by Moe Zilla

Created on: April 25, 2010

"A real author was coming to Riverside Elementary School," but it could be any school. Author Louise Borden lists out dozens of schools on the book's inside cover that she's visited in real life, and she also thanks "all those other schools" that aren't included in the list. She dedicates the book to "all the wonderful students and teachers along the way," suggesting her story draws on that experience. And that realism is important, because she's trying to teach a lesson: that books have real people behind them, and that students can grow up to be writers too!

A third-grade boy named Eddie is excited about the author's visit, and so is his teacher, who says her students have their own stories to tell. "We are all authors with important stories inside us," Mrs. Morrow insists, as Eddie chews thoughtfully on the end of his pencil. In every book by the author, Eddie finds something that seems meant especially for him. Mrs. Morrow tells him to ask the author how she does it, and Eddie writes the question down on a bright yellow piece of paper.

I like how the book builds the excitement around the author's visit - while still keeping the story focused on the third-grade student. For two weeks the whole elementary school busily prepared for the author's visit, making posters and poems, murals and book jackets. Even Arthur, the custodian catches the excitement, and Mr. Chickerella, the new principal. Eddie is proud of his school's efforts, and the students all have lots of questions as the day of the visit approaches.

Eddie watches the clock ticking, and re-reads his question over again to himself. Soon the whole second grade - and third grade - are called down to the assembly. Eddie spots the author, and is surprised she looks doesn't look different than everyone else. "This author just looked like a teacher or a mom."

Louise Borden makes the story feel real by supplying lots of little details about Eddie. (He chews on his pencil, and folds the yellow paper with his question to carry in his pocket.) And there's extra charm in the realism of the book's watercolors by Adam Gustavson. He makes the red bricks of the school building look familiar, and draws realistically nervous expressions of the school's students.

It feels poignant when, at the end of the assembly, Eddie hasn't gotten to ask his question after all. He sits dejectedly, and unfolds the paper that he'd carried in his pocket. It's "His important question on the most exciting day of the school year," and he re-folds it slowly - when he feels a hand on his shoulder. "I saw your hand up in the assembly, waving a yellow paper," says the author.

"I knew you had an important question to ask...."

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