Where Did You Get the Idea?
I read an article about tiny worm-like creatures that ruin books by eating the glue in the binding. (As you can imagine, librarians hate these “bookworms.”) I thought it was interesting and funny that something so small could have power; so I jotted down a note in my journal about these creatures.
Many months later, I began to think about the idea. What if a worm liked ink instead of dirt or glue? What if the worm had a magical appetite? What if things disappeared from the world when the worm ate words? What if a girl found the worm and realized that she had the power to delete anything? The more I thought about it, the more I thought it would make a great story.
Plot and Theme
Plot and theme are two important elements of every book. The plot is what happens. The theme is what the story is really all about.
The plot of the The Word Eater is about a magic worm that eats words. The theme of The Word Eater is about the struggle for power and the consequences of having it.
Discussion Questions
In the book, each character either has power or wants power. Get your brain in gear for these powerful questions.
- In the beginning, what about Lerner’s situation makes her feel particularly powerless?
- What clique at Cleveland Park Middle School has the most power? Why do they have power?
- Talk about the power teachers have over students in the book. What kind of power should teachers have? What kind of power should students have?
- If you have power, you can use it wisely or you can abuse it. Which characters abuse their power?
- How do Lerner and the SLUGS become powerful?
To Try:
Make a list of the words you’d feed to Fip. Then, imagine what would happen. Make a chart like Lerner did, listing the ethical consequences.
Class Project
Start your own class newspaper. Interview each other and your teacher. Write stories and print them out on a computer.
Other Books about Language and Power:
Check out these other great books about the power of words!
- Frindle by Andrew Clements
- Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
- The Pushcart War by Jean Merrill
Extra Credit
On the very last page of The Word Eater, a psychic in an advertisement says: “Something is going to happen on September 1 st.”
What do you think is going to happen on September 1 st? Hint: It has to do with Lerner’s pocket calendar and her first experiment with Fip.
During these challenging times, I’m releasing new works on audio for free. Available for free listening through December 31, 2020.
Traveling Tales (audiobook, 2020) Three timeless, original stories specifically written for audio. Each story features an engaging character who takes an unexpected journey. Lovingly-crafted long-form stories with rich language and imagery, The Chair, The Umbrella Maker and her Son, and Goose Child are meant for young children and adults to enjoy together. Perfect for bedtime snuggles. Best for ages 4-7. Listen to a sample and 
A Star on TV, Lucy McGee (Holiday House, 2020) When Lucy has the great idea of singing the weather report for the school’s TV news show, she makes the mistake of not inviting her friends in the Songwriting Club to join in the fun. Scarlett takes revenge by snagging an opportunity to sing the weather on real TV and inviting her “best” friends. Will Lucy’s desire to get on TV push her to make the kind of choices that will cause trouble not only with friends, but also at home? Find out in the final book of the Lucy McGee series. Best for ages 7-10. Hear the songs from the book and 
Lucky Me, Lucy McGee (Holiday House, 2020)When Ben & Bree, a chart-topping duo comes to town, all the kids in Lucy McGee’s Songwriting Club want to go to the big concert. The duo is known for giving away a free uke at every concert, and nobody wants to win more than Lucy. She lost the uke she borrowed from school and desperately wants to replace it before anyone finds out. But the overbearing Scarlett is the only one who gets concert tickets—just two—and she makes her friends compete to “win” her extra ticket. Can you be lucky even if you don’t get what you want? Find out in the winning third book of the Lucy McGee series. Starred review School Library Journal. Best for ages 7-10. Hear the songs from the book and 
Sing with Me, Lucy McGee (Holiday House, coming June 4, 2019) The Fall Talent Show is coming to Lucy McGee’s elementary school, and Lucy wants to write a great song to perform with her friends. When she finally writes a hit, jealous Scarlett takes all the credit. Lucy stoops to revenge, which backfires in hilarious ways, and inspires the group of friends to split into two opposing sides. On opening night, how far will Scarlett go to get the spotlight for herself? Can the show and friendships be saved? A link to hear Lucy’s songs with downloadable lyric-and-chord booklets, instructional videos, and karaoke tracks are included so that readers can sing their hearts out! Best for ages 7-10. Hear the songs from the book and 
News from Me, Lucy McGee (Holiday House, 2018) When funny and sweet Lucy is invited to help popular Scarlett fix up her new clubhouse, Lucy is thrilled. But saying yes means skipping the after-school Songwriting Club that Phillip has started. In this humorous and heartfelt story, Lucy discovers how complicated friendships can be—especially when one “friend” has a very mean streak. Lucy’s big heart, her endearing family, and her talent for songwriting help her—but only after she makes some hilarious mistakes along the way.Best for ages 7-10. Hear the songs from the book and 
Snarf Attack, Underfoodle, and the Secret of Life: The Riot Brothers Tell All (Holiday House, special re-release 2017) Meet the Riot Brothers—Orville and Wilbur Riot. Sometimes they are undercover detectives. Other times they challenge each other to see who can get the most underwear on his head in exactly thirty seconds. Best for ages 5-10. Pick of the Decade for 4th grade, NJ State Library; Sequoyah award nominee 2008 masterlist; Sasquatch award nominee 2008 masterlist; Danish edition (Gyldendal, 2010); Turkish and Lithuanian editions coming soon! 
