Welcome to the Guestbook!
I’m always eager to read your comments about my books and stories, so please feel free to pitch in. Here are a few things for you to know:
1) I answer the messages here personally.
2) No message shows up here until I actually answer it to prevent spam and other inappropriate postings. So there will sometimes be a delay before your message posts, especially if I am traveling.
3) Teachers, a gentle request: Please do not have multiple children send me variants of the same message. A group email is much easier to respond to and not such a drain on my time. My thanks in advance for being alert to this.
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Mr. Coville,
My name is Jesse, I'm 27 years old, and I just finished reading Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher. The book affected me as much now as it did when I first read it as a young boy. It moved me deeply. You were always my favorite author as a child, but it wasn't until I became an adult that I realized the extent to which your stories shaped me. Jeremy Thatcher, D.H., helped me understand that loving fantasy didn't make me weird, even in the face of those who said it did. Love matters, a lot, but sometimes... well, I won't spoil the end for others, but sometimes the hardest decisions are the right ones. The Aliens Ate my Homework books helped me realize that size doesn't matter, and that little relatives might have more to them than meets the eye.
But most important was My Teacher Blew Up the Planet. I was always a shy kid, who did what he was told. I was the "good" kid, but all that meant was I was good at pleasing adults. I don't know who I might have become were it not for books like this one. That "good"-ness in me might have become no more than a mask, except that it could not, for it had people like Peter, Susan, and Duncan in it. They taught me, really taught me, that however bad people could get, whatever awful things they did, it was because they hurt. "What is one may become many" may be simpler and more fantastic than the real world, but it so adequately sums up the division that is the source of cruelty. My genuine optimism for humanity lies firmly at your feet, sir. If nothing else in your career has given you a big head, I hope that does.
Warmest Regards,
Jesse
My name is Jesse, I'm 27 years old, and I just finished reading Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher. The book affected me as much now as it did when I first read it as a young boy. It moved me deeply. You were always my favorite author as a child, but it wasn't until I became an adult that I realized the extent to which your stories shaped me. Jeremy Thatcher, D.H., helped me understand that loving fantasy didn't make me weird, even in the face of those who said it did. Love matters, a lot, but sometimes... well, I won't spoil the end for others, but sometimes the hardest decisions are the right ones. The Aliens Ate my Homework books helped me realize that size doesn't matter, and that little relatives might have more to them than meets the eye.
But most important was My Teacher Blew Up the Planet. I was always a shy kid, who did what he was told. I was the "good" kid, but all that meant was I was good at pleasing adults. I don't know who I might have become were it not for books like this one. That "good"-ness in me might have become no more than a mask, except that it could not, for it had people like Peter, Susan, and Duncan in it. They taught me, really taught me, that however bad people could get, whatever awful things they did, it was because they hurt. "What is one may become many" may be simpler and more fantastic than the real world, but it so adequately sums up the division that is the source of cruelty. My genuine optimism for humanity lies firmly at your feet, sir. If nothing else in your career has given you a big head, I hope that does.
Warmest Regards,
Jesse
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Jesse -
Thank you for this beautiful message. I just participated in a video project about CHARLOTTE'S WEB, a book that affected me deeply when I was young. I think JEREMY THATCHER, DRAGON HATCHER is likely to be the closest I ever come to a book that has taht kind of impact, so this message was particularly meaningful for me.
Love does matter.
I write for many kids, among them the shy kids, the good kids, and the kids who need to break loose a bit.
Though my friends and family try to keep me from getting a "big head" I don't mind it happening on occasion. This beautiful message from you is one of thsoe occasions.
A message like this lets me know that I did the right thing by pouring my heart and soul into becoming an author. Thank you for making that be real.
All best,
BC
Thank you for this beautiful message. I just participated in a video project about CHARLOTTE'S WEB, a book that affected me deeply when I was young. I think JEREMY THATCHER, DRAGON HATCHER is likely to be the closest I ever come to a book that has taht kind of impact, so this message was particularly meaningful for me.
Love does matter.
I write for many kids, among them the shy kids, the good kids, and the kids who need to break loose a bit.
Though my friends and family try to keep me from getting a "big head" I don't mind it happening on occasion. This beautiful message from you is one of thsoe occasions.
A message like this lets me know that I did the right thing by pouring my heart and soul into becoming an author. Thank you for making that be real.
All best,
BC