Schu: I know! We're lucky readers. Thank goodness for Anderson's Bookshop.
5th Grader: Mr. Schu, if you could pick any author to visit our school in September, who would you pick?
Mr. Schu: Sharon Creech---definitely Sharon Creech. She's the award-winning author of Love That Dog, Hate That Cat, Chasing Redbird, Granny Torrelli Makes Soup, Absolutely Normal Chaos, Pleasing the Ghost, Walk Two Moons, Replay, The Castle Corona, Heartbeat, Ruby Holler, Bloomability, The Unfinished Angel, and The Wanderer. Her next book, The Great Unexpected, comes out in September.
5th Grader: I love Love That Dog. I hope she visits next year.
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Cut to yesterday morning when Newbery Medalist Sharon Creech visited my school library. I am still in shock. Seriously! Sharon Creech ACTUALLY spent time in the space where I teach, talk about books, implement technology, and interact with readers and writers. Her gentleness and kind spirit inspired every child, administrator, and teacher in the room. I could write another paragraph about how I will always remember the time Sharon Creech interacted with my students, but I think "Huzza, huzza" succinctly and beautifully sums up my feelings about yesterday. Thank you, Sharon!
I asked my students to share their reactions to Ms. Creech's presentation.
-"I never used to visualize when I was reading, so I did not always read books. Sharon Creech's Granny Torrelli Makes Soup taught me to visualize when I read books. Sharon inspired me."
-"Sharon Creech called on volunteers to help her read from The Great Unexpected. I really liked that."
-"Sharon Creech called on volunteers to help her read from The Great Unexpected. I really liked that."
-"Her writing is heartwarming.
-"My favorite part was when she interacted with us. She made me feel special."
-"Your books inspire...your writing is my heart’s desire. All I want to say... is that your visit made my day.”
-“I loved Sharon Creech’s visit. I loved every minute of it. I have read almost every single book Sharon has written, and I cannot wait to finish The Great Unexpected. I love her writing.”
-“I think Sharon Creech deserves many, many more awards.”
-"She did not know about the Newbery Medal before she won it. I'm glad she won the Newbery Medal. She deserved it."
-"Sharon Creech is a funny person. I liked how she read from her books."
-"Ms. Creech is kind and nice."
-“Many of Sharon’s books include characters who are based on her family members. Sometimes she uses situations from her own life. I learned a lot."
-“Sharon Creech is an amazing author. I am so lucky I got to meet her."
"She knew exactly what she was doing."
-“I know that very few people get the privilege of meeting Sharon Creech. I am honored that I was in the same room as her. I am so happy that she came to my school.”
-“Sharon’s presentation was the best.”
-“Sharon Creech is a truly awesome writer.”
-“We had a lot of fun with Sharon Creech. I hope she comes back one day.”
-“She shared many useful writing pointers.”
-“I loved when she had kids come up to recite the beginning parts of the book. I also loved her enthusiastic reading of the book. I love reading, too. Sharon helped me find my own writing style."
“I really liked how she commented on her books with details.”
"Sharon Creech's books always make me think. I wonder what will happen in her next book."
"I really enjoyed Sharon's speech about her books."
"Sharon has a big talent in writing."
"Ms. Creech has inspired me to become an author."
"I loved her presentation. We were planning for her visit for weeks. We were on the edge of our seats waiting to meet her. I like how she changes her voice when she reads."
"I am a big fan of Sharon's writing. I especially like The Great Unexpected and The Wanderer. I love the character of Lizzie and Naomi.
“I think Sharon Creech is sweet. I like how her books are really adventurous and realistic.”
“Sharon Creech’s books are amazing. Thank you for visiting with us.
“I like how her voice fits with her stories.”
“My favorite part was when she did a skit with my sister.”
“Sharon Creech writes with amazing details. Her books are very memorable.”
“Sharon Creech is an amazing author. I really like her books.”
-“I loved Sharon Creech’s visit. I loved every minute of it. I have read almost every single book Sharon has written, and I cannot wait to finish The Great Unexpected. I love her writing.”
-“I think Sharon Creech deserves many, many more awards.”
-"She did not know about the Newbery Medal before she won it. I'm glad she won the Newbery Medal. She deserved it."
-"Sharon Creech is a funny person. I liked how she read from her books."
-"Ms. Creech is kind and nice."
-“Many of Sharon’s books include characters who are based on her family members. Sometimes she uses situations from her own life. I learned a lot."
-“Sharon Creech is an amazing author. I am so lucky I got to meet her."
"She knew exactly what she was doing."
-“I know that very few people get the privilege of meeting Sharon Creech. I am honored that I was in the same room as her. I am so happy that she came to my school.”
-“Sharon’s presentation was the best.”
-“Sharon Creech is a truly awesome writer.”
-“We had a lot of fun with Sharon Creech. I hope she comes back one day.”
-“She shared many useful writing pointers.”
-“I loved when she had kids come up to recite the beginning parts of the book. I also loved her enthusiastic reading of the book. I love reading, too. Sharon helped me find my own writing style."
“I really liked how she commented on her books with details.”
"Sharon Creech's books always make me think. I wonder what will happen in her next book."
"I really enjoyed Sharon's speech about her books."
"Sharon has a big talent in writing."
"Ms. Creech has inspired me to become an author."
"I loved her presentation. We were planning for her visit for weeks. We were on the edge of our seats waiting to meet her. I like how she changes her voice when she reads."
"I am a big fan of Sharon's writing. I especially like The Great Unexpected and The Wanderer. I love the character of Lizzie and Naomi.
“I think Sharon Creech is sweet. I like how her books are really adventurous and realistic.”
“Sharon Creech’s books are amazing. Thank you for visiting with us.
“I like how her voice fits with her stories.”
“My favorite part was when she did a skit with my sister.”
“Sharon Creech writes with amazing details. Her books are very memorable.”
“Sharon Creech is an amazing author. I really like her books.”
THE GREAT UNEXPECTED looks GREAT as a cake.
I am giving away a signed copy of Hate That Cat.
Rules for the Giveaway
1. It will run from October 2 to 11:59 P.M. on October 5.
2. You must be at least 13.
3. Please pass it on.
Borrow The Great Unexpected from your school or public library. Whenever possible, please support independent bookshops.
