From a press release:
Chris Crutcher doesn't back down from writing about real life.
As the author of ten novels for teens, a therapist and child protection advocate, Crutcher tackles subjects such as child abuse, depression, censorship and racism.
Teton County Library hosts a free evening program "Turning Real Life into Fiction" with acclaimed author Chris Crutcher on Thursday, November 20 from 7-8 p.m. in the library's Ordway Auditorium. Crutcher will talk about how he turns real life material into compelling, award-winning stories. As an author who has said, "the real creativity in writing comes from the
rewriting process," Crutcher will reveal his writing strategies and answer audience questions. The talk will be followed by a book signing, with booksavailable for purchase from Valley Bookstore.
The library also invites teens to view Crutcher's work on the screen with the Teen Movie Matinee: "Angus," based on the short story "Angus Bethune," on Monday, November 10 from 3:30-5 p.m. in the Ordway Auditorium. The movie is rated PG-13 and suggested for teens age 13 and older. Both events are free and open to the public and sponsored by the Charles Englehard Foundation and through the general support of Teton County Library Foundation.
Crutcher will spend several days in the valley, visiting with students in grades 9-12 at Red Top Meadows, Summit High School and Jackson Hole High School. Many students at these schools are reading Crutcher's work in preparation for his visit. A child-parent book group led by Lynne Wegner will also read titles such as Staying Fat for Sarah Burns and meet with Crutcher while he is in town.
The library's Teen Program Coordinator, Allie Gillen, says that teens, parents and teachers are excited for Crutcher's visit. The library brought the author to the valley in 2002 to rave reviews, and Crutcher's return visit is in direct response to community requests.
In keeping with his popularity, Crutcher's most recent book Deadline is on the short-list of nominees for Wyoming's Soaring Eagle Award for 2008-09. Most notably, recipients of this award (to be given in 2009) are nominated and chosen by students in grades 7-12.
Crutcher's subject matter has also keep him high on another list, the American Library Association's top 10 most frequently challenged authors for 2007. This means that Crutcher's titles received numerous challenges asking libraries to remove Crutcher's books from library shelves. Mark Twain, Phillip Pullman and Toni Morrison are also in the top 10, and the entire
list can be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/3khdpr.
