Welcome to the World of: Andrew Clements Dion Stocks

More than an Author "… I loved reading good books with kids — the kids at school and also the four boys my wife and I had at home. As a teacher, it was a thrill to read a book aloud, and see a whole class listen so carefully to every word, dying to know what would happen next. And I was amazed at the wonderful discussions a good book can spark. Good books make good things happen in real life. They can make a big difference. So when I was given the chance to start writing for children, I jumped at it."

Frindle-n. a device used to write or make marks with ink Teacher in Chicago Public schools Worked for publishing company after teaching- invited by a friend to join Picture Book Studio Currently focuses on writing books full time Earliest works were picture books.

And now a word from our Author: Before Frindle, I had only written picture books. I love the compactness of the picture book form and the discipline required to write one--like pouring ten gallons of ideas into a teacup. The transition to longer fiction didn't come easily. In fact, I first wrote Frindle as a picture book--the entire plot and all the characters compressed into a three-page story called 'Nick's New Word.'

Chapter Book Themes Sticks with the school scene! Storylines follow a conflict between student and teacher. Thought about varying from this format but decide why- it works! Realistic Fiction

His Selections Frindle- A terrific twist on how words are a powerful part of our everyday world Report Card- A true statement of the effect of grades and how even our students wonder what they really mean. A Week in the Woods- the tale of a battle between a student and his teacher

Classroom Study Theme- SCHOOL 1- Create your own story book based upon a new word/object. 2-Artistic Representation of your report card- how does it make you feel, consequences, gratification? 3-Landary News- Create your own newspaper that illustrates characters, events from the book- predict if the story were to continue

Class Study- Cont. 4- Research an interesting scientific moment- create a Power Point that gives the history, the scientific connection and if possible a small (safe) experiment to help illustrate what happened. 5-Create a cartoon strip about an event that happened to you in school that was funny, exciting or scary.

As we close… “Sometimes kids ask how I've been able to write so many books. The answer is simple: one word at a time. Which is another good lesson, I think. You don't have to do everything at once. You don't have to know how every story is going to end. You just have to take that next step, look for that next idea, write that next word. And growing up, it's the same way. We just have to go to that next class, read that next chapter, help that next person. You simply have to do that next good thing, and before you know it, you're living a good life.”

Sources ents.html andbooks/authorstudies/authorhome.jhtml ?authorID=2227&collateralID=10917http://www2.scholastic.com/teachers/authors andbooks/authorstudies/authorhome.jhtml ?authorID=2227&collateralID= ?authid=48