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Author: Joyce Magnin
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Middle-grade / Christian
ISBN: 978-0310733331
Pages: 224
Price: $14.99
Author’s website
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Wilma Sue has been shuffled around the foster care system ever since she was born, spending time with various families and at the Daylily Home for Children. Now that her most recent home is no longer available, she finds herself staying with Ruth and Naomi, two missionaries who have recently returned from Africa.

If she expected a hum-drum life at Gray House, as she calls it, Wilma Sue is very mistaken. She’s expected to take care of the chickens, be nice to Penny Pigsworthy, and attend church with Ruth and Naomi. And she also helps Naomi bake cakes – those mysterious cakes that do unusual things to the recipients. Wilma Sue is determined to learn the secret ingredient. Will she ever find out?

In Cake, kids are gently reminded of how important it is to love and forgive others. This cute story will enchant middle-grade readers with love, chickens and a taste of peculiar.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Author: Lisa Martin & Valerie Martin
Illustrator: Kelly Murphy
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Genre: Middle-grade / Cats
ISBN: 978-161620-246-0
Pages: 256
Price: $16.99

Valerie Martin’s website
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Anton and Cecil are two cat brothers living near the docks in Nova Scotia. Cecil loves to visit the sailors on the ships, while Anton prefers remaining on shore. Cats are often captured and forced aboard the ships to rid them of rats, and Anton suddenly finds himself out at sea. Cecil, intent on rescuing his brother, boards the next ship out. But the sea is a wide-open place, and he has no idea how to find Anton.

Dolphins, whales, and a mouse, as well as another seafaring cat, all become companions of these two cats at sea. Is there also a kind and powerful force looking out for them all, and will they finally be reunited? Storms, pirates, rats, and menacing birds all threaten their safety, but legend has it that cats at sea are protected by a mysterious eye.

Unfortunately, this legend is presented in obscure quotations and eye sightings, and not fully explained. The disappearance of a ship’s entire crew is also not explained, and in researching, I discovered this had actually happened on the Mary Celeste, a real ship found abandoned near Gibraltar in 1872. A small reference to this might have made the incident feel more plausible.

Cats at Sea is full of adventure, as Anton and Cecil learn to live on the sea. Overall, it’s a fun read with a happy ending. Kids will enjoy the way these three cats and an unusual mouse relate to each other, and the strong friendships that develop.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Author: Maria T. Lennon
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Young adult
ISBN: 978-0-06-212690-0
Pages: 288
Price: $16.99

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Charlie Cooper is trying to start over in her new school. After a horrible incident she admits complete guilt for, she’s forced to go to counseling and reform her ways. But her shrink has given an impossible command. In order to stop seeing him, she must become friends with the most bullied girl in the school – Marta the Farta.

Charlie would much prefer hanging out with Trixie, the cool girl who shares some of her interests. But Trixie wants to join gymnastics, and would do anything to make the team – even sabotage Marta, who has the same goal. Trixie knows about Charlie’s past, and is not above using blackmail to achieve her ends.

In Confessions of a So-Called Middle Child, the reader comes face to face with twelve year-old mean girls. But Charlie isn’t really a bully at heart – she has a soft spot, and comes to really like Marta and want to help her out. Cruel actions come to light, and the good girls win in the end. I highly recommend this engaging and fun read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Author: Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Genre: Tween / Romance
ISBN: 978-0-547-62538-6
Pages: 208
Price: $16.99

Author’s website
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Sarah Zorn and her best friend, Curtis Schwenk, plan to spend their summer with a still-born calf who is decomposing for a science project. Using their “Brilliant Outflanking Strategy,” they’ve managed to convince everyone they’re dating, even though they’re really not, just to avoid the teasing about all the time they spend together. But Curtis suddenly has other thoughts about this unusual arrangement.

When Sarah’s grandmother arranges for a trip to Rome to visit the seven pilgrimage churches, Sarah is hesitant, but finally accepts when things with Curtis get too weird. But her grandmother isn’t being completely honest about the reasons for the trip, and Sarah has to unexpectedly face some of her family’s buried secrets head-on.

