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<Moderator1> Welcome the
the 1997 Read In!
<Moderator1> Do you have your blankets, pillows and BOOKS ready for a GREAT day?
Relax, enjoy the day, and READ! READ!! READ!!! There will be over 140,000 students
participating in this year's event and not all of them have the capability to be with us.
We know that they, too, are reading, laughing and enjoying the day and we wish them well!
<Moderator1> Parents will be reading in their children's classrooms, teachers will
be relaxing and bonding with their students, visitors from all walks of life will be
reading to or with kids all over the world. Imagine! What is YOUR favorite book? Who is
YOUR favorite author? Don't be too surprised to learn that our tastes are very similar, no
matter where we live.
<Moderator1> The Read In! has grown dramatically since I helped my school, Dutcher
Elementary, in Turlock, CA, connect to Grand Avenue School, in Chickasha, OK over four
years ago! We started this with old Mac LCII's and 2400 baud modems, and look how far we
have come! I sincerely hope you enjoy the day as much as we do, and hope you will come
back year after year!
<Moderator1> Reading and being literate are goals that ARE attainable. Pick up a
book, open its pages, and never stop reading!
<Moderator1> Enjoy The Read In!, chat with your friends, and READ! READ!! READ!!
<Moderator1> Jane ;-)
<Moderator1> Jane Coffey
<Moderator1> Project Director/Founder
<Moderator1> The Read In!
<Moderator1> http://www.gsh.org/readin
<Moderator1> Microsoft Welcomes you to The Read In!
<Moderator1> We welcome the over 140,000 participants from all 50 states and around
the world! We thank the teachers, librarians and supervisors for taking time to set up and
test machines and embrace the use of technology in Education. Enjoy the days events!
<Moderator1> Technology Resource Institute!
<Moderator1> Welcomes everyone to our chat servers!
<Moderator1> Bruce Balan's series, "Cyber.kdz" is exciting, fast moving,
and fun for middle school students. These books are packed with computer terminology,
historical facts, and were written by someone who understands and knows the way kids
really speak to each other. The stories revolve around seven friends in countries around
the world who use the Internet to help each other solve mysteries and to support each
other through those "trying" first years as junior and senior high students.
<Moderator1> We are now taking questions for Bruce!
<Moderator1> Welcome Bruce!
<Bruce_Balan>
Hi everyone!
<mod-tri>
<Mommy> Bruce, which book is your favorite?
<Bruce_Balan>
It's hard to say right now. I'm writing Cyber.kdz :6. I like them all but the first is
special because it was.. er.. the first.
<mod-tri>
<SFCHS> Why do you write the books that you do?
<Bruce_Balan>
I used to have software development company so I did a lot of work with computers. At the
time I was also writing children's books.
<Bruce_Balan>
It seemed natural to combine what I was doing.
<Bruce_Balan> Besides, I knew kids would be emailing each other all over the world
someday!
<mod-tri>
<KDES-DC5> Who inspired you to start writing?
<Bruce_Balan>
I love reading! Books are amazing. They have so much power to take our minds to another
place. And all they are are words on paper. Incredible.
<mod-tri>
<gibson_> Do you ever fear your book will be rejected?
<Bruce_Balan>
You bet. Happens all the time. I have way more rejections than acceptances. I still get
them! It's just part of the process.
<mod-tri>
<London3> Do you like to read other peoples books?If so who do you like?
<Bruce_Balan>
I read lots of books. I just finished reading Rob Thomas's books. They were great. I like
so many different kinds of books.
<Bruce_Balan>
Dr. Seuss is probably my favorite children's book author.
<mod-tri>
<Tamarac> Bruce...have you considered placing you books on CDRom
<Bruce_Balan>
I am thinking about a CD-ROM. First I have to finish Cyber.kdz :6. I also just got the
Cyber.kdz web site up (cyber.kdz.com). We have big plans for that.
<mod-tri>
<ArcadoES> When did you start writing books?
<Bruce_Balan>
The first book I wrote was in 4th grade. It was a class assignment. I hated it. I didn't
turn it in on time and my teacher (Mrs. Clunk!) made me sit at the lunch tables during
recess until I finished it.
<Moderator1>
<KDES-DC5> Who is your role model?
<Bruce_Balan>
I don't have just one. I've been very influenced by both of my fathers. And my mom. I
think Dr. Seuss inspired me to write. There are many great people in the world. Ghandi was
one.
<mod-tri>
<Mocksville> Do you play any sports?
<Bruce_Balan>
I sail. And snow ski. But sailing is my favorite thing to do. I've been fixing up a boat
for about 6 years and hope to sail away on it someday!
<mod-tri>
Husky4> Mr. Balan, I am not familiar with your books. Could you tell me several of them
so I might check them out of our library.
<Bruce_Balan>
I've written 5 picture books but my newest books are the Cyber.kdz Series. The first 2 our
out now. They are about 7 kids who live all over the world and have a secret club on the
Net.
<mod-tri>
library> What is one place you have always wanted to go?
<Bruce_Balan>
I want to sail to the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia. I also want to visit
Antarctica and the Himalayas. And Alaska.
<Bruce_Balan>
And Thailand too.
<Bruce_Balan> Oh, and Russia.
<Bruce_Balan> There are a lot of other places I'd like to go too.
<mod-tri>
<WAS> Do you have a web site?
<Bruce_Balan>
I have 2. One for the series-- http://cyber.kdz.com
<Bruce_Balan> And my office on the web --- http://brucebalan.com
<mod-tri>
<KDES-DC5> Do you ever think about deaf kids and how they read? Do you ever think
how they communciate?
<Bruce_Balan>
Yes I do. I think that is one of the best things about technology and the Wire. It makes
communication easier.
<mod-tri>
<Keppel-Sarawak> are your stories on-line???
<Bruce_Balan>
The first two chapters of each book are on the web site. (Including Cyber.kdz :3 which
isn't out until July)
<mod-tri>
<Mocksville> When you were little what did you want to be?
<Bruce_Balan>
I wanted to be a veterinarian for a really long time. Then I was going to by a physicist.
Then I was a video editor.
<Bruce_Balan> Now I'm an author. I'm glad I finally decided!
<mod-tri>
<Mocksville> When your first book was published, how did it feel?
<Bruce_Balan>
My first book was The Cherry Migration. It took 2 years to get it published. I WAS SO
HAPPY! I jumped up and down and called all my family and friends when I got the letter. It
was great!
<mod-tri>
<Albion_IN> What new technology impresses you the most?
<Bruce_Balan>
There is so much going on right now. But I'm most impressed by the one we use the most:
Email. It ties us all together so easily. It's amazing. And it's easy.
<mod-tri>
<library> We are a fourth grade class and we are writing books for our young authors
celebration do you have any advice?
<Bruce_Balan>
Use your imagination. And edit a lot. Don't give up. If you get stumped, give it a rest
and come back to it later.
<mod-tri>
This is the last question. Thank you for your questions.
<mod-tri> <BLUE_WAVES_> are you writing any more books
<Bruce_Balan>
I'm working on Cyber.kdz :6 now. If the series sells well I'll get to write more
Cyber.kdz. I also have another picture book coming out next year. It's called
"Buoy". And I have about 50 unfinished stories in my computer and in my head!
<Bruce_Balan> Thanks, everyone. I had a great time. Keep reading. Don't forget to
check out the digital photos I'm taking today on my web site http://cyber.kdz.com!
Be good! BB
<Moderator1>
Thanks Bruce!
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THE READ IN!