“Twist of Fate” 

 A Chris Stuckenschneider Story

 

The READ from the START program is fortunate to have many talented and devoted facilitators who are eager to share their knowledge and passion for reading. RFTS Discussion Leaders wear many different hats. For example, RFTS Discussion Leader and Read First! partner, Chris Stuckenschneider is a columnist and book editor at The Washington Missourian. She can also add children’s author and Show Me Award nominee to her list of accomplishments.

Several years ago, Chris was moved by a front-page article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

“Many others remember the story too—one that got national coverage—a tractor trailer loaded with horses headed for a meat-packing plant in Illinois flipped over on Interstate 44 near St. Clair. Fourteen of the animals were killed and others were injured,” Stuckenschneider said. “Many of the horses were taken to Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, which is operated by the Humane Society of Missouri and located outside of Union, Mo.”

In the days after the accident, television and print reporters covered the story, and Stuckenschneider followed it with interest, and great sadness. But soon this emotion gave way to joy when a follow-up story announced that one of the mares on the truck was pregnant, and had made it through the crash without losing her colt.

Chris and Twister“Now that story I could read in its entirety,” Stuckenschneider, a longtime horse lover, said. “And the next article seven months later in The Missourian with a picture of the newborn colt, ‘Twist of Fate’ as he came to be called.”

Suddenly an idea was born too, after Stuckenschneider talked with Dawn Kitchell, NIE Coordinator for The Missourian.

“We both agreed the story would be of interest to children—would make a great serial story for Missouri Press,” Stuckenschneider said.

A call to Longmeadow put the wheels in motion, followed by a series of interviews with the ranch director at that time, Earlene Cole, who helped Stuckenschneider select other horses to focus on for the serial story, animals of differing breeds and personalities.

Stuckenschneider was so struck with the beauty of the ranch, that once she began writing the serial story, she urged her friend and co-worker Kitchell to go visit with her.

And as the two were leaving the property, another idea hit—

“This could end up being the children’s book I’ve always wanted to write,” Stuckenschneider said she remembers telling Kitchell—even recalling the exact spot where she was standing—“That’s how important and significant this moment must have been for me.”

More than 4,000 sold copies of her book later, “Twist of Fate, the Miracle Colt and His Friends,” published by Reedy Press, is once again in the news.

The hardcover picture book was recently named a Show Me Readers Award Nominee for 2011-2012 by the Missouri Association of School Librarians.

“Never have I been so surprised,” Stuckenschneider said, noting that the honor is given not just to Missouri books but also to books written throughout the U.S., by esteemed authors.

“Children in grades first through third will now read the 10 nominated Show Me books from March 2011-March 2012. Next year, the children will vote for their favorite and that one will become the Show Me Award winner.”

It’s been a long trail from that first news story appeared, Stuckenschneider said, “And an incredible amount of work—I had no idea that writing a children’s book could be so difficult. It’s made me even more appreciative of the genius of gifted authors and illustrators, many of whom have multiple titles to their names.”

The year will be a busy one for Stuckenschneider. The nomination has spawned increased interest in “Twist of Fate,” resulting in presentations at schools and public libraries.

“In the fall of this year, I’ll be going on a Missouri book tour—to Kansas City, and the northwest and southeast. Maybe when I’m in Springfield, I’ll even get to see my old friend Stan—the Thoroughbred featured in the book who was on the truck and now has a happy home there.”

No matter who she see and meets Stuckenschneider said she’s grateful always to have the opportunity to talk books to children—and it’s even more fun when it’s her book she’s talking about.

Stuckenschneider remains grateful for the nomination and all the help she received from Dawn Kitchell and Jeanne Miller Wood, photo editor at The Missourian. Illustrator Kevin Belford used Wood’s pictures as models for the paintings in “Twist of Fate.”

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