Lauren Tarshis left an impression on Haggerty students (grades 2-5) on Wednesday, September 25th. Her highly successful
I Survived series, has been a great series to launch reluctant readers and to provide readers with a first experience reading historical fiction. Ms. Tarshis spoke with students about her research on the Great Molasses Flood of Boston in 1919. She read the first chapter of the book to the older students, detailing how a wall of molasses 30’ high rushed out of the deteriorating tank that was housed in the middle of the North End of Boston. It took months to clean up, and the stench of molasses extended as far as Cambridge.
Students were impressed by the number of books she reads to research historical events - at least 15. She shared her own reading struggles secret with the kids. It was not until 9th grade that she read an entire book independently. She wanted to be an author like her father but didn’t think it possible. She explained that her reading struggles haven’t really disappeared, and she will often read a book more than once to understand it. She wrote a couple of books before her first successful publication - which didn’t happen until she was 40 years old (which the students thought was ancient!). She shared many examples of how perseverance can reward your dreams. If you haven’t had a chance to speak with your child about the visit, please do ask for their impressions.
Thanks to Belmont Books for providing us with this author visit. Thanks to Friends of Haggerty for purchasing a set of books for each classroom.