From: Alixwrites_at_aol.com
Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2013 09:55:29 -0400 (EDT)

Very true. Often, kids at poorer schools buy more books than kids at affluent schools (particularly if the schools take advantage of the publisher's discount on books for school visits). It's a bigger deal for them. However, they must be given the opportunity.

Best wishes, Alexandra Flinn _www.alexflinn.com_ (http://www.alexflinn.com/) or visit me on Facebook at _www.facebook.com/alexflinn1_ (http://www.facebook.com/alexflinn1)

Author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, Beastly.

Now, read Kendra's story, Bewitching . ". . . will leave readers cheering" --School Library Journal

In a message dated 3/31/2013 9:36:18 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, vicki.cobb2_at_verizon.net writes:

As a followup to Christine's comments, when it comes to buying books, one obvious lesson is to beware legislating decisions for the market. As an author I've been told many times that asking children to buy books at a author's school visit puts undue financial pressure on the poorer children so it's better not to offer the opportunity at all. A long time ago, in a poor Eskimo village in the Alaskan "bush," a child wanted to buy a book he didn't have enough money for. We discovered this right after I had signed the book to him. He was offered a different title, one he could afford, but he said no. He knew what he wanted and he'd bring the money the next day. "Not to worry," the librarian said. "I'll just add it to the collection." But he returned the next day with enough to pay for the book, and hugged it to his breast as he ran home to read. The price of the book, $11.00, the value to that child, priceless. BTW, I have written about this on my website:

Vicki Cobb
Received on Sun 31 Mar 2013 09:55:29 AM CDT