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Reader's Forum » Talking about Books » Notorious - Question
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December 1, 2022 at 08:24 pm Reply
BriarHello Mr Korman - I was there in third grade author visit today (I had crazy earmuffs on) but didn't get to ask my question. I wanted to ask you was what inspired you to write Notorious because its my favorite book (although I've not quite finished it yet)? I love all of the characters and the theme of the book.
Kind rgds, Briar
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December 2, 2022 at 05:19 am Reply
Gordon Kormanobject(stdClass)#828 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "22031" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2022-12-02 05:19:31" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-12-02 05:19:31" ["post_content"]=> string(777) "Hi, Briar.
Sorry I didn't manage to get to your question, but let's do it now.
I'm so glad you like NOTORIOUS so much. I'd wanted to do an American/Canadian story for quite some time, plus I was always fascinated by the little places on the Canada/US border that are so quaint and interwoven and interesting. And I REALLY enjoyed writing about the American boy and the Canadian girl and their friendship under unusual circumstances.
I hope the rest of the book keeps you reading happily! Thanks for posting.
-----Gordon Korman-----
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(10) "reply-6508" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2022-12-02 05:19:31" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-12-02 05:19:31" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "22030" ["guid"]=> string(49) "https://gordonkorman.com/uncategorized/reply-6508" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }Hi, Briar.
Sorry I didn't manage to get to your question, but let's do it now.
I'm so glad you like NOTORIOUS so much. I'd wanted to do an American/Canadian story for quite some time, plus I was always fascinated by the little places on the Canada/US border that are so quaint and interwoven and interesting. And I REALLY enjoyed writing about the American boy and the Canadian girl and their friendship under unusual circumstances.
I hope the rest of the book keeps you reading happily! Thanks for posting.
-----Gordon Korman-----
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December 6, 2022 at 07:31 pm Reply
Claire Fooksobject(stdClass)#827 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "22054" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2022-12-06 19:31:28" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-12-06 19:31:28" ["post_content"]=> string(194) "Hello Gordon,
I was wondering, you are going to write books for the rest of your life or are you going to retire some day?
Thanks,
Claire Fooks
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(10) "reply-6518" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2022-12-06 19:31:28" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-12-06 19:31:28" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "22030" ["guid"]=> string(49) "https://gordonkorman.com/uncategorized/reply-6518" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }Hello Gordon,
I was wondering, you are going to write books for the rest of your life or are you going to retire some day?
Thanks,
Claire Fooks
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December 6, 2022 at 07:44 pm Reply
Gordon Kormanobject(stdClass)#826 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "22057" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2022-12-06 19:44:32" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-12-06 19:44:32" ["post_content"]=> string(298) "Hi, Claire,
I guess I'll retire someday. I haven't given it much thought. But I've written 100+ books, and I haven't run out of ideas so far. I guess I'll have to think about that! So far. I'm still scribbling! -----Gordon Korman-----
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(10) "reply-6521" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2022-12-06 19:44:32" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-12-06 19:44:32" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "22030" ["guid"]=> string(49) "https://gordonkorman.com/uncategorized/reply-6521" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }Hi, Claire,
I guess I'll retire someday. I haven't given it much thought. But I've written 100+ books, and I haven't run out of ideas so far. I guess I'll have to think about that! So far. I'm still scribbling! -----Gordon Korman-----
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January 17, 2023 at 01:23 am Reply
Sara Hechingobject(stdClass)#824 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "22214" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2023-01-17 01:23:16" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2023-01-17 01:23:16" ["post_content"]=> string(851) "Dear Mr. Korman,
I just wanted to let you know that I really, really enjoy your books. They're really funny and I tell all my friends who hate reading to read them-and they all love them, and ask me for more. I especially love all your old books, like Bruno and Boots, Bugs Potter, and I Want to go Home. I'm not gonna go through all my favorite books, it would take too long. I also liked Linked, because it talked about the Holocaust, which my great-grandparents survived. Their relatives were a part of the 6 million you wrote about. I left it lying on the counter, and my grandmother wanted to read it because it was her parents. Also, one question. Why does it say ages 8-12 on the backs? I'm 13 and I still love them:) And one more thing-when's your next book coming out? I'm waiting!
