Classroom Visit Success!

I received this amazing letter from teacher Karinda Groothuis (multiage grades 1-3 teacher) a while ago:

Dear Ann,
     In the beginning, I was a little worried -- Bloody Mary and bra descriptions seemed a little more mature than what first graders should hear. I kept reading and the children kept listening. With each super power, more predicting took place. The students were as curious as Kat and Johnny. They even learned the meaning of serendipity.
     Something amazing happened after I read the last page and closed the book. The children applauded! That has never happened before. They loved your book Ann, and they want to read more.
     I know your schedule is busy, but we would love to have you visit us. Let me know if it is ever possible.

Your friend, Karinda

Well, today was the day.

Ann Wachtler and Super Teacher Karinda Groothuis

While my own dear ones were rocking the Advanced Placement Literature and Composition Exam, I jumped buildings and had my first classroom visit for Super Power of the Day. It was wonderful. What great kids!

Except for the burning pain in my quads from squatting down to get to elementary kid level, I could get used to this visiting author gig.

Check Me Out

Super Power of the Day: Origins of a Sixth Grade Superhero is now available through the Pioneerland Library System. How cool is that?

I recently watched YA novelists John Green and Maureen Johnson discuss used bookstores and libraries. I am in complete agreement with them -- I'd much rather have an audience than "countless riches." Or even hundreds of dollars. Although I do appreciate the hundreds, as they are currently funding the cover art and design costs for the next two books in the series.

An Excellent Question

I've been answering questions for hours.


Kris Quinn Christopherson has graciously offered to interview me for a feature in an upcoming Stories for Children ezine article (sfcmagazine.com). I'm glad I said yes. Her questions are thought provoking in the best way.


I find it especially enjoyable to reflect on the writing process and to share my love of stories, especially my love for middle grade and young adult fiction, with others.


Here's one of her clever questions along with my response.

Q: When growing up, did you have a favorite author, book series, or book?

As a young reader, I found a shelf at the library that held chapter books that were fictionalized biographies of great Americans. I’m pretty sure I read them all. 

End papers for an Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators mystery.

I loved the Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators series and saved my money to buy them one by one at a local bookshop called Boreen Books. 

I borrowed The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, and The Hardy Boys books from friends. And of course we all checked out Judy Blume novels, though that meant waiting patiently for our turn at the school library. 

There were three adventure books that I reread often: Jean Craighead George’s My Side of the Mountain, Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet, and David Kherdian’s It Started with Old Man Bean. I hadn't realized until now that these three novels are adventure stories where the heroes survive in the wild on their own. 

I'll probably contribute to the genre myself someday. Possibly soon.

Then in sixth grade I found Stephen King and J.R.R. Tolkein, and that was pretty much the end of my children’s lit days.

A Task

Having finished the final design work and proofing of S.P.O.T.D. volume 2, I've set before myself the task of rereading volume 1, followed by a similar read of volume two in its (hopefully) finished form.

It should be a lovely day.

Although it's hard to "let go" of the writing and not re-edit in my head as I read, I truly love the story and characters and usually get wrapped up in it like a reader even when I'm supposed to be objectively distanced.

I can predict the distractions that will rear their heads: a new Netflix DVD sitting on the counter, the urge to sew up a new duvet cover (fabric from Mood in NYC), my former student Kristen Brown's memoir, Spider Solitaire, and a recipe from my new Taste of Home Heartwarming Soups cookbook (it's raining).

Friends in High Places

It turns out that former colleague Connie Stennis is buds with Betty Horvath, veteran writer of children's books. Connie shared SPOTD volume 1 with Betty recently. I was touched by Betty's succinct and kind response:

I think kids will love this. She has captured the voice and lingo of 6th graders and it should sell like hot cakes. Good luck to Ann Wachtler.

Betty's work reminds me of the books I loved to check out from the public library as a child. Doesn't the cover artwork take you back? I love that in this particular text, there is a treehouse with a ladder, dog, cat, and three friends... Very SPOTD.

Another Review That Makes Me Smile

Another Johnsrud has reviewed SPOTD volume one.
Grandma Nancy is lucky to have such wonderful grandkids.
And I am happy to know Grandma Nancy!

SUPER POWER OF THE DAY REPORT

By Jonas Johnsrud

Super Power of the Day was about a kid who woke up one morning and found that he had a superpower. Every day he had a new superpower. Some were to his advantage and some were not.

Johnny was my favorite character because he had a lot of new ideas and was pretty funny. What I also liked was that he helped Chase out with the list. That is why Johnny was my favorite character.

My emotions about the story were that it kept me interested and it was funny. It kept me interested because of how some of the superpowers he would love to keep and some he hated and he wanted to get rid of.

I would most likely want to be friends with Johnny because it seems he would be fun to hang out with. It would be fun to hang out with him because he is funny and adventurous. He is also very daring. That is why I would most likely be a friend with Johnny.

These are a few reasons I liked the book. The book kept me interested and was very adventurous. I like how she came up with a whole bunch of nicknames for the characters. Super Power of the Day was a very well written book.

Kindle Edition?

I attended the March meeting of MIPA this past week. Yeah, it was tiring to drive three hours each way (to and from downtown Minneapolis) on a Wednesday (school night), but well worth the time. I am more than ever committed to converting SPOTD series books to digital format for sale at amazon. It hasn't happened yet, but it will.

In addition to the marketing possibilities available by expanding my books' formats, there is the little matter of consequently needing a Kindle myself, to test the formatting. I'll just HAVE to go shopping for one of these shiny toys. Ah, shucks!

And after that, perhaps the formatting for other devices. Sorry, nook and other reader fans. You'll have to be extra patient!