Another No-fee Skype Rave

I can't tell you how much we enjoyed the experience today, and your sense of humor will keep us laughing for a while.  I really want to thank you personally as well.  I am merely the 'student teacher' in the Whitney Young library for the next three weeks, and I wanted to do something with the children that they would remember before I leave.  The librarians asked me to put particular focus on the book club, as numbers have been dwindling for months, and I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity than to give them a chance to meet the author who wrote their current book selection.  The club persidents were very excited to meet you, they couldn't stop smiling at the number of students that participated.  Numbers have doubled since the last book selection.  And for that, I am eternally grateful.  Thank you for a wonderful session today, and I hope our paths cross again. -- Ben Lafferty

Praise Regarding a School Visit

Dear Mr. Strasser,

Central Middle School still echoes your presence. We wanted to take a moment to thank you for your outstanding presentations at our school on March 16, 2012. Since your visit, the Todd Strasser books have been flying off our library shelves. The kids are thoroughly enjoying them and look forward to future Strasser novels!

Your presentations inspired and motivated our students, especially the stories about how you struggled with reading and writing and persevered to become a successful writer. The lunch interviews were fantastic and can now be seen on our school website. The Q & A sessions with the eighth grade students at the end of the day were a great springboard into further classroom discussions about the writing process.

The sincerity, humor and wisdom that you shared about persevering and learning from your mistakes is what we will remember and take with us for future success.

Thank you again for a wonderful visit!

Dr. Norman Francis, Principal

Mrs. Sarah Hare-Lidman, Reading Specialist
Ms. Linda Bunte,  Media Specialist

Apple Consumption Interferes With Interview

Another No-Fee Skype

Thank you so very much, Todd.

It is difficult to hold the attention of that class beyond a few minutes – trust me, I know that as well as anyone – and you had their rapt attention for thirty-five straight minutes.  I'm not sure that I'll be able to break that record by June.

You might find it interesting that you defied their stereotypical notions of how an author would act.  They just informed me that they thought an author would be stuffy, boring, and reserved.  Instead, they found you to be funny, engaging, and energetic.  You've charmed them!  (No easy task.)

I completely agree with them, but I would also like to add gracious, generous, and sincere.  Thanks again.  You have given all of us an unforgettable learning experience.

Tony

Yesterday's School Visit

Todd,

What a joy to have you in our school today !  Our students rarely have this kind of experience!  As I walked around the building at the end of the day there was so much positive energy!  Your visit will be remembered for a very long time!  Thanks you for your passion and energy.

Sincerely,   Joann Spera and the entire staff of Emerson School

A Heartfelt Letter About Con-fidence

Mr. Strasser: Hello, my name is Isabel, and I am a 17-year old just about to graduate from high school. My reason for e-mailing you is simply to thank you for writing your book, Confidence. I don't quite remember how old I was when I bought your book, but I think I must have been in elementary school, maybe 4th or 5th grade. I bought it at my school book fair, I do remember that much. Every time I read Confidence, I become enraptured with Lauren's story and her reliance on Celeste, and I can completely relate to Lauren and her struggles trying to fit in. I had trouble in middle school, just like she did, with feeling like an outsider and feeling I could never be part of the DYWYWM crowd. And not only did I have that in common with Lauren, but we were also both figure skaters! So I would laugh at her and Rob's "triple axel double toe loop" joke, because I got it. So what I'm really trying to say is, I still read your book Confidence to this day. It has become my "comfort book," if you understand my meaning -- that book you always turn to when you're feeling sad, or emotional, or when you just want a good read that you are familiar with, and is great every time -- that's Confidence for me. I love this book, and the characters, and the story. It's a story that nearly all girls can identify with, and just so honest and true. It has become a very important part of my life, I believe I will continue to read it all through my days. I'm about to go off to college soon, and I'm most definitely going to take it with me. I'll need it. So I just wanted to tell you that your book made a difference. Sincerely, Isabel

Feedback from today's NO-FEE Skype session

Hi IT WAS GREAT! The kids really enjoyed it. It was so different from a regular lesson. You should have been a teacher - you have the touch!I want to thank you very much! I hope you don't get too many calls from once the word goes out! Anyway you were wonderful and the kids were very impressed. Thanks again! Karen