Authors share their own stories with Salk readers

Students at Salk Middle School learned about the arts of reading, writing and dreaming from a team of local authors as part of their reward for meeting reading goals in the school’s Accelerated Reading Program.

Award-winning authors Chris Crutcher, Terry Trueman, Terry Davis and Kelly Milner-Halls addressed the seventh- and eighth-graders at a gathering in the school cafeteria on Monday. They talked to the students about their lives, how they became writers and where they get their inspiration.

According to Mary Pegg, who teaches reading at Salk and coordinates the program, the students set individual reading goals based on their reading level. and they must meet those goals to be included in the event.

Last year, 75 goal setters took part in the program. This year there were 160. They are able to meet their goals by reading about one hour each day.

“Accelerated Reading is all about practice, practice, practice. Studies have shown that the more you read, the better reader you are, and that’s why we promote the program,” said Pegg.

Terry Davis told the students about the days when he skateboarded on sidewalks near the school and played third baseman for the Ridgeview Rebels at nearby Loma Vista Park. During the lonely times of youth, he turned to literature for the more exciting life he was looking for.

“I was never bored if I had something to read,” said Davis.

Davis, a Shadle Park High School graduate, went on to become a coach, teacher and writer. Critics have compared his 1979 coming-of-age book “Vision Quest” to J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye.”

Davis is working on an updated edition of the book, as well as a new book, “Balls,” a work of nonfiction scheduled for release in the fall of 2005. It chronicles the history of balls and the sports challenges that go with them.

A table of eighth-grade girls had all read Chris Crutcher’s “The Crazy Horse Electric Game.”

Crutcher told the students, “We’ve been grown up for so long, but even though it was in a different time, our experiences are more alike than different.”

When asked about what courses to take to become a writer, Davis told the group, “Chris Crutcher has never taken a writer’s class. You need to be alive and pay attention. As Henry James said, ‘Be a person on whom nothing is lost.’ “

Terry Trueman, 56, is the author of the award-winning book “Stuck in Neutral,” a favorite of the students.

“We appreciate your reading our books. I got success late in life. I love my life. I don’t see why you should ever buy another book besides mine,” Trueman said.

Trueman told the kids, “To become a successful writer, you need to work hard, use the talent God gave you, and have good luck.”

Trueman has been recognized by the American Library Association for his novel “Inside Out.” The young-adult novel was named one of the ALA’s Best Books for Teens, plus it made the association’s top 10 list for Reluctant Readers.

Spokane children’s writer Kelly Milner Halls acted as the moderator for the group.

Milner Halls is the author of “Albino Animals” and “Dino-Trekking: The Ultimate Dinosaur Lover’s Travel Guide.” She told the students that she began her career as a journalist and originally wanted to be an investigative reporter. She later decided to write nonfiction for young people because it was much more fun.

Pegg said the authors’ books are favorites among the students because they are realistic.

“The kids want to read books that are realistic or total fantasy. Books in between don’t make it,” she said.

Over the past 20 some years as a teacher, Pegg has noticed a difference in the students. Students today have a difficult time visualizing what they read. Television, video games and movies contribute to this loss of perception, she said.

Students just don’t read as much as they used to, but the Accelerated Reading program is trying to change that. It makes the program worthwhile, Pegg said, when a student comes up to her and says, “That’s the first time I read a whole book.”

Pegg said the event is possible because of the generosity of local businesses. Tidyman’s Yoke’s, Albertsons, Domino’s, 5-Mile Heights Pizza, and Chic-a-Ria donated food and drinks for the event.

Hollywood Video donated coupons for free movie rentals, and Hastings, Borders Books, Auntie’s Bookstore and the Children’s Corner Bookshop all offer discounts on books purchased for the program.