Heaven Is Paved With Oreos is a sweet middle-grade romance, told through Sarah’s eyes in the form of a journal. Sarah is a smart, funny, girl who is struggling to make sense of everything happening around her, and it’s easy to like her. I enjoyed reading her thoughts, and wanted things to work out for her. D.J. Schwenk, the heroine from Dairy Queen, makes a cameo appearance in this book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Oh, how I would love to work in YA novels.  I hope one day to get the chance.

 

But until then,  I’ll keep practicing. Here’s a sketch, I started while waiting in the car for my daughter. Such fun inspiration  to draw… and those tween kids are rich in expression!

 

www.robertabaird.com

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Author: Naomi Kinsman
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Tween / Christian
ISBN: 978-0-310-72668-5
Pages: 224
Price: $7.99

Author’s Website
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Sadie is finally returning to California, now that her father’s job has ended in Michigan. Although a year ago she would have been thrilled, now she has mixed emotions. While she is eager to join her best friend back home, leaving her new friends behind will hurt.

But if Sadie thought her father’s work would get easier now, she is very wrong. His newest case has strong controversy, and she suddenly finds herself threatened by one of the parties involved. And when she lets her heart control her, she’s really in a predicament.

Sadie is a likeable girl with a heart of gold. She cares deeply for people and compassionately shares their hurts. But in this book, I thought the bounds of believability were pushed a little too far. I struggled with understanding how her parents gave in to her when she made her requests at the end of this story. And I really feel that twelve is much too young to be seriously thinking about a boyfriend.

Brilliant Hues is the fourth book in the From Sadie’s Sketchbook series. [See also Waves of Light, Flickering Hope and Shades of Truth.] Combining challenging situations with growing faith lessons, this series shows real life handled from a Christian perspective. Girls will love reading about Sadie and her friends, while also seeing a great role model.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Author: T.J. Bonham
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Tween
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4132-8
Pages: 112
Price: $12.99

Schiffer Books
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After losing her mother to cancer and moving, Ellie Hunter is new in town, and just wants to settle down and fit in. So when her new neighbor asks her to join the Shadow Paranormal Investigators group, Ellie reluctantly agrees. But Ellie has had her own dealings with the paranormal, and they weren’t very nice.

Ellie is a natural, and soon finds herself busy helping the group unravel mysteries. The dark shadow that has haunted her since she was a young child has followed her to California, and now the group also sees it. But Ellie’s biggest challenge will be finding her father in Afghanistan and bringing him home safely, using only her ability to see remotely. Can she find him in time?

These four teenaged investigators don’t have the fancy gadgets TAPS uses in Ghost Hunters but they have the fearlessness and inquisitiveness to search for shadows. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that Ellie finds one of the boys especially nice. The ending of this book implied that there will be follow-up mysteries, in what may turn out to be a series. This is a fun read for any wannabe ghost hunter.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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I am delighted to announce that the manuscript sometimes known as CHRONAL ENGINE II: THE WRATH OF KHAAN is scheduled for publication by Clarion/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt!

We don't actually have a final title yet (one of the working titles -- and the title in today's Publishers' Marketplace announcement -- is CHRONAL PATHFINDER, but that might change, as well).  Obviously, this isn't the real cover either -- I just like the Pulp-O-Mizer.  :-). 

What's it about?  Well, here's a teaser: Not long after the events of CHRONAL ENGINE, a mysterious letter found beneath the floorboards of the ranch house sends the teens back to the Cretaceous to rescue Mad Jack Pierson!

Thanks to my agent Ginger Knowlton and new editor Jennifer Greene!

Oh, and here's the Pulp-O-Mizer cover for CHRONAL ENGINE:

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Author: Naomi Kinsman
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Tween / Christian
ISBN: 978-0-310-72666-1
Pages: 224
Price: $7.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Sadie finally feels comfortable living in Michigan. Although she has made peace with the girl who was once determined to make her life miserable, she still has issues of her own to deal with. Her mom’s illness isn’t getting any better, and her dad’s job may soon end, forcing them to leave the town she’s come to call home. But when her art teacher’s house is destroyed by a flood, Sadie falls apart.

