That’s why I wrote this song… (Book)
At a recent ASLA conference, I had the pleasure of hearing Susanne Gervay speak about her latest book (That’s why I wrote this song) which is a book she wrote in collaboration with her then teenaged daughter, Tori. Susanne took us through the journey she experienced as she wrote - with her aim being to give voice to the many complicated emotions experienced by adolescents, and in her words, to “use music as the voice of youth”.
What makes this book special is the way Susanne has woven the song lyrics written by Tori through the novel. They capture the tender feelings of identity confusion, the need to be heard and the desire to be loved. Survival, for several of the characters, comes through listening to, and writing, song lyrics. As the book developed, Tori’s songs are also developed by the character, Pip, and have actually been produced to be released with the book - an interesting story in itself as Susanne conveyed to the delight of the conference audience.
Many of us who are parents admired the way in which she and Tori were able to work together on such a project - well aware of the sometimes fragile emotions of the teen years. Reading the book you also appreciate and identify with the sometimes angst-ridden teen years, and the impact on family and friends.
More detail about the book (with links for a download of the songs) is available at: http://www.sgervay.com/. So check it out and get your hands on this book/video!
If you have read it, leave a comment here, and send one also to Susanne - she loves to hear from readers and will most certainly get back to you.
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October 8th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
What a wonderful commentary on ‘That’s Why I Wrote This Song’. Writing that book, with Tory driving it through her lyrics and music, was difficult but special. It’s bonded us forever.
I loved speaking at the ASLA Conference because I feel school librarians are friends who embrace literature. Thankyou for loving ‘That’s Why I Wrote This Song’
October 8th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
PS I hope the students log onto my website and ‘meet’ Tory who I love so much, despite the angst of her music and doing the book together.
PPS If they log onto the launch, they can see her performing with NOT PERFECT her band
October 8th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Thank you, Susanne. I think it’s a great privilege to meet authors, and hear them speak of their writing and what motivates them. And some authors are VERY entertaining.