Nutmeg Children's Book Award - 2005

The School Story
by Andrew Clements

CHARACTERS
Natalie Nelson - student, author, daughter of Hannah Nelson
Hannah Nelson - Natalie's mother and Children's editor at Shipley Junior Books
Fred Nelson - uncle of Natalie
Bill Nelson - (deceased) father of Natalie and former CEO of his own ad agency
Zoe Reisman - schoolmate and friend of Natalie and self proclaimed literary
agent
Mr. Robert Reisman - attorney and Zoe's father
Ms Laura Clayton - teacher and School Advisor at Deary School
Leatha Springfield - editor and chief at Shipley Books

PLOT
How can you get your best friend's book published when you are both only 12
years old?

Zoe really wants to help Natalie promote her book. Natalie's mother is a
children's book editor but Natalie does not want any favors. But wait -
what about a pen name so Shipley Publishing has no idea who really wrote
the manuscript? Can Zoe, the self proclaimed literary agent, pull off this
feat with a little help from some key adults?

BOOK DISCUSSION TOPICS
1. How have the families of Natalie and Zoe contributed to their
zest for literary and academic achievement?
2. What are some of the things Zoe does to encourage and promote
Natalie's novel?
3. What is the importance of School Story taking place in New York
City?
4. What important research skills did both girls learn in this story?
5. What is the importance of Miss Clayton's role in the story?
6. How would you pursue a literary dream or any pursuit at this
early age?

Activities
1. Start a Book Review Club.
2. Start a Writing Club.
3. Write to Andrew Clements and ask him how he got his first book
published.
4. Role play the characters in the story with your own dream or
career pursuit.
5. Write to a publishing company and ask them about the jobs and
responsibilities in
publishing industry.
6. Go to New York and visit a publisher.

Submitted by: Sue Hartley - Cheshire Public Library

Last updated on: 18 September, 2008

Webmoiselle: Caitlin > webmoiselle [@] nutmegaward [dot] org

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