Idea Forum
The Stone Tree is being written with your help. We want to know how you'd like the story to continue (and anything we might need to change). The Idea Forum is where you and other readers can voice your thoughts! Here are the current ideas submitted after Chapter One...
May 15, 2006
Nancy, a Stone Tree author says:
As always, look for links to see where your feedback changes the story on this page (and at the bottom of the page when reading the story). You've all put in some great ideas, and we look forward to incorporating them! Alexandria, we will be including more in the story, but I can let you in on a few details now. Scalamandré is a boy and he is based on the Eastern Red-Spotted Newt. To learn a bit more about this type of newt, visit http://www.kentuckyawake.org. More to come in the story!
May 14, 2006
Alexandria from Long Beach, CA says:
I have some certain questions to ask- what specific species is the red newt? Is it a boy or a girl? How did it learn to come the way it is now? I understand that some of my questions could be introduced and anwered later in the story, but I was just curious. :P
May 11, 2006
Briare from Wilmington, NC says:
she should get interruped by her friend terry and terry sais "gess what gess what i just saw one of the most amasig things!"
May 9, 2006
Rador from Rockfored, MI says:
she asks a docter to do a scientific study on the mamoth
May 9, 2006
Toni from Ripon, WI says:
I think you should add more detail to make the story more interesting
May 9, 2006
Monique from Washington, DC says:
Well, I have noticed that in the prolouge that you were overusing the word "food". You maybe could fix that, but other wise, i think you did a really good job. Keep up the good work. (In the next chapter you should make her notice her sister's pictures about the wall, and have them be a picture of a mammoth and the newt or something....i dont know, intruiging.)
May 5, 2006
Nancy, a Stone Tree author says:
Again, many thanks to our readers! Some great ideas that you will see incorporated into the upcoming story. Look on this page for a link to where your input is used. And to answer Victor's question, we are writing for 8-12 year olds — or anyone who enjoys a good tale!
April 25, 2006
Sharon from Los Angeles, CA says:
I like the story so far! Definitely interested to see how the past and present are tied together. I love any kind of "action/adventure based on real history" stories. I would try to incorporate real historical places and/or events into the story (ala National Treasure or Da Vincy Code).
April 25, 2006
Victor from Los Angeles, CA says:
great read for children. What particular age group were you focusing on?
April 24, 2006
Maria from Chicago, IL says:
It would be good if the newt could talk and became friends with the girls-offered advice and helped them to invent things to get their school work done
April 24, 2006
Gena from Evanston, IL says:
She shouldn't ask, she should just keep finding more weird clues and have to figure out who/what the newt is!
April 23, 2006
Nancy, a Stone Tree author says:
Great feedback, everyone! Keep it coming. We'll definitely add some more information on the gate and the newt in the next couple of chapters. As you see more of them, let us know if you have any questions about them that you'd like answered — like Nadia and Lee's suggestions for more about what the gate and newt do and how the newt waves and talks. (Look for your "This page made better by..." tags to pop up shortly, Nadia and Lee!) Editorial feedback is most welcome, too. Thanks, Dina. We'll go back and take a look! TTFN, Nancy!
April 23, 2006
Nadia from Los Angeles, CA says:
It should tell what is the stone tree gate and what the red newt does.
April 23, 2006
Lee from Los Angeles, CA says:
I want to know how the mammoth got extinct. How does the newt wave and talk?
April 23, 2006
Dina from Los Angeles, CA says:
There were a couple places in Chapter 1 where a sentence was followed by another sentence that started with the exact same words, so that made the reading in those places a little awkward. Overall, I'm very curious about how the mammoth and the newt are connected and why the newt has appeared to the mammoth and these two girls. I hope that the whole school will get involved by the end of the story.
Dina made the following pages better:
Chapter One, Page 3 >>
Re-wrote sentences to remove confusing sentence starts.
April 22, 2006
Nancy, a Stone Tree author says:
Look for the kinder side of Marianne Carr (the teacher) shortly. She is, indeed, a little stressed out when we first see her. But your suggestions for helping her find enthusiasm by working with Hannah and Isabelle are a good ones. Look for a story poll coming up on how involved she should be or post your comments here! Anything in particular you'd like to know about Zephi? TTFN, Nancy!
April 19, 2006
Heidi from Chicago, IL says:
It would be nice if the teacher became involved with Hannah and Lizzie as they solve the mystery of the Newt. They could come to see that she is smart and nice, not just some boring adult...She is a hard working teacher and it would be nice if she was a more sympathetic character. Also, she is stressed out so intercating with these two kids could help her rediscover her enjoyment of teaching and working with kids. All of them will be inspired some way by the magic of this adventure. Also, maybe include Isabelle's newt drawing along with her story. I liked the feeling of suspense as the girls are on the brink of a big adventure. Also, want to find out more about Zephi...
Heidi made the following pages better:
Chapter One, Page 2 >>
Edited teacher thoughts to leave more room for her to be sympathetic.
Policy >>