A Fan Writes in

I'm a fan of Louis Sachar. In fact, I just finished one of his books a few minutes ago. I think he's a wonderful children's writer -- he's creative, keeps the reader interested, and also writes for all ages.

Here's how I discovered Louis: My mom and I were out shopping at a ladies' clothes store and I was bored. I looked out the window and spotted Toad Hall bookstore and told my mom to meet me there in 10 minutes. That's where I saw the Louis Sachar section. I realized I'd read some of his popular books at school, the Wayside School series. And I also saw There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom, which I had not read. So I bought it -- with my own money, in fact. I read half of it on the way home in the car and couldn't put it down. In just a few days, I'd read eight of his books! I love the way his characters interact and their personalities.

Have you ever heard of a school counselor who doesn't care if the kids break the school rules? Or a teacher -- named Mrs. Gorf! -- who turns misbehaving students into apples? How about a school that wherever you are you hear cows mooing but don't see any cows? They finally had to close that school down. (You'll have to read that book -- Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger -- to see what happens.)

So my advice to you is put down that newspaper or anything else you're reading and get to the Louis Sachar shelf at the library or bookstore.

(P.S. Mr. Sachar: Please keep writing!)

--Eli Black, age eight