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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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964 entries.
Dear Mr. Coville,
I left a message here almost two years ago to the day to thank you for the Shakespearean adaptations you wrote, and how much my then six year old son was enjoying them. I just wanted to let you know that we've continued to enjoy them and today I had the pleasure of finding my now 8 year old son and my 7 year old son curled up on the couch together, one reading Macbeth and the other reading A Midsummer Night's Dream. I've recommended them countless times to other parents and to a person they all say how wonderful they are. I can't tell you how much I wish there were more of them (actually, you probably do know - I get the feeling you would have done all the plays if given the chance) but I'm grateful for the seven that do exist. We're currently trying to find them for sale (I know they're out of print but we keep looking - we've found the above two so far. We wanted to get Hamlet but the cheapest we could find was somewhere around $50) and I hope we can find all of them eventually. Sad that the publishers wouldn't produce any more because they are such valuable books and you did such an amazing job bringing them to life for kids. I am so very glad that I stumbled across them two years ago. I also have a 5 and a three year old, so there are going to be more Shakespeare fans (and Bruce Coville fans!) soon. With thanks again,
Shaindy Lander
I left a message here almost two years ago to the day to thank you for the Shakespearean adaptations you wrote, and how much my then six year old son was enjoying them. I just wanted to let you know that we've continued to enjoy them and today I had the pleasure of finding my now 8 year old son and my 7 year old son curled up on the couch together, one reading Macbeth and the other reading A Midsummer Night's Dream. I've recommended them countless times to other parents and to a person they all say how wonderful they are. I can't tell you how much I wish there were more of them (actually, you probably do know - I get the feeling you would have done all the plays if given the chance) but I'm grateful for the seven that do exist. We're currently trying to find them for sale (I know they're out of print but we keep looking - we've found the above two so far. We wanted to get Hamlet but the cheapest we could find was somewhere around $50) and I hope we can find all of them eventually. Sad that the publishers wouldn't produce any more because they are such valuable books and you did such an amazing job bringing them to life for kids. I am so very glad that I stumbled across them two years ago. I also have a 5 and a three year old, so there are going to be more Shakespeare fans (and Bruce Coville fans!) soon. With thanks again,
Shaindy Lander
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Shaindy -
Thanks for this lovely message. The image of the two boys curled up and reading those books (which I see "in my mind's eye" to quote Hamlet) thoroughly delights me.
I wish there were more titles, too. I thoroughly loved writing those books. You're right - I probably would have done all the plays, given the chance. (Well, okay, I might have skipped Titus Andronicus" . . .)
Look for a separate message off line.
BC
Thanks for this lovely message. The image of the two boys curled up and reading those books (which I see "in my mind's eye" to quote Hamlet) thoroughly delights me.
I wish there were more titles, too. I thoroughly loved writing those books. You're right - I probably would have done all the plays, given the chance. (Well, okay, I might have skipped Titus Andronicus" . . .)
Look for a separate message off line.
BC
I just read a quote of yours in an article that I am reading for a class.. You said, Somehow the idea seems to have gotten loose in the country that in addition to the rights of speech, religion, and the press we now have a new constitutional right: the right to never be offended by anything. It is refreshing to hear this. I am ashamed to admit I haven't read any of your books, but I will starting now. You have made me a fan before reading any of your books.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Shelley -
Thank you for this - it's very satisfying to know that those words rang true for you!
Hope you'll enjoy whichever of my books you decide to sample.
All best,
BC
Thank you for this - it's very satisfying to know that those words rang true for you!
Hope you'll enjoy whichever of my books you decide to sample.
All best,
BC
Mr. Coville, I've been a fan of your work for 25 years; I'm 31 now, and have been reading your books since I was in the 1st grade (way back in 1990). I signed your guestbook back in 2002 when I graduated high school, and even wrote you a letter about the "Bruce Coville's Books of" series (I was hoping you would release Book # 13, but alas Book of Magic II was the last in that series).
I never got a chance to thank you for responding to my letter, and for the book that you sent. That made my day!! I'm excited to say that my nephews, 6 & 8, were going thru my old books and stumbled across my Bruce Coville section. Needless to say your fan club is growing by 2 more people 🙂
Thanks for all of the work that you do in helping build the imaginations of the young and old. I hope this entry finds its way to you and puts a smile on your face, as you have put smiles on mine for decades.
Be blessed
Jefferey Hunter
I never got a chance to thank you for responding to my letter, and for the book that you sent. That made my day!! I'm excited to say that my nephews, 6 & 8, were going thru my old books and stumbled across my Bruce Coville section. Needless to say your fan club is growing by 2 more people 🙂
Thanks for all of the work that you do in helping build the imaginations of the young and old. I hope this entry finds its way to you and puts a smile on your face, as you have put smiles on mine for decades.
Be blessed
Jefferey Hunter
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Jefferey - This did indeed find its way to me, and definitely put a smile on my face! There's really nothing more affirmative for a children's book writer than to find that his stories are still remembered well into someone's adult life. Thanks for taking the time to tell me this - and for sharing my books with your nephews. I love being a two-generation writer!
All best,
BC
All best,
BC
Hello Friend, I am writing today to tell you of my joy in finishing reading Diary Of a Mad Brownie, With supporting documents. I read it all in just a few hours and will be reading it again to Riley as part of our summer reading. The book was funny and silly and at times a great adventure story. I liked the bit about Shakespeare and also when Angus found out about the "intermagoogle" (love that word). I also like that the second entry in Angus's Diary is on my birthday September 20 and really like when Angus tames Bubbles. I truly loved this book very much and wanted to congratulate you on writing another excellent story. After a pause to get some house work done I will be off to start reading Goblins on the Prowl.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Nicole! Many thanks for this - you are the very first reader to weigh in on MAD BROWNIE, so it thrills me to know that you liked it so much. I really appreciate you telling me your reactions!