When Sadie can’t take much more of what life throws at her, she is forced to turn to her art and her fledgling faith for comfort. At times she acts poorly toward others, and she has to face up to her own actions. But she tries her best to do the right thing.

Waves of Light is the third book in the From Sadie’s Sketchbook series. [See also Flickering Hope and Shades of Truth.] As in the first two books, Sadie is a very emotional girl, and often responds in tears when her happiness feels threatened. Combining challenging situations with growing faith lessons, this series shows real life handled from a Christian perspective. Girls will love reading about Sadie and her friends, while also seeing a great role model. I highly recommend this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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The Goose Girl (Books of Bayern) by (the amazing, hilarious, and wonderful) Shannon Hale

Review by Welly-Bell, Age 7

Crown Princess Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee is princess of Kildenree. She can talk to birds. She is traveling with fifty guards and the key-mistress' daughter, Selia. On the way to Bayern, Selia and most of the guards betray Ani.

They try to kill Ani, but she escapes. After a few days of wandering in the forest, Ani finds a little cottage.

Gilsa and Finn live in the cottage. Ani helps them with the chickens and goats in exchange for a bed and food. Ani goes to the city with Finn.

On market day, Ani goes to see the King. She realizes she is going to have to come back. The King gives her work in the geese pen with Conrad.

Conrad is grumpy most of the time. Enna and Razo and Beier and some others also work there.

Princess Selia tells the King that Kildenree is planning to attack Bayern.

Read the book and find out what happens to Ani. Some of the characters I really like are Enna, Gilsa, and Finn.

***Check out my interview with Shannon Hale here!

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Author: Terri Shearer Trenchard
Illustrator: Tracy Councill
Publisher: CreateSpace
Genre: Boys / Health
ISBN: 9781466427846
Pages: 74
Price: $12.99

Author’s website
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Having a “facts of life” discussion with his parents doesn’t usually top the list of bright ideas a pre-teen boy might consider. But when whispered conversations with friends leave him wondering what’s really going on, he needs somewhere to turn for information. Bork Reveals the Real Deal About the Facts of Life can provide the answers.

Speaking in a humorous and light-hearted manner, Bork explains puberty and adolescence in a way boys can understand. Body changes, fluctuating hormones, and even “the facts of life” are covered in this all-inclusive book about growing up.

Most boys would probably rather not talk to a parent about this topic, unless they first have some basic understanding, but Bork encourages them to try. Even if they choose not to, they will have enough information to handle the many changes going on inside them.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Book: Hokey Pokey
Author: Jerry Spinelli
Published: January 8, 2013
Source: Review copy via NetGalley

Hokey Pokey is a wild and wonderful desert place, where kids run wild and there’s not an adult to be found. The king of them all is Jack, who has the fastest bike, the kindest heart, and the direst nemesis.

Then one day, Jack wakes up to find that his beloved bike, Scramjet, has been taken. Surely the evil girl Jubilee is the culprit, isn’t she? But as the day progresses, Jack begins to understand that his bike disappeared for a different reason. More, he comes to realize that it’s almost time for him to leave Hokey Pokey. But where will he go from there?

This is a weird little book. Fables often are. Spinelli also uses the surroundings, a Wild West brand of Never-Neverland, and various oddball constructions and word combinations to reinforce the outlandish feel of the book, and the notion that the world of childhood is set apart from the rest of the world, and maybe from the rest of your life.

Overly idealized? You could make a case for that. But we can argue about adult concepts of kids' understanding of the world some other time. That's not what the book is really about. It’s about the moment when you start to leave childhood behind, but instead of rushing forward to what’s next, this book dwells on what’s being left behind, and the gentle melancholy that comes when you realize that you've outgrown your skin when you weren't looking. The wars, the friendships, the simple pleasures and fears of childhood are all falling away.

It also examines the reactions of those around Jack as they see him change and grow beyond them. His two best friends, the little kids who idolize him, even Jubilee, whose nemesis status fades over the course of the day, realize that he's drifting away and react in their own ways that ring true.

