The joy of Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Lots of wonderful happening in the world of books and reading everyday of the week, but one of my favorites has always been Monday. Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday, that is.

How can you not love a day devoted to the amazing that is middle-grade. Because my school is a 7-12 I still have many students who are still reading middle-grade and that makes me all kinds of happy. I used to blog quite regularly on this day about some of my favorite recent reads and as I tip-toe back into blogging, it is part of the plan to do so again. And with more detailed reasons on why I love the books I do and what middle-grade is popular at my school. 

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-The Girl in the Well is Me by Karen Rivers

You know you're going to love a book when you start:

- thinking of students that you can share it with right away.

-looking for people to read it aloud to because there are laugh out loud moments, profound moments and moments of heartbreak.

-highlighting something on almost every page because you love what the author wrote.

And the book? The Girl in the Well is Me by Karen Rivers.

From Goodreads:

Newcomer Kammie Summers has fallen into a well during a (fake) initiation into a club whose members have no intention of letting her join. Now Kammie’s trapped in the dark, growing increasingly claustrophobic, and waiting to be rescued—or possibly not.

As hours pass, the reality of Kammie’s predicament mixes with her memories of the highlights and lowlights of her life so far, including the reasons her family moved to this new town in the first place. And as she begins to run out of oxygen, Kammie starts to imagine she has company, including a French-speaking coyote and goats that just might be zombies. 

It's heart-wrenchingly good and I know many a student will relate on a personal level because it that speaks to our need to find friends and fit in. It's also a page-turner and not just because the main character is stuck in a well and you want to know if the mean girls who put her in that position are actually going to get help. Kammie's backstory is just as compelling and you slowly find out everything that happened that brings Kammie to this point. Recommended and then some.

More Marvelous Middle Grade Monday posts HERE! Happy Reading all.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-8th Grade Super-Zero by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

Happy first day of February all and...Happy Marvelous Middle Grade Monday!

In Canada we are celebrating Black History Month. This Thursday I will be book talking related materials for our Grade 8 ELA students. One of those books will be 8th Grade Super-Zero by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich.

It's one I'm looking forward to sharing and one I recommend you check out if you have not already. I am thinking many of you have already read it as it was published in 2010. For me, it was one of those books forever on my TBR list and it was about time I got it read.

More from Goodreads:  since a deeply unfortunate incident earlier this year, Reggie's been known as "Pukey" McKnight at his high-intensity Brooklyn middle school. He wants to turn his image around, but he has other things on his mind as well: his father, who's out of a job; his best friends, Ruthie and Joe C.; his former best friend Donovan, who's now become a jerk; and of course, the beautiful Mialonie. The elections for school president are coming up, but with his notorious nickname and "nothing" social status, Reggie wouldn't stand a chance, if he even had the courage to run. 

Not only will students find many things to relate to in this one, many will also get a glimpse into a part inner-city life they will not be as familiar with. I found it a believable and heart-filled tale I am sure will find a good match with the students who choose to sign it out...for this month's book study or just as a great contemporary middle grade read about trying to fit in after a disastrous first day of school. For more great Middle Grade recommendations head on back to Shannon Messenger's Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-Alistair Grim's Oddaquaticum by Gregory Funaro

Time for the second Marvelous Middle Grade Monday of 2016. Hope everyone is enjoy their so far reading this year. I know I certainly am!

As I am typing this up I am anticipating tomorrow's Live Webcast of ALA's Youth Media Awards. Happily I should be able to watch it all before heading to work.

This week it's all about Gregory Funaro's  ALISTAIR GRIM'S ODDAQUATICUM

From Goodreads: When Grubb, an orphan and runaway chimney sweep, entered the wondrous world of the Odditorium, his life changed forever. Apprenticed to the mechanical marvel’s strange proprietor, Alistair Grim, Grubb unfortunately must settle into his new position on the lam, as the whole of London is convinced that Alistair Grim is a villain bent on mass destruction. Grim, however, has come up with a plan to expose the real villain: Prince Nightshade, a wicked necromancer who wants the Odditorium’s power source for himself.

With the evil prince hot on their trail, Grim, Grubb and the rest of the Odditorium's crew embark on a perilous adventure to find the legendary sword Excalibur: the only weapon capable of penetrating Nightshade's magical suit of armor. As expected, their quest turns out to be anything but ordinary. Not only can the Odditorium fly, but it can also swim! And so the crew battens down the hatches and sets off on an underwater voyage to the otherworldly realm of Avalon, home to Excalibur. Along the way, they must battle a banshee assassin, sea monsters, and a witch who seeks revenge on Alistair Grim for stealing her magical objects.

