Hi everyone! I know that I have been almost obsessed with the topic of banning books since Chris Crutcher came, but I heard about this site from the librarian who commented on one of my posts and I thought it was worth sharing. This website contains a link to a list of banned books, and readers are challenged to sign up and read as many banned books as they can! Seems like an interesting and worthwhile challenge!
http://pelhamlibrary.blogspot.com/2008/01/banned-book-challenge.html
Stacia
Hey everyone! I hope you’re all having fun over break.. I cannot say that I’ve done anything more exciting than going to wal-mart and wing night (all in one day!), as I live in the middle of nowhere. Anyway, my unfortunate location is very conducive to reading 
I have been reading Crutcher’s book, Chinese Handcuffs, and I do not want to finish it, because It’s just so enjoyable. Does anybody else get that feeling when they’re reading a great book, that it’s so good that you almost don’t want to read it in fear of nearing the end? Whenever I finish a book, I feel sort of empty, like Now what? When Chris Crutcher spoke, I believe someone asked what happened to his characters, and he answered that that was for our imaginations to determine. So, as I move toward the conclusion of Chinese Handcuffs, I’m looking forward to imagining the characters’ lives after the novel. I am also, (probably even more) looking forward to a trip to the bookstore to pick myself up several more novels for the rest of the semester!
ANYWAY, I would highly recommend this novel to everybody. This novel deals with some serious issues, and does it perfectly, I think. If anybody is reading, or does read, this book please let me know so we can talk about it!
Krystina
What a wonderful opporunity we were given to have the chance to meet and talk to Chris Crutcher. I had no idea he was so personable and humorous! While listening to him speak, something he said really had an impact on me: “Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do it.” This quotation was in his advice to future writers, but I expanded the advice into anything and everything we want to do.
When I went to St. Josphep’s College for two years and was a speech pathology major, my advisor constantly reminded me of my not so great grades. She even went as far as to tell me that I should change my major because I was not going to succeed as a speech pathologist. Talk about bashing someone’s self esteem. Although I am above and beyond happy that I changed my major to English (which had nothing to do with my advisor), Crutcher’s advice really impacted me. He motivated me to never give up and to keep working as hard as I can to be successful.
I had a wonderful time at Cortland H.S. and was really excited about getting his autograph because it’s the first I’ve ever received. Was anyone able to attend the panel afterward? I was sick and just got over having strep throat (great way to start vacation) so I am interested to hear about what Chris Crutcher talked about there.
See everyone soon.
Kristin
Today was just amazing. Meeting an author the stature of Crutcher was incredible. I don’t want to recount the entire day because we were all with the ink peppers and most of us made it to the evening part as well, so instead I will just mention some of my favorite moments.
Listening to the ink peppers pepper Crutcher with questions was very interesting. I loved how blunt and honest he was with them. Finding out that the story of Sarah Byrnes actually happened was chilling. Him describing his “what if” mindset of writing fiction also fascinated me. Having him sign my book was a great moment as well.
The second portion of the day had a much more professional feel, yet I loved how Crutcher still stayed the same. He really brings a great type of energy to the room and he clearly understands the importance of reading and the power that books have over people. I am looking forward to reading more of his work and cannot wait to brag to people that I met Chris Crutcher and got to spend almost three hours with him.
Doug
So I wrote a whole thing before, and lost it. Let’s try this again:
Today was an extremely long day but definitely worth it and something I will remember forever (sorry if that sounds corny)
I think that the meeting with the Peppers went great. I think that they really enjoyed having Chris Crutcher there. It was great for them to hear what kind of student he was in high school. I feel that many of the Peppers were able to relate to this and felt a connection with Crutcher. They also probably felt that since they are like him, they can be successful writers as well. I found Chris Crutcher extremely personable and very funny. I was engaged with his stories and bought two of his books so I can learn more about him!
The meeting in Corey was different but also very enlightening. The questions were thought-provoking, and I loved the one pertaining to the postive role models in the books. I also enjoyed his stories in this meeting, especially the one with the McDonalds fries. The panel was fabulous, and I know many of us wrote down the books that they discussed. It was inspiring to me when Crutcher said that teachers have the power to stop the banning of books. By reading YA literature, we can gain an understanding of literature and fight for it. I thought it was extremely courageous of the women of the panel for fighting for what they believed in. Overall, I found Chris Crutcher amazing and can’t wait to start his books!
Alexis
Hope everyone has a great break! I’m going to miss our little family 