Bruce
Bruce
Hello Bruce! I am home visiting family in Michigan and have been going through my childhood books. There are quite a few of yours in there and I just started rereading Book One of the Unicorn Chronicles. It's still a treat! I am currently working on becoming a writer myself, a dream that started as a kid reading authors like you. Thanks for all the great stories and inspiring writers of all ages!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Josephine -
Thanks for this lovely message . . . and best wishes on pursuing your own writing career! May it bring you much joy.
BC
Thanks for this lovely message . . . and best wishes on pursuing your own writing career! May it bring you much joy.
BC
Just another Coville checking in.
Reply by Bruce Coville
All Covilles welcome here! ;> Thanks for checking in, Jennifer.
Bruce
Bruce
Queen Wilhelmina has a daughter! I am guessing that Brian became King Brian and is Pink's father.
I would love to read Pink's story someday.
I would love to read Pink's story someday.
Reply by Bruce Coville
None of that has been solidified, but it's not unlikely that that's the way it went.
I hope I get to write it someday!
Bruce
I hope I get to write it someday!
Bruce
I read Goblins on the Prowl today. It was good. I loved the references to The Dragonslayers. I never read The Foolish Giant but I liked learning the story within the story.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Chrissy -
Thanks for this! You are the very first reader to get back to me about the book, so I especially treasure these comments.
The references to DRAGONSLAYERS were much more pronounced in my first version. Bwoonhiwda was accompanied by Queen Wilhelmina's daughter, who was named Pink. But the editor felt that the book was overpopulated and someone had to go. Alas, it was Pink who got the ax. But I'm thinking about bringing her back in a story of her own someday.
All best,
Bruce
Thanks for this! You are the very first reader to get back to me about the book, so I especially treasure these comments.
The references to DRAGONSLAYERS were much more pronounced in my first version. Bwoonhiwda was accompanied by Queen Wilhelmina's daughter, who was named Pink. But the editor felt that the book was overpopulated and someone had to go. Alas, it was Pink who got the ax. But I'm thinking about bringing her back in a story of her own someday.
All best,
Bruce
Dear Bruce Coville,
I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.
When I was in elementary school I HATED reading. I wouldn't touch a book with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole if I did not have to. The main reason behind this is the fact that I have dyslexia, which made reading really difficult for me.
It was your books that changed my life. In the 6th grade my teacher had the class read the first book in your Rod Albright alien adventure series. I absolutely fell in love with your book, and I found myself reading ahead at home.
After I read the first book, I made my dad take me to the library to get the rest of the series and I even ended up finishing the whole series in the time it took the class to read the first book. The day I came to class and realized that, is one of the proudest moments in my life because of how impossible I thought I would be for me.
That day was over six years ago, and Im still reading. I cant even imagine how horrible it would be if I never realized how great reading is. The love of reading your books gave me, helped me overcome part of my dyslexia, for which I cant thank you enough.
-Loryn
I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.
When I was in elementary school I HATED reading. I wouldn't touch a book with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole if I did not have to. The main reason behind this is the fact that I have dyslexia, which made reading really difficult for me.
It was your books that changed my life. In the 6th grade my teacher had the class read the first book in your Rod Albright alien adventure series. I absolutely fell in love with your book, and I found myself reading ahead at home.
After I read the first book, I made my dad take me to the library to get the rest of the series and I even ended up finishing the whole series in the time it took the class to read the first book. The day I came to class and realized that, is one of the proudest moments in my life because of how impossible I thought I would be for me.
That day was over six years ago, and Im still reading. I cant even imagine how horrible it would be if I never realized how great reading is. The love of reading your books gave me, helped me overcome part of my dyslexia, for which I cant thank you enough.
-Loryn
Reply by Bruce Coville
Loryn -
This is the kind of response a writer for young readers lives for. Truly, I could not hope for any better affirmation of my work than this. I am so delighted to know that my fanciful stories were part of your journey to reading.
Thanks for sharing this.
Humbled and honored,
BC
This is the kind of response a writer for young readers lives for. Truly, I could not hope for any better affirmation of my work than this. I am so delighted to know that my fanciful stories were part of your journey to reading.
Thanks for sharing this.
Humbled and honored,
BC
Hi Bruce,
Since the Unicorn Chronicles is finished have you thought about making a new chronicles with one of the characters from the Unicorn Chronicles? Sorry if that sounds confusing. I think it would be great to read a series about Grimwold or Thomas The Tinker, how their story began.
I hope all is well,
~Amanda
Since the Unicorn Chronicles is finished have you thought about making a new chronicles with one of the characters from the Unicorn Chronicles? Sorry if that sounds confusing. I think it would be great to read a series about Grimwold or Thomas The Tinker, how their story began.
I hope all is well,
~Amanda
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Amanda -
That was my original intent when I designed the series . . . that I could go on and tell stories about many of the other characters, up and down the history of Luster. Unfortunately, the publisher (Scholastic) has not been supportive of this. I bear some responsibility, as it took me so long to finish the third and fourth books. But there are so many more stories that I wanted to tell!
BC
That was my original intent when I designed the series . . . that I could go on and tell stories about many of the other characters, up and down the history of Luster. Unfortunately, the publisher (Scholastic) has not been supportive of this. I bear some responsibility, as it took me so long to finish the third and fourth books. But there are so many more stories that I wanted to tell!
BC