Author Gordon Korman Visits Todd Elementary School

From Briarcliff Manor School District: Author of 90 books for children and teenagers, Gordon Korman has been a writer since he was very young. Korman visited Todd Elementary School’s fourth- and fifth-grade students in Briarcliff Manor to speak about his long writing career and offer some inspiration for budding writers in Briarcliff.

Korman wrote his first novel as a seventh-grade student, “This Can’t Be Happening at MacDonald Hall,” which was published by Scholastic by the time he reached high school. “You never know where the next idea is going to come from,” he said. “You’re a better writer when you write about what you love.”

For example, Korman noted that his “Swindle” series came out of his love for old films and movie plots that feature exciting action such as robberies, prison breaks and fugitives. He translated this passion to books about boys whose valuable baseball card is swindled away from them.

He also pulls from real life to shape his books. Said Korman, “My teenage son is the inspiration for the main character in ‘Slacker.’” Korman’s next book, “Restart,” will hit bookshelves in May. He gave Todd students a sneak preview and told them the plot involves a bully who falls off his roof and gets total amnesia.

Students participated in a poster-design contest leading up to Korman’s visit. Gordon Beckler, Emilio Abud Chalita and Toby Young were selected by the author as the winners, earning gift certificates to the Village Bookstore in Pleasantville and iTunes. Todd’s author visits are generously supported by the PTA.

Image Courtesy Of Todd Elementary School