choice books for teens Archives - Page 26 of 33

Teens on the Scene: Student Responses to Author Visit

Clean Teen Reads

Post Author Visit

I love the excitement and energy that happens during my school author visits. But then… after the visit, I often receive thank you notes from the students. It’s like getting a second helping of all that energy.

Kids amaze me with their originality, their creativity, and their sweet sentiments. From time to time I’ll share some of my favorites on my blog.

I love this one. This is the artwork on the “cover” of her note. The caption says: “Continue to be Inspired.”

Clean Teen Reads

And here’s the inside of the note:

Clean Teen Reads

It’s a little hard to read because of the color of ink on the paper. So I’ve typed it out here:

Sometimes I feel like books and stories are in the eye of the beholder, with no authors. I feel like they always were and always will be there. But after I meet the author it creates a new story. A story behind the one that is written down on paper. Paper that everyone can read. The author’s story is more personal and often more drastic. It is always real and true. It can only be told by one person. This is why I am grateful that you shared your story with me. Thank you.

What insight. And so well expressed. This student’s age would be around 13 or so.

Yet another reason why I love teens.

Clean Teen Reads

My newest release, Brought To You By The Color Drab, is a story of a teen who had many obstacles to overcome. But comes out a winner! You can read the first two chapters right here. Just click below.

**Download Chapters 1 & 2 of Color Drab FREE**

Just CLICK HERE!

Clean Teen Reads

Research for “Brought To You By The Color Drab”: Blind but Victorious

In my latest teen novel, Brought To You By The Color Drab the main character, Race, gets a job as a driver for a blind piano tuner. (Actually, it was either take the job or land in juvie. So he took the job. But more about that in the book.)

A Terrifying Condition

Blindness can be a terrifying condition. The level of fear can be almost overwhelming. But I happen to know a blind person who overcame the fear and pushed through to amazing victory in his life.

Jim Stovall

I knew Jim Stovall in the early days, shortly after he’d totally lost his sight. (Up to that point he could still see forms and shadows–then all went black.) During this time in the 1980s, he was still incubating the idea for the Narrative Television Network. On a daily basis, he was calling major companies in an attempt to find sponsors. Even back then, Jim was doggedly determined.

Now many years later, Jim is an author, motivational speaker, movie producer, as well as remaining president of the NTN company. In 2010, Stovall received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Council of the Blind for his work with the Narrative Television Network.

The Ultimate Gift

You can watch Jim in this video telling his story. This interview was a few years ago–there have been so many accomplishments since. Perhaps you’ve heard of the movie The Ultimate Gift. If so, then your life has been touched by Jim Stovall

In Brought To You By The Color Drab, Stan Crosslin, did not allow his loss of sight to define his life. Like Jim Stovall, Stan pressed through and became a positive influence in the life of my main character, Race Paloma.

Enjoy the video…

**Download Chapters 1 & 2 of Color Drab FREE.**

Just CLICK HERE!

Clean Teen Reads

Clean Teen Reads