Westfield students Mohsin Alvi, from left, and Hac-Dieu Ngo listen to Chris Crutcher, nationally recognized author, talk about his work.

Students at Westfield High School had the opportunity recently to hear nationally recognized author Chris Crutcher talk about the books he has written for young adults. Crutcher spoke to three large assemblies totaling about 700 students before moving to the library to speak to 25 selected students. In that more intimate setting, surrounded appropriately by books, the author and students sat down together and visited about his writing.

Tara Conneally was among the small group of students who had been chosen because they are enrolled in creative-writing classes, have a special interest in writing or have read several of Crutcher’s books.

“Even though I was only supposed to go to one session, I begged to go to all of them. He’s energetic and I love the way he speaks,” Conneally said.

Crutcher’s easy-going style and obvious appreciation of young people encouraged the students to speak freely. They asked many questions ranging from book banning to Crutcher’s use of the word skullduggery.

“The trouble with being 60 is you grab words out of your youth and they aren’t words anymore,” Crutcher said. He went on to say that sometimes he uses uncommon words as a way to reintroduce them to readers.

One student stated that “good writers read a lot” and asked Crutcher to name some of the authors who have inspired him. Crutcher told the students that he only read one book in high school because the books that were offered didn’t interest him. He now writes books that relate to kids so they will want to read and has become an avid reader himself. He cited “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien, “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker and novels by Kurt Vonnegut as books that have been inspirational for him.

Andrea Robles, a senior, asked about some of the characters in his books. Crutcher responded by relating life experiences during his years growing up in Idaho and describing how real people have served as the basis for his characters. He also talked about how his experience as a mental health therapist provided topics and ideas for some of the books he has written, especially those on abuse.

Crutcher discussed several of his novels, including “Chinese Handcuffs” and “Whale Talk,” but he fielded the most questions about “The Sledding Hill,” which was released in 2005.

“Chris is a wonderful writer of terrific stories and books that deal with real, young-adult triumphs and issues. Many of our students have been able to relate to and enjoy his stories,” said LuAnn Underwood, Westfield English department chair.

Crutcher’s visit was hosted by the Westfield English department and librarians. They annually invite authors to Westfield as a way to inspire their students’ to read more books.

“Students develop a strong connection when they have the experience of being able to meet and hear directly from the author of a piece of writing they have read,” Underwood said. “Each author who has visited us shares the same message - that everyone has a story to tell. So many of the students who came to hear Chris Crutcher are now reading the remainder of his novels. They want to hear more from him and this is the way to do it - read more books. What an inspiration!”