GNY EP.209 | feat. Bruce Coville
In this episode of Good News York, host Noah Chrysler sits down with acclaimed children’s and young adult author Bruce Coville — the creative mind behind beloved books like *Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher*, *My Teacher Is an Alien*, and *The Ghost in the Third Row* series. Bruce shares the story of how a sixth-grade teacher named Mrs. Crandall sparked his lifelong passion for writing, and how that same teacher became the inspiration for the beloved educator in *My Teacher Is an Alien*.
Bruce opens up about his years as a teacher in Liverpool, NY, and how real students — including one unforgettable kid named Steven who flushed a banana down a toilet — became the basis for some of his most memorable characters. He discusses the importance of empathy in storytelling, why he believes stories are the most powerful tool we have for teaching empathy to children, and how writing from another person’s point of view can transform your understanding of them.
The conversation also explores Bruce’s powerful talk "Cherish the Oddballs," the role of arts in education, the impact of technology on classrooms, and why the kids who don’t fit in are often the ones who go on to make the biggest difference. Bruce reflects on the deeply moving letters he receives from readers — including adults who read his books as children and are now reading them to their own kids — and shares how those letters sustain him on difficult days.
Later, Bruce reveals the remarkable story behind his newest book, *The Ghost Saw Red* — a project that took him 31 years to finish, required him to find empathy for an unexpected character, and explores themes of censorship, blacklisting, and the tension between freedom and security. He also discusses his journey as a "two-generation writer," the advice he gives to young writers (read incessantly, write constantly, and never give up), and why keeping a journal is one of the most valuable habits any creative person can develop.
Whether you grew up reading Bruce Coville’s books or you’re discovering his work for the first time, this conversation is a heartfelt exploration of creativity, empathy, and the enduring power of stories to shape who we become.
Chapters:
0:00 – Welcome & Introduction
0:28 – Bruce’s Writing Career & Book Classifications
0:47 – "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher"
1:50 – "My Teacher Is an Alien": The Breakthrough
2:10 – Origin Story: Mrs. Crandall & Sixth Grade
6:30 – Childhood Memories & the Power of Arts in Education
8:55 – Noah’s "Failure Resume"
10:48 – Technology in the Classroom
12:05 – Bruce’s Teaching Career
12:40 – "Cherish the Oddballs"
14:24 – Bruce’s Own Oddball Experience
15:51 – Christopher Paolini & Movie Adaptations
16:17 – The True Origin of "My Teacher Is an Alien"
19:19 – The Real Steven: Character Inspiration
20:36 – Empathy Through Storytelling
23:48 – Values Rising from the Story
25:54 – The Series Gets Political
28:06 – Advice for Young Writers
31:05 – Letters from Readers: A Place of Solace
33:05 – "The Ghost Saw Red": 31 Years in the Making
37:52 – Being a Two-Generation Writer
40:45 – Outro & Thanks
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