Jesuit High School in New Orleans,
LA, sponsored a Summer 2009 reading program called The Big J
Read. Jesuit students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni
all read Robert McCammon's Boy's Life over the summer. An estimated
1,400 readers participated in the community read. The project was
designed to encourage reading.
In August 2009, Robert McCammon visited Jesuit High School for three
presentations: one on August 17 for the Jesuit parents and alumni, and two on
August 18 to address the Jesuit students. Audio and video of all three
presentations can be found below.
Thanks to Stephen Ellison, Mat Grau, and Jason Giaccone for recording the
events.
Monday, August 17, 2009 — Author Address to Parents and Alumni
From the Jesuit website::
An audience of almost a hundred parents, alumni, faculty, and friends paid rapt
attention Monday evening (August 17) to Boy's Life author Robert McCammon,
who visited Jesuit High School in connection with the Big J Read project.
Mr. McCammon shared the pleasures and difficulties of the writing process,
including conceiving ideas and bringing them to fruition, character and plot
development, and even the delicate art of negotiating with the publisher
the inclusion of profanity in books such as Boy's Life
Following his address, Mr. McCammon graciously answered questions,
signed his books, and chatted with several Blue Jay bibliophiles.
In his talk with the school community, Boy's Life author Robert McCammon
shared his experiences as a writer to teach the value of overcoming challenges
and disappointments.
