A Secret . . .

Yesterday, I had my last school visit until the fall.

I told the 400 6th graders at Independence Middle School that I'd tell them a secret at the end of my presentation.

After I introduced them to Hammy the Hamster, gave my "6-1/2 Ways to Survive Middle School" talk and read the fight scene in the cafeteria from HOW TO SURVIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL, I shared the secret.

My book is based on their school. Even though it says otherwise, the cafeteria is their cafeteria, the courtyard their courtyard and the studio where the news is created is theirs as well. I included their principal and media specialist as actual characters in the novel.

In fact, Lisa Petroccia, uber-amazing media specialist has been so wonderful and supportive that she appears as a character and is in the acknowledgements page as well.

Lisa made my visit a delightful and memorable one with her careful and thoughtful planning. The students remembered me from my visit earlier in the year and made me feel like a rock star.

What a fun way to end a whirlwind of school visits, book festival and bookstore appearances and conference talks.

(I'd have photos to share if my computer hadn't died this morning.)

So, for now, I'm going to take a break from this blog and focus on writing the next book and on enjoying time with family and friends.

Play nicely while I'm gone and have a happy, healthy summer!