![\"JackGantos\"](\"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/JackGantos.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nI was wonderfully lucky and accidentally found a place at the same table with Jack Gantos! <\/p>\n
He\u2019s delightful to talk with in person. I still haven\u2019t read his new book, which is biographical, but we were given a copy and it\u2019s at the top of my pile of books to read next. After we ate, he got up front and gave a presentation to everyone.<\/p>\n
He began with appreciation for librarians (knowing his audience).<\/p>\n
\u201cI love the library because they have to take you in.\u201d<\/p>\n
He has written 20-25 books in the Boston Public Library, but has since switched to the Boston Atheneum, a subscription library. If anyone dares use a cell phone in that library, he comes down!<\/p>\n
The library is the place where everyone comes together. In the library, you are anyone you want to be at any age you ever were.<\/p>\n
He talked about other authors and books. Kevin Henkes is too nice. When Jack Gantos stands next to him, he feels the blackness in his own soul.<\/p>\n
The magic of literacy is that when Frog is sad, Toad is sad, and the reader is sad, too.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re reckless junkies for feelings \u2013 that\u2019s why we read.<\/p>\n
You want the book to move into you like a squatter \u2013 for about 3 days.<\/p>\n
Writing a picture book takes the same energy as writing young adult or middle grade novels.<\/p>\n
He writes from his childhood journals. He went to 10 schools in 12 grades. His friends were the Joey Pigza kids \u2013 they\u2019d worn out everyone else, so they were friendly to the new kid.<\/p>\n
Here are his notes about where he lived in Florida:<\/p>\n