All About Matthew's Tangled Trails

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• A Quick Look at Matthew's Tangled Trails
• The Making of Matthew's Tangled Trails
• A Message from Merrick Avenue Middle School
• A Message from The Teacher, Mrs. Ellen Schwartz

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A Quick Look at Matthew's Tangled Trails

Ambushed by a mysterious bully...
Matthew and his classmates are desperate for help. Matthew’s canine houseguest, Gizmo, plunges into the turmoil. The bully strikes again, unleashing a bone-chilling scam.

Fifty-five teenagers partnered with authors Jeri Fink and Donna Paltrowitz to pursue Matthew’s frantic search for justice. Who is the cybercrook? Where is the money? Will Rhodes Middle School ever be the same?

Matthew’s Tangled Trails addresses the issues of plagiarism, racism, bullying, and the dangers of group think.

For more information, contact booksbyteens@jerifink.com.
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The Making of Matthew's Tangled Trails

The deliberations had begun! It was time to decide who did it? and the Merrick Avenue Middle School authors were at it again. Everyone had an opinion and an equal say in the outcome. It was more like Presidential candidates battling it out in a debate on national television than teenagers collaborating on a Young Adult Mystery.

That’s the way it was from the very first page. The teenagers from Mrs. Ellen Schwartz’s 7th grade Honors classes took their jobs very seriously. They were determined to make their book top notch, from content to grammar, and eagerly voiced their opinions. “I have found some things I think should be re-thought,” one student, Mike, e-mailed. “The book has a more serious vibe and some characters, like the crazy bus driver, although funny, should be removed.” Cesar wrote, “I don't think the book should call people with a Spanish background, Latinos. To some people that term is offensive.”

The student authors made their positions clear. Brian, Landon, Lindsay, and Amanda expressed their concerns by observing, “we think that the kids on the web should be mentioned more, Nicole should have a screen name, and that it’s very weird that Gigs can memorize the RAMS website. Also, the words, “they squared their shoulders” is mentioned way too much.”

Often, disagreements had to be solved with basic democratic process – class votes. Sean requested that Breanna be spelled with an “e” rather than an “i” because “my sister’s name is Breanna. Could you please change the spelling for sentimental reasons? It would be a great surprise for Breanna when I show her.” It was resolved in a majority vote. Similarly, choosing the cybercrook required three votes, using both the process of elimination and ultimately, compromise.

The kids were extraordinary – enthusiastic, hard working, and committed. Ideas and words flowed like moves in a video game, full of energy and determination. Everyone was an active participant. For example, to compose Matthew’s nightmare, three groups of kids directly contributed to the content: The D.A.L.J.S. (Danielle, Andrew, Lisa, Jordan, and Shaun); The HKKIMD (Hailey, Kim, Kelly, Ian, Doug, and Michael); and The Dodo Birds + A Girl (Michelle, Zach, Matt, and Mitchell). All of the students wrote posts for The Rhodes Reverie, articles or statements to The Rhodes Reporter, bully stories, and an assortment of ideas, stories, and writing that molded Matthew’s Tangled Trails into a very special book.

A Message from Merrick Avenue Middle School

The greatest gift an English teacher can bestow is to teach his or her students this noble truth: that the process of reading is one of the most enjoyable activities open to us as human beings. Academic success, existential knowledge, fulfilling employment (even better SAT scores!) can all derive from this simple understanding. Sadly, this is a difficult task, and one of the most challenging hurdles is the search for books that are both entertaining and meaningful. What great works of young adult literature have in common is their ability to truly communicate to children of a specific age: to speak to them in the voice of their own hearts. By initiating this collaboration between two adult authors and a group of seventh grade children, Jeri Fink, Donna Paltrowitz, and Ellen Schwartz have succeeded in a plethora of arenas rarely open to educators, parents, or writers. The authors have heard first hand the dreams and fears of the children about whom they write; the teacher has given her students the chance to learn about writing and about language by doing, not merely observing; and our students have had the opportunity to be listened to, to be respected, and to take part in an act of creation beyond what any of them might accomplish individually. The fact that this novel is also providing a forum for kids to talk honestly about the contemporary problems they face is an unexpected reward. We are extremely proud of the parents, teachers, and students who made this book possible. This is a truly innovative learning experience which all of the parties will be sure to remember for years to come.

Ms. Caryn Frange
Ms. Teresa Grossane
Mr. Sean Llewellyn

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A Message from The Teacher, Mrs. Ellen Schwartz

The making of Matthew’s Tangled Trails can be compared to gardening. Planting the seeds, cultivating the young minds of my students, and watching them grow tall with blossoms facing the sun, can only bring a teacher the greatest of pleasures.

The process of writing, like gardening, is never an easy task. Working on Matthew’s Tangled Trails and seeing my student’s growth while learning so much more than what is on the written page, empowered all of us. The process of sharing ideas, thoughts, and criticisms is invaluable. The lessons learned as well as discussions and debates dealing with everyday teenage problems was infinitely worthwhile. The forum afforded the students the opportunity to delve into their own feelings and arrive at viable solutions.

Writing, re-writing, and editing, and the entire creative process was a course of its own. Can a teacher ask for more when all aspects of learning are going on and the end product is not only Matthew’s Tangled Trails, but the smiles of accomplishment on the faces of such wonderful students?

I was thankful for the opportunity to help prepare these young people for the arena of “life” with this small step, hopeful they will take many giant ones in the future.

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