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ENLARGE
Twenty years ago, Brian Jacques was just a 40-something truck driver, delivering milk to the Royal Wavertree School for the Blind in Liverpool, England.
During his weekly route, he'd stop off at the school and read to the children. But the books Jacques was given to share with the students were about divorce, drug abuse and dysfunctional families. Thankfully, Jacques realized that he could write a better story and decided, on a whim, to make his characters represent the students of the school. He chose mice Ð the most defenseless of animals Ð as his heroes.
Flash forward 20 years and we have "Redwall," the best-selling fantasy series for young adults known to have paved the way for such authors at JK Rowling, Cornelia Funke and Christopher Paolini.
Called "the finest children's story ... in 50 years", "Redwall" is a classic book about good and evil, a tale about one clan of fearless but eccentric animals who attempt to defend their ancient home against the villains of civilization.
During his weekly route, he'd stop off at the school and read to the children. But the books Jacques was given to share with the students were about divorce, drug abuse and dysfunctional families. Thankfully, Jacques realized that he could write a better story and decided, on a whim, to make his characters represent the students of the school. He chose mice Ð the most defenseless of animals Ð as his heroes.
Flash forward 20 years and we have "Redwall," the best-selling fantasy series for young adults known to have paved the way for such authors at JK Rowling, Cornelia Funke and Christopher Paolini.
Called "the finest children's story ... in 50 years", "Redwall" is a classic book about good and evil, a tale about one clan of fearless but eccentric animals who attempt to defend their ancient home against the villains of civilization.
There are 18 books in the series so far, and a queue of readers spanning the globe who can't wait for the next. For a few hours on Wednesday, admirers have the opportunity to listen to Jacques' tales and adventures in person at the new Vail Mountain School auditorium.
"I've read every single book in "Redwall,'" said Alex Leever, 11. "Brian Jacques is a great writer because his books get exciting right away. He never waits until the end to get you hooked."
Lever and fellow VMS sixth-grader Andy Wright, 12, already have reserved tickets up-close to the stage in their 380-seat school auditorium for the event. Along with about 100 other students clamoring to meet the author, Wright especially wants to get his favorite book signed.
"The 'Legend of Luke' is my favorite (in the 'Redwall' series)," he said. "I've also read the 'Flying Dutchman' books, and those are good, too."
"I've read every single book in "Redwall,'" said Alex Leever, 11. "Brian Jacques is a great writer because his books get exciting right away. He never waits until the end to get you hooked."
Lever and fellow VMS sixth-grader Andy Wright, 12, already have reserved tickets up-close to the stage in their 380-seat school auditorium for the event. Along with about 100 other students clamoring to meet the author, Wright especially wants to get his favorite book signed.
"The 'Legend of Luke' is my favorite (in the 'Redwall' series)," he said. "I've also read the 'Flying Dutchman' books, and those are good, too."
Jacques' second series, 'Castaways of the Flying Dutchman,' relies heavily on his love for the authors he read during childhood, including Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Daniel Defoe.
Although studious, the young Jacques decided to leave school when he was 15. Instead of going to class, he set out to find real-life adventure as a merchant seaman. His travels took him to many faraway ports, including New York, San Francisco and Yokohama.
Those experiences on the high seas inspired this latest series Ð three books that tell the story of a special boy and his dog who transcend time in their travels around the globe. Filled with imagery of the ocean, the characters must always endure the hardships of life on the high seas.
Swashbuckling stories have long been popular but recently saw resurgence with the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean" and the release of "Pirateology" in July. Now, the Eagle Valley Library District and VMS have adopted the series for middle school extracurricular reading.
Although studious, the young Jacques decided to leave school when he was 15. Instead of going to class, he set out to find real-life adventure as a merchant seaman. His travels took him to many faraway ports, including New York, San Francisco and Yokohama.
Those experiences on the high seas inspired this latest series Ð three books that tell the story of a special boy and his dog who transcend time in their travels around the globe. Filled with imagery of the ocean, the characters must always endure the hardships of life on the high seas.
Swashbuckling stories have long been popular but recently saw resurgence with the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean" and the release of "Pirateology" in July. Now, the Eagle Valley Library District and VMS have adopted the series for middle school extracurricular reading.
"The kids love (Jacques') series, and when I told them that we could go to see him, their eyes lit up," said Julie Richards, branch manager for the Gypsum Public Library. "More than 24 students in Avon, Eagle and Gypsum are reading it for book club next month."
Richards said that many older students who have read Jacques' work will be coming to the event as well.
"I've got a few high school kids who are going because they are writers," she said. "They are excited to be exposed to someone who has been published and can't wait to ask him questions about how he got started."
Richards said that many older students who have read Jacques' work will be coming to the event as well.
"I've got a few high school kids who are going because they are writers," she said. "They are excited to be exposed to someone who has been published and can't wait to ask him questions about how he got started."
Vail, Colorado