Thanks, Sara Heching
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(10) "reply-6598" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2023-01-17 01:23:16" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2023-01-17 01:23:16" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "22030" ["guid"]=> string(49) "https://gordonkorman.com/uncategorized/reply-6598" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }Dear Mr. Korman,
I just wanted to let you know that I really, really enjoy your books. They're really funny and I tell all my friends who hate reading to read them-and they all love them, and ask me for more. I especially love all your old books, like Bruno and Boots, Bugs Potter, and I Want to go Home. I'm not gonna go through all my favorite books, it would take too long. I also liked Linked, because it talked about the Holocaust, which my great-grandparents survived. Their relatives were a part of the 6 million you wrote about. I left it lying on the counter, and my grandmother wanted to read it because it was her parents. Also, one question. Why does it say ages 8-12 on the backs? I'm 13 and I still love them:) And one more thing-when's your next book coming out? I'm waiting!
Thanks, Sara Heching
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January 17, 2023 at 04:31 am Reply
Gordon Kormanobject(stdClass)#809 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "22216" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2023-01-17 04:31:02" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2023-01-17 04:31:02" ["post_content"]=> string(660) "Hi, Sara,
Thanks for posting. I'm pleased to hear that my books have been making a hit with you.
The designation that my books are for ages 8 to 12 doesn't come from me. The publisher decides that. And if your Bubbie enjoys LINKED, then the publisher has picked the ages wrong, that's for sure!
As for the next book, no need to wait. It's called THE SUPERTEACHER PROJECT, and it came out Jan, 10th, so it's brand-new in the stores.
Thanks again, Sara. -----Gordon Korman-----
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(10) "reply-6600" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2023-01-17 04:31:02" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2023-01-17 04:31:02" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "22030" ["guid"]=> string(49) "https://gordonkorman.com/uncategorized/reply-6600" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }Hi, Sara,
Thanks for posting. I'm pleased to hear that my books have been making a hit with you.
The designation that my books are for ages 8 to 12 doesn't come from me. The publisher decides that. And if your Bubbie enjoys LINKED, then the publisher has picked the ages wrong, that's for sure!
As for the next book, no need to wait. It's called THE SUPERTEACHER PROJECT, and it came out Jan, 10th, so it's brand-new in the stores.
Thanks again, Sara. -----Gordon Korman-----
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March 28, 2023 at 01:54 pm Reply
Donna Irwinobject(stdClass)#817 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "22507" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2023-03-28 13:54:23" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2023-03-28 13:54:23" ["post_content"]=> string(410) "Dear Mr. Korman,
I am a reading resource teacher and my 5th grade read "War Stories". We thoroughly enjoyed the complexity and family connections in the book. I had a student ask a plot question, so I thought I would forward the question to you.
The question is, how could Phillipe be a great grandson of Rene LaFleur?
Thank you,
Donna Irwin
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(10) "reply-6753" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2023-03-28 13:54:23" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2023-03-28 13:54:23" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "22030" ["guid"]=> string(49) "https://gordonkorman.com/uncategorized/reply-6753" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }Dear Mr. Korman,
I am a reading resource teacher and my 5th grade read "War Stories". We thoroughly enjoyed the complexity and family connections in the book. I had a student ask a plot question, so I thought I would forward the question to you.
The question is, how could Phillipe be a great grandson of Rene LaFleur?
Thank you,
Donna Irwin
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March 28, 2023 at 08:27 pm Reply
Gordon Kormanobject(stdClass)#804 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "22510" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2023-03-28 20:27:38" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2023-03-28 20:27:38" ["post_content"]=> string(631) "Hi, Ms. Irwin,
Your student should be on someone's staff as a proofreader! Good eye!