It won’t be a slam dunk for every kid. In fact, I kind of want to try this out on a real kid before I make any conclusions on its likely appeal. (And side note: that cover? No. It looks like a pretentious adult literary novel, maybe about a kidnapped child or something. Just . . . no.) But I have the feeling that the right kid will read this book with a growing sense of recognition, either for what he is going through at the moment, or for what she passed through a long time ago and is only now realizing that it was a major shift in her life.

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Author: Naomi Kinsman
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Tween / Christian
ISBN: 978-0-310-72664-7
Pages: 208
Price: $7.99

Holiday Read-along
Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Sadie is concerned about Patch, one of the research bears who has just gone into hibernation. When she accidentally finds a girl living in a nearby shack with her family, the girl warns her not to tell anyone, or Patch will be in danger. But her best friend, Ruth, knows about the encounter, and when the youth group wants to find a needy family to provide Christmas for, Sadie knows there will be trouble.

To make matters even more complicated, Frankie, who had always treated Sadie badly, suddenly seems in need of a friend. But can she be trusted, since her father has openly said he wants Patch dead?

In this sequel to Shades of Truth, Sadie is forced to deal with her emotions in how she relates to others. People are not acting predictably, and she needs to sort out her feelings for each, determining who she can trust, and who she can’t.

Combining challenging situations with growing faith lessons, this series shows real life handled from a Christian perspective. Girls will love reading about Sadie and her friends, while also seeing a great role model. I highly recommend this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Author: Naomi Kinsman
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Tween / Christian
ISBN: 978-0-310-72662-3
Pages: 208
Price: $7.99

Holiday Read-along
Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Sadie has just moved with her family to Michigan. Her father’s new job as mediator for the Department of Natural Resources makes him unwelcome in the community, and Sadie realizes she will face many challenges in fitting in. Plus, her mother’s incurable illness makes life at home more difficult. With courage and determination, Sadie makes a new friend and hopes life will get better.

When a local artist discovers Sadie’s latent talent, Sadie begins art lessons, which she enjoys immensely. And her faith is kindled by attending a Compline service and youth group meetings. But how will she deal with the accusations thrown at her father, knowing what she thinks she knows about one of the men who dislikes him so much?

Shades of Truth is the first in the “From Sadie’s Sketchbook” series from Faithgirlz. Combining challenging situations with growing faith lessons, this series shows real life handled from a Christian perspective. Girls will love reading about Sadie and her friends, while also seeing a great role model. I highly recommend this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Welcome to our stop on  The Lady Astronomer Blog Tour ! If you haven’t checked out Katy O’Dowd’s new release then you certainly should!

Lucretia’s life as an astronomer is quickly turned on its head by her eldest brother when he is commanded by the king to build the grandest telescope in the land. Her nights spent on rooftops gazing at the stars are replaced by adventure as the family move to be nearer the king. In a race to build the Forty-foot telescope on time, misfortunes take their toll. The lady astronomer finds court life to be more dangerous than she could have ever imagined. Can she find the strength inside to overcome the obstacles threatening her destiny? Only the
stars will tell.

* * *
Special Note:
We are proud to publish our first novel from an author who lives outside of  North America. Katy hails from Ireland. When reading this novel, please keep in mind that English is not spelled the same everywhere! Because she is from Ireland and her characters also dwell in Europe, we maintained her uses and spellings.

Get your copy today for only 2.99 at Amazon.com or Amazon.uk  

 

Enter to win free ebooks!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spread the steampunk love!

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Book: Princess of Glass
Author: Jessica Day George
Published: 2010
Source: Local Library

After a childhood spent dancing every night away with her eleven sisters as part of a wicked enchantment, Princess Poppy never wants to so much as curtsey to a partner ever again. It makes life a little challenging when she pays a visit to neighboring kingdom of Breton, but she finds ways to entertain herself at balls and parties, especially when she gets to spend time with friendly and fun Prince Christian of Danelaw.