But that’s not all. Unbeknownst to Grubb and the others, their fate has been written in an ancient Avalonian prophecy—a prophecy that holds the key to a destiny not even Alistair Grim could have possibly imagined. 

I received a copy of this via Net Galley. Here's what I wrote when I was done:

The author has yet again let loose with his imagination and crafted a story filled with characters and settings young readers will love. Glad to be adding book two to our collection and certainly looking forward to more adventures  from Grubb, his father and all their companions.

To that I will add that I am impressed that the author can blend together so many different fantastical elements and make it work. Something for everyone without leaving you with a feeling it is too much. Naturally, I now await book three!

Don't forget to head back to Shannon Messenger's for more Marvellous Middle Grade Monday links!

MMGM and a #MiddleGradeMay Check-In

Hello all! I hope you past week has been wonderful especially with the celebration of Children's Book Week.  I was part of the giveaway hop and using a super technical method:

WRITE names down and number 1-22/  go to random org 

Sending out giveaway CONGRATS to:

MICHELLE!

And here we are with another Monday of Middle Grade Marvelousness and another #MiddleGradeMay check-in for those you taking part. Let me know what you have read in the comments and if you have a post you've put up please leave a link.

Did not get as much read as I had hoped but did get some done, including the absolutely fun read for boys that I know a girl or two I would hand this over to. Fun, funny, adventurous story with a treasure hunt for old pirate booty, mysterious possible government agent types and trying to stay one step ahead of the so called popular "cool" kids. I laughed, I held my breath and I nodded my head. This book wonderfully captured the tone and voice needed to give it that all so important real feel. Speaking of that real feel, one of the students I am working with right now is just like Fish. She is a fountain of interesting information. And speaking of the mention of girls I would give this book to this student is one of them! Here's the book:

Fish Finelli: Seagulls Don't Eat Pickles by E.S. Farber and illustrated by Jason Beene.

When bully Bryce Billings bets Fish Finelli that he can't find Captain Kidd's legendary long-lost treasure, Fish and his friends embark on a quest to find real-life pirate treasure. Between sneaking into the library to track down Captain Kidd's map, stowing away on a boat, and trespassing on an island, Fish and his friends have their work cut out for them. But will Fish actually be able to find Captain Kidd's booty and win the bet? (from Goodreads).

Hope you find the time to check this one out.

Although I did not get in as much reading time as I hoped I am happy there is still lots of may to keep making a dent in my pile. Pulled a handful I really really hope to get to over the next few days. 

How about all of you? How are you doin'?

For those of you just tuning in, there is still time to hop on board and join us by reading at least one middle grade book this month. Here be the details and you can always check out even more MMGM goings on here at Shannon Messenger's, the same Shannon who came up with the idea of Marvelous Middle Grade Monday.

Ta for now and hope you enjoy your week!

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-Plunked by Michael Northrop

Hello and welcome to another Marvelous Middle Grade Monday inspired by Shannon Messenger! 

Today I am sharing another of my favorite 2012 contemporary middle grade fiction books I read for Cybils. 

Plunked by Michael Northrop. 

From the publisher:

When a young slugger gets hit by a pitch, he needs more than practice to get back his game.Sixth grader Jack Mogens has it all figured out: He's got his batting routine down, and his outfielding earns him a starting spot alongside his best friend Andy on their Little League team, the Tall Pines Braves. He even manages to have a not-totally-embarrassing conversation with Katie, the team's killer shortstop. But in the first game of the season, a powerful stray pitch brings everything Jack's worked so hard for crashing down around his ears. How can he explain to his parents and friends why he won't be playing? Readers will root for Jack as he finds the courage to step back up to the plate.


From the author's website:

Named one of the best chapter books of 2012 by the New York Public Library and
included in the 101st edition of their 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

From me:

There are a whole lot of mentions from reviews and literary journals on how good this book is. I am here to add my voice to theirs and say yes, yes on just how great this book is. I think what struck me most is watching/feeling the growing fear of playing baseball from the main character after he is hit by a ball. It is gradual and ever so subtle. Darn good writing to read. As someone who booktalks to kids, this is one I can't wait to share with sport lovers, lovers of baseball in particular. But you know, it will also be a great read for kids who have ever been really afraid of something, something they would love to do, but afraid none the less. The accessible writing, the voice and the down right veracity of this character will capture and keep middle grade readers. A home run! (apologies to the author, I could not help myself). In other words I'm a sayin' add this one to your to read list. You will not be disappointed.

Click HERE to head back to Shannon's and more MMGM. See you all soon in...May? Man, the time she flies.

