Gavin Goodfellow

Uncle Warney, a favorite character for a number of students in 2011

What a joy to learn that Mrs. Theolofiles' 7th grade students are once again delving into Gavin Goodfellow and the adventures of his Christian journey.

If you are in her class, I hope you will post comments as you progress through the chapters. So we don't give away the story to those who haven't read it yet, how about telling me what emotions you experience or what spiritual truths you gain from what you're reading. Also, if you have any general questions or concerns about the characters, setting, or overall direction of the book, I would be happy to begin dialoguing now instead of waiting until the day I come to visit in late May or early June. After seeing the posters the students created last year (sample attached), I’m really eager to see the illustrations of the lodge you come up with!

Photo by Dairia Abate

Photo by Dairia Abate

What a great Q&A session the author and students had this morning in both sixth grade classes at Eagles Nest Christian School. I hope the students will all post their comments about Gavin Goodfellow: The Lure of Burnt Swamp on the Burnt Swamp Blog! Thanks to Jessica Hague for the repeat invitation and, as always, the warm reception.

Mrs. Candy,

My favorite part of the book was when Gavin let Jesus in his heart. There was so much light and amazement in the attic . I could picture it so well in my head. Gavin finally does not feel bad about his dyslexia and other things. Gavin has the armor of God and is ready. That is what i thought was the most important part.

From,

Chase Murphy

Hey! I love your book! its amazing what i learned about the evils that are out there in the real world. I'm so glad that you wrote this book so that the young Christians of this generation may know all the temptations that are out there. my question to you is — how long did it take you to research all the witch craft in the Gavin Goodfellow books? Thanks for coming into our class, and talking to us and answering out questions. i can't wait for the second and third books to come out!…Thanks again   Hannah Hoefs

Hi, my name is Nicholas Johnson. I am a student at Salisbury Christian School. We are reading the book Gavin Goodfellow in my 7th grade English class. I wanted to know what the importance of Ugly Cat appearing in Gavin's video game is? Did Uncle Warney program this or did God put Ugly Cat in the game? Does the game have any connection to the lodge and burnt swamp? Is Ugly Cat based on a real cat?  Thank You for your time and for coming to visit our school.

Dear Mrs. Candy,

Thank you for coming to our classroom and answering our questions.  I did not get to ask you; where you got Widow Woebe from? Does she look like someone or did you make her up? One of my favorite parts of the book was when Gavin is in the attic and he could see God. Another part I enjoyed was when Bea and Hee-Haw got blinded from the bright light in the attic. I have enjoyed reading your book and learning about the story of Burnt Swamp.

Trey H.

Dear Mrs Candy,

Hi Mrs Candy this is Caleb Kirk thanking you for coming to our class and sharing a lot of interesting facts about your book. I personally like the part in the plot where Gavin is in the attic in the stokes mansion and how God shows him Bea and Hehaw. Then God shows them his power by

blinding them with his powerful light that flows from him and blinds any eye to show his power. My second favorite part of the plot is when Gavin gets his armor of God. I really like how you made Gavin receive the armor of God and confess his sins because he really needed to confess them. My personal favorite character is Uncle Warney because of the attitude you gave him. The way he is always waiting for a mission from God. All in all,  thank you for coming to our class to talk about your book.

Sincerely, Caleb Kirk

Dear Mrs. Abbott,

I was very excited about reading your first book about Gavin Goodfellow. My favorite part of the book was when Dexter talked about his parents to and Gavin and Molly. Dexter is a strong and compassionate person. He was able to have God's strenght to get through his parents' death. I liked that Dexter was a very giving person and was a great friend to Gavin. Reading about Dexter reminds me of God wants us to love and treat others. Thank you for writing about Gavin Goodfellow. I look forward to part two.

Sincerely,

Madison Copeland
7th Grade English
Salisbury Christian School

Dear Mrs. Candy,

I like Bea's character the most.  She is very pretty on the outside, but it teaches you that you need to be pretty on the inside too.  I can't wait to find out if Madam Daark is her real mom or not.

She is a very interesting character and she is fun to read about.  Bea is very independent and smart even with her witchcraft.  I also like her because she has blond hair just like me. I'm very excited to read the next book. Thank you for coming in our class and teaching us more about Gavin and his friends.

Mariah P.

Dear Mrs. Abbott,

Thank you for coming to our class at Salisbury Christian School. I really like the character Gavin. He is my favorite because I would like to be him since he gets to talk to God. Another  thing I like about him is that he gets to go on a mission for God.I liked how you referred to Gavin as acting like Moses. I also think it was a good idea that you used things in the book to relate to actual passages in the Bible. I'm glad you wrote a good spiritual fantasy that's interesting. I am looking forward to the next book.

