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PEKIN: Best selling author talks about his imagination in Pekin, elsewhere

Posted September 27, 2007 11:00 pm

Kevin Sampier

Of course enchanted creatures like giants, dragons, fairies and trolls can't be found in everyday life.

That's because they're tucked away on a wildlife refuge called Fablehaven.

At least that's the premise of author Brandon Mull's "Fablehaven" book series, and many of the students at Pekin's Wilson Intermediate School love every bit of it.

"I make a living from my imagination," Mull said to about 400 fourth and sixth graders at the school Friday during an imagination-building session.

Mull, a New York Times best selling author, stopped at area schools in Pekin, Dunlap and Peoria Friday to promote the power of imagination and his new line of books.

So far two books in the five-part "Fablehaven" series have been released, with the third set for release in April. The second installment landed on the New York Times best seller list and brought talks of a movie deal for Mull.

The same producers of the Marvel comic-based movies Spider-Man and X-Men are working on a deal to bring Mull's "Fablehaven" to the big screen.

"For a new writer, it's a vast relief that people are interested," Mull said.

The fantasy and adventure-style books have been compared by critics to the Harry Potter series, but Mull says his books aren't just a Potter spin-off.

"We're not trying to re-write Harry Potter, but it's definitely for a similar audience," he said. "I think that's a great book in the genre and it's gratifying to be compared to it."

Students eagerly waved their arms in the air as they sat on the gym floor, filled with questions for Mull about his work.

The students have been reading the books in class and some got to participate in an imagination game with Mull, who asked them questions and created a bizarre planet with marshmallow monsters and freezing weather during an impromptu story session.

"I was always a big day dreamer," said Mull, explaining his source of writing creativity.

Principal Matt Green said Mull's visit was intended to get students interested in reading, and it seemed to work.

"Reading, by far, is our biggest area of concentration," Green said. "This really promotes literacy for our students in a big way."

Green said all the schools in District 108 are striving for more reading among students.

"Our big push is wanting kids to enjoy reading and also become better readers," he said.

For the students in the audience, Mull's visit helped bring the fantasy of "Fablehaven" to life. Free posters didn't hurt either.

"I've read a lot of books about magic powers and this is one of the good ones," said fourth grader Ardit Rrushaj, who was also impressed by the presentation. "It taught me a lot about imagination."

Kevin Sampier can be reached at (309) 346-5300 or ksampier@pjstar.com.

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