Then comes the night of the royal ball. Christian, along with most of the men in the room, is strangely ensnared by the mysterious Lady Ella. Only Poppy seems to recognize housemaid and disgraced gentlewoman Eleanora. Only she seems to understand that there's something very wicked going on, and Eleanora may be as much of a victim as the prince. In order to defeat the real foe, and rescue both Christian and Eleanora, Poppy's going to have to face her deepest fears, both on the dance floor and off.

This is a book that so easily could have had the wrong heroine. I spent a great deal of it going, "Oh for Crissakes, Eleanora, grow up." Though she is the Cinderella in this story, she's also whiny, self-pitying, and tends to depend on others to rescue her. It's our good luck that our heroine is Poppy, who is practical, capable, and brave. Having come through one evil plot, she's adept at recognizing the signs and knows that it's going to take more than a pure heart to win the day.

Though marriage and courtship feature largely in the story, I'd characterize this as a tween/young teen title, especially since the relationship between Poppy and Christian isn't so much passionate as cute and sweet. While it's not the best I've ever read, it's an entertaining, fast-paced example of the retold fairy tale trope that I particularly enjoy, with an intrepid heroine.

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Author: Normandy D. Piccolo
Publisher: Normandy’s Bright Ideas
Genre: Urban youth fiction
ISBN: 978-0-578-10096-8
Pages: 253
Price:  $7.99

Author’s website
Buy it here

The year is 1974. Trey Johnston and his friends are growing up in the Po’k n’ Beans Project outside of Washington, D.C. Trey’s Momma works hard to keep food on the table and rent paid for their slum apartment, but Trey wants more out of life. Trey, called Bonehead because Momma makes bone soup for nearly every meal, visits the House of Fossils Museum on a field trip. He then decides he will make himself and Momma rich by finding the very first dinosaur bone in the Beans Project.

Although this dig begins to consume his waking hours, Trey has an active social life with the residents of the Beans. As children of the 1970′s, they watch the classic TV shows, like “Good Times.” They discuss iconic sports heroes of the day, like Mohammed Ali. And they play games like “Rock ‘em, Sock ‘em Robots” although their Beans version is a bit different. The lingo is groovy, and the kids are true urban African American pre-teens.

Trey grows up surrounded by poverty and “lazy-bone” (as Momma would call them) residents in the Beans. But despite his circumstances, he rises above them by choosing to do something special. Although unsuccessful, he makes his Momma proud. Material possessions may make life easier, but Trey learns that love and friendship matter more than anything else.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

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Our NYC-area librarian pals were kind enough to join us last week for an early morning of ferocious book talking, coffee consuming, and oohing and aahing over our upcoming Winter (and early Summer) 2013 titles.  It was an oddly hot and humid day to chat about Winter (10 weeks until Christmas…it’s really coming!), but we managed to get into the spirit and of course, had an absolutely lovely time.

A few snapshots:

Balzer + Bray VP and Co-Publisher, Alessandra Balzer, holding ELVIS AND THE UNDERDOGS, by Jenny Lee, and THAT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA! by Mo Willems.

Editorial Director Tara Weikum with CITY OF A THOUSAND DOLLS by Miriam Forster, and Executive Editor Erica Sussman with THE MENAGERIE by Tui Sutherland and Kari Sutherland, and MIND GAMES by Kiersten White.

Greenwillow editor Martha Mihalick with the stunning and creepy cover for ARCLIGHT, by Josin L. McQuein.

Our editors have truly outdone themselves with this season’s crop of  really terrific “This Meets That” book descriptions… :

• “Tim Burton Meets the Natural History Museum” — STARDINES SWIM HIGH ACROSS THE SKY, by Jack Prelutsky, illustrations by Carin Berger
• “The Artist meets the Pigeon” — THAT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA! by Mo Willems
• “Little Women with wings” — THE FAIRY BELL SISTERS series, by Margaret McNamara
• “Frog and Toad meets Law & Order” — PLATYPUS POLICE SQUAD: THE FROG WHO CROAKED, by Jarrett Krosoczka
• “Stephen King meets Veronica Roth meets The Passage” –ARCLIGHT, by Josin L. McQuein
• “X-Men meets The Godfather (with heart)” –TRANSPARENT, by Natalie Whipple
• “The Devil Wears Prada meets Disneyworld” –HOW ZOE MADE HER DREAMS (MOSTLY) COME TRUE, by Sarah Strohmeyer

