Reflections from the Road: The Capitol School & Berry Middle School

Earlier this week, on Wednesday (September 16), I visited The Capitol School of Tuscaloosa, Nightborn tour. The Capitol School is so named because it is adjacent to the Capitol Park where the ruins of the old state capitol still stand. An acclaimed international school that occupies four houses across both sides of a dead end street. I gave my book presentation to around seventy-five enthusiastic students ranging from 4th to 8th grade, and then had a lively Q&A. My favorite question may have been "Do you like waffles?" and I did hate to tell the kids that my Han Solo's Blaster belt buckle was a two of a kind courtesy of Villafranca Sculpture and not something they could purchase for themselves. Afterwards, faculty members Kacey Davenport and Monica Rodgers took me out to a very fun lunch at Mellow Mushroom for some awesome pizza and even better conversation. Thank you to Librarian Kacey Davenport, Dr. Barbara Rountree, School Director, and Dr. Monica Rodgers, Upper School Faculty for a great visit. I look forward to coming back next year!
Alabama, as part of the

Then on Friday (September 18), I visited Berry Middle School to sign books for two hours during their Scholastic Book Fair. I had a great time meeting their students and talking with their excellent librarians. In addition to signing, I posed for a Viking picture with Principal Chris Robbins and had an interesting discussion of Shakespeare in cinema with language arts teacher Scott McClellan. I'm looking forward to October, when I will return to Berry to give a book presentation on Frostborn and Nightborn to all 1,200 students.

Also, it's worth mentioning that Ginger Hewitt informed me that Berry Middle School have challenged themselves as a school to read 10,000 books collectively.  They have read 10,000 books the last 2 years, so I'm sure they can do it again. But congratulations on making the challenge and good luck with all that reading!

Thank you to Library Media Specialist Ginger Hewitt for arranging this visit and to everyone at Berry for making me feel welcome and making this a great time.

No Lamb for the Lazy Wolf!