What a wonderful author to highlight! I think she is one of the most underrated authors out there. Donuthead and Donutheart are two of my favorite books.

Sue is fabulous on all fronts -- I have an agent because of her. Glad to see her getting the attention she deserves.

I'm a Stauffacher fan, too. Her Donuthead is an inspiration for all of us who want to balance humor and heart in our writing.
Congratulations, Sue, on this award!

Wireman is perfect for students struggling to read. the format is accessible, the subject is relevant to the lives of students who have not been successful in schools. The issues are pertinent to the hallways these kids live in, bullying, girl gangs, the lost boys of Sudan, loneliness, homelessness. This series is just what the doctor ordered. Especially poignant is the fact that the super hero is from their neighborhood.

Thanks for this post. It took me to Sue Stauffacher's great web site, and information about her work with women prisoners, among other things. Harry Sue is one of my favorite characters of all time. Congratulations, Sue!

I've been working with Sue for a couple of years on a creative writing project aimed at the kids in Grand Rapids Public Schools. Rarely do I see the kids as absorbed as they are when they're reading Wireman. Students who enter the workshop complaining about how much they hate writing and reading are soon begging for the next issue. It really is a remarkable series, and a resource that more teachers with relunctant readers should be using! Congratulations on your award, Sue!

Sue, you hit the nail right on the head with "Wireman." My class could barely wait for Wireman time. They would ask all day when were we going to finish reading about "Wireman". That comic book format held my top reader as well as my lower readers. We were able to discuss and have a number of language arts lessons (ex.writing and grammar) and even social studies (map skills). I found it to be very unique and extremely valuable. My class became little detectives examining each picture and even rereading, looking for clues. It was just awesome to see and to listen to them talk among themselves about the magazines and its characters.

Thank you for such a wonderful and useful tool.

Angelique Norman
4th grade teacher

Wireman is a God-send for those of us working with struggling readers. I work specifically with boys who are reluctant or resistant readers, and I am always asked for materials with urban characters and settings. Wireman is gritty and real and just what an urban male wants to see: a heroic story that they can see themselves in. Spread these around!

Mike Sullivan, author of "Connecting Boys With Books", www.talestoldtall.com/booksforboys

We introduced our Alterntive Middle School students to Wireman when they refused to read anything else. They all loved it. I say this with certainty because we only had 5 copies and they were fighting over who got to read which one when! My AIMS teachers was absolutely thrilled and came to ask for MORE!! So we got Volume 2 and are waiting anxiously for Volume 3. Connecting kids to reading is so crucial to their success in all ares of their lives. I really appreciate Sue Stauffacher's amazing work to reach today's students.

Shannon McNeice
Library Media Specialist
Sedgwick Middle School
West Hartford, CT

I’ve been lucky enough to be in classrooms when students are first introduced to Wireman, and see readers light up with interest and engagement. Caring adults often encounter so many barriers when they seek to choose motivating, interesting materials for struggling readers---That’s why it’s so rewarding to see the reactions and interest of students as they are introduced to the text. Sue Stauffacher’s authentic story lines, wonderfully realistic illustrations and suspenseful themes capture the interest of readers, making them anxiously wait for the next installment. Countless research studies show that when readers practice reading frequently, they gain fluency and comprehension strategies. Wireman’s highly engaging format ensures that readers will want to read often, with the wonderful result of improved reading skills.

Debbie McFalone
Educational Consultant

The Wireman comics series, Volume 1, drew in my fourth graders. They were all engaged by the format, art, and storyline as soon as they saw it. We analyzed many language arts elements with repeated readings such as characterization, sequence, setting, problem/resolution, questioning, predict/infer, evaluation, etc. Students wrote at least 3 pieces in response to those first four issues. Strong and reluctant readers alike were eager for each next issue and thrilled to receive Volume 2!

We have read Issues 1-3 of Volume 2 and the enthusiasm continues! Just yesterday I had a brief conversation during our self-selected reading block with a student who is not intrinsically motivated to read, although he has average ability/skills. When I remarked that he seems to have difficulty concentrating and sticking to reading a book, he agreed, but added with a smile in his eyes, "except for Wireman!" Other examples include a learning disabled student and a student with autism spectrum disorder who both find the series accessible, while typically they experience significant language processing difficulties.

The novelty of the comic book format ("street" setting) and the depth of content (character education themes) make Wireman a very unique and valuable resource for encouraging reluctant readers and for offering variety to skilled readers. I have been impressed by my students' high level of interest for and interpretations of Wireman!

Mary Stahl

Francisco and Alfredo, are twin brothers, in 7th grade and currently reading at a 2 grade reading level. This is their first year at our school and they have made huge strides in reading in the last few months. English is a second language for them as they speak predominately Spanish at home. However, they have lived in the US for the past few years and yet they still do not know how to read or write fluently. But are these boys eager to learn...they have checked out almost every non-fiction animal book in our library, reading the pictures and struggling with the text. (In their previous school they were not allowed to check out books unless they could read the book!!)
However, they completely avoid fiction, preferring not to read books at their reading level which are themed for the younger grades and ages. Two weeks ago, I found the Wireman comics at Pooh's Corner, issues 1 and 2. Francisco and Alfredo have "devoured" your comics and came to me with a request to buy more. So while I am on Spring Break I though I'd go buy some more of the series for our library, but Sally and Camille told me that you have not released any others.
When will you have more issues to the wireman series? I know that Francisco and Alfredo will be at my library door on Monday wondering if I was able to buy more?

Thanks for creating and writing a comic for these boys!

Alexandra

Alexandra Brown
LTS (Library Tech Specialist) & Teacher Mentor
Cross Creek Charter School

Ramses Soto is a seventh grade ESL student at Ridge Park Charter Academy.
He was encouraged to attend the Ridge Park Read-in that is held every March
in the school's gymnasium. This year the guest speaker was Sue Stauffacher,
celebrated author (by many Ridge Park Middle School students) of Wireman
Comics.
At first, Ramses was leery about going to the read-in, fearing he may be the
only middle school student in attendance. After reminding him that Sue
would be there, he made sure he had a ride and showed up for the event.
Following pizza, reading, and Sue's presentation, we raffled off books.
This is what Ramses said about the experience:
"Surprisingly, I was the first person to be called up for a prize. I didn't
know what to pick. There were books, comics, and 2 bikes. I went up there
and did what I went up there to do, and that was to get the Wireman Comics.
The next day at school, the kids came up to me and asked why I didn't get a
bike. I told them that I love the Wireman Comics because they are the
best..."

Barbara Reeb
Director of Instructional Support
Ridge Park Charter Academy