Forum:Brightspirit

"On February 5, 2008, ten year old Emmy Grace Cherry died when a tornado struck her home in Atkins, Arkansas. Her parents, Jimmy and Dana Cherry, were also killed in the tornado. Emmy was a bright, generous girl who loved animals and reading and wanted to be either an astronomer or a veterinarian. She was also a huge Warriors fan.

According to Lynn, of Vintage Books, a bookseller who knew Emmy:

Erin Hunter has no greater fan than Emmy Cherry. She not only read every book, but insisted that we all read them. I am 50 years old, and reading them. Her grandparents are reading them. Her aunts are reading them. Every child in the Middle School is going to read them. Because they are Emmy's favorite authors. Emmy is survived by her grandparents and other family members. From all accounts, she was much loved and will be deeply missed by her surviving family and her community.

Lynn also wanted me to pass on that Emmy's brave cat, Shasta, survived the storm. Rescue workers found her in the rubble. She was seriously injured and will lose a leg, but a local vet is caring for her for free, and one of Emmy's friends is going to adopt her. Lynn said that she felt that Shasta had a true Warrior spirit." --

One of the replies to that article on Wands and Worlds asked if the community of Warriors fans could give Emmy Cherry an honourary Warriors name. One person suggested the name "Brightspirit", and everyone agreed that the name fit her perfectly.

In memory of Emmy, Vicky Holmes, the editor for the Warriors series, has decided to mention a new StarClan character in The Power of Three: Long Shadows, the fifth book in the third series. This character is Brightspirit.

The following are letters from both Vicky Holmes and Kate Cary after they heard about Emmy Cherry:

Hello everyone,

Can I just say that you guys are BEYOND AWESOME? I was very, very sad to hear about Emmy's death, but I wasn't sure if it was something I could share with you on this site. I discussed it with Sheila, and she instantly offered to post a tribute to Emmy. She said you'd respond appropriately and with equal sadness because after all, Emmy was one of us: a Warriors fan to the core, with a true warrior spirit. Sheila was right. The words you have posted here are beautiful, perfect for honoring the memory of someone who should still be with us, living all her potential with her big animal-loving heart. I love, love, love the name Brightspirit, and will include it in the next Warriors title, Book Five: Long Shadows (the one Cherith and I are currently working on), as a new member of StarClan. When you meet this character, please think of Emmy Cherry, and her beautiful light that will shine on forever in our hearts. with love to you all.

Vicky

—

Hi everyone,

I agree absolutely with Vicky - Emmy’s death is heartbreaking, and Brightspirit is a wonderful, wonderful name and a beautiful tribute to such a lovely girl. I wish she could have known you guys. The warmth and kindness of our fans never ceases to amaze me, and I feel honoured that Emmy loved our books so much. I shall certainly always think of her when I'm writing Warriors from now on and Im so pleased she’s going to be remembered in StarClan.

With love, Kate