MMGM-Tilly's Moonlit Garden by Julia Green

Tilly's Moonlight Garden by Julia Green has been on my MMGM to post about list for a few weeks now.

I wanted to wait until it was closer to the publish date and we are indeed close. October 2 is when this book will be released and I say it's one to buy or head to your library to borrow.

Pub Date: Oct. 1st, 2012

ISBN: 978-1-4022-7730-6

Page count: 208pp

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

From back of publisher provided ARC via Raincoast Books:
Tilly just moved into a drafty old mansion, away from all of her friends. She spends her afternoons wandering around her new backyard in order to excape the cold, dusty rooms of the new house. But one night, Tilly follows a fox she has seen from her bedroom window and he leads her deep into a hidden garden that is nothing short of magic in the moonlight. This mysterious garden and the special friend she meets there help her rediscover the magic in her own life. 

Tilly's life is turned upside down when her mother and father move her away from everything she knows and into a mansion that is anything but elegant and wonderful. For Tilly it is no dream location that she falls in love with at sight. It's cold, dusty and old. Not only that, her mother is bedridden and her health and the health of the baby she is carrying is uncertain. Or at least uncertain enough to worry Tilly, even though she's been told she doesn't need to. All of these things factor into Tilly's current state of being, filled with uncertainty and unhappiness. Her world is not what it was and Tilly is alone, lost and the victim of school yard bullying because she's the new kid. It makes her quiet.

The author captures the tone and feel of a young girl struggling in a world she is not used to. A young girl who has left behind her friends and who is worried about her mother and what is happening at school.  The book has quiet and thoughtful tone because Tilly is a quiet a thoughtful child who doesn't want to upset her parents. Plus, there is a magic in how the author describes the night time. Soft and whispery words that make you feel as if you are with Tilly as she steps into the night to follow the fox. A rather brave thing for her to do when you think of everything she is going through. But, you know, Tilly is brave. I truly enjoyed how the author wove this story to show how brave you can be, how you can find your way, even when there is much to fear and you feel surrounded by dark and cold. The world can still be filled with magic, you only need to find it and when you do there is a friend or two who will help you along the way. And that's where the real magic is.

Would you like a chance to win a copy of this? I'll pre-order it for a commenter chosen by Random Org. 

More details:

• Open to US/Canada
• Leave a comment to enter, include contact info
• You have until next Sunday, Midnight MST

Speaking of winning commenters! Random Org picked #5 for week's giveaway and that is...

Rosi of The Write Stuff!

Congrats, Rosi! I will be contacting you for your mailing address.

Until next time everyone...Happy MMGM. Don't forget to check out the brains behind this day, Shannon Messenger, because she has links to more marvelousness AND she's letting me double up on my MMGM with my guest post on THE CAVENDISH HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS by Claire Legrand.

MMGM-CIRCLE OF SECRETS by Kimberly Griffiths Little (Giveaway too!)

The last Marvelous Middle Grade Monday of August is here! Hope you've all enjoyed your summer and found many a book to add to your to read lists and or piles. Before I get to the post at hand I have a couple of other things to share.

1. The WINNER, thanks to RandomOrg, of Mira's Diary: Lost in Paris (ARC) by Marrissa  Moss is Barbara Watson. Congrats Barbara, you are on a winning roll!
2. There's another giveaway on this post about support along our writing journey's. Comment and join in the conversation to win a writing resource book of your choice for you and a friend.

NOW! On the reason you all came here. 

Here is the book:

Here is the description from the publisher:

Critically acclaimed author Kimberley Griffiths Little weaves a haunting story of friendship and family and the power of faith, once again set against the lush backdrop of the Louisiana bayou.

After her mother walked out on Shelby Jayne and her dad, Shelby thought she'd never speak to her mamma again. But with her dad leaving the country for work, it turns out she doesn't have a choice: Shelby has to move back into her mamma's house, deep in the heart of the Louisiana bayou.

Her new classmates tease and torment her, so Shelby's relieved to finally find a friend in Gwen, a mysterious girl who lives alone on the bayou. But Shelby can't help wondering if Gwen has something to do with the puzzling messages she finds hidden in the blue bottle tree behind her house. The only person who might be able to explain is her mamma — but Shelby's not ready to ask. Not yet. It may take a brush with something from the beyond to help Shelby see that the power to put her own ghosts to rest is within her reach.

Here is the book trailer:

Here are my thoughts as a writer and a reader:

Just as in THE HEALING SPELL, the author is a master of capturing an authentic voice in THE CIRCLE OF SECRETS. A voice that is certainly