Alan Silberberg

I am a 5th grade teacher on Long Island. My lunchtime book club just read and met to discuss Alan Silberberg's POND SCUM. The book was a big hit with all the kids, who greatly enjoyed the plot and the characters. The other teachers and I also enjoyed the book, and the discussions that it lead to. We would definitely recommend it to other teachers from gardes four and up as a read aloud, book club book, or class novel. All of us, students and teachers alike, are eagerly awaiting a sequel!!!

Jon Tater, 5th Grade Teacher, Commack, NY

* * * * *

My 6th grade students absolutely loved POND SCUM! I do an extensive ecology unit each fall and wanted a book that brought in some ecological themes. I was able to meet my original plan, but ended up egaging my students in much more in-depth, real-world conversations than I had ever imagined. Topics of how hard it can be to make friends, standing up for what you know is right even when it's scary, having parents that are divorced, and bullying were just some of the great conversations I had with the kids.

I highly recommend this book, even if you don't treach science. Thanks, Alan for providing me the chance to connect with my sixth graders!

Lori LaCombe, 6th Grade Teacher, Old Town, ME

* * * * *

Awesome!!! is just one word that would describe his visit to Copeland. The students as well as the teachers were singing his praises all day. He visited with all of the 4th graders and 5th graders and kept them captivated the whole time. He began his presentation with an eye-opening drawing about imagination, then proceeded to tell the students about when he experienced his first writing memory. He kept the crowds amused and entertained while bringing across the elements of writing. Mr. Silberberg used no less than 5 different formats in delivering his messages from reading excerpts from his book, drawing cartoons, interactive activities with the students, using his website to preview his next book and much more.

You're in for a real treat!!!! And he is so user-friendly!!!!

Betty Schuetz, Media Specialist Copeland Elementary, Houston,TX

* * * * *

POND SCUM was one of my favorite books this year. I help run a blog that recommends books for boys and was looking through a website that features children's authors. There was a pictur eof Alan in sunglasses and grinning. "This looks like a guy who would write a good boy book," I thought to myself. So I found a copy and thoroughly enjoyed it. Alan wrote an exciting story with vivid characters and settings. I especially liked the different perspectives from the animal and human worlds - and the clashes when the two collided!

Your boys (and girls) will like it too.

Carl Schwanke, Librarian and BOYS RULE - BOYS READ blogger,

Spangler Children's Library, Charlotte, NC

* * * * *

What an adventurous ride! Throughout your entire POND SCUM journey, from the FIRST chapter on.....it gets more and more exciting and you never know what will happen next, or who will turn into what! You will fall in love with some characters and really get to experience the animal/insect world up close and personal. This fabulous book is a "non-stop" read and your students will BEG for more! It is a whirlwind of a journey with the opportunity to experience emotions and feelings never before experienced during your Read-A-Loud time!"

Mrs. Whitney DeSantis, 4th Grade Teacher, Temecula, CA

* * * * *

After recess each day I read to my 3rd Graders for about 15 minutes, giving them a chance to calm down and get refocused for the afternoon, as well as enjoying some great books. This year one of the books we choose to read was POND SCUM. The class loved it!

This is a story like no other story I have ever read to my class, and each day I could see the story playing out in each of their minds. Now we just wish somebody would turn this awesome story into a great movie too!

One of the best parts was the correspondence we had after finishing Pond Scum with the author, Alan Silberberg. We sent him an email telling him how much we enjoyed his story and asked him a few questions. The class was very excited to get a three-page letter in response to our message from Alan! I have 24 Pond Scum and Alan Silberberg fans in my class after our experience with his fun book this year!

Matt Ryan, 3rd Grade Teacher, Wanamingo, Minnesota

* * * * *

It is not often that students are treated to a presenter like Alan Silberberg! From the moment he starts his presentation he captures his audience using drawings, animated cartoons, funny stories, and audience participation. No one is left out when Alan is around! But Alan's workshops are really a subterfuge for what he is actually doing, which is teaching the students how to tap into their own inner creativity. Even better he is teaching them is how to become writers! Watching Alan working with students is like watching magic happen! I can't wait for his second book, so I will have an excuse to have him back again!

Susan Redmond, Librarian, Vancouver, British Columbia