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Re: Gentlehands  Tuesday, 15-Feb-00 17:19:26 There is a fable about a sow's ear being turned into a silk purse. What does Buddy do to try to impress Skye? Michelle   HELP!! GENTLEHANDS!!  Saturday, 26-Feb-00 20:22:52 I WAS ASSIGNED THE BOOK GENTLEHANDS FOR AN IMPORTANT SCHOOL PROJECT BUT I LOST THE BOOK AND NEVER GOT TO RREAD IT. I REALLY NEED SOMEONE TO GIVE ME A SUMMARY SO THAT I COULD COMPLETE A PROJECT. PLEASE HELP AND WRITE BACK AT MY EMAIL ADDRESS--->RAZOO35@AOL.COM MEGAN   Re: HELP!! GENTLEHANDS!!  Sunday, 27-Feb-00 18:55:39 The best I can do is refer you to the summary on this site: Click here for book summaries. Also, I think you should try to borrow the book from the library, a friend or your teacher. Best of luck! Michelle

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Re: New M E Kerr reader  Friday, 04-Feb-00 19:53:51 About sequels. It is impossible for me to write a sequel of a book written long ago. Time changes your perspective, your grasp of the characters, your writing style - everything...I'm not sure I've ever read a sequel as good as the first. I'd be interested in anyone who has, and would care to name the book. Cheers! Mekerr M.E. Kerr

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Re: World War II  Thursday, 13-Jan-00 23:36:51 It was a war I remember...but I think I've only done two books about it, I Stay Near You and Gentlehands touched on it a bit. I'm working on one now all about those years. Thanks for asking. mek. M.E. Kerr

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Re: What coming up next for ME Kerr?  Thursday, 13-Jan-00 23:41:50 It's set in WWII years but I'm superstitious about telling plot while it's in progress. However, WHAT BECAME OF HER will be out in a few months...and that's my latest. Hope you'll look for it. Thanks, MEK M. E. Kerr

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Re: howdy~who is M.E.?~  Monday, 22-Nov-99 10:05:27 Hello. M.E. Kerr is a young adult fiction author. There is actually a homepage "button" all the way at the bottom of the page. Or you can just click here: The M.E. Kerr and Mary James Site. Thanks for visiting the message board!  Webmaster

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Re: Writing styles pleeeeeeease!!!!!!! :)  Thursday, 18-Nov-99 11:08:00 First off, I am curious about which of M.E. Kerr's books you have read so far. Next, here's a brief overview of different kinds of books she's written: mysteries (the Fell books), she draws from past events (I Stay Near You spans over a few generations; Gentlehands refers to WWII) and current events (Night Kites deals with issues surrounding AIDS; Linger takes place around the time of the Gulf War). If you read through the  Biographical Information about M.E. Kerr and the Readers' Comments, you can get some ideas about how others view her writing. Good luck with your assignment.  Webmaster   Re: Re: Writing styles pleeeeeeease!!!!!!! :)  Friday, 19-Nov-99 23:53:32 Let me know how you did, okay? Mekerr M.E. Kerr   Re: Re: Writing styles pleeeeeeease!!!!!!! :)  Sunday, 21-Nov-99 18:08:09 Well webmaster.. I have read NightKites so far. I just last year got introduced to her work and I enjoyed that book very much! I will look at the biographical info! Thank you!!  Emily  Emily

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Hi, back.  (M.E. Kerr) (10-Nov-99 18:52:18)   Re: Re: hi  Sunday, 21-Nov-99 18:12:13 HEY!! How's it going?!!? :) Emily

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Re: character sketch on Gentlehands  Saturday, 06-Nov-99 13:48:25 I think it's true that discussing a book with others who've read it and reading their interpretations about the book are both valid ways to enhance one's experience and understanding regarding a book. So that said, here are some links to comments and reviews about "Gentlehands" which I hope can serve as a springboard for you own comments and reviews:  Amazon: Gentlehands Kerr Page - scroll down for excerpts of reviews of Gentlehands. Also, I suggest reading "ME ME ME ME ME: Not a Novel" by M.E. Kerr and "Presenting M.E. Kerr" by Alleen Nilsen for more insights into M.E. Kerr's writing. Thanks for your question! Good luck with your assignment!   Webmaster

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Re: presentation on M.E. Kerr  Wednesday, 20-Oct-99 22:34:08 Dear Lora, Thanks for your interest in my work. I was first a mystery writer for adults, and used the name Vin Packer, because I was saving my real name (Marijane Meaker) to be my own agent. All of my clients were me under pseudonyms. But I have always liked disguises. M.E. Kerr comes from my last name - Meaker...Here are some suggestions for your presentation. Dinky Hocker Shoots Smack was my first book, so that might be interesting. Deliver Us From Evie, I believe is one of my best: its theme lesbianism, the metaphor, the Mississippi floods caused by man's attempt to change what Nature has presented, trying to change a river into a stream. The first book, adult or young adult, ever written about AIDS with the protagonist a young gay male, was my book Night Kites. Many teachers were wary of it in the eighties, and did not want me to speak about it when I visited their schools. Then, in the nineties, it was another story after the knowledge of AIDS was by necessity mainstreamed. Then teachers wrote asking why I had omitted condoms from the book. I wrote it in the early 80's, and of course condoms were not mentioned in YA books! Hello, I Lied is the only YA book dealing with male bisexuality....Those are a few suggestions. I also like Linger, the only YA Gulf War book, and I Stay Near You, a three-generational story beginning in World War II...And of course I did a book about writing called Blood On The Forehead. I hope this helps you, Lora. Any more questions, just ask. Ciao, M. E. Kerr.   M.E.Kerr

