My 11-year old daughter, the lone Ute fan in a house full of Cougars (yeah, that is JUST her personality). . .
I don't write about my family often on this blog, but this time I think it relates pretty well to the writing/reading world. Plus, the experience I had with my 11-year old daughter last night was a one in a million in my household. Let me preface this by saying, my daughter is a sports fanatic. She plays soccer, softball, basketball, and volleyball--and she can't get enough of it. Last Friday, she told me she threw up at practice. I said, "Are you sick? Do you still feel like you're going to throw up?" She said, "If I tell you, can I still play in tomorrow's game?"
I loved sports too at her age, and imagined myself as the starting quarterback for the Broncos. But I also loved to read. And I read everything. My daughter won't read unless forced. She's what is termed the "reluctant reader."
Recently, I reviewed the new fantasy by J. Scott Savage here. So I was excited to pass on the book to my kids. The only books that my daughter has ever said anything good about is The 13th Reality and the Fablehaven series.
So I was hoping that she'd like Far World. Same genre and target group. Plus I loved the book.
Well, last night she called me on my cell phone (when I had told her only call if you HAVE to, since I was at book group). I answered, thinking she was upset over homework or something. But not so. The conversation follows:
"Mom, who's the author that wrote Far World?"
"J. Scott Savage."
"Don't you know him?"
"Yeah, he's in my critique group."
"You have to call him right now." (Note--she is not shy about her demands)
"Why?"
"Because you have to tell him to hurry and write the sequel."
"Why?"
"Because it's the best book I've ever read. It's sooo flippin good!"
"Okay, I can probably send him a text, but I think he's out of town."
"Do it right now."
"I can't, I'm at book group."
"And you have to tell him that I want to be the FIRST to read the sequel."
"All right." (laughing) "What about Twilight, aren't you reading that?"
"Sort of. It was too boring so I stopped."
"Why was it boring?"
"Because it was all about how Edward was so good looking, over and over. Like how he was so strong and like what his biceps looked like."
"So you liked Far World better?"
"It's the best book I ever read. Call him now."
"Uh, I'll talk to you when I get home."
"Okay. Hurry!"
Disclaimer: before you think I usually hand over romances like Twilight to my 11-year old, I was happy that she even ASKED to read it. All the while doubting she'd get very far. Even a major teenage bestseller would, I knew, be a hard sell on my reluctant reader (who refuses to read past Harry Potter 1 by the way).
12 comments:
That's a classic! Great story. Yay for Farworld!
Tell her she is my new #1 fan and I have put her on the list to pre-read book two and give me feedback! Even if she is a Ute fan.
J. Scott, my daughter will be thrilled--a good surprise for her when she gets home from school ;) I'll have to show her your website too.
Yeah, this sounds familiar. When we finished reading Water Keep, my 11-year old was dying to know when the second book was coming out.
I told her "This book isn't even out yet - it's still pre-release." She was not happy with this news.
High praise indeed!
Don--maybe we should have told our kids that the book was a stand-alone, then surprise them later that it was the first in a series :)
My students are asking the same thing, especially those students who read the manuscript last year. They are really bummed that book 2 isn't going to be out in the next few weeks. Way to go, J. Scott!
Wow, what a huge compliment to J. Scott!
And I rather agree with her Twilight assessment, truth be told. I haven't blogged about it though because I don't want to be lynched.
Do you just feel like the coolest mom to be able to text your child's favorite author? :-) Go J Scott Savage!
this book has earned the same high place on our shelf as Lightening thief. My boys LOVE it! They cannot get enough. I don't have to corral them into reading time, but instead they come home from school, find me, and beg for chapters. It has been an awesome experience. They love the poster hanging in their room and think Jeff is cooler than anyone.
Very cool, Heather. I love it when kids get into a book. I live with my sweetheart and my nephew, neither of them like to read. How did that happen?
p.s. I received my copy of your book today! Thank you so much!
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