Great News and An Awesome Night

First, let me share some good news of my own. (Not quite as cool as Rob's, but hey whose is?)

Although I haven't talked about it much, there was a chance the last three books of the Farworld series might not get published due to the economy. But thanks to Chris, Lisa, and others at Shadow Mountain, the series is a go again.

I can't tell you how excited I am to know that Farworld will live to see the end of the series. One of the biggest reasons I didn't say anything was because one way or another I was determined to see the series completed. But all along I hoped that Shadow Mountain might bring it back, so I could keep the look of the books the same.

If you are a Farworld fan, please take a second and e-mail Heidi Taylor, Chris's assistant at Shadow Mountain to tell them thanks!!!! htaylor@deseretbook.com

Second, I am long overdue in thanking my friends in Eureka for one of the best nights of my life. Late last year, Eureka Elementary invited me to come to their school for an assembly and book night. They bought books for almost every student between the grades of 3rd through 6th.

The day of the assembly, I had an awesome time talking to the students about reading, writing, and finding their magic. That night I showed up a the school expecting a normal book club and literacy type meeting. What I found blew me away! I showed up to discover the front of the school had been turned in the Westland Woods. Inside I found Master Therapass and Bonesplinter waiting for me. That was amazing enough. But when we got done, the curtains were pulled back to reveal projects ranging from Farworld posters, to Farworld dioramas, to full animations of Marcus and Kyja. Even a Water Keep made completely out of jello and a 12 inch high Burger Barn complete down to the tiniest details. I was literally brought to tears. Here are some pictures.

Eureka Elementary has magically been transformed
into the Westland Woods.

These are the sons of Olden in the Westland Woods.

Here I am with some of my good friends, flanked by
Master Therapass and Bonesplinter (complete with scar!)

Look out Brandon Dorman, these kids make some amazing
book covers.

Screech encases Kyja in ice in the
Cavern of the Unmakers

As if it isn't cool enough to get a map in your book,
here's a 3-D Farworld map!

One of my good friends with her awesome
Farworld diorama.

Marcus and Kyja trapped
by the Unmakers

Lousy picture taking on my part, but
here is another friend with her diorama.
Recognize that blue head?

The staircase in Marcus's school where it all begins.
Complete with his mangled wheelchair at the bottom!

Don't you wish you had a Power Point of your book? :)

This is an actual animation of Screech
being tricked into exploding Kyja's ice chamber. Cool huh?

Water Keep in Jell-O! Who knew?

Some of my younger friends with their great drawings.

A way cool Water Keep poster.

My good friend, Curtis , with his hand-made
Burger Barn.

Is that not the coolest thing ever!!

I swear half the town of Eureka was there. It was amazing. And then Curtis gave me his Burger Barn. It now sits right above me when I write my books.

Thanks, Eureka, you totally rock! And, Curtis, I have something special to send you as soon as I get it.