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A Reluctant Choice: Goodbye to R.A.
One of the more popular series in the early days of my classroom was THE CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE books. Boys especially gravitated to the decision making that occurred at the end of a chapter – If...
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Always in the Middle and Moving Forward
There is a lot to report as I get started on the new year… 1. Several months ago I nominated NICKEL BAY NICK by Dean Pitchford for the 2014 Cybils (Children and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards)...
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Middle Shelf Magazine
On Monday I posted my review of Jennifer Richard Jacobson’s novel, SMALL AS AN ELEPHANT. I also mentioned the release of her newest, PAPER THINGS. The very next day I came across an interview with her...
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Sometimes the Stories Write Themselves
I first met this mopped headed, outdoor loving boy when he was 8-years-old. Not soon after we were matched in the Big Brother’s program. It’s been 15 years since that day and much has happened in both...
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Editing the Final Draft
I’ve twisted, moved, and tweaked each plot point and every hole is filled. The story has been read and re-read by myself and trusted critique partners. So now how do I edit this beast? Of course I try...
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BIG SUR IN THE ROCKIES—BIG STEP
I’m coming up on my five year writing anniversary. It marks the day I started crafting my first MG novel. I completed it in three months then rewrote for another year. By the end of year two I had...
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BIG SUR– FIRST REPORT
Nothing like rainy weather and a mountain cottage to keep your focus on writing. I’ve completed two sessions with an agent and an editor/illustrator and have learned new insights with their feedback. I...
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MG Book Drop
I’ve been reading a ton of books this summer and finally have the upper hand on my TBR list that extended into early last year. Some were finds in the library that got returned after the three week...
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POSTCARDS ARE COMING HOME
A few weeks ago I told of a plan to drop middle grade books around my community (Original Post Here). I inserted a postcard explaining why the book was left behind. I asked the lucky new owner of the...
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MORE MG SPOOKS AND SCARY READS
There are way too many October favorites to devote a full review so I’m presenting three more in this shortened format. Like the other recommended choices this month, they can be enjoyed any time of...
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What Makes A Good Story?
I first came across this question when I began my first classroom teaching job. The teacher I replaced left several copies of a short manual for kids: What Makes A Good Story? (Unfortunately out of...
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Reading is a Tough Sell for Kids in Today’s World
I always encourage parents to squeeze out time for their children to read something they enjoy. Reading for pleasure will not only make them better readers, but also propel them into adulthood as...
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A Review of Reviews
Recently I had a reader contact me wondering if I could lead her to the name of a book I reviewed about a girl who lived with her family at a mortuary or cemetery. I have the same problem, often…...
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A Happy Holiday Celebration
After finishing my latest rounds of edits I just had to celebrate. Perfectly normal, but after a month of writing from the perspective of an exuberant 11-year-old, I couldn’t escape that age… Whew! I...
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Favorite Middle Grade Reading Moments 2015 & a Giveaway
This past year I’ve posted more than 60 reviews of middle grade books and read many more. With the new year just a wink away, its time to present my coveted golden cup award. Okay, I got it at a…...
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AND THE WINNER IS…
Well… I don’t know yet. After reading all five Cybils Middle Grade Fiction finalists I will soon conference with the other judges to share thoughts and come to a group decision. I do know awards are...
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FIVE FOR THE FUTURE
I raced through the five Cybils finalists earlier this month giving me an opportunity to tackle the healthy stack of books in my TBR (to be read) pile. I also have an eye on the future and books yet to...
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THE DREADED ‘TBR’ LIST
The TBR list is something I’ve used for years. It’s a personal list of books I intend to read. At first it was one list, but these days it has become two. The first is labeled URGENT. Books I’ve...
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MIDDLE GRADE FAVORITE SITCOMS
A middle grade television script and a novel look very different, but they do share similar traits. A beginning, middle, and end for sure. There’s also a problem that must be solved in 30-60 minutes on...
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