Matt Eicheldinger, author of Sticky Notes: Memorable Lessons from Ordinary Moments
Memoir & Creative Nonfiction Category, sponsored by Bradshaw Celebration of Life Centers
Each week leading up to the 37th annual Minnesota Book Awards, we are featuring exclusive interviews with our finalists. You can also watch the authors in conversation with their fellow category finalists here.
What inspired you to write this book – or inspired you while writing it?
The thing that inspired me most while writing the book was my students. I’ve taught thousands of students in my career, and writing stories about them brings back even more memories. I can see their smiles, hear their laughter, and remember the moments as if I am living them all over again. There was not one day where working on this book was stressful, and that is certainly because it felt like my students were right there with me.
What is one detail you wanted to include in this book, but couldn’t find a place for?
There are many stories I wish I could tell, but because I need to protect the privacy of individuals in the story, I am not able to tell them. I think many of these stories would give people a new perspective about not just education or being a teacher, but also how difficult it can be to grow up when there are active voices in our society that tell you “You are less than” or “You do not belong.” I hope I can find a way to tell these stories someday, but for now, the memories are only with me and the others that were a part of them.
Tell us about someone (whose name isn’t on the cover!) who proved instrumental to the creation of this book.
Jean Lucas was my editor for the book, and I am so lucky to have worked with someone who not only had an artistic vision for the book, but also believed in the core values of each story. Jean advocated for the book to be published because she believed in the good it was putting out into the world as well. Because of her talents, the book turned out better than I could have ever imagined, and I am hopeful to work with her again on future projects.
Please tell us something about yourself that is not widely known. (It doesn’t have to be about the book in question – or even about your writing at all!)
Something that is not widely known about me is that I really appreciate small towns, and the people in them. I grew up in Montrose, a small mountain town in Colorado. I saw my teachers at church, at the gym, the grocery store. . . everywhere! So, when I visit rural parts of Minnesota and other states, I can relate so much of what many of them experience: farm life, being outside and exploring, a close sense of community. I crave that small town feel and love when I get to do author visits at schools and libraries in those communities.
Share your thoughts about the role and value of libraries.
Libraries offer a chance for people to learn empathy and compassion. When you read a book, you are given the opportunity to see a narrative much different than your own, and within that practice you can start to see yourself, and the people you love, in those characters. It is this moment where empathy grows. Without libraries giving free access to different stories, our worldview would shrink.
Matt Eicheldinger is a middle school teacher, author, public speaker, and storyteller. He is one of the most well-known teachers on social media with over 80 million views on various platforms. He is the author of the Matt Sprouts Series for young readers.