Author David Lubar speaks at North Country School

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LAKE PLACID - Children's and young adult author David Lubar visited North Country School and Lake Placid Middle/Senior High School last week. The author of "Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie" and "Hidden Talents," Lubar also has published several series of short stories, including "Invasion of the Road Weenies" and "In the Land of the Lawn Weenies."

"We are fortunate to have David Lubar come to Lake Placid," said Alison Follos, the NCS librarian who arranged the visit. "Our students were thrilled by his presentation. Many of them had read several of his books and were excited about his visit. His novels appeal to the elementary and middle school audience-especially to kids who enjoy the fright of a scary cautionary tale."

At North Country School, the author met with small groups of students throughout the morning, talking about his craft and taking questions from the fourth- through eighth-graders. He also conducted a writer's workshop with ninth graders, leading them through a variety of exercises to help bring their prose alive, for instance, by using sensory detail from all five senses.

Throughout his sessions, he engaged students with an informal speaking style laced with humor and entertaining anecdotes. "Whether you want to write a poem, a story, or a ransom note," he joked to appreciative laughter, "you have to have an idea." He followed up with half a dozen practical suggestions, from starting with a simple fact that someone can use to solve a problem, to writing the ending of the story first, or coming up with a memorable opening line like: "It was not my fault that Dad cut his hand off."

At Lake Placid Middle High School, he presented at two assemblies, offering similar encouragement and advice. Sara Kelly Johns, the librarian and media specialist there, observed that "his self-deprecating humor, enjoyment of the students, and expertise made writing seem desirable, possible-and even fun. His best session was the 'Eat with an Author' lunch, where between bites of tacos, he answered questions from students non-stop until the bell rang."

Those who organized Lubar's visit to NCS, said part of Lubar's appeal with the NCS and Lake Placid students, as well as with his fans, is his respect for the intelligence of his young audience.

"I trust my readers and don't talk down to them," he said at NCS. "I find that people will rise to your expectations for them, and I've never been disappointed."