Our Curtis Morning Book Club has been meeting each morning before school to read Kate Messner's Capture the Flag. The students have really enjoyed the book and I promised them a "visit" with the author when they finished. This was such a success with our fall book club, who Skyped with Laurel Snyder, that I knew this was the perfect way to end our book club. When students are able to ask the author about their book and writing, it seems to deepen their understanding and connection to the book. We invited anyone who had read any of the books Messner has written to join us, including two homeschoolers who had read Capture the Flag.
It took us about six weeks to read the book and then we were ready for our visit! The students were able to Skype with Mrs. Messner early on Tuesday, March 5th for an hour! She shared with students how she began writing and even gave us hints about her new book, Hide and Seek, which students were given the opportunity to order signed copies! Messner shared pictures of her community and family, which the students loved! Students also enjoyed learning that one of the books she wrote was actually started on a bus ride home from a field trip. And there were lots of giggles when Mrs. Messner told the students about her "research" that she does for her books, including kissing a frog for her Marty McGuire book!
After she talked to the students about her books and the writing process, the book club members were able to ask questions about the characters in the book, future books, and even which book was her favorite. It seems authors find it VERY difficult to pick a favorite book, just like you would never choose a favorite child! :)Our visit with Kate Messner was a wonderful way to end our Spring book club! For more information about Kate Messner and her books, check out her WEBSITE.
We are now anxiously awaiting our Hide and Seek books to arrive so that we can find out what is in store for the youngest members of the Silver Jaguar Society!
