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Hi, Ms. Russo,

You got me! I made up Centerlight. I based it on a store I was in as a very young kid. I think it was on the Quebec border with Maine. Or Vermont. I mean ON the border. The international line went right through the shop, and was actually drawn on the wooden floor. The concept of being able to shop in 2 countries in the same store really resonated with me. The small town was half in the US and half in Canada, which seemed bizarre to me. I thought it would make an interesting backdrop for a story about an American boy and a Canadian girl.

Thank you for promoting my books among your students. Now you can tell them not to search the St. Clair river for Centerlight!

                    Regards,                                                                        —–Gordon Korman—–