Meet Jonathan Auxier

I can still remember when Jeff Kelley visited our third grade class. It was one of the very few nobody had to force me to read. Jonathan Auxier's acclaimed debut novel, Peter Nimble and his Fantastic Eyes is one of those stories I wish I had when I was a kid.  Jonathan is a storyteller. A brilliant storyteller. And from the opening page, you will be immersed in Peter's world.

A few years ago, I was the least confident reading and writing teacher on the planet. It's thanks to authors like Jonathan that not only write outstanding literature, they write about the process they go through between idea and finished book. It's these authors that have made the teacher I am today. And it's these authors that get my students to see themselves as writers and readers.

The Peter Nimble Book Trailer. 
First, watch this trailer. Below, you'll find the link to the ordeal Jonathan went through learning how to create his own trailer using Flash Animation. Then, go back and watch for that 17 piece shadow where Peter crosses the window.

• 5 Reasons I Hate Flash

Peter Nimble: Chapter One

• Visit Peter Nimble's website for some fun extras.

• Read Chapter One

Behind the Scenes: The Creation of The Peter Nimble Cover

• Chad Beckerman, takes you through the process and many drafts of the Peter Nimble cover.

Catch a glimpse of Jonathan's road to publishing his first novel between the time he finished the novel to the time it hit shelves. 

• Often times, the most difficult aspect of revision isn't what you add, it's what you take away
• Good news about the guy who did the chapter illustrations
• Bet you didn't know how much pain a suffering can go into those little chapter illustrations 
• The much anticipated announcement!
• Suddenly, I find myself paying much closer attention to dedications...
• And more dedications
• Jonathan gets his first glimpse at his first book
• Peter hits the shelves

Some Bonus Video Footage

• In this post, Jonathan writes about the power of reading aloud. In the video below you can see the copy of the book he's writing about.

The Power of Classics: Squelch vs. Salvation

• How classics turned Jonathan off to reading
• What to do when you hate a classic
• More on classics in the videos below

Treasure Island

Captain Hook

On Writing

• For the love of a notebook
• Inside Jonathan's Notebook
• What are the important characteristics of a writer?
• Thoughts on writing action
• Narration

Ways to Write

Where Ideas Come From

If you still didn't get enough, here's my story about heading to New York for the Peter Nimble release party. 

I've heard some say that universal access to instant publishing has diluted our ability to access high quality writing. As a teacher, I've found the ease in publishing has enabled me listen more to the true experts. Whether you're a teacher or a student or a parent, I hope that you find these resources helpful. I hope you'll share them with someone. I hope you'll care more about reading and writing than I did when i was in middle school.