Award-winning young adult author Neal Shusterman was a big hit when he visited Greenwood Middle School last December. This successful author program began eight years ago when the Greenwood Public Library offered to pay for Caroline Cooney to visit GMS in conjunction with a presentation at the public library.  Language Arts teacher Joan Maxfield had heard of a “Read ‘n’ Feed” program surrounding author visits that Owen Valley Middle School had started several years before.  Our principal granted us a professional day to see what the program was like.  We were so impressed that we decided to adopt the same format. 

      The Read ‘n’ Feed concept is that the entire school reads one or more books by the guest author prior to the visit.  The staff decorates a room depicting scenes from the book or books.  Food is served, games are played, and prizes are awarded to game winners.  Our middle school students qualify for the Read ‘n’ Feed room by scoring an 8 or higher on the Accelerated Reader test.  Forty two students per team (we have 6) are randomly drawn and given passes to attend the Read ‘n’ Feed.  In addition, the author gives a presentation to each of the three grade levels.  Because the Read ‘n’ Feed sessions are at different times of the day than the presentations, every student in the building gets to hear the author speak. 

      Authors we have hosted in the past include Willo Davis Roberts, Roland Smith, Ben Mikaelsen, Avi, Carolyn Reeder and Caroline Cooney.  Neal Schusterman was the ninth author to visit Greenwood Middle School.  Paul Zindel was scheduled to come a few years ago, but he had to cancel due to illness.  Each year the program has expanded to include more students, better props for the room, more volunteers, etc.  This year was no exception. 

      The process begins about a year in advance.  Neal Shusterman was contacted last February.  After he agreed to come to Greenwood Middle School and signed the proper paperwork, the staff began reading Shusterman books.  In August, teachers selected ed The Schwa Was Here as the book the entire school would read.  Teachers divided the book into sections and each teacher was responsible for making up quizzes and activities for that section.  The students began reading the book just after fall break, and the room decorating began the Sunday before Thanksgiving. 

      This year’s author visit was our best ever.  The students thoroughly enjoyed the book, as did the staff.  The activities in the room were a hit and Neal Shusterman was the best story teller we’ve ever had!