Stinky and Successful: The Riot Brothers Never Stop (Holiday House, 2017) The Riot Brothers are back. Whether defeating a bully with Operation Armpit or winning an April Fool’s joke war with their mother, Orville and Wilbur Riot love a good adventure–especially if it involves stinky socks! Best for ages 5-10. Winner of the KC-3 Children’s Book Award 2009-2010. Danish edition (Gyldendal, 2010); Korean edition (JDM Joongang, 2009). 
Drooling and Dangerous: The Riot Brothers Return (Holiday House, 2017) The Riot Brothers are never bored. They won’t allow it! Whether it’s a school day, a snow day, or a switch day, Orville and Wilbur won’t let anything get in the way of having fun. Watch out for bug sandwiches—and be careful picking up that toothbrush! Best for ages 5-10. Winner of the KC3 Children’s Book Award 2008-2009. Bank Street Children’s Book Committee Best Children’s Book of 2007 in humor category for ages 5-9; Children’s Choices (IRA and CBC) for 2007; Korean editions (JDM Joongang, 2008); Danish edition, Gyldendal, 2010. 
Take the Mummy and Run: The Riot Brothers are on a Roll (Holiday House, 2017) Orville and Wilbur Riot aren’t sure what to expect when their cousin comes to visit. But adventure-loving Amelia E. Hart is just the kind of cousin these two crazy boys have always wanted! Whether hunting for lost mummies or creating their own water park, there’s never a dull moment. Best for ages 5-10. Danish edition (Gyldendal, 2010) 
Our Teacher is a Vampire and Other (Not) True Stories (Holiday House, 2016) The fifth graders in Mrs. Penrose’s class desperately want to write a story together in their secret journal. But getting a great idea for a story is hard and collaborating is even harder—especially when you throw a perfectionist, a new kid, a class clown, a schemer, and a ghoul-lover into the mix. When their beloved teacher has to take a leave of absence, they have to rely on each other and what they learn from a special author to write their masterpiece. Best for ages 7-11. 
Good Crooks Book One: Missing Monkey! (Egmont USA, 2014; Darby Creek, 2015) A hilarious new series for K-4. Billy and Jillian Crook have a big problem. Their parents are crooks, but they want to do good deeds! Publishers Weekly says: “the book’s many gags and sweetly absurd resolutions to the outlandish problems that arise will have beginning readers eager for more chaotic misadventures from these well-meaning Crooks.”. Best for ages 7-10A Book of the Month Club selection. 
Good Crooks Book Two: Dog Gone! (Egmont USA, 2014; Darby Creek, 2015) When their thieving parents kidnap a rich and famous TV dog, twins Billy and Jillian, tired of being crooks, try to return the dog to its rightful owner. Best for ages 7-10. A Book of the Month Club selection. 
Good Crooks Book Three: Sniff a Skunk! (Egmont USA, 2015; Darby Creek, 2015) Billy and Jillian’s infamous parents, the Crooks, expect the kids to find a new place to rob. Instead, the twins discover a lonely little orphan skunk in need of help. Will they be able to rescue the skunk and keep their parents from pulling off the next heist? Will their new furry friend help by raising a stink? How can a good deed smell so bad? Best for ages 7-10. 
