Rob Tourtelot

September 22, 2015

Hello there! My wife and I were at dinner with an author friend and her husband the other night, and she asked what book from childhood had stuck with us the most. The instant, easy answer for me: Alan Mendelsohn, the Boy from Mars, which I read in 6th grade, back in 1982. My daughter’s only 7 1/2, but she lives for books, so I thought I’d give it a try.

I bought a copy and have been reading it to her nightly. It’s as brilliant and hilarious as remembered–with so much heart. She’s a shy kid, and connected with it immediately, of course. I just wanted to say thank you, and let you know how much we’re enjoying these nightly reading sessions together–my daughter hearing it for the first time, and me feeling the nostalgia of revisiting this treasured book from my own childhood. It’s such a pleasure sharing it with her.

Much appreciation and well wishes from a grateful (re)reader, and father of an ardent new fan.

Kind regards,

Rob Tourtelot
Rhinecliff, NY

Thanks for the gratifying message.  I'm delighted you and your daughter are enjoying Alan Mendelsohn, and Oblong Books in Rhinebeck can suggest other books of mine which I wrote later, after learning how.