The Children’s Literature Community Reacts to the Passing of Richard Peck

I met Richard Peck once – in a signing line. I’m usually pretty quiet while getting a book signed. I always think “There are so many people here and I don’t want to hold things up, I’ll just get my book signed and be on my way.”

But when I got to the front of the line, Richard Peck clearly wasn’t going to let me be a wallflower.

He was courteous and (as advertised) sharply dressed. But more importantly, he was curious.

He asked me where I was from, and when I replied, he followed up with more questions. We ended up talking for a while. It was clear he was eager to make a connection. And he did. And I’ll never forget our conversation.

Richard Peck passed away yesterday. And to my utter non-surprise, I’m seeing that many, many others had the same sort of story to tell about this great writer.

Dear Richard, we will miss you severely. #RichardPeck pic.twitter.com/Y1NqEQnTHA

— Sophie Blackall (@SophieBlackall) May 24, 2018

If you don't know author Richard Peck, who died today, check out A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO and A YEAR DOWN YONDER. Grandma Dowdel is one of the greatest literary characters of all time. Great for kids and adults.

— Shannon Hale (@haleshannon) May 24, 2018

Well. I'm not sure what to say at this time besides.

There are so many characters that mean so much to me in children's literature. But few that mean as much as Grandma Dowdel. I'll forever be grateful to Richard Peck for creating her.

We are poorer today without him.

— Angie Manfredi (@misskubelik) May 24, 2018

https://twitter.com/RogerReads/status/999664210597634048

A conversation I had once with Richard Peck:
"The thing about small towns is, everyone is in on the secret." -Richard Peck
"And every high school is a small town." -Me
"Exactly." -Richard Peck
I'm so grateful for that insight, and think of it often when I write.#RIPRichardPeck

— Debbie Reed Fischer (@DebbieRFischer) May 24, 2018

Rest in peace, Richard Peck! I will never forget the day you visited my school library. You were a class act. https://t.co/j9mCq6fNgw pic.twitter.com/LQPvfyZkcI

— John Schu (@MrSchuReads) May 24, 2018

https://twitter.com/urwalder/status/999648782479446017

We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Richard Peck. Here he is at our Day of Dialog in 2016. https://t.co/mTqQN1c8ad

— SchoolLibraryJournal (@sljournal) May 24, 2018

From June 1990 @sljournal here's @RogerReads interview with Richard Peck, then-winner of the 2nd (after @se4realhinton) SLJ/YASD Author Achievement Award https://t.co/4A1mFkHScs. More by/about Richard Peck (1934-2018) from @HornBook here: https://t.co/QB86BZhOXt pic.twitter.com/YjF9YHOxqj

— The Horn Book (@HornBook) May 24, 2018

I’ve used a Richard Peck quote as my writing inspiration for years: “You can cut 20 words from the tightest page you ever wrote.” Sending love to the #kidlit community at large. https://t.co/3AumoxuMzD

— Pat Zietlow Miller (@PatZMiller) May 24, 2018

Hearing Richard Peck tell a story was mesmerizing and brought me such joy. We were fortunate to host him at our school twice. What a terrible loss. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/nIW8OJw6qZ

— Donna Kouri (@akgal68) May 24, 2018

Remembering #RichardPeck, who just passed away. He always was the quintessential natty dresser (AND a nice guy AND a great writer too, for what it’s worth). pic.twitter.com/Q0MnNnnFM8

— Betsy Bird (@FuseEight) May 24, 2018

https://twitter.com/PamelaPaulNYT/status/999640575635804160

RIP Richard Peck. Once I sent him a fan letter, and he wrote back! https://t.co/OPE4gqDh6D

— Jennifer J. Stewart (@JenniferJStweet) May 24, 2018

"…head of the school then instructed that The Best Man (@PenguinKids) be hidden—put in a box so that no child could accidentally find it. But there is a supple strength in independent book stores…" Richard Peck @PublishersWkly https://t.co/3xdGPAHBf1 #MGLit #LGBTQ #censorship

— Cynthia Leitich Smith (@CynLeitichSmith) May 18, 2018

“The only way you can write is by the light of the bridges burning behind you.”
― Richard Peck #amwriting

— Yorkshire Publishing (@York_publishing) May 23, 2018

What a loss. https://t.co/pleURGI7Zq

— Julie Danielson (@SevenImp) May 24, 2018

Tributes Pour In for Richard Peck https://t.co/pCbkyViq1r pic.twitter.com/kXU9TEsSwU

— SchoolLibraryJournal (@sljournal) May 24, 2018

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