50 States Against Bullying: MISSOURI

The fifth state on the 50 States Against Bullying campaign was Missouri, which brought me to Festus Senior High School.

Two students spoke before my presentation. Olivia recited sections from Thirteen Reasons Why, doing an amazing job! How amazing? By the time I hopped on the airport shuttle, another student (who, it’s important to note, had not read my book) sent me an email:

I came into school today, thinking “YES! I get out of class today because we have some stupid assembly!” … When Olivia began reading a section of your book, I stopped what I was doing, blocked everyone else out, and started to listen to what she was saying…

Thankfully, the student ended her email with “I am thrilled to read your book…” So I guess it turned out to be a good assembly. (Or, at least, not as stupid as originally thought!)

Then another student, MaryBeth, introduced me. She was the perfect person to do that because she’s the reason I was there! Over the summer, she sent a message to Penguin expressing why she wanted me to stop at her school during the tour. Obviously, what she said was impressive because the person at Penguin organizing my stops called her on the phone, unaware that MaryBeth was not a nominating teacher or librarian. So when school got back in session, MaryBeth went to the principal and told her that she may have happened to sort of kind of booked a speaker for their school. And because the principal is awesome, she said, “Great.” I love students with initiative!

Olivia and MaryBeth

So the first leg of this tour began with the Tigers at my old high school in California, and ended with these Tigers in Missouri.

I then had time to answer several questions from the students, which were intelligent, insightful...and mostly new! Afterward, during the booksigning, I had some of the most heartfelt conversations with students in my 7 years as a published author. As I sit in the airport, I'm still processing all that they told me, and feeling grateful for their openness.

On one hand, you have people who consider Missouri to be in the South. On the other hand are those who call it the Mid-West.

But beginning next week, there's no confusion, the states will clearly be in the South.

50 States Against Bullying: ILLINOIS (Part 2)

Before we began organizing the 50 States Against Bullying campaign, I booked school visits at Fenton High School and Blackhawk Middle School in Bensenville, Illinois. Because I do most of my own booking and am not the most organized person, I forgot to tell my publisher about this visit until they'd booked yesterday's school visit as the Illinois stop. So I got to stay in Illinois an extra day! Which was fine by me because Illinois is my second-home as an author. Outside of my home state of California, this state brings me back more than any other.

The students and faculty of Fenton chose Thirteen Reasons Why as their One Book read for 2014. Thankfully, I didn't have to ask for one of these awesomely designed shirts!

Since I had more time to speak during the assembly at this school, I combined the 50 States presentation with my usual author talk, which went really well and was a lot of fun.

Before speaking at the middle school, which occurred after school hours so community members could attend, I hung out in the Fenton library where classes shuffled in and out for a few hours of Q&A. This gave us a lot of time to really explore the themes in the book and my storytelling decisions. I even got asked a question that stumped me! (But I'm not going to tell you the question, so your're going to have to stump me yourself.)

This school did many art projects around my book. Some students drew self-portraits, which were then hung on a wall so other students could attach positive words via sticky notes. Several 12-sided objects (dodecahedrons!) were individually created, with each panel depicting different elements of the book.

And these triplets created a 3-D model of the city in my book!

I am constantly surprised, overwhelmed, and honored by my readers. Any by the people like Ms. Rodriguez (and the many incredible teachers I met today!) who help organize events like this.

And now, onto Missouri...!

50 States Against Bullying: ILLINOIS

My fourth stop on the 50 States Against Bullying campaign was Illinois. Outside of my home state, I've spoken in this state more than any other. So I'm happy to spend several days here before moving on! First, I spoke at the Illinois Reading Council conference in Springfield. Then I took a train to a bookstore event at Anderson's Bookshop in Downers Grove.

And then I gave two presentations at Lake Park High School, which is so huge it is split into two campuses. First I spoke at the West Campus. When students entered, a slideshow played that showed photos of students holding up encouraging notes.

I spoke on the floor of the gymnasium to around 1,300 students. If I saw a photo like this before I sold Thirteen Reasons Why, it would have freaked me out! Speaking to a gym packed with students? Without barfing or fainting? No way!

photo by Dominic Manola

Not only are these campuses beautiful, but the faculty and students are so creative in how they hope to make their students feel like a family. A new project, which they announced at this assembly, is that they wanted every student to dip a hand in paint and leave their print in a specific hallway. Because it's their school.

