Zach Roush
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Stephen McCranie answers some students' questions, a quick Mal and Chad trilogy review, and (drum roll sound effect inserted here) a chance to WIN A SIGNED COPY OF A MAL AND CHAD BOOK!!!

11/20/2013

2 Comments

 
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All pictures used with permission from Stephen McCranie :)
The 1st and 2nd graders enjoyed a great treat this past Friday.  They "Skyped" with the one and only Stephen McCranie! He is the author and illustrator of the three books in the Mal and Chad series.  These are great transition books from picture books to chapter books as they are chapter books BUT they are also graphic novels (aka they have a comic format).  Another reason these books are so great is that students who struggle reading certain words will have visual clues to what the words are.  Therefore, it will acclimate them to new vocabulary words while they are having fun reading with the pictures! 
Should you read this?:  Yes, for reasons above and who doesn't want to read about a genius boy and his sidekick dog creating crazy new inventions with hilarity and craziness that follows?  Also, there are good morals to each story :)
Story Rating:  Four out of Five Robots as it is well written and is a good page turner.
Art Rating:  Four out of Five Paintbrushes.  He does a great job with his expressive illustrations :)
Grade/Age Level:  Grade 1+ (This will also depend on your student's reading level.)
Can I find it in the Primary School Library?  Yes!  Ask Ms. Pantzlaff for one of these great titles in our library OR she is also taking orders until THIS THURSDAY (November 21st) for a discounted price :)  You can see his three great titles below.  
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I had the 1st and 2nd graders write out questions to ask Stephen McCranie.  He was nice enough to answer the top ten questions I received from students here.
1)  What is your favorite color?  I like all the colors, because I use all of them to draw with!
2)  How long does it take you to draw out and write a book? About 8 months! 3 months to write the story, and 6 months to draw it.
3)  How young were you when you made your first book?  I made my first comics when I was only five or six-- before I even knew how to write. I would draw the pictures and then have my mom write in the words. I didn't make a full book though until I was 22 or 23.
4)  What is your favorite food?  Again, I like all foods! I can't think of any kind of food that I particularly don't like. If I had to pick though, I'd say my favorite food is sushi.
5)  Have you gone on any trips?  I've been to and live in Japan three times.
6)  What is your favorite Halloween costume?  My friend dressed up as Sully from Monsters Inc. That was really cool.
7)  What is your favorite kid's book (from when you were a kid) (at the age you are now)?  When I was a kid I loved Garfield. Now that I'm older I like Bone, by Jeff Smith.
8)  How old are you?  26
9)  Do you watch movies to come up with picture/story ideas?  Sometimes-- I study movies to see how they tell good stories.
10)  When did you start writing?  I've been making up and writing stories since I was little.
On to the the PRIZE!!!   Couple of things before you enter the rafflecopter below.  Only one book will be given out at the end of the giveaway.  I did NOT use any art program money to purchase the signed book.  If you are from the Luxemburg-Casco School District you MUST ENTER YOUR GRADE AND TEACHER'S NAME or you will unfortunately be disqualified.  If you are not in the Luxemburg-Casco School District you must enter your email address or you will be disqualified.  Email addresses will only be used to contact the winner and nothing else, no lists, or any forwarded puppy videos :)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Cartoon Self-Portrait
You can check out his mal and chad website at  http://malandchad.com/ or his personal website at http://stephenmccranie.com/
  • Mal and Chad Volumes 1 and 2 are currently being carried by the Scholastic Book Fair
  • Mal and Chad Volume 3 received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, and was named one of the best children’s books of 2012
  • Mal and Chad Volume 3 was named a favorite graphic novel in the humor division by KCR! Comics Awards

2 Comments
Patricia Brand
11/21/2013 03:38:55 am

Mal and Chad The Biggest Bestest Time Ever!

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assignment help online link
3/22/2015 01:42:53 pm

Thank you very much for sharing this post. I am sure many writers will happy to read your little, but meaningful article here. Choosing and deciding are both difficult for me, yet it came to make your own stand dealing with these two words. Yup! God is good all the time, but God also gives the privilege to human to think what is good or bad for them. That’s a free will.

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