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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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950 entries.
Dear Bruce Coville,
The Monster’s Ring is an outstanding book! Our third grade class listened to your audio book. It was amazing how the actors acted out all the characters’ voices. Russell’s voice as a monster was perfect. The fact that this story is about Russel Crannaker and a dangerous ring inspired our class to write this letter to you. We loved many parts of this story. Here are some of our favorite parts:
1. When Russell was scaring all the children out of their pants at his school
2. Russell’s second twist of the ring where he grows fangs, horns, and fur
3. Russell’s adventure back home in his birthday suit
We have two questions for you:
Do Russell’s parents know that he turned into a beast with flames?
Will Russell ever use the ring again?
We would love to know if you could make a series of books for The Monster’s Ring. How about Jeremy Thatcher’s Ring?
You are a great author!
Sincerely,
Your Third Grade Readers
The Monster’s Ring is an outstanding book! Our third grade class listened to your audio book. It was amazing how the actors acted out all the characters’ voices. Russell’s voice as a monster was perfect. The fact that this story is about Russel Crannaker and a dangerous ring inspired our class to write this letter to you. We loved many parts of this story. Here are some of our favorite parts:
1. When Russell was scaring all the children out of their pants at his school
2. Russell’s second twist of the ring where he grows fangs, horns, and fur
3. Russell’s adventure back home in his birthday suit
We have two questions for you:
Do Russell’s parents know that he turned into a beast with flames?
Will Russell ever use the ring again?
We would love to know if you could make a series of books for The Monster’s Ring. How about Jeremy Thatcher’s Ring?
You are a great author!
Sincerely,
Your Third Grade Readers
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi there, Ms. Bachmuth's Class!
Thanks for the kind words about THE MONSTER'S RING. The book has a special meaning for me because it was the very first novel I published . . . and because it's where I found the Magic Shop, which has now been in 5 books altogether. Recording the audiobook version of it was a super fun project!
As to your questions:
1)Russell's parents do NOT know about his big transformation . . . and if Russell has his way, they never will!
2) There is a hint at the end of the book that Russell will not need to use the ring again . . . that he is going to have a transformation every time there is a full moon!
When the book was first published I wanted to write a sequel, but my editor was not interested. I felt bad about that, but then decided to write not sequels but "companion" books - other stories that start out with the Magic Shop. That actually turned out to be a pretty good plan.
Thanks for the message! Have a great November . . . and keep reading! (And listening!)
your friend,
Bruce Coville
Thanks for the kind words about THE MONSTER'S RING. The book has a special meaning for me because it was the very first novel I published . . . and because it's where I found the Magic Shop, which has now been in 5 books altogether. Recording the audiobook version of it was a super fun project!
As to your questions:
1)Russell's parents do NOT know about his big transformation . . . and if Russell has his way, they never will!
2) There is a hint at the end of the book that Russell will not need to use the ring again . . . that he is going to have a transformation every time there is a full moon!
When the book was first published I wanted to write a sequel, but my editor was not interested. I felt bad about that, but then decided to write not sequels but "companion" books - other stories that start out with the Magic Shop. That actually turned out to be a pretty good plan.
Thanks for the message! Have a great November . . . and keep reading! (And listening!)
your friend,
Bruce Coville
I began reading your books when my daughter was in elementary school. She is now 38 years old. We absolutely loved the Unicorn Chronicles. However we missed book 4. I just saw it, and can't wait to hear end of Cara's story. I have been rereading the first three books before reading the last one. My question is I have an original of Book III, Dark Whispers. Would it be better to read the new, revised book 3 before reading The Secrets of the Delver or is it OK to just read Dark Whispers then Book 4? Thank you from a long time lover of you books, Monnie Fishel
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi Monnie -
It fills me with delight to know that you have held on to your love for the Unicorn Chronicles for all these years! Thank you.
To explain the new arrangement: as I bring the books back into print on my own, I am following a suggestion from my designer and splitting up the "big books" to make for a more uniform set. DARK WHISPERS has been split into two parts - ENTER THE WHISPERER and SECRET OF THE DELVERS. The first part has minor tweaks but SECRET (which is now Book 4) has 5 new chapters. They do not substantially alter the story, but the do cover what Lightfoot was doing during the second half of DARK WHISPERS, which was sadly missing in the original book.
What was originally Book 4 (THE LAST HUNT) was a single enormous volume that I am not splitting into three parts. Thus, they will become books 5, 6, and 7 in what will end up being the first uniform edition of the Chronicles. Book 5 (tentatively titled THE INVASION OF LUSTER) will be gong to the designer soon. It has one new chapter that fills in a transfer of information between Lightfoot and Ian Hunter.