This is a wall of #ReasonsWhyYouMatter notecards, with inspiring quotes from students.

Then I spoke at the East Campus to another 1,300 students. Before that presentation, I was presented with a t-shirt from the school's anti-bullying club that reads: "We at Lake Park Stand for the Silent."

Want to know how simple it is for a school to show they're serious about making their campus a safe and positive place to learn? Click here to see just one example of what Lake Park High School has done.

Thank you to Ms. Sutton (East Campus Library) and Ms. Allison (West Campus Library) for pulling all of this together. (You should both ask for a raise. Just sayin'!)

50 States Against Bullying: KANSAS

My third stop on the 50 States Against Bullying campaign took me to Shawnee Mission East High School in Kansas. Due to several flight delays the night before, I didn't get to my hotel until 2:30 a.m., and then had to be at the school by 8 a.m. But this tour is turning into such a positive experience, I woke up ready to go!

(After a couple cups of coffee.)

And even if I did feel tired, I would've been plenty excited once I walked into the library and saw a huge banner where teens have been leaving positive comments for each other.

Over two presentations, I spoke to the entire school.

When each session ended, the students received their #ReasonsWhyYouMatter bracelets. Throughout the rest of the day, it was quite an honor to see people wearing them with pride.

I will admit, two days leading up to the beginning of this tour, I was a nervous, anxious, grumpy mess. When I speak at schools for a regular author visit, I do address serious issues discussed in my books, but I also try to make the presentation fun and funny. With schools bringing me in to focus on the bullying issue more than simply being an author, I became afraid. Yes, I had a lot to say about this issue, but I didn't want students to feel like I was preaching at them. That's definitely not what I would ever aim to do. I wanted to talk with them, sharing the ideas that my readers have shared with me.

Three states in, the conversations I've had with so many students and teachers have been incredibly rewarding. To hear what they got out of my visit, and why they're excited to see this message presented across the country, its...very hard to describe.

By having my publisher organize this, and asking me to travel around and deliver this message, it's one of the biggest honors anyone's asked me to be a part of. I'm just feeling so lucky and grateful right now.

But I can't stay sentimental for long. Not here! Because I refuse to cry on this blog.

So look what they have sitting on a swing in the library! It's...um...a person...wrapped in...plastic wrap? Isn't that...cool?

Yes it is!

And the library bathroom is even cooler. Appropriately, they have a banned books poster right above the toilet. And on the wall above the toilet paper is Darth Paper from Tom Angleberger's Origami Yoda series. Get it? Darth Paper is by the toilet paper!

Seriously, that better have been on purpose!

During lunch, I signed books in the library. After signing one student's book, the awesome librarian, Ms. Knop, told me who the student was. So I asked her to run after Clara Ma to see if she'd come back. As a space nut, I absolutely had to get a picture with the person who came up with the name for the Mars rover, Curiosity!

50 States Against Bullying: TEXAS

My Texas stop on the 50 States Against Bullying campaign was YES Prep East End in Houston. After the taxi dropped me off, I entered through the wrong door and rolled my carry-on bag through a very busy cafeteria.

"Is that him?"

"That's him!"

"It's the author guy."

"Why'd he bring his luggage into the cafeteria?"

When it rippled through the room that I was there, they applauded. Applauded! I felt like a total rockstar! All I had to do was pretend my carry-on was a guitar case and it didn't feel so embarrassing anymore. Although, I suppose a real rockstar wouldn't carry his own guitar case. So I guess I'm just a roadie.

Anyway...

Two students and two mascots greeted me, and the two gentlemen without blue faces gave me a tour of the campus.

In the library, I ate my own yummy lunch while pre-signing some books. There was also a large collection of student-made #ReasonsWhyYouMatter posters that would be posted throughout the school after my visit.

I gave two presentations to very welcoming high school and middle school students, which were followed up by great questions.

This school even shared one of their songs with me! And since the lyrics include a call for rain, I will blast this from loudspeakers when I get back to California.

Thank you, Ms. King, for organizing a very inspiring visit. I hope I inspired your school in some way, too.

50 States Against Bullying: CALIFORNIA

The first stop on my 50 States Against Bullying campaign took me all the way to...my hometown!

San Luis Obispo High School was the perfect kick-off for this cross-country tour. They did so much in advance of my visit, such as making and displaying posters with encouraging messages for students to read as they move from class to class.

