AuTHor Thursday--debut YAL author Paul Greci

Paul Greci, with Massimo (L) and Kelly (R), signing copies of his first YAL novel, Surviving Bear Island (2015) in Minneapolis for the ALAN workshop

At the ALAN (Adolescent Literature Assembly of NCTE) workshop last week in Minneapolis, one of the panels was comprised of debut YAL authors. One of the authors on the panel was Alaskan author Paul Greci. I was happy to see Paul because 1) I miss Alaska, where I lived for 20 years and 2) Paul's wife, Dana, and my husband, Enrico, were in the same MFA program in creative writing at the University of Alaska in the 90s, and we enjoyed catching up with them.

Past President of ALAN Walter Mayes leading the panel of debut YAL authors.

Paul has taught in alternative education schools in Alaska for decades. He has also worked with students who didn't fit in alternative schools and were placed in an alternative alternative school. His expertise in working with reluctant readers fueled his desire to write the kind of high-interest, compelling adventure book that he has just published. Paul is the real deal--an experienced outdoorsperson, kayaker and wilderness adventurer. He draws from these experiences in the book.

Teen reader Massimo Sassi gives the book a thumbs up thus far. Could this be Alaska's answer to Gary Paulsen?

Paul has an excellent blog which can be accessed here: https://paulgreci.wordpress.com/

by Kelly Sassi