Sincerely,

Caleb Anderson

Hello Mrs.Candy,

First off, I want to thank you for coming and answering our questions on Tuesday.You answered a ton of my questions and thanks for the Gavin Goodfellow things too.

I also want to thank you for putting time and effort into writing a second Gavin Goodfellow book for all of us.

Second, My favorite character is Molly. She is what I hope and pray to be like someday. She is strong with the Lord, she usually puts others first, and she has a servants heart.

Thanks for everything,

Danielle S.

Dear Mrs.Candy Abbott,

My name is Hannah Adkins and I go to Salisbury Christian and I attend Mrs.Theofiles English class. My poster was poster #6.

It was so good to meet you.

I loved reading Gavin Goodfellow, The Lure of The Burnt Swamp. I cannot wait until book two!

My favorite character was Bea because she is a very interesting character, it is scary to know what the world is really like. My favorite part of the book was when Gavin was kidnapped by Dexter and Uncle Warney. I liked that part because we didn't finish reading it until the next class at first I thought it was Bea and Madam Daark. When I heard it was Dexter and Uncle Warney and I was in shock. I also enjoyed our project about the book and was fun!

Sincerely,

Hannah Adkins

Thanks for coming to our school to talk about the Gavin Goodfellow story.  My favorite part of the book is when Gavin had to eat the book for his Uncle Warney.  Gavin showed bravery and trusted God when he ate the book.  This part was an excellent touch to the book. The part when it tasted like 7-up, dried apricots and apple slices was priceless.  That was a little funny that he had to eat a book.  Gavin had the courage to eat the book for God and his friends.

I would like to know why you became  a Christian?

Zach J

Dear Miss Candy,

Thank you for coming to our class on Tuesday!  I appreciate you  coming and answering our questions we had for you.  I like the book but chapter 1 was a little confusing, and also the vision.  My favorite character is Bea.  I like Bea because it sounds like she has style and she also seems like she wants to be closer to Madam Daark.  Thank you  again for taking your time and coming to our class.

-Alyssa E.

Mrs.Candy I really liked the setting you did at the lodge in the beginning of the book.
When Gavin, Molly, and Eric see the sign NO TRESPASSING they go in anyway.
With the classical spiderwebs, and mousetraps,but something new, wax candle drippings all over the floor. The pentagram was a nice touch to the lodge. It felt scary just reading the book. I cant wait to finish the book, and see book number 2.

I go to SCS. Thank you for coming. I was not there the entire time because of Jr. Honor Society. My favorite part of the book though is the part when Gavin meets God. I liked it because Gavin finally can beat the Daarks. Thank you for coming and answering my questions.

Jared S.

Dear Ms. Candy

I love your Gavin Goodfellow book. My favorite part of the book is when Gavin, Molly, and Eric were trespassing in the lodge. I liked how descriptive you were in all the details. When Gavin was being sucked into the fireplace I could almost see him struggling in my mind.

I thought it was so exciting when Gavin, Molly, and Eric were on the trail and the police car was coming toward them.

I liked the way Gavin covered for his friends. I think that you did a great job on the book and it is an inspiration to kids and adults alike.

Seth H.

Dear Mrs. Candy Abbott,

I really have enjoyed this book. My favorite part in the book is when Gavin had a face to face talk with God. I also had a favorite character. My favorite character is uncle Warney because he is funny and has strong faith in Christ. I do have two questions. In book two is there more of spiritual warfare? When do you hope to finish book two?

Sincerely,
Merideth M.

Out of all the books I have read, Gavin Goodfellow has the most intriguing story line. This book has suspense, like when Gavin gets kidnapped, and it has foreshadowing which catches my attention. Uncle Warney has to be my favorite character out of the entire book. He has such a great spirit and never complains about anything that happens. Instead he just embraces the Lord even more and relies on Him in times of need. My favorite event in the book is when Gavin gets anointed  at the stokes mansion and he finally sees Christ.

Seth S.

Uncle Warney is my favorite character in the book.  All my favorite parts in the book have something to do with him.  He is the only one who is obsessed with God.  I like it when he knows that evil is lurking.  Uncle Warney knows how to get the diary back but why doesn't he tell Gavin?

These are some of the reasons that Uncle Warney is my favorite character.

Thanks for writing this book.

Cole L.
Salisbury Christian School
7th Grade Class