Dear Ms. Hamilton,

My class has just finished reading The House of Dies Drear. Each of them was given the opportunity to comment on your book or to ask questions. Following is a list of some of the best or more often asked questions:

I liked the mystery story of Dies Drear a lot because of the suspense. I would like to learn more about the triangles and how to use them. -- Sarah H.

I really like the part of the story in which Mr. Pluto and Mayhew were acting. I would still like to know more about how to use the triangle and the way to read it. -- Chris W.

I loved the way that you used the triangles. Did you come up with that idea on your own or was it really used? I really want to get the next book! I wonder if they will find more treasure. -- Courtney M.

I liked the book because of the suspense and the exciting ending of the chapters. The only thing that I didn't like was that I have to read the next book to find out what is in the chest! I am looking forward to reading it anyway! -- Mike K.

I liked the end of the book where Mayhew, Pesty, Thomas, Mr. Small and Pluto played the trick on the Darrows. I would have liked to see more of Great-Grandma Jeffers throughout the story. -- Brian G.

I loved it when Thomas, Pesty, Mr. Small and Mayhew scared the living daylights out of the three Darrows. I didn't like it when you didn't tell us what is in the trunk at the end of the story. -- Eric K.

The thing that I liked best about your book was the mystery and the suspense. You never know what is going to happen next. -- Ben M.

I really liked it when Thomas was crying for his daddy when he was in the secret tunnel under the stairs. I was not happy that there were no ghosts and that Mr. Pluto was not really the devil. -- Furu A.

Thank you for writing a book that was so easy to use with my class. They were very interested and couldn't wait to see what would happen next. I also like the historical references. We learned a lot about slavery and the Underground Railroad as we read the book. I could not find enough copies of the second book for the class to read so I am reading it to them. They remain as interested and excited about it as they were with the first. Keep writing, we enjoy your work!

Mrs. Ramona Chiles
Williams Science and Fine Arts Magnet
Topeka, Kansas

Subj: Fan Letter
Date: 96-11-07 12:52:30 EST
To: bodeep@aol.com

Dear Virginia,

First of all I would like to introduce myself. My name is Katherine Montoya. I am in fifth grade and have 10 years of age. I would like to congratulate you on your wonderful books and your Internet homepage. I think it is a very good idea. Because of this homepage, I want to know more about you and start reading your books. I also think it pretty cool that your faithful readers and your non-readers can be able to write to you!! I think all you are doing is great and I encourage you to continue!!!

Your now faithful reader,
Katherine Montoya

Subj: Fan Letter
Date: 96-11-18 9:43:16 EST
To: bodeep@aol.com

Dear Virginia,

Thank you for answering my letter. Thank you for even thinking my letter was one someone else would like to read. By the way I will give you permission to post my letter. Oh, my name is Katherine with an e at the end. I guess you just made a typing error. I think it would be nice to put pictures of your South African trip on your Web Page.

Your Fan,
Katherine Montoya

Subj: thank you
Date: 96-11-18 14:45:20 EST
To: bodeep@aol.com

My student, Katherine Montoya, wrote you last week. You responded quickly, and she received it today. That was our first "fan letter", I might add! The class got so very excited about it that this was the perfect opportunity to promote your books. I pulled out a Scholastic author interview tape, the photo of me with you (at the 1994 Teachers of English convention here in Orlando), and copies of several of your books. To make a long story short, by the end of the author interview tape we had a "feeding frenzy" going on for checking out your books (from my classroom library of 2000+ books). The principal entered in the midst of this, and I think he approved of that much excitement over books, since reading is the most important thing we are doing right now!! Thank you so much for taking the time to respond, let alone so quickly!

Maggie Truelove
5th grade teacher
Meadow Woods Elementary School
Orlando, FL

Date: 96-11-18 20:52:17 EST
From: Bodeep

Dear Maggie Truelove,

What a great story and a wonderful learning process for your students! Great teaching on your part, full of enthusiasm. I like that! I'm only sorry I misspelled Katherine Montoya's name. I was in a hurry answering a lot of mail in a short time and made several errors in my letter to her. I'm about to update my home page and would like to add your letter, as well, about the Hamilton "feeding frenzy."

If you'll give me permission to do so, I'd be glad to. We're sending copies of your, mine and Katherine's letter on to Scholastic Media people to give them a great example of how teachers students and authors communicate. Do let me know if I have permission.

Best to you and your students. Keep up the good work!

Sincerely
Virginia Hamilton

Subj: Re: thank you and yet again
Date: 96-11-19 08:46:01 EST
To: bodeep@aol.com

Dear Ms Hamilton,

Katherine did understand that you made a 'typo". I have made such a big deal about proofreading what they write, that this ended up being an example of how adults should proofread, too! I hope you don't mind.

You may, of course, use my letter if you would like. I am honored! You are one of my own favorite four children's writers. ( You are in good company there, with Katherine Paterson, Walter Dean Myers, and Gary Paulsen.) I felt fortunate that all four of you, among many others, were at that convention I mentioned, and I was able to have pictures taken with all four of you!! I have found that those photos, of author with teacher, add a tremendous personal touch for the children. As for the interview tapes: I wish the book clubs would again carry them. They seem to have dropped them totally. That is a pity, especially for the new young teachers who never had the opportunity to acquire them. (you might want to pass that along to Scholastic Media, also.)

A most sincere fan,
Maggie Truelove

Third grade students at Princeton Day School, Princeton, N.J., were "very taken" by "The People Could Fly" story from my book of that title. So they made these flying collages "symbolizing the yearning of people" to be free.

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