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Re: Night Kites  Monday, 09-Aug-99 23:54:02 Off the cuff: -some sort of comparison between the climate in 1985 and 1999 re: AIDS awareness and education, tolerance of others; -a look at the reaction of each family member to Pete's illness and him being at home; a look at the family's relationships with one another; -a sample journal from one of the character's point of view such as Pete's, Nicki's, Mr. or Mrs. Rudd, etc. trying to convey how they might be feeling and what they're thinking about in contrast to Erick's concerns; -a class letter or individual notes to the author regarding reactions and/or questions about the book which could be directed to this website or directly to M.E. Kerr. Good luck! I'll write more if I think of anything else! Webmaster   Re: Night Kites  Thursday, 04-May-00 14:53:52 Hi! I am trying to put together an integrated lesson plan on Night Kites(literature), AIDS(biology) and history of the 80's. Does anyone out there have any brilliant ideas? My project is due in a few days, and I am stuck! Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a million. Christie   Re: Night Kites  Monday, 22-May-00 03:52:46 This is for M.E. Kerr (my computer wouldn't let me mail her) or anyone...I liked the book a lot, but it seemed odd to me that (a) Erick only seemed to have one friend (Jack) and (b) there was no contact at all between Erick and JAck or Dill once the news of his brother got out (not saying there had to be a reconciliation, but to have nothing seemed to leave something hanging). Please email yr thoughts! Ron Cerabona

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Write your birthday greeting here!  Wednesday, 26-May-99 17:06:38 Feel free to write your greetings here or you may send them directly to: M.E. Kerr. Either way, I assure you she will read your message! Webmaster Re: HAPPY BIRTHDAY M.E. KERR/MARY JAMES!!!  Saturday, 29-May-99 20:09:51 What a surprise! Thanks, Webmaster! Cheers & ciao, mekerr M.E. Kerr

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Re: gentlehands  Wednesday, 26-May-99 00:01:30 Well, it's been awhile since I read it, but off-hand, the theme of social classes is evident. Buddy is closer to working class while Skye is upper class. Buddy "uses" his grandfather to try to impress Skye despite the knowledge that his mother is on bad terms with him. So perhaps he becomes more considerate later on in the novel. But in the beginning he is more self-centered. Webmaster

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Re: GENTLEHANDS  Tuesday, 18-May-99 22:31:11 I e-mailed Nathan the answers to his questions and told him, too, that there is an extensive explanation of how I came to write Gentlehands in my latest book,"Blood On The Forehead,"- a book about writing. M.E. Kerr M.E. Kerr

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Re: I stay near you  Saturday, 24-Apr-99 13:22:55 Iveta and Seleshi- Thanks for your comments! M.E. Kerr often writes about class differences and interactions in her books. "Linger" is another good book by M.E. Kerr in which she contrasts the rich and working class. Michelle Webmaster

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Re: I stay near you  Saturday, 24-Apr-99 13:39:24 Karen- Thanks for your comments! I think part of what M.E. Kerr is trying to show in "I Stay Near You" is what stays the same over time as well as what changes. For example, teenagers seem to relate to each other in the same way in the 1940's as they do today. But societal values may have changed over time which may be seen in the way parents relate to their children. Perhaps there is more conversation encouraged between them these days. What do you think? Michelle Webmaster

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Re: I Stay Near You cover  Saturday, 24-Apr-99 13:34:45 Kai - Thanks for your comments! What do you think might have happened to the ring in the story in the 1990's? Michelle Webmaster

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Re: I want to read more...  Thursday, 22-Apr-99 14:11:18 Maria - I have read every book by M.E. Kerr and have written book summaries on this page (click here): Bibliography of M.E.Kerr. Maybe one of them will catch your eye. It is a little difficult to find some of them because they are out of print. I would definitely check your local library to see which M.E. Kerr books are available. Personally, I recommend all of them! So you can't lose. Michelle Webmaster

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Re: I Stay Near You  Thursday, 22-Apr-99 11:14:10 Angela- I did some research for you.  "I Had the Craziest Dream"  Music by: Harry Warren Lyrics by: Mack Gordon Publishers: WB Music Corp (1942) From the film: "Springtime in the Rockies" with Jackie Gleason If your computer has speaker capabilities, you can hear the song at this website: Greatest Hits of the War Years. Otherwise, you should go to the library and ask the librarian about compilations from the 1940's.  Michelle

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Re: I stay near you  Saturday, 24-Apr-99 13:31:34 Mamadou- Thanks for your comments! I recently re-read "I Stay Near You" and also enjoyed reading about Mildred and Powell. What do you think about Part II (the 1960's) and Part III (the 1980's) in the book? Michelle Webmaster