PHOTO BY JENNIFER COLTON
Strange and mysterious things may happen to the characters in Patrick Carman’s books, but the reception the author received in Umatilla came as no surprise.
Clara Brownell Middle School students peppered the author with questions and comments throughout his visit to Umatilla on Thursday, and a trail of students followed wherever he went.
“He’s an amazing guy,” seventh grader Alexander Gutierrez said. “This is an amazing opportunity.”
Carman is one of 16 writers participating in “A Cavalcade of Authors” this year. The Tri-Cities event connects young adult authors with middle and high school students in writing workshops, question-and-answer sessions and discussions.
Umatilla has been the only Oregon school district to participate in the event, which draws thousands of students annually. Each year, Umatilla works to bring one of the participating authors across the Columbia for a visit with the entire student body.
Carman, of Walla Walla, has written more than 25 books, including student favorites “Skeleton Creek,” “Dark Eden” and “Pulse.” His books often mix modern technology, such as mobile applications and websites, in with the traditional novel formats.
The blended approach is a big hit for some students, including Gutierrez, who pointed to Skeleton Creek as one of his favorite books. The conspiracy-theory website www.skeletoncreekisreal.com proceeded the release of the book based on Sumpter, Ore., and continues to post blog posts, videos, and updates.
“I really like how he mixes it up and has videos on his website,” Gutierrez said. “It makes it really interesting how he made it connect really well to this generation.”
Carman said he loves technology and writing, so working with both seemed like a good fit – although he was nervous because the approach is still relatively untested.
While all Clara Brownell Middle School students attended an assembly with Carman, a select group of students also met with the author face-to-face at Freestyle Pizza. Each of the students at the lunch read at least one of Carman’s books and qualified to attend Cavalcade of Authors.
Carman visits a number of schools each year and will speak at four sessions during Cavalcade of Authors today. Carman said he feels a responsibility to motivate and encourage students.
“I was a little slow to writing, and I think it was a mistake,” he said Thursday. “Writing is more important than ever, and I think it’s my job to share that.”
While Carman’s school-wide assembly focused on the inspirational, the author let the lunch take whatever direction the students desired: from his rental car to his degree in economics. One of the students’ most asked questions, however, stuck with the literary theme: What inspired you to become a writer.
“I love video games – I’m not that good at them, the games coming out now are too hard – but the thing is, I love to tell stories, but I also love consuming stories. I don’t care if it’s reading or watching TV or playing video games. It’s all about the story. Even when I was you guys’ age, I was always coming up with stories,” he said.
On Thursday, many of the students had books autographed by the author, and Carman made an attempt to talk with each one-on-one.
“He’s really cool,” eighth grader Maria Moreno said, adding she’s read four of the author’s books. “This is great.”
Seventh grader Kayce Admire agreed.
“Meeting him is amazing,” Admire said, beaming. “It’s something that a lot of people don’t get to do.”
Forty Clara Brownell students will travel to Tri-Cities to attend Cavalcade of Authors today. To qualify, students had to read at least four books by participating authors and turn in their paperwork on time. For the students who participate, and those who benefit from the school author visit, Cavalcade of Authors can be an eye-opening opportunity.
“I think it’s awesome,” Gutierrez said. “I don’t know if a lot of schools get authors to come to the school like this. They don’t get opportunities like this.”
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