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Author Arthur Dorros, at times sporting an alligator's nose or showing slides from Croatia, spoke with the sixth and seventh grades today about the writing process and his new book for young-adults, Under The Sun.

"When I was four years old, I sat on the tail of an alligator--a live alligator, ten feet long. Later (when I was thirty years old), I remembered that experience and wrote a story about an alligator. I've always liked nature and adventures. Now I write and illustrate books about many subjects that fascinate me. I think of a good writer or illustrator as a detective with all senses alert, always on the lookout for clues that help put the whole story together," said Dorros.

Dorros asked the students if they had done any writing and then called for a round of applause for all of the raised hands. He showed them the dummies from his book Alligator Shoes and talked about how he wrote it, soliciting ideas from friends when the plot became "stuck" and how even the angles of the illustrations can carry the story along.

The other half-hour was spent on Under the Sun. Reviewed enthusiastically by the student book review Web site started by eighth-grader Seth C.(www.flamingnet.com), Under The Sun is Dorros' first departure from the children's picture books that have made him famous. The following synopsis is from www.arthurdorros.com: "A determined and resourceful teenager named Ehmet, after losing his family, decides to make a courageous journey across the war-torn frontier of Bosnia. As he makes his way from what was his home in Sarajevo to try to find a village he has heard of--where young people from all of the different backgrounds involved in the fighting are now living in peace--Ehmet must use his wits to survive."

Dorros explained to his audience that he had heard from friends about the tiny hilltop village being rebuilt by young people, and the wheels began to turn. He writes, "Before I visited, I wondered if the village was really as great as it sounded. I was surprised to find that in some respects it was even better than described. This peaceful place was being rebuilt with the imaginations and efforts of four hardworking, warm families, each composed of about ten children and foster children with an adult couple dedicated to being mother and father, and providing a home."

The slides showed students rebuilding the walls with ancient stones and playing soccer with Dorros' son. "They were surprised he could play soccer because their stereotype is that Americans don't play soccer," he explained. Many of the stereotypes that Americans have about Serbs and Croats don't hold true either. "Even though they live in an ancient town, they are interested in many of the same things that you are," he said. "They like to play soccer and listen to music. They know all about Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings."

Dorros' ability to weave reality and fiction is one of the strengths of the book. One of the reviewers on flamingnet.com described it this way: "I can imagine this being a true story. I especially liked the ending. This is the kind of book that sparks opinion. It makes you feel like talking to the book saying, 'No, don't do that!' or, 'Wow, he's lucky that he escaped them.'" The seventh- graders standing in line to have their books signed obviously felt the same.