I just finished a first pass read of Book 6, which I have not yet titled, which will be the middle section of the original LAST HUNT. Tomorrow I will begin a first pass read of the final third (again still untitled) with the goal of having all three of them out and available before the end of the year. Some of the earlier volumes required far more editing and revising than I had anticipated. I am hoping these final three will be more tractable, though I will probably be writing 15 to 20 pages of new material for Volume 6.
WHEW! I hope that wasn't too confusing. It's been a long process, but I have loved being back in Luster, working with these books again, and bringing them to a new level of consistency and polish!
All good wishes
BC
It fills me with delight to know that you have held on to your love for the Unicorn Chronicles for all these years! Thank you.
To explain the new arrangement: as I bring the books back into print on my own, I am following a suggestion from my designer and splitting up the "big books" to make for a more uniform set. DARK WHISPERS has been split into two parts - ENTER THE WHISPERER and SECRET OF THE DELVERS. The first part has minor tweaks but SECRET (which is now Book 4) has 5 new chapters. They do not substantially alter the story, but the do cover what Lightfoot was doing during the second half of DARK WHISPERS, which was sadly missing in the original book.
What was originally Book 4 (THE LAST HUNT) was a single enormous volume that I am not splitting into three parts. Thus, they will become books 5, 6, and 7 in what will end up being the first uniform edition of the Chronicles. Book 5 (tentatively titled THE INVASION OF LUSTER) will be gong to the designer soon. It has one new chapter that fills in a transfer of information between Lightfoot and Ian Hunter.
I just finished a first pass read of Book 6, which I have not yet titled, which will be the middle section of the original LAST HUNT. Tomorrow I will begin a first pass read of the final third (again still untitled) with the goal of having all three of them out and available before the end of the year. Some of the earlier volumes required far more editing and revising than I had anticipated. I am hoping these final three will be more tractable, though I will probably be writing 15 to 20 pages of new material for Volume 6.
WHEW! I hope that wasn't too confusing. It's been a long process, but I have loved being back in Luster, working with these books again, and bringing them to a new level of consistency and polish!
All good wishes
BC
Hello old friend! As far I’m concerned you have always been around my library. (I just hit the big 40!) I toted Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher with me from childhood into adulthood- from apartment to first house. I’m a natural reader - so you can imagine my worry when my first born child- my precious son- hated independent reading. Begging, pleading, bribing- I tried it all. I felt like a failure. This continued until one day I decided to gift him my copy of JTDH. The rest my dear friend is history. He now devours books, and has about worn out the much loved copy. So I’m ordering him a new copy and one for my daughter- who seems to have inherited the reluctant reader gene. I’m sure your magic can set her on the path of reading too! The original one will be wrapped up and tucked away in my trunk- maybe I will need it again some day for grandkids!
Thank you for your presence in my life- I wish you so much happiness!
Love and admiration,
Sarah
Thank you for your presence in my life- I wish you so much happiness!
Love and admiration,
Sarah
Reply by Bruce Coville
Dear Sarah -
First off, my apologies for not responding more promptly. The Guestbook has been, shall we say, erratic in notifying me of new messages!
That said, I cannot tell you how it delights me that JEREMY has stayed with you all these years . . . and even more that it was the book that opened the door of reading for your son. Seriously, what better affirmation could an author want than to know that a book has converted a non-reader?!
I hope that it will work the same magic for your daughter.
One of the best things about living as long as I have now (there are some definite downsides) is being a two-generation author. I love being passed from parent to child!
Please tell your young'uns I said hello!
All best
BC
First off, my apologies for not responding more promptly. The Guestbook has been, shall we say, erratic in notifying me of new messages!
That said, I cannot tell you how it delights me that JEREMY has stayed with you all these years . . . and even more that it was the book that opened the door of reading for your son. Seriously, what better affirmation could an author want than to know that a book has converted a non-reader?!
I hope that it will work the same magic for your daughter.
One of the best things about living as long as I have now (there are some definite downsides) is being a two-generation author. I love being passed from parent to child!
Please tell your young'uns I said hello!
All best
BC
Hi this is Dwayne Johnson No this is not the rock this is a normal 5th grader my teacher said I can do this. My class is a good class, but anyway i am a huge fan of My teacher is a alien the whole class loves it but i just wanted to tell you that Byeeee.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hey Dwayne -
Thanks for this. Really glad to know that your whole class is enjoying MY TEACHER IS AN ALIEN. I've written over a hundred books, but very few of them were as much fun to write as that one was! You might be amused to know that Duncan is based on a real kid I had as a student back when I was a fourth grade teacher. Give my regards to your own teacher, and your classmates as well.
BC
Thanks for this. Really glad to know that your whole class is enjoying MY TEACHER IS AN ALIEN. I've written over a hundred books, but very few of them were as much fun to write as that one was! You might be amused to know that Duncan is based on a real kid I had as a student back when I was a fourth grade teacher. Give my regards to your own teacher, and your classmates as well.
BC
Mr. Coville,
Thank you for your years dedicated to helping youngsters learn to love reading. I am one of those youngsters, though many years on now, and now my precocious 6 year old daughter is too. We just finished reading Monster of the Year together, and she loved it! I remember reading and re-reading it many nights well past the time I was supposed to be asleep (and I’m now learning that while I thought I was pulling a fast one, my parents 100% knew), so it was an easy choice as to which of your books to read with her first. She loved the all of the Monsters, but really felt bad for poor Goony. She was rooting for him to win the Monster of the Year contest right up until the end. I don’t know if we’re ready yet for Goblins in the Castle, and she already snuck-read The Teacher Fried My Brains, but I can’t wait to continue to share your works with her. Thank you !
Thank you for your years dedicated to helping youngsters learn to love reading. I am one of those youngsters, though many years on now, and now my precocious 6 year old daughter is too. We just finished reading Monster of the Year together, and she loved it! I remember reading and re-reading it many nights well past the time I was supposed to be asleep (and I’m now learning that while I thought I was pulling a fast one, my parents 100% knew), so it was an easy choice as to which of your books to read with her first. She loved the all of the Monsters, but really felt bad for poor Goony. She was rooting for him to win the Monster of the Year contest right up until the end. I don’t know if we’re ready yet for Goblins in the Castle, and she already snuck-read The Teacher Fried My Brains, but I can’t wait to continue to share your works with her. Thank you !
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hey, Craig -
Many thanks for this message, which completely delighted me. Very few books have been as much fun for me to write as MONSTER OF THE YEAR was, and it's wonderful to know that it still has the power to amuse.
One of the benefits of being around as long as I have now is that I get to hear from guys like - guys who loved the books and now share them with their own kids. When I was a young father, reading to my kids was one of my greatest joys. So knowing that other dads are now sharing my books with their own kids in the same way makes me extremely happy.
Please tell your daughter I said hello . . . and Happy Reading!
BC
Many thanks for this message, which completely delighted me. Very few books have been as much fun for me to write as MONSTER OF THE YEAR was, and it's wonderful to know that it still has the power to amuse.
One of the benefits of being around as long as I have now is that I get to hear from guys like - guys who loved the books and now share them with their own kids. When I was a young father, reading to my kids was one of my greatest joys. So knowing that other dads are now sharing my books with their own kids in the same way makes me extremely happy.
Please tell your daughter I said hello . . . and Happy Reading!
BC
Hi, I was reminiscing about books I enjoyed as a kid and I realized that at least 80% of them were written by you. I was obsessed with aliens at the time and read just about every alien-related thing you wrote. I still have a couple on my shelf. Anyway I just wanted to say thanks for making my childhood interesting. Your books were a huge influence for me. I see now you actually did non-alien works so I might have to check those out as well!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Robyn -
Many thanks for this. When I was first starting, I wanted kids to read my books. Now that I've been doing this for 40 years (!!) one of the things that delights me most is hearing from adults who remember the books with fondness.
I hope you'll enjoy some of the other books if you start to sample them. Two I would suggest for starters are JEREMY THATCHER, DRAGON HATCHER and GOBLINS IN THE CASTLE. And in case you didn't catch them the first time around, my publisher is re-releasing all 12 books in the SIXTH GRADE ALIEN series with fabulous new cover art!
Thanks for reading . . . and remembering!
Have a lovely autumn.
BC
Many thanks for this. When I was first starting, I wanted kids to read my books. Now that I've been doing this for 40 years (!!) one of the things that delights me most is hearing from adults who remember the books with fondness.
I hope you'll enjoy some of the other books if you start to sample them. Two I would suggest for starters are JEREMY THATCHER, DRAGON HATCHER and GOBLINS IN THE CASTLE. And in case you didn't catch them the first time around, my publisher is re-releasing all 12 books in the SIXTH GRADE ALIEN series with fabulous new cover art!
Thanks for reading . . . and remembering!
Have a lovely autumn.
BC
Hi Bruce! Like many others here, I discovered the world of Luster as a kid a few years younger than Cara herself and grew up rereading my copies of ItLotU and SotW so much that they fell apart. I never, ever forgot how much I wanted to return there and complete the story, and Dark Whispers ended up being the greatest present for my high school graduation! But unfortunately I was never able to get my hands on The Last Hunt - I was stubborn and wanted to wait for a paperback release to match the ones on my shelf. By the time I realized there wouldn't be one, the hardcover copies had skyrocketed in price. I've only recently seen the new self-pub editions going up, plus with the added bonus of new chapters. Paperback copies of the new Into the Land are already no longer listed here the UK, however. I don't want to go through more heartbreak as I try to finish the darn series, haha. Is there going to be a complete collection or, like, a boxed set offered of all 7 books eventually? I really like matchy sets.
Even if the answer is no, thank you so much for your imagination. I can't picture myself without the foundation the Unicorn Chronicles gave me as a young storyteller. I'm working on my own unicorn fantasy story because of how much Luster and Cara influenced me to dream up big, wide worlds of magic and danger and found families. Thanks again, and keep up the amazing work ♥
Even if the answer is no, thank you so much for your imagination. I can't picture myself without the foundation the Unicorn Chronicles gave me as a young storyteller. I'm working on my own unicorn fantasy story because of how much Luster and Cara influenced me to dream up big, wide worlds of magic and danger and found families. Thanks again, and keep up the amazing work ♥
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Caroline -
First off, sorry not to get back to you more promptly. Sometimes the guestbook gets away from me. On the other hand, the delay lets me give you some good news . . . INTO THE LAND OF THE UNICORNS is once again available from Amazon in the UK.
And I do indeed intend to have the new editions become a matched set. I'm nearly finished with the revisions for Book 5 (the first section of LAST HUNT) and I am hopeful (but then, I am always hopeful) that books 6 and 7, which will complete the set, will not need as much revising.
Good luck with your own unicorn saga! I am delighted to have had a hand in helping to inspire you!
BC
First off, sorry not to get back to you more promptly. Sometimes the guestbook gets away from me. On the other hand, the delay lets me give you some good news . . . INTO THE LAND OF THE UNICORNS is once again available from Amazon in the UK.
And I do indeed intend to have the new editions become a matched set. I'm nearly finished with the revisions for Book 5 (the first section of LAST HUNT) and I am hopeful (but then, I am always hopeful) that books 6 and 7, which will complete the set, will not need as much revising.
Good luck with your own unicorn saga! I am delighted to have had a hand in helping to inspire you!
BC
Hello! I recently read Goblins in the Castle and the new sequel, Goblins on the Prowl, to my 8 year old son. I wrote to you a few years back and asked about books for younger ages because I couldn't wait to introduce your stories to him. I'm glad I read these books to him now. It was the perfect age! He loved the first one as much as my little brother and I did when we were kids! He thinks "bop" is hilarious and really liked Herky. The note from you in the end of the book fascinated him and now he wants to meet Igor! Reading the sequel cleared up so many questions I had from the first one, especially about the toad! It was such fun to revisit everything from Fauna's perspective and meet new characters. Thank you for writing it. Please consider writing a third in the series, maybe from Igor's or Herky's point of view. These two books are going to be read over and over, hopefully yearly, in our house!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Andrea - Thanks for this. It thoroughly delights me that your son enjoyed GOBLINS as much as you did when you were a kid yourself. I love being a two-generation writer! (One of the consolations for aging . . . )
I'm not sure if I have a third book in me. I did love writing that second one. Alas, it didn't do very well in terms of sales. People who read it loved it, and the reviews were lovely. It just didn't find traction for whatever reason. I think the new covers didn't help. The original cover for the first book was sheer perfection in my opinion!
Please tell your son that Igor sends him a "BOP!"
BC
I'm not sure if I have a third book in me. I did love writing that second one. Alas, it didn't do very well in terms of sales. People who read it loved it, and the reviews were lovely. It just didn't find traction for whatever reason. I think the new covers didn't help. The original cover for the first book was sheer perfection in my opinion!
Please tell your son that Igor sends him a "BOP!"
BC
Dear Bruce,
I remember in public school discovering Into The Land of the Unicorns at a book fair. I read and re-read the story over and over again. I loved how it was an adventure story and not just girly fluffy words. You made a real world and complicated story line for unicorn lovers. The story stayed with me well into my adult years.
When I found out (in my thirties) that Cara's story was multiple books I searched and found them all to read. They did not disappoint!
One of my newest but fondest memories of Cara and Lightfoot was reading to a group of summer camp students. I had a group of 15 or so kids and I would read to them after lunch. The boys originally were like it's unicorns we don't want to read a book about unicorns. I just smiled and told them to give it a couple of chapters and they could tell me what they thought. I have never had a group of kids so excited about a story. Reading it out loud and seeing kids react to the story was such a special moment as an educator and fan of the series. Your words and characters are still living on in a new generations imagination and still inspiring the first kids who were able to hear the story.
Thank you for the world you created.
Tara
I remember in public school discovering Into The Land of the Unicorns at a book fair. I read and re-read the story over and over again. I loved how it was an adventure story and not just girly fluffy words. You made a real world and complicated story line for unicorn lovers. The story stayed with me well into my adult years.
When I found out (in my thirties) that Cara's story was multiple books I searched and found them all to read. They did not disappoint!
One of my newest but fondest memories of Cara and Lightfoot was reading to a group of summer camp students. I had a group of 15 or so kids and I would read to them after lunch. The boys originally were like it's unicorns we don't want to read a book about unicorns. I just smiled and told them to give it a couple of chapters and they could tell me what they thought. I have never had a group of kids so excited about a story. Reading it out loud and seeing kids react to the story was such a special moment as an educator and fan of the series. Your words and characters are still living on in a new generations imagination and still inspiring the first kids who were able to hear the story.
Thank you for the world you created.
Tara
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Tara -
Many thanks for this wonderful (and heartlifting!) message. I'm especially delighted to know that you feel the later books did not disappoint. As I wrote them I felt a constant concern that I did not want to let down the fans of the series. The last two books (which are really just one enormous book split up, nearly broke my brain!
I completely loved your story about reading the book to your summer camp kids and managing to get the boys hooked, too! Victory!
Enjoy the rest of the summer, and thanks again for this lovely message!
BC
Many thanks for this wonderful (and heartlifting!) message. I'm especially delighted to know that you feel the later books did not disappoint. As I wrote them I felt a constant concern that I did not want to let down the fans of the series. The last two books (which are really just one enormous book split up, nearly broke my brain!
I completely loved your story about reading the book to your summer camp kids and managing to get the boys hooked, too! Victory!
Enjoy the rest of the summer, and thanks again for this lovely message!
BC
My name is Mohammad Nawaz, I am 25 years old, and I will be graduating medical school in the United States in a few months from now. I am only telling you this because it has been 16 years since I read my most favorite book of all, Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher. It was the first book I decided to read of my own volition, and it transformed my life. I cannot emphasize to you how instrumental this book was in getting me to where I am today. After reading Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher, I just needed more and more and more. I read the next book in the Magic Shop Book series and the next, to the point where my teacher (Mrs. Coscarelli, bless her heart) noticed and bought me the rest of your Magic Shop Book series and secretly handed it to me when the other students weren't looking. Mr. Coville, you sent me headfirst into the magical world of reading and I just could not stop. Heck, I actually had to get prescription eyeglasses because I kept reading so much in the dark; I barely even watched television or used the computer! Reading fantasy fiction novels helped open up my mind to the real world of possibilities and endless adventure, and it encouraged me to keep on dreaming. I felt my writing improve, my critical thinking expand, and my vocabulary get good ;). My early interest in reading helped me perform well on exams and allowed me to always consider multiple solutions to the same problem. All this, only because I decided when I was nine years old to pick up a book that had a cool looking dragon on the cover. I wish to have the same positive impact on my future patients as you have had on me - even just an ounce, and I would consider myself lucky. Actually, as soon as I finish writing this message, I plan on buying and reading the Magic Shop Books to my little niece and nephew, just so I have an excuse to reread them as well haha! I honestly don't know what inspired me to Google your name after all this time, but I'm glad I did because I stumbled upon this website and saw this awesome message board. Stay safe during these trying times, and thank you, sir, for everything.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Dear Mohammad -
Thank you for this amazing and heartwarming letter. I really could not ask for a better affirmation of my work than this. When I remember how much reading meant to me when I was a 9 year old, I get a great thrill out of knowing that my own books have meant that much to some other young reader.
I hope your niece and nephew will enjoy the books, and having you read to them. I think every child should have a "book uncle" or "book aunt"!
And congratulations on completing medical school! I am sure you are on the path to doing much good in the world! You make me proud!
All my best wishes,
BC
Thank you for this amazing and heartwarming letter. I really could not ask for a better affirmation of my work than this. When I remember how much reading meant to me when I was a 9 year old, I get a great thrill out of knowing that my own books have meant that much to some other young reader.
I hope your niece and nephew will enjoy the books, and having you read to them. I think every child should have a "book uncle" or "book aunt"!
And congratulations on completing medical school! I am sure you are on the path to doing much good in the world! You make me proud!
All my best wishes,
BC