 

Lo and behold, a new Preview blog post feature!  These are books that, when mentioned, garnered an across-the-room-audible “awwwww!” from the audience:

• AMELIA BEDELIA– 2013 is the 50th Anniversary of our favorite mixed-up but wholeheartedly well-meaning friend Amelia!  We’re reissuing the original picture book in a bit larger trim size with truly fantastic additional back matter.
• TIPTOE JOE, by Ginger Fogelsong Gibson, illustrations by Laura Rankin — I won’t spoil the payoff of this adorable picture book, but let me just say, you’ll lay your hand over your heart when you get to the end.
• GIANT DANCE PARTY– written by THE Betsy Bird! Illustrations by Brandon Dorman.
• RAMONA– We’re repackaging the entire beloved Ramona series in 2013, and let me tell you, the art is adorable.  The consensus in the room (and from Beverly Cleary herself, of course) was that this is true Ramona- goofy, a bit scruffy, and every bit lovable.

And that, my friends, is the inside scoop!

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Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Barbara Mariconda, author of the brand new, swashbuckling, spunky and spirited middle grade adventure story THE VOYAGE OF LUCY P. SIMMONS, as well as the co-founder of Empowering Writers, company that trains teachers how to help their students improve their writing skills. Today she’ll be giving you insight into both of her areas of expertise, writer and teacher, and she’s created a free downloadable sample lesson that you can use to teach LUCY (and later, any novel) in the classroom!

From Barbara:

“Lucy P. Simmons – described as an “intrepid heroine with a swashbuckling spirit and a sailor’s heart” and as “a feisty, unforgettable character” – this protagonist of my latest middle grade novel, The Voyage of Lucy P. Simmons has been evolving along with me for over fifteen years. Set on the coast of Maine at the end of the Victorian era, it is the tale of beautiful, red-haired Lucy, how her life changes in an instant, propelling her on an adventure sparked with magic, hardship, courage, and love. It redefines family, celebrating the miracle of people whose lives cross in unexpected ways, weaving rich tapestries of friendship, loyalty, sacrifice, and the kinds of relationships that change lives.

Years of travel to coastal Maine provided the inspiration and sparked the imagination that brought The Voyage of L. P. Simmons to life.  Here, a shoreline mansion, not unlike the Simmons place.

In many ways, Lucy’s journey reflects mine – and surely, yours as well. True, my experiences have not been as colorful as Lucy’s – I didn’t survive the tragic sinking of a ship, or meet a mysterious siren on the beach, nor did I discover a magical flute or have my beloved home surrounded by glittering mist. But, in my own small way, in my own unique life, I’ve had some narrow escapes, met some mystical, mysterious people who’ve brought marvelous unexpected gifts, and thankfully, experienced a sense of mystery and magic in the stuff of everyday living. And that’s what I write – stories that reveal the edges and undercurrents of life that can be sensed and experienced, but never grasped.

As a teacher, I know children need to believe in magic – not so much the magic in the pages of a fantasy novel, but rather, in the miracles and possibilities often disguised in the ordinariness of life. And, a book can open that doorway metaphorically, can help hone the eyes of hope and wonder to see beyond the literal…toward “what if” and “why not.” Especially in this era of high stakes testing, where school can become wrought with stress and pressure, children need the escape that fantasy provides, and the opportunity for them to immerse themselves in the creative, imaginative worlds where the spirit can soar freely. But, given the demands of new national and state standards that increase the breadth and depth of what students must learn, is the luxury of losing oneself in a fantasy story a thing of the past? Is there time enough in the school day to indulge in a book like The Voyage of Lucy P. Simmons?

To succeed as an author and as an educator, I’ve had to wear two hats and find ways to merge both worlds. When I’m not writing for kids, I’m writing for their teachers, through my company, “Empowering Writers” – our mission: to empower the next generation of authors in classrooms today. But, what I won’t ever do is compromise one goal for the other – in other words, I’m committed to find ways for teachers to nurture the imaginations and creativity in the souls of their students, while continuing to challenge them academically and prepare them to excel as the junior test-takers they have to be.

