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One class of young readers offered their versions of book covers for The Boy on the Porch.  Below are a few.
You probably already know how much I love student art, right?
I especially loved seeing the elements that students chose as emblematic of the story: the blue tree, the shoes, the guitar, jelly beans, cow and dog.  Perfect.



xx

From the age of nine onward, this was my home in South Euclid, Ohio, shared with parents, four siblings and a cousin.

My sister, three brothers and I sat on those steps, ran round and round the perimeter, climbed the maple tree (at left), raked leaves, threw red rubber balls against the steps, played jacks and spud and tag, roller-skated on the sidewalk and washed those windows with vinegar and water.

Such a good, good place.

(With thanks to college student Anastasia Demor for the current photo.)

Strolling along the beach todaycool breeze sparkled water
met this fellowskittering sideways:

left left leftright right right 
black beaded eyes swiveling 
missing a leg or two.
Poor crabby fellowlooking for a placeto hide.
He's hopingI won't steponhim.
I'm hopingthesame.

xx

Forgive Me
I ate the last pieceof apple turnoverso warm, so sweetwiththe last scoopof vanilla ice creamso smooth, so cooldrizzled withthe last drops ofdark chocolate sauceso rich, so fine
I don't knowwhat came over mebutit was so good, so good.


xx

On a walkmiles from home
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Creech
Helloooo, Creecher
xx

Spotted this blue truckon my walk today
blue truck blue truckstopped me in my tracks
Such a truck!
There's a whole storyright therein that blue truck
you hear it?you feel it?
Man!Such a truck!
This is why writers don't run out ofideas
because you can be just walking alongandcome uponsuch a thingas thisbluetruck
and your mind starts whirringand you want to know where it's beenand who drives itand where it's going
you want to lean on its shiny fenderand listen
you want to hugatruck
you want to thankthat truckfor beingalong your path
Oh, man!
. . 
xx

Puritysimplicitybeauty
a world in this one photo
. . .
I think these same aimsare in my mindwhen I write:
puritysimplicitybeauty
a world in this one story
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All these cheery bright colorsandsigns
and that skythat sky
ohmy
!
xx

Heyyyyy
blue skyred shackblue water
heyyyyy
pilingsandflaganddock
heyyyyy
you make me feel sogood
!
xx

Tree: Southport, NC
Behold themammothtoweringgnarlyloftywizenedgiantess
a domeoveryourfragilehead
xx