Harper Hall

I read the Menolly trilogy when I was about 13, an age at which I had not yet met other kids who felt as strongly about fictional places and people as I did, and at which I had not yet met my first mentor figure. After reading about Masterharper Robinton, though, I went on a temporary study-of-music binge and a permanent quest for a mentor. Since then, two real-world Robintons have helped me to pursue my goals – a high school literature teacher and a college rhetoric professor – and so I thank Robinton for inspiring me on that quest, and Menolly for reinforcing my hope that a kid can overcome a childhood among not-kindred spirits, a hope that went a long way toward making me confident enough to pursue the dream I have.