"Authors of Mystery and Horror" Comments
(The 2 pictures below are links to articles about Chad and his programs)

"Chad, we thoroughly enjoyed having you with us Friday. I don't know who you impressed more, the kids or the teachers who saw your performance! I know you were great, because the kids were entranced and hanging onto each word you said, and that is saying quite a bit! Our kids almost "raced" down to the media center to check out the books you talked about! I'd put up a display and they were "gobbled" up by excited readers.Mystery and horror are favorite subjects of middle schools students and they loved all the gory facts and details you shared! My favorite part of the program was the interaction with the students and seeing them all frantically raise their hands to be selected to participate. Just about all the authors you mentioned are checked out and I have quite a few "on hold" for other students when they are returned!We definitely want you back next year with your new program!" Laura Atkinson, Media Specialist, Johnakin Middle, SC

"Chad, your magic grabbed the students' attention in a way that they didn't realize they were receiving a literacy promotion message! ALL of my magic books are currently checked out; furthermore, I had students asking for Poe and Houdini books all day yesterday! Thanks again for coming, and I hope to work with you again in the future!" Liz Herlong, Media Specialist, Lakeview High, SC

"I believe that your show encouraged reading. Our circulation of books by and about Poe as well as the other authors you covered in your program went up phenomenally!Students were interested in reading more about the stories that you briefly "booktalked" during your "Authors of Mystery and Horror" presentation. I would recommend this show to other educators. It educated under the guise of entertainment (students don't even realize they are learning!). Thanks for doing a great job!"Teresa Gray, Media Specialist, League Academy

"I believe your introduction of the author's background and then the brief summary of the book stirred curiosity among the students. The first magic trick you do appeals to our students because they are probably thinking that it is going to be juvenile and that you could in no way fool them. Then to see their reactions is priceless! I have had several students tell me how much they enjoyed the show and thanked me for setting it up. I also had one teacher tell me "you rock" after the performance. You are a true entertainer/educator. Your mixing of education with entertainment and mystery is great for any age! Thanks for a super show!" Becky Wilson, Media Specialist, White County Ninth Grade Academy

"I enjoyed all of the show, the book facts, the magic, and the student participation. You were able to keep the 9th grade students attention which is a success! I felt the show shared educational facts and the magic added to it!" Donna Barrett, Techer, White County Ninth Grade Academy

"Chad, by wednesday morning [show on tuesday], I had checked out all 8 of my Poe story collections and 3 of his poetry books. I put at least 5 of those books on reserve for other students. In addition to those, 3 Dracula books and 2 Frankenstein books went out. Increased interest in reading - definitely! - and by some guys that don't usually read that much. The magic element woven into the interesting information you shared about the authors and their works was both informative and entertaining. I got many positive remarks from teachers, as well as students! It was a great experience to have you here at our school!" Gayle Forbes, Media Specialist, Riverside Middle

"This was a very good way of using magic to peak students curiosity about reading different authors (rich with history and mystery). I went back to look up "The Black Cat" just to find out how the story ended!" Yolanda Kline, Teacher, Riverside Middle

"Your show encouraged reading in a very positive and entertaining way. My favorite part was the levitating table and the reaction of the kids, although it all fascinated me. I would recommend it to other educators and I have! It is the only example that I know of that combines the literary push with an entertaining show! Since the show I have had a big increase in requests for the authors and materials mentioned in the show. Thanks again!" Toni Hyde, Media Specialist, Greenbrier Middle

"The show got the kids talking more about reading and had them asking Ms. Holmes (Media Specialist) for books by the authors you talked to them about. My favorite part of the show was watching my fifth graders get spooked by the readings and magic associated with them. I would recommend this show for upper elementary teachers and beyond!" Kristen Greer, 5th Grade Teacher, Martinez Elementary

"The brief synopsis of each of Poe's stories within the context of the magic trick was the best book talk ever. It left the students on the edge of their seats wanting to know the end of each one. I enjoyed every minute of the program - not once but 5 times! The show set our students on fire to read those books! At least 25 students have asked for the books this morning!" Deborah Holmes, Media Specialist, Martinez Elementary

"Our students began coming in the following day asking for the titles that were discussed during the show. I have already recommended the show to several others! The Houdini mystery is very fascinating!" Mary Kay Harris, Media Specialist, Luella Middle

"The horror/mystery books were a hot commodity after the performance. So it definitely sparked an interest in that genre and in those authors!" Kelley Theodocion, Teacher, Luella Middle

"I loved how you got the audience to participate and how you told just enough of a story to peek their interest and then said, "But you'll have to read the story to see what happens." The history of each author was also very informative as well as 'mysteriously intriguing.' Before your show, teenagers would have never asked me for any of those books! I would recommend your show to other libraians and educators - without a doubt! I plan to book for 2008! We are all just amazed at the magic that you do and can't get enough!" Betty Cook, Librarian, Glascock Co. Library

"I do believe the program encouraged reading in a positive way - and our administrators were very impressed too! My favorite part was the floating table, but I also liked how you brought the authors to life by sharing little known facts and how you summarized their works. I would recommend this program to librarians and teachers. Several students and teachers have asked about the authors you mentioned and have checked these books out. I do feel it was money and time well spent. Some of the classes that came in are not always the best behaved and with your show, they were attentive and really enjoyed it. I do thank you and look forward to seeing you next November." Anna Olliff, Media Specialist, Evans Middle

"Chad, my hat is off to you. The show was absolutely fantastic. The best programming money I have ever spent - we all loved the show - it was engaging, informational, and FUN! I had a run on the books you showcased as soon as the program ended. I have had several come back to look up other books. Several parents were very impressed that their non-readers were checking out Poe and Arthur Conan Doyle. There was a larger age range in the audience than I anticipated and you adapted and kept them all (early elementary through senior citizens) engaged. We have already had patrons asking when you would be back! Seeing the audience sit still and be entranced while they are learning about books was fantastic! It was a great show with lots of information mixed with audience participation and of course MAGIC!" Christy Stewart, Youth Coordinator, Pickens Co. Library

"The show encouraged reading in a positive and entertaining way because you told just enough of the story to whet the audiences interest to want to go read the story and find out what else happens. They were left hanging, wanting more in a positive way. My favorite part of the show was the trick where the volunteers had story titles and they were eliminated down to the one that the audience member had in the envelope. Another favorite was all the history behind the authors and their relationships. It was very interesting how they influenced one another. I would recommend the show to librarians and educators because it was an entertaining and engaging way to present mystery and horror authors and their stories. After the show they were checking out the books, movies, graphic novels, and CD's I had set aside, and they were wanting more!" Jennifer Knox, YA Librarian, Nancy Carson Library, North Augusta, SC

"The show absolutely encouraged reading! I have already given students copies of "The Black Cat" and bought a copy of Edgar Allan Poe short stories and poems for my classroom library and students are chomping at the bit to read it! I will recommend the show to other educators. It was great for middle school-aged kids. I've always known that students were interested in horror. Now I have a jump-off point to incorporate it!" Franchetta Smith, Language Arts Teacher, Luella Middle School

"Chad, I enjoyed last evening with the mystery and horror authors! Several of the children are coming in after school today to check out the books you mentioned - so they were suitably impressed. My favorite parts were hearing the interesting tidbits about the authors, your mentioning that we had the books you talked about and also the table trick. Thanks again for a wonderful time!" Ann Wheeler, Branch Manager, Rockmart Library

"Your presentation was well-paced, informative, and tantalizing. It even made me want to check out these books and re-read them! I would definitely recommend your show to other educators. The students were excited and eager to learn more. You presented your material in a smooth, well-paced manner and seemed very familiar with the information. Thanks for sharing your love of reading with our students!" Sue Finley, Teacher, Jasper Middle

"Our students were able to see a "guy" excited about reading; as well as realize that it can be "cool" to know a lot about books. My favorite part was the fact that my children had the opportunity to laugh in the library. In today's classroom, nothing pleases me more than to hear my students suck in their breath in amazement. Even better than this, was listening to them as we entered the classroom, after the show. I would recommend this show to all students. Even though I have never been one to enjoy the "horror" side of literature, your performance has sparked my interest. I have a hankering to read some Sherlock Holmes and I might just pick up Frankenstein." Sonja Gordy, Teacher, Jasper Middle

"I thoroughly enjoyed your performance last night. I thought you did an excellent job of interweaving the stories about Poe, Doyle, and Houdini with your magic. The tricks where you had made "future predictions" of the audience's choices were especially impressive. I believe you provided a nice boost to the curiosity of the young people present and that some of them will be checking out books by Poe in the near future." Kate Barker, Library Manager, Richmond Hill Library

"Many students have told me how much they enjoyed the [Poe] show...what made it really fun for them was all the audience participation. The references to Poe were excellent. My favorite parts were the FLOATING TABLE AND THE RING ROUTINE WITH THE POEM THE RAVEN...excellent!!! Bottom line, we give you a thumbs up!!!! A REALLY HIGH, MANY THUMBS UP!!!! - Robin Gibson, Teacher, Hephzibah High

"The show encouraged reading, and for those who were familiar with the Poe tales, reinforced their reading. I also think you were able to spike some curiosity in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's work and the life of Houdini. It is remarkable how you are able to incorporate all the information while doing magic tricks. I would highly recommend the show to other libraries. Even though the end of the show was clearly the climax of the evening, I enjoyed the trick involving The Red Death best. I felt that you really had the audience at that point because they were all familiar with the tale and they were very interested in what would happen to the participants from the audience." Anita Patterson, Young Adult Librarian, Columbia County Library

"Your show was just great. I got lots of positive feedback from those who saw the program, and I'm sure that more people will now be aware of Edgar Allan Poe. Many thanks." Paul Weinberger, Library Manager, Pembroke Library

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