International Author Writes a Letter to Dunbar Students
Posted by
Comm. Dept.
in
Schools
|
Comments (18)
Dr. Crowell's students at Dunbar Middle decided to write to one of their favorite authors, international known young adult author, Sharon Draper. Ms. Draper is a professional educator and well known writer. She has been honored as the National Teacher of the Year, a five-time Coretta Scott King Literary award winner, and is a New York Times bestselling author. The students were honored that she took the time to write them and share her writing secrets. Below is her letter shared by the students.
I am so glad that you like the books. I try very hard to write something that young people will enjoy. When I write for young people I try to deal with topics that are both current and topical. I also hope that by reading it young people can perhaps apply some of the messages to their own lives. The stories were not taken from real life, but are based on what could have happened in any high school in any city. I made it up-all of it.
Drinking and driving as well as suicide and death are topics that need to be discussed by young people. They are not pleasant, but by talking about the difficult realities of life, perhaps someone can be made stronger. I write about suicide and depression and death and abuse because, unfortunately, those are the realities of life for many teenagers today. I hope to say something that will change their lives for the better.
As you know, Tears of a Tiger deals with alienation and guilt, while Forged by Fire is a story of abuse and renewal, of despair and hope. Abuse is found everywhere, and unless we talk about it, it will never go away. I even included a toll-free number at the back of the book, just in case someone reads the book and needs help or knows of a friend who needs help. I have even received letters from readers who told me that the book saved their life because they called that phone number.
Darkness Before Dawn deals with another touchy subject-the dangers of careless dating. In it I tried to answer all the questions not answered in the first two books, including what happens to Gerald and Angel.
Have you read The Battle of Jericho? It's all about problems of peer pressure and dangerous choices in a high school. The main character is an eleventh grader named Jericho who is asked to join a club at his school called The Warriors of Distinction. This club has secret initiation rites and all kinds of terrible secrets that lead to a conclusion you just won't believe. There is another book you might like. It's called Fire from the Rock. It's about a girl who has to decide whether to leave her friends and her new boyfriend and go to a new school where she would face racial discrimination, abuse and humiliation. Before Sylvia makes her final decision, smoldering racial tension in the town ignites into flame, and it turns out that nothing is as it seems.
An author's life is very busy. I write all day. That's long and hard and lonely. Because students like the books, I also get to travel to lots of different cities, and even to different countries. That part is fun. I have been to Russia, which I didn't like very much, and to Africa, which I loved. But usually, I'm at home in Cincinnati, with my husband and my golden retriever named Honey. My friends think I'm rich, but I'm not. You should know that authors get only about ten cents per copy for each paperback book sold. Isn't that amazing? And I keep very few books at home, because authors have to buy their own books.
Another amazing, but true fact. If they were free I'd keep boxes of books in my basement and send them out to folks. But they are not, so I can't.
But I don't write for the money--I write for young people like you. Writing makes me happy. I hope each of you finds something to do in life that gives you joy. That's the real blessing.
I hope your teacher is able to make a copy of this for each of you. If I ever get to Mobile, I'll let your teacher know, but I have nothing scheduled in that area right now. Find your joy. Live your dreams. And thank your teacher, who loves you all!
Sincerely,
Sharon M. Draper
Comments on "International Author Writes a Letter to Dunbar Students "
2/18/2010 2:20:11 PM
I am in also in Dr Crowell's class. It is exciting that she took the time to write to us.(:
2/18/2010 2:19:57 PM
I am in also in Dr Crowell's class. It is exciting that she took the time to write to us.(:
2/10/2010 8:39:33 AM
This was a wonderful experience for my daughter who is also a student of Dr.Crowell. She was very excited when she came home and told me about the letter that Mrs. Draper wrote to them. She has been an inspiration to me and now I enjoy reading Sharon Draper's books. Way -To- Go Dr. Crowell.
2/9/2010 9:05:58 AM
My eighth grade students from Denton Middle School also read, Forged by Fire, and were also extremely moved by this unforgettable touching tale! The students were able to openly talk about how abuse effects their lives and those around them. I had them also write letters to Sharon, but never sent them to her. This culminating activity made the book take on an even more real dimension when students connected themselves to the characters and the author! Sharon Draper is amazing because she says what so many of us are scared to utter... the truth.
2/9/2010 8:15:47 AM
Dr. Crowell is doing a wonderful job with her students. She is truly preparing them for higher education. Congratulations to Dr. Crowell and ALL of her students!
2/8/2010 10:45:08 AM
This is an excellent letter that Sharon my fave author wrote! She's an amazing writer and this is just great. :D
2/6/2010 1:29:31 PM
Through the years, Sharon Draper has been one of my students' favorite authors! They & I couldn't wait to read more about her characters's lives. She writes fiction that is REAL-LIFE. Congratulations to Dr. Crowell & her students!
2/5/2010 7:51:59 AM
I am a former student of Dunbar. And I am also happy what my school is doing by my most favorite author. I had the pleasure of having lunch with Ms. Draper while I was out of town. Keep up the good work Dunbar Tigers.
2/3/2010 1:20:08 PM
I am a junior at LeFlore high school. I love Sharon Draper's books. I have read many which including tears of a tiger, forged by fire, darkness before dawn, november blues, the battle of jericho, romiette & julio. As you can tell i am a huge fan. I would love to have the chance to write her. You guys were lucky.
2/2/2010 6:14:02 PM
I am very proud of the work that Dr Crowell is doing with her children. You are blessed to have such a talented teacher.
2/2/2010 9:43:38 AM
Im in this class to & I thought it was awesome that she sent that letter to us! (:
2/1/2010 8:15:10 PM
I was in the class that received the letter. I was excited when I read the letter and found that she gave us books to read and wanted to know what we thought. It took a lot of her time to write the letter. She loves it when students encourage their teachers to e-mail her. If anyone from the school system ever sees her in person remember to thank her because she gives life lessons to children in our school system and all around the world.
2/1/2010 7:02:32 PM
This is fantastic Dr. Crowell. I have had the opportunity to read each of these books with my GED classes and they were wonderful. Good way to teach the kids good life lessons while learning about important literary figures.
S. Hobbs
2/1/2010 5:07:22 PM
We are so proud of Dr. Crowell and her students. And to show how excited we are for all of them, the Mobile Barnes & Noble has put Ms. Draper's letter on our Young Adults interest table next to Customer Services. It has been a huge hit with our customers who are all very, very envious of Dr. Crowell's students.
2/1/2010 2:11:07 PM
I also love Sharon Draper. Her series of books are very good reading for young people. Although I am in my fortys. She gives young people a lot to think about. her books are about things that are happening today. Maybe her books will change a wrong decision into some right.
Add your comments:
