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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964 entries.
Sarah K.,Natalie B.,Albert P. from La Canada, CA USA wrote on October 14, 2013
Hi Bruce,
Your book Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher is great!
We love all your magic shop books and they inspired us to write our own magic shop story. We want you to write more terrific magic shop stories. We like your awesome website. We are all third graders and love all your books. We can't wait to read them all!
Best wishes, Sarah K., Natalie B., Albert P.
Reply by Bruce Coville
HI, Sarah, Natalie, and Albert -

Lovely to hear from you, and wonderful to know that you think JEREMY is great! I'm delighted to know that you're writing your own magic shop story. I think it's very cool that you are going to play in that world. Hope you're having fun!

Thanks for stopping by to say hello.

All best,

BC
Jennifer Potthoff from Sinking Spring, Pa USA wrote on October 13, 2013
Mr. Coville,
I recently purchased multiple copies of your book Always October from Scholastic Book Clubs to read with my above grade level tier reading group. First, let me say that I thoroughly enjoyed the book and believe my students will as well. However, after reading Chapter 10, Spelunker, I was very conflicted at your choice of words. Quote, " That sounds dirty. Do I need to look it up on Urban Dictionary?" As an educator and mother of teenagers I was quite appalled that this reference was used. My question to you is why? Why was this reference made in a book written for this intended age? You do realize there will be young readers now inquiring on Urban Dictionary the meaning of Spelunker. I can only imagine what else they will look up once they realize the true intention of the Urban Dictionary. I stand very conflicted as to whether or not to use this book with my students. Please help me understand why this was included?
Thank you,
Jennifer Potthoff
Reply by Bruce Coville
Dear Jennifer Potthoff -

You are right.

That is the most clear and direct response I can offer.

I have often pushed boundaries, but despite numerous protests, in my mind I had never gone beyond where I thought kids really were. In this case, I fear I did. When I wrote that line it seemed funny. Actually, I still think it is funny, but in retrospect I see the problem, and realize that I should have struck it.

In answer to your question "Why was this included?" I can only say it was a mistake on my part, and I apologize.

Sincerely,

Bruce Coville
A Besch,M Azari, and Nitya from Los Angeles, California USA wrote on October 10, 2013
We loved Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher and the
epilog! Which book do you recommend after Jeremy Thatcher? What is your next story going to be about? We are all dreaming to be great writers like you! Your books inspire us a lot! We are trying to improve our writing skills by writing magic shop stories too! We enjoy looking at your website. We love your books! They are so amazing! Your the best and please keep writing awesome, amazing, perfect, and adventures books. thanks.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Gang -

Oh, I am so glad to know that you loved Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher. Out of my more than 100 books, I think that is the one most likely to live on after me.

I'm also glad to know that you're writing your own Magic Shop stories. I hope you will have fun and feel free to play around in my world.

I intend to keep writing, and I will try my best to live up to your high expectations of me. Thanks for being such faithful fans. And keep writing!

All best,

BC
Rae Aclin from La Canada, CA USA wrote on October 10, 2013
Dear Bruce Coville,
Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher is really creative. You are a great writer and I want to be just like you. If your books are still out when I'm older I will read them to my children!!! Did you ever have an experience like Jeremy Thatcher? When did you start your writing career? Your best fan, Rae Aclin
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Rae -

Thanks for this message. I'm really glad to know that you think so highly of JEREMY THATCHER.

Sadly, I never had an experience like Jeremy. But here is the seed of things. When I was a kid I always thought that if I walked down the right side street in the city (I lived out in the country - the nearest city was Syracuse, where I now live) I could find the shop that sold real magic. I never found it, so when I grew up I gave myself the shop that I always wanted to find by writing stories about it. That's one of the great things about writing. You can shape the world you write about to be the way you think the world should be!

I started writing seriously for publication when I was 17, but did not sell my first book until I was 27. The secret of my success is bone-headed obstinance!

your friend,

Bruce Coville
Kim DeCoste from Rochester, NY USA wrote on October 9, 2013
Hi Mr. Coville,
After talking about Fazwad and the chapter we read from Dragon of Doom today one of my students asked me if you inspired me to become a teacher. I was so touched by the question and I drove home reflecting...
I wanted to thank you for being such a dedicated teacher, for dressing up as Igor, directing plays, loving your job and making school fun. Your creative way of teaching DID inspire me to go into the teaching profession. I never realized (until today) that the idea to dress up for the kids, act crazy (get up on desks to make a point) and encourage the kids to express themselves all came from my experience with you at Wetzel Road. I am so thankful that my student asked me that today. It made me realize how blessed I was to have you as a teacher! XOXO
Reply by Bruce Coville
Kim -

Wow! What more could a teacher ever ask for than to get a message like this? What's especially lovely about this is that the things you remember most are the things I most loved doing! It thrills me no end that you are carrying on (I mean that in both senses of the phrase!) in the same manner.

Truly, you melted my heart with these words.

fondly, and with happy memories,

Bruce
Natalia from Annapolis, Maryland USA wrote on October 8, 2013
Hi Bruce,
I just finished your Unicorn Chronicles series and they are my favorite books ever! I wrote to you back in second grade recently after i read Jennifer Murdley's Toad. Now i am in sixth and you are still my absolute FAVORITE author. I really love your writing and your characterization. I am so happy that you write these books. It is exactly what i am looking for in choosing stuff to read!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Natalia -

Oh, I'm delighted to know that you think so highly of the Unicorn Chronicles. Luster is the kind of fantasy world I dreamed of creating from the time I first started write when I was in my teens. Messages like this one from you make me feel like I have actually managed to succeed at it! Thanks for taking the time to write.

All best,

BC
MK,CT,IP,MB from La Canada, USA wrote on October 8, 2013
Dear Bruce,
We enjoyed Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher.It was a great idea to make a epilogue. We thought it was fun.The first chapter is really crazy and exiting and we couldn't wait to read more. Your books are really cool.
From,
MK,CT,IP,MB
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, MK,CT,IP,MB -

Hey, gang - glad you enjoyed JEREMY. I love, love, love getting kids hooked on a book in the first chapter - glad that worked for you. Glad you think my books are cool. I always wanted to be cool, but that didn't work out in high school. Sometimes you have to wait for your cool to hit! ;>

Be cool . . . and keep reading!

BC
Mrs. Kirkman's class from USA wrote on October 8, 2013
What was your favorite comic book?
Reply by Bruce Coville
SPIDERMAN!
Mrs. ottinger's Class from Fayetteville, NC USA wrote on October 7, 2013
What is your favorite Sport?
Reply by Bruce Coville
I tend to prefer solo sports. In college I was a fencer, which I loved.

BC
Hannah Moody from USA wrote on October 4, 2013
I love the drawings on here and i think this website is very interesting.:)
Reply by Bruce Coville
Glad you like the website. Hope you will like the books as well!!