This is artwork that Barbara owns which has inspired her writing.  Can you see the any connections to Lucy’s story?

So, with both my writer and teacher hats squashed on my head, I went through my novel, The Voyage of Lucy P. Simmons, looking for every opportunity within the text that can be used a jumping off point for teaching the Common Core State Standards in writing. You can click on the link below for an entire outline – and, not only that. The basic techniques I’ve applied to “Lucy” as the basis for instruction, can be adapted for all of your favorite pieces of high quality literature. But, of course, I’m hoping you’ll be applying them to mine!

And, lastly…while I’m talking about using literature to teach to the standards, I want to be clear. Reading a fabulous story that transports the reader into realms beyond the ordinary, beyond the classroom, beyond the challenges of life, is really enough! And, I think, if only there was a state standard that read: Standard L.11.1a: Students lose themselves in story, imagining worlds of possibility, embracing hope – Oh, what a world it would be!”

Thanks Barbara! THE VOYAGE OF LUCY P. SIMMONS is available in bookstores now. And don’t miss Barbara’s wonderful, FREE downloadable PDF lesson plan, available here!

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Lauren Oliver’s second book for middle grade readers, THE SPINDLERS, is for sale in bookstores all over the country today, and we’re going to just go ahead and brag that it has already received FOUR starred reviews!

 

Download our FREE Discussion Guide for THE SPINDLERS here!

If you love a sweeping, classic, spooky, funny, and plucky adventure (and who doesn’t?!), then this one is for you. Check out what the experts had to say:

“Oliver’s magical, mesmerizing quest affirms the saving power of story, friendship, and love.” -Publisher’s Weekly, starred review

“This imaginative fantasy emphasizes individual initiative and the power of hope and friendship. Below is a fully realized alternate world with echoes of both classic literature and mythology.” -School Library Journal, starred review

 ”Richly detailed, at times poetic, ultimately moving; a book to be puzzled over, enjoyed and, ideally, read aloud.” -Kirkus, starred review

 ”Oliver’s fluid, poetic prose elevates this tale above the genre, often imparting weight to the simplest sentences. Similar in its action and pacing to Collins’ Gregor the Overlander but with the emotional resonance of Ursu’s Breadcrumbs, this is sure to win over middle-grade readers.” -BCCB, starred review

 

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It's summertime, and there's not much that Gloriana June Hemphill (Glory) looks forward to more than having her 4th of July birthday party at the community pool.  This is the year she'll be turning 12 so she won't have to be supervised by big sister Jesslyn every time that she and Frankie want to go swimming.

But it's the summer of 1964, and Glory's age isn't the only thing that's changing.  First off Jesslyn, who used to play junk poker and talk with Glory in their shared room, isn't really talking anymore.  She's busy dressing up, putting on lipstick and sneaking visits with new boy Robbie at the library.  And then there's Glory's best friend Franklin Cletus Smith (Frankie for short).  Sure he's always been pushed around by his big brother J.T., but now Frankie is seeming to spew the same kind of stupidity as J.T. and his Daddy.  After all, it's Frankie who tells Glory that the pool is closing.  He says he overheard his Daddy talking about it.  He said it has cracks and needs to be fixed.  Glory doesn't see any cracks...

Hanging Moss, Mississippi has to face the fact that just because things have always been one way, doesn't make that way right.  Maybe there shouldn't be a white fountain and a colored fountain.  Maybe the community pool shouldn't only be for white people.  Maybe the library should be open to all.

Augusta Scattergood tells one girl's story about a summer of change in the South.  Glory's world view is pitch perfect as she slowly starts to understand the bigger reasons for the pool closing, and her fellow townspeople's treatment of the Yankees who have come to town.  Glory is a white girl who has grown-up in the white part of town with a black maid employed by her preacher father.  She has all of the spunk and indignation of an 11 year old who can see right and wrong, but has a hard time seeing where she fits into the picture.  This is a great tween read that will get readers thinking about the big issues of social justice as well as the universal changes that come with growing up.