Good Crooks Book Four: The fourth book, Quackily Ever After, is the grand finale and is being currently offered exclusively as a free audio book from the author in response to the school closures of spring 2020. Amato is releasing several chapters each week, starting April 1, 2020. Find out more 
Get Happy (Egmont USA, 2014; Carolrhoda Lab, 2015) Sixteen-year-old Minerva wants a ukulele for her birthday. What she gets instead is a letter from her long-lost father asking to reconnect. A novel about music, love, friends, and the search for identity. The novel includes six original songs, which readers can listen to on the website. Best for ages 12 and up. 
Guitar Notes (Egmont USA, 2012; Carolrhoda Lab, 2015) Two teens discover a powerful connection through music and songwriting. The unique graphics in this novel show the songwriting process from draft to completion and readers can hear the original songs that accompany the book. Best for ages 12 and up. No violence, profanity, or explicit content. Find out more at 
The Naked Mole-Rat Letters (Holiday House, 2005) When her father begins a long-distance romance with a zookeeper from Washington, D.C., twelve-year-old Frankie attempts to sabotage the relationship. Best for ages 10-14. Mark Twain Award 2008 masterlist;William Allen White Award 2008 masterlist; Sequoyah Award 2008 masterlist; Charlotte Award 2008 masterlist; Land of Enchantment Award 2008 masterlist; Rebecca Caudill 2010 masterlist; German edition (DTV, 2007);Japanese edition (Tokuma Shoten, 2011)
Please Write in This Book (Holiday House, 2006) When a teacher leaves a blank book in the Writer’s Corner for her students to find, with the instructions to “Please Write in This Book,” a great clash ensues. Best for ages 6-10. Winner of the Maud Hart Lovelace Award 2011-2012; Book of the Month Club edition, 2007; November pick for Read On! Wisconsin. 
The Chicken of the Family (Penguin Putnam, 2008) Henrietta’s sisters love to tease her. When they convince her that she’s a chicken instead of a little girl, she heads off to the farm to find her real family. What she discovers there will have readers squawking with delight. Best for ages 4-6. Winner of the 2009 Buckeye Children’s Book Award. Korean Edition (JDM Joongang, 2009);Publishers Weekly Starred Review; Junior Library Guild Choice; Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Starred Review;Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Choice (2008); Charlotte Zolotow Award Committee’s Highly Commended title (2009);Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice (2009);Red Clover Book Award (Vermont) Master List (2009-2010);Great Lakes Great ks Master List (Michigan) (2009-2010);Beehive (Utah) Book Award Master List (2009-2010);Selected for Dollywood’s Imagination Library program;Read on Wisconsin! Book Club Choice Summer 2009; Selected for Society of Illustrator’s Original Art Show 2008;Starred review Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books.
Open Mic Night at Westminster Cemetery (Carolrhoda Lab, coming in Sept 2018) Sixteen-year-old slam-poet Lacy Brink wakes up dead—and confused—in Westminster Cemetery. It’s the job of Sam, a young soldier who died in 1865, to help her adjust to the strict rules of the afterlife. Lacy proposes hosting an open mic; and when Sam and the other ghosts finally express themselves, surprising emotions emerge in this darkly hilarious tale about truth, forgiveness, and love. Warning: this work contains explicit language and mature themes. Best for ages 15 and up. More 
Invisible Lines (Egmont USA, 2009; Carolrhoda Books, 2015) A funny and poignant book about a talented and struggling 7th grade boy with grit named Trevor whofinds inspiration in the unlikely study of mushrooms. Best for ages 10-14. California Young Readers Medal nominee for grades 6-9 2012-2013; Truman (Missouri) Master list 2011-2012; German edition (Carlsen, 2012) 
I do an insane amount of appearances and teaching. I love connecting with readers and writers. Schools and libraries bring me in for large-scale assemblies and classroom workshops. I also teach grown ups how to unleash their inner kids. Besides focusing on creative writing, I teach songwriting, ukulele, story inventing, and more and lead workshops and retreats for all ages for a huge number of organizations. Take a glimpse at my 