The fact is, though, that Rene and Madame were portrayed as relatively mature people who would have had older children besides the small ones who perished in the house.
OR
Rene survived, after all, and might have remarried and had more children. So the line would have continued and -- ta-da! -- Phillippe. (Those are my stories, and I'm sticking with them!)
Thanks for posting. I'm glad the class enjoye WAR STORIES. -----Gordon Korman-----
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(10) "reply-6755" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2023-03-28 20:27:38" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2023-03-28 20:27:38" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "22030" ["guid"]=> string(49) "https://gordonkorman.com/uncategorized/reply-6755" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }Hi, Ms. Irwin,
Your student should be on someone's staff as a proofreader! Good eye!
The fact is, though, that Rene and Madame were portrayed as relatively mature people who would have had older children besides the small ones who perished in the house.
OR
Rene survived, after all, and might have remarried and had more children. So the line would have continued and -- ta-da! -- Phillippe. (Those are my stories, and I'm sticking with them!)
Thanks for posting. I'm glad the class enjoye WAR STORIES. -----Gordon Korman-----
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February 19, 2024 at 02:13 am Reply
George Cuchnaobject(stdClass)#825 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "24367" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2024-02-19 02:13:24" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2024-02-19 02:13:24" ["post_content"]=> string(941) "I have read Notorious at least 10 times. I love it, but there is a mistake that I think you made in chapter #22. On page 226 & 227 *(the end of the chapter) you have bathroom times listed out by each person. You wrote that L. Piccoli was out for 3:54 and V. Piccoli was out for 3:16. Then said "we can rule out Ping, Farnsworth, Stickle and Tolenski, but not Lola Piccoli. Even though she was absent less than 3:30, she could have been in cahoots with her husband who took longer."
According to the chart L. (Lola) Piccoli was out MORE than 3:30 and her husband V. Piccoli took LESS time.
I wanted to let you know for when the book is printed in the future.
P.S. I have been reading your books since I was in 2nd grade and I am in 5th grade now. I think you are a wonderful writer.
Superfan, George
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(10) "reply-7977" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2024-02-19 02:13:24" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2024-02-19 02:13:24" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "22030" ["guid"]=> string(49) "https://gordonkorman.com/uncategorized/reply-7977" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }I have read Notorious at least 10 times. I love it, but there is a mistake that I think you made in chapter #22. On page 226 & 227 *(the end of the chapter) you have bathroom times listed out by each person. You wrote that L. Piccoli was out for 3:54 and V. Piccoli was out for 3:16. Then said "we can rule out Ping, Farnsworth, Stickle and Tolenski, but not Lola Piccoli. Even though she was absent less than 3:30, she could have been in cahoots with her husband who took longer."
According to the chart L. (Lola) Piccoli was out MORE than 3:30 and her husband V. Piccoli took LESS time.
I wanted to let you know for when the book is printed in the future.
P.S. I have been reading your books since I was in 2nd grade and I am in 5th grade now. I think you are a wonderful writer.
Superfan, George
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February 19, 2024 at 04:41 am Reply
object(stdClass)#814 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "24371" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2024-02-19 04:41:11" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2024-02-19 04:41:11" ["post_content"]=> string(511) "Ouch, George!!!
Not only did I miss that, but so did my editor and the nit-picky copy editor who reads it all over for mistakes just like that! Plus it sold a lot of copies, but you're the only one who noticed it!
Thank you for noticing, for pointing it out, and for being a superfan!
Best regards, -----Gordon Korman-----
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(10) "reply-7979" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2024-02-19 04:41:11" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2024-02-19 04:41:11" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "22030" ["guid"]=> string(49) "https://gordonkorman.com/uncategorized/reply-7979" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }Ouch, George!!!
Not only did I miss that, but so did my editor and the nit-picky copy editor who reads it all over for mistakes just like that! Plus it sold a lot of copies, but you're the only one who noticed it!
Thank you for noticing, for pointing it out, and for being a superfan!
Best regards, -----Gordon Korman-----