One teacher is trying a new approach to give her students an interactive reading experience.

Linda Miller, seventh-grade English teacher at Allegheny-Clarion Valley Junior-Senior High School, had her students Skype with the authors who wrote two of the books that she uses in her classroom.

About 70 seventh-grade students packed into the LGI room Tuesday at the school to Skype with Sharon Creech, who wrote “Walk Two Moons.”

Creech, a Newbery Award winner, joined the students from her home in Camden, Maine. “I Skype with schools from all over the country about twice a month,” Creech said.

Her image was projected onto a Smart Board at the front of the room for the students to see.

“Skyping with someone famous was really surprising. The author did help me understand the book because she explained her ideas and why she wrote the book,” seventh-grade student Kaylie Merwin said. “I think that this was pretty cool to be able to ask someone famous, who is known all over the world, questions.”

Some of the students were able to approach a laptop to ask Creech questions about her book. Creech was able to share information about “Walk Two Moons” and how she created the story.

“When I was your age I liked to write, but I didn't know you could do that for a living until I got to college,” she said.

Creech also shared information to help the student become better writers. “Write short stories to see what works and what doesn't,” Creech said. She also told the students to read a lot to become better writers.

“I think Skyping with the authors was amazing, and it helped me understand about the characters and the book a lot more,” Patience Custer, a seventh-grade student, said.

“The authors helped me understand their books by giving detail on things like the characters, setting, plot, and by Skyping with the authors, we also see how they got ideas and how they came up with everything,” she said.

As students were making their way to the laptop to ask their questions, Creech showed the students the French, Chinese and Italian versions of “Walk Two Moons.”

She also showed them the actual Newbery Medal, which has her name engraved on it.

“I think that it is a lot of fun, and it helps with understanding the book and having a greater understanding about being an author for a career,” student Abby Freeman said.

“I would recommend that other teachers contact authors because it is a great experience and helps us to understand more,” she said.

Creech was the second author who the students met.

Rodman Philbrick, who wrote “Max the Mighty,” Skyped with the students in October.

“I think it is cool to talk to someone who has written books and had them published,” student Sam Anderson said.

“Rodman Philbrick did help me understand where his ideas were coming from, and that made it easier for me to understand the book.”

It was from Philbrick that Miller received the idea about Skyping authors.

“I mailed him a letter and he e-mailed me back offering to Skype,” Miller said.

Miller is trying to find new ways to get students more involved in the reading process. This includes creating a portfolio project, which the students form groups to complete.

“My goal is to make things authentic,” Miller said. “I'm very critical with the students, not to be mean but to help.” Her goal is to create a process that gets the kids to think toward the future.

Miller's process is a hit with her students, who are impressed that they were able to speak with the authors.

“I would recommend this for other teachers to contact authors for their classes because it helps understand about the book and meet the author,” Patience said. “I think it was one of the best moments in my life to meet someone who got awards for writing books.”

Skyping with authors is an alternative to bringing the author into the school. The authors are able to spend a class period with the students without leaving their home or office.

“I think this is a great learning experience for all teachers to do,” Anderson said.