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Book: A Tale Dark and Grimm
Author: Adam Gidwitz
Published: 2010
Source: Local Library

You've heard 'em all. You've seen the movies. You probably have the Halloween costumes. But do you really know the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm? Really? Are you sure?

Hansel and Gretel were originally a happy little prince and princess, basking in their parents' love. But then their father cut their heads off. They get better, but decide to risk the dark and scary world instead of staying at home.

On the outside, Hansel and Gretel encounter one dark and gory situation after another. As they survive each one by the skin of their teeth, as they're separated and reunited, as they risk death and in one case go to Hell (just for awhile), they become stronger and more capable. But will they ever be able to face the one thing that scares them the most: going home?

In this sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes scary, often gruesome, and always marvellously entertaining book, Gidwitz has stitched together some of the Brothers Grimm's most bloody tales. Having read a few of the originals myself, about the only thing he really changed was to make Hansel and/or Gretel the main characters. I heard a lot of scuttlebutt comparing this to Lemony Snicket, though I have to say it was mostly the authorial asides. Snicket is all about the looming danger that's escaped juuuuust in time, but Gidwitz actually puts his characters through it.

I'd like to hear if teachers have used this as a readaloud, because I think the structure would work for that, and the multiple ending trope that Gidwitz plays with is an interesting springboard for asking kids to think about story and narrative. I think kids will eat up this fast, gruesome ride, and come out of it with a new desire for the fairy tales that they've always encountered in their sanitized versions before.

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A PASSION FOR VICTORY: THE STORY OF THE OLYMPICS IN ANCIENT AND EARLY MODERN TIMES, by Benson Bobrick (Knopf/Random House 2012)(ages 10+). In this year of the XXXth Games of the Modern Era, Benson Bobrick looks back on the history of the Olympics from its origins in ancient Greece to its reawakening in 1896.

Bobrick's accounts of both the ancient and early modern games (up to 1948) is fascinating, filled with anecdotes about athletes the politic of the day.  A must-read for anyone interested in how today's Olympics came to be. (And, personally, I wish they would bring back chariot racing.).

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THE PLANT HUNTERS: TRUE STORIES OF THEIR DARING ADVENTURES TO THE FAR CORNERS OF THE EARTH, by Anita Silvey (FSG/Macmillan 2012)(ages 8+).  For centuries, daring adventurers have searched the remotest corners of the earth, daring wild animals, disease, and physical hardship, all in a quest to bring back new specimens of plants for medicinal, scientific, economic, and aesthetic purposes. 

THE PLANT HUNTERS provides richly-drawn and detailed accounts of some of these little known explorers.  In addition to touching on contemporary aspects of botany, THE PLANT HUNTERS offers a fascinating and eminently readable account of an aspect of the history of science most people don't think much about.

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Book: Darth Paper Strikes Back
Author: Tom Angleberger
Published: 2011
Source: Local Library

The Force requires balance. For every good-hearted (if slightly weird) Dwight, there's got to be a nasty and cyncial Harvey. For every Origami Yoda, there must be a  . . . Darth Paper.

It seems like Harvey/Darth Paper's evil schemes will get Origami Yoda/Dwight kicked out of school for good. Tommy assembles another case file to present to the school board, hoping to convince them that Dwight's not a "disruptive influence," but instead someone who has changed the lives of his classmates for the better. It's not looking good . . . but Tommy should remember that a 900-year-old paper alien is always going to have some tricks up his sleeve.

I vastly enjoyed the first book, which I read for 48HBC last year, so this one went right on my stack for this year. It follows the same format in general, short stories about middle-school angst, and just as with the first one, Angleberger hits the nail on the head. The great charm of these novels is that they're not about Star Wars at all, but about the thorny social interactions of tweens, wobbling on the threshold of teenagerhood.

There is a pretty lengthy segment at the end that deals with Harvey, who is slightly more complex than you'd think, and Dwight's eventual fate, but it's still a very quick and entertaining read. You shouldn't have any trouble selling this one based on the popularity of the first.

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