My college classmate Steve Bertrand is a WGN (Chicago) radio news anchor and host and has spoken to hundreds of writers throughout his career. Today he posted an interview with author Mike Lupica and everything the author said resonated. Especially in middle school the propensity for children, particularly boys to not read increases dramatically. To get a middle school boy to read has always been one of my biggest challenges, but I have been known to do it! So whenever something comes up that I can do to facilitate a young boy’s interest in the printed word, I jump at it.
One thing the author wants to be known as is the “guy who got kids to want to read”! And what could be more important than that?
Here is Steve’s interview with Mr. Lupica:
(you will have to cut and paste).
For more on Steve Bertrand on Books visit his website, www.stevebertrandonbooks.com
Exploring the power of the printed word! 
Will’s upper elementary librarian recommended Lupica to Will.
He loved Lupica’s books.
(Even used birthday and holiday cash to buy them)