Posts by sarahlthomson

Hylary the Library Lady

Posted by sarahlthomson on Mar 26, 2012 in Book: Mercy: The Last NE Vampire, Educators & Librarians | 0 comments

Hooray for Hylary the Library Lady, who gave Mercy a glowing review. May Mercy have many fans in California, far from her New England roots! (Useful discussion questions here for teachers and librarians–good stuff if you’re planning to use Mercy in the classroom or for a book club.)

Best School Visit Question

Posted by sarahlthomson on Mar 16, 2012 in Book: Mercy: The Last NE Vampire, Children's Literature, School Visits | 0 comments

Today I was asked the best question ever during a school visit.

I was at a middle school for my first full-day visit about MERCY. Went well. I could sharpen up my presentation a bit, I think–trying to make too many points in too little time. But the kids were definitely attentive while I was reading–a good sign.

In the Q&A session, I naturally got the question, “Team Edward or Team Jacob?”

“Ooh–erck–neither!” I said, very articulately.

Then a quiet, coltish girl who’s going to be a beauty when she grows into those legs said, “Team guy who hit Bella with a car?”

YES! That’s my girl.

So I did it. I read TWILIGHT.

Posted by sarahlthomson on Feb 24, 2012 in Book: Mercy: The Last NE Vampire, Children's Literature | 4 comments

For a long time I didn’t read it just because people I respected did not care for it much. Then I didn’t read it because I was writing my own vampire novel and didn’t want Stephanie Meyer’s vision creeping into my head. Then I just got kind of stubborn.

But I finally had to read it for another project I am working on, and this is what I have to say.

IT IS NOT ROMANTIC WHEN:

…you say you want to drive yourself home and a guy grabs you by the arm and drags you to his car.

…a guy follows you on a trip to another city because it’s not safe for you to be out alone.

…a guy sneaks into your bedroom without your permission or knowledge.

…a guy showers you with compliments, praise, and rapt attention, and then insists that you are not capable of taking care of yourself, so he will have to look after you very, very closely.

…a guy refuses to let you make any decisions, so that in order to save your mother’s life you have to sneak away from him.

…you say to a guy, “I love you so much it’s all right for you to kill me.”

IT’S JUST NOT. Okay? Are we clear?

Mercy on the Web

Posted by sarahlthomson on Feb 17, 2012 in Book: Mercy: The Last NE Vampire | 0 comments

Well, my goodness–a virtual museum all about Mercy Brown. I particularly like Mercy’s profile. She’s into quilting and canning and haunting her cemetery.