That's the craft of Torrey Maldonado, and yesterday we did another HANDS Along the Sound with the writer in Stratford, Connecticut, and the amazing Dr. Chandra Maxwell. She initiated the return and brought us to a new buildings....same brilliance of the district's kids.
Torrey fused together his writerly craft, his personal story, the magic of the moment (another book birthday yesterday, JUST RIGHT, and the full circle narrative that simply inspires kids. We did two rounds...one with 7th and another with 8th, and the kids were eating every word he threw at them. The 7th graders were quieter, but I've never seen a crew so in awe of a presentation before. The 8th graders were a little more interactive, but when the presentation ended, they charged the stage to meet him.
Torrey autographed every single book. The teachers (and the kids) all reported it was, hands down, the best assembly they ever attended. We were equally impressed when they offered us a full-spread brunch after his 1 hour presentation turned into two. The experience was beyond anything I could put into writer. Let's just say, a soul touched middle-grade souls...both the educators and the learners.
I went to campus afterward and taught a graduate course, still inspired by the day activities. The class went exceptionally well, and I came home to know that THE WRITE TIME with Torrey Maldonado and Tracey Flores was out.
Today, however, is Wednesday. I need to take a moment and think about the last 365 days without any time off and wonder, "How will you heal, guy? How will you heal?"
