When Scholastic classroom magazine editor Lauren Tarshis began writing, the original idea she had for a series was to write "four little, simple historical fiction books for boys." 16 books and 21 million copies later, Lauren's I Survived series has become a bestselling series for 4th-7th graders.
Each book in her sereies tells a thrilling story from history, through the eyes of a boy who lived to tell the tale. (Correction: through the eyes of a boy or a girl, now that her next novel features a female protagonist!). Readers have a front-row seat to such events as the Joplin tornado, the destruction of Pompeii, Hurricane Katrina, and, most recently, one of the deadliest volcanic eruptions in U.S. history—I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens.
Lauren recently joined us on the podcast to talk about her work, how her ideas come about, and how reader feedback plays an integral role in her writing process. She also talks about her latest project, Storyworks Jr., a new ELA magazine for the third grade classroom which hits schools this fall.
Here's a clip from the episode! Listen to the entire episode, Stories of Survival with Lauren Tarshis, to get the full story.
Photo credit: David Dreyfuss, 2011
