Dear Dale, Every Thursday morning, our students practice writing about a variety of topics. Recently, the writing topic was “favorite books”. One of our third graders wrote a delightful story about your father’s books being his favorites. He is enthusiastic baseball fan (especially the Cubs), and a great student.

We wanted to share with you Colin’s story about his favorite author, in hopes that it will remind you of the positive impact your father’s work continues to have on young readers.

Hello, I just wanted to write to say thank you. I read so many of these books as a young kid, and just seeing the covers of them could have brought me to tears. These books are a major part of my life and a big reason I am so into sports and Coaching High school football at such a young age. These books taught me to have an imagination. I would stay up for hours reading the books! I began to write my own books in the elementary school about sports and my teachers were always shocked about how much detail I put into my stories. I wrote for my high school newspaper for a long time and had great reviews from other teachers, players and parents. Overall, again I just want to thank you for the wonderful time you providing me as a young kid, I will never be able to repay you enough!

Just wanted to send a note to tell you what a difference your books have made in our lives. My son discovered the series a year or two ago and has almost read the entire collection! It is so great to see him reading and excited about books! Sometimes I have to tell him to stop reading for fun when he has chores around the house to do : ) Thanks again for the GREAT books! — PS If you ever need a character name in a new book consider “Owen” – it is a great name!

Reading is NOT my favorite subject in school, but when I read your books I want to keep on reading until the end. You are awesome! I would like to see more books about skiing and swimming. Thanks.

I have taught for 30+ years now and still find your dad’s books as enjoyable for my boys to read today as I did when I first discovered them. I teach in a small farming community with a recent influx of Mexican-American children that parents speak little to no English at home. My 6th, 7th and 8th grade remedial readers are actually at a 3rd or low 4th grade level and these books hold their interest, are short to read, and about something they can relate to. Thank you for continuing to write these wonderful books for the children. I find myself reading the new ones too and love what you are adding to his collection. Thank you Thank you Thank you

My name is LTJG Greg Hinkle and I am an officer with VP-9 stationed in Hawaii and just wanted to say your books and the sportsmanship they promote stayed with me all through childhood and helped shape myself and many of my fellow servicemen and women to become the team players we are today. Thanks for sending out such a great message and helping to shape the youth of today to become winners every day.