Max Anderson

Humor in Reading and Learning

One of the elements most requested by the editors of middle grade fiction is humor, because humor helps to hold the attention of young readers. Think back for a moment. Can you remember a teacher who regularly incorporated humor in the classroom? If you do, you’re one of the fortunate ones. I can’t remember that ever happening. Our son went to a private Christian school until the ninth grade where he tested for an accelerated, college prep academic program in the public school system.

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K.D. McCrite

Kicking Out Excuses

I heard you want to be a writer. Yes, you. Don’t look so surprised. You weren’t seriously trying to keep it a secret, were you? How did I know that this is what you want to do? Because about 98 percent of the people I meet say they want to be a writer. They usually add “One of these days when I get around to it” or “Someday, when I’m not so busy” or “When I’m out of school” or “When the kids are grown” or “When I retire” or “When I learn to use a keyboard” or “When I have a place to write.”

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