Speaking at my alma mater was a more touching experience than I expected. Here is Principal O'Connor introducing me to the first half of the school.

Over two presentation, I spoke to every student in the school.

The book signing that followed included passing out #ReasonsWhyYouMatter bracelets and students filling out encouragement cards.

Thank you, Ms. Sawyer, for helping to organize a successful event that I will never forget.

And, as a very special treat, Ms. Avery introduced me for my second presentation. This amazing woman gave me an eye-opening and influential junior year as my English teacher. The students she continues to teach are very lucky to have her.

50 States Against Bullying: Pre-Tour Thoughts

I didn’t think I was writing about bullying. But after Thirteen Reasons Why was released, I began to hear from students who experienced things similar to what I wrote about. They often referred to it as bullying and said it helped to see their emotions expressed in a novel. I also heard from students who treated others in ways similar to those in the book. They said they would be more conscious of not bullying from now on. And I heard from teachers who used the book to help address the topic of bullying.

So I guess I wrote about bullying. My definition had simply been too narrow.

It also made me realize that I had experienced bullying when I was in school. And sadly, I realized that I sometimes bullied. Does a new understanding of the definition change the past? No. But it helps me understand the past. And the power that comes from a better understanding of ourselves and others is one thing I was trying to discuss within the book.

This October, Thirteen Reasons Why turns seven years old. It has become more successful than I thought possible and has been used in more beautiful ways than I imagined. I receive daily messages from people who are using it to deal with bullying, either personally or as a community. And my publisher has read many similar messages left at thirteenreasonswhy.com.

So, earlier this year, they asked if I wanted to take this anti-bullying message into schools personally with a 50-state tour. And I said, “Um…”

One thing that terrifies me as an author is coming across as preachy. When I wrote the book, I was afraid people would find it too sad or too serious or too message-oriented, so I focused on making it suspenseful. I wanted readers to have a hard time putting it down even when it got sad and serious and the message was right in front. When I began speaking at schools, I used humor as a way to avoid sounding preachy even when discussing the serious topics in Thirteen Reasons Why.

My publisher now wanted me to tour the country and speak at schools, not merely as an author of a book, but as someone discussing an issue because of that book.

After initially saying, “Um…,” I said, “Yes.”

If a school wanted to bring me in to help their discussion about bullying, an issue that has become important to me, I couldn't say no. And schools jumped at the chance to use this as a way to further those discussions. On average, for every school I visit on this 50-state tour, there are 13 more schools who nominated themselves as a tour stop (yes, of course it was 13!). While I would still love to hide behind my book and have it do the talking, there are certain things only an author can say.

I have been bullied, and I have bullied. Like everyone, I have learned, and I am learning. As communities try to discuss and have a better understanding of the complexities of bullying, it is one of the greatest honors of my life to be a part of that.

On October 1^st, for my first tour stop, I will speak at my old high school in California. That afternoon, I will fly to Texas. From there, and throughout the school year, I will speak at a school in every state. You can follow along and be a part of the discussion at 50statesagainstbullying.com and help spread hope using #REASONSWHYYOUMATTER.

Hello, Ralphie!

Thanks to the mockumentary Spinal Tap, a good percentage of concerts and presentations in the Cleveland area probably begin with, "Hello, Cl*veland!" I didn't do that when I spoke there because I'm sure it gets old and I like to be at least somewhat original. And yes, I even censored myself two sentences ago so it didn't happen on this blogpost. (But I almost did it here. And I did do it here. Sorry.)

Last weekend, I spoke at the public library in Parma, Ohio as the YA author prize for teens in their summer reading program. You heard that right. I was a prize! But the teens didn't get just one author because they read so many books during the summer, they got three. My introduction was given by local authors, and hilarious co-writing sisters, Lisa and Laura Roecker.

Here are most of the readers who showed up for my event. Many brought their own books to get signed, but each were also given a free copy of both Thirteen Reasons Why and The Future of Us. So there will be a lot of people getting signed books for the holidays this year!

The last time I was in the area, my host drove me to the house used as Ralphie's home in A Christmas Story, which has been converted into a museum. Unfortunately, the place was closed by the time we arrived.

But not this time!

I absolutely love the story behind the current use of this house. The owner bought it on eBay, renovated it to recreate its cinematic appearance (inside and out), and has formed a non-profit to help revitalize the surrounding neighborhood. All because of his love of a movie!

If you could, which movie house would you love to buy and turn into a museum? I'll put my answer in the comments section.

How did the owner get enough money to buy the house and turn it into a museum? By selling versions of the leg lamp from the movie! Yes, the dude is awesome.

Across the street, two other houses have been converted into a museum and a gift shop. The museum displays props from the movie. The gift shop features memorabilia from A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation, and Elf. I bought a Christmas Vacation t-shirt (I watch that movie every year!) and a documentary called Road Trip for Ralphie about two movie nuts hunting down every filming location for A Christmas Story. They're total dorks and I totally want to go on a road trip with them!

Visitors to the museum can place a pin on either their hometown on a map of the United States or on the flag representing their country.

Crazy, right?

That map reminded me that on October 1st I will begin my own trip across the country on the 50 States Against Bullying tour. But before that begins, I hopped on a plane and returned home.

Hello, San Luis Obispo!

Highland PEANUTS

Two weekends ago, I went down to the Los Angeles area for my grandmother's memorial service. But through sad times like this can come beautiful memories and family re-connections, and I think that would make Grandma Asher happy.

Every couple of years during trips to the L.A. area, I like to take time and revisit important locations from my childhood in Arcadia, which is where my family lived until I was almost 13 years old. A good chunk of those memories came from my elementary school, Highland Oaks.

Walking across the fields and past the classrooms twists my heart and warms my soul in so many fun, painful, and interesting ways. To compare how I viewed life then and now, and how I viewed myself then and now, is probably a healthy exercise for a writer. Or maybe not! Either way, I do it.

And even if I don't look the same as back then, the oak tree in the middle of the "older kid" playground does!

I drove by my old home, as well, which also looks much the same. In that bay window, I spent many sunny and rainy days reading in a comfy chair, facing the San Gabriel Mountains, and the round porthole-like window was at one end of my bedroom. My mom recently told me that when we lived there, a previous owner stopped by to walk through the place to have his own nostalgia trip. I'm trying to gain the guts to do that myself.

Last weekend, I went the other direction in California to Santa Rosa for my sister-in-law's engagement party. I knew I would also be making my second visit to the Charles M. Schulz Museum. If you've seen me speak about my journey as a writer, or have known me for some time, you know Mr. Schulz was a huge influence on me creatively. One of my most shared blog posts begins with a Peanuts strip, and if I ever get a tattoo there will be a recognizable Peanuts element to it (something else I need to gain the guts to do).

On this second visit to the museum, I was even more excited than the first time (and I could feel my inner Highland Oaksian absolutely freaking out!). This time, I was going to meet Jean Schulz, the widow of Charles Schulz. How did that awesomeness come about? This summer, I ran into Mo Willems at the American Library Association conference. During our conversation with a few other authors, I apparently let it be known what a huge Blockhead (major Peanuts fan) I am. It turns out that he's a friend of Ms. Schulz, and said the next time I went to the museum, he'll see if he can arrange a meeting. Shortly after, I learned a trip to Santa Rosa was going to happen. So I contacted him through our mutual publisher, Penguin, and...

...here I am with Ms. Schulz (or Jeannie, as I now call her!!!).

She was way above the sweetness I'd hoped for, and was so generous with her time. She shared personal thoughts about some of the strips currently on display, and showed me design elements of the museum that were her ideas. She even signed a copy of Happiness is a Warm Puppy, the first Peanuts book, to my son and me.

I also spent a few hours on my own in the museum. They have documentaries and cartoons you can watch, a recreation of the artist's studio (using the actual items and furniture he worked on and near), and memorabilia from his life.  The pull for many fans is seeing the actual strips he drew, which are much larger than what appear in newspapers. These strips rotate several times a year, so repeat visits are necessary. And it is a real treat to see his ink lines up close.

Just like Charlie Brown's dad in the strip, Mr. Schulz's dad owned a barbershop, which I've been fortunate enough to visit (actually, it's a bar now, but the bar recognizes its historical significance!). Apparently, just like me, Mr. Schulz liked to revisit places from his childhood. On a trip back to Minnesota in the 90s, he saw that his father's barber pole was still posted outside the building even though there was no longer a barbershop there. So he brought it back to California.

So maybe one day I'll move the oak tree from Highland Oaks and replant it in my backyard!

But I'm sure there's a slightly better chance I'll get a tattoo before that ever happens.