Plattsburgh author Kate Messner says she will change a novel based on early reader feedback of her drafts, if she thinks it will improve a book. This certainly happened after a New Orleans man told the children’s book writer that he wanted much more help from her fictional time-traveling dog in the rescue efforts from Hurricane Katrina, even though twelve years had passed since the natural disaster.
Messner, author of many acclaimed books for kids, discusses her fictional golden retriever with Spotlight producer Paul Larson. The dog has helped children facing such disasters as the Titanic sinking and the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. In addition to the “Ranger in Time” series of historical fiction for kids, Messner also talks about “Breakout,” inspired by the 2015 prison break at Dannemora.
“Spotlight” is made possible, in part, by the Glenn and Carol Pearsall Adirondack Foundation, dedicated to improving the quality of life for year-round residents of the Adirondack Park. www.pearsallfoundation.org
Spotlight is also supported by Hill & Hollow Music. hillandhollowmusic.org
Enjoy more “Author Visits” segments at mountainlake.org/authorvisits
This story was produced during our celebration of the Great American Read with support from the following:
