MEA: Because I was a reluctant reader as a child, I first set out to better understand why this was. In my research I discovered that this was a problem especially for boys. After looking at hundreds of books for my target age group, 8 - 13, I found that many books today seem to fit into certain patterns. That's when I decided that I would target my books for reluctant boy readers 8 - 13. But something happened that I didn't expect. I found that avid boy readers loved my books. So did girls and even adults. This was a total surprise to me. Someone once said that it's impossible to stop a good story, and that's what I want to tell each time I sit down to begin a new book.
8.SR: In your opinion, What is the biggest problem you see facing the family in the United States today?
MEA: Time. I hate it when I hear that it's the quality of the time, not the quantity. Our children are like little sponges. They can't possibly get enough of our attention, love, and time. In our society, in order to maintain a certain lifestyle, both parents work. Kids are often shipped off to daycare or grandma at a very early age. We live in a time where broken families are epidemic. Children are growing up with only one parent and it's a hard enough job when there are two parents. Much of our cultural decline in America comes directly from these areas. We have also removed discipline from many of our schools, along with some of the incentives to succeed.
My daughter just began teaching first grade this year. The abusive language she endures, the lack of discipline she sees, and the general lack of respect have been a real eye opener. Children have no fear of authority. If we think things are bad now, I believe we haven't seen anything yet unless there is something that turns people back to the basics that have made this country great. Right now we're running on a tank that's nearly on empty. We face even more severe problems as these children become our adults of the future. Imagine what the institutions we trust might look like if there are no longer any absolutes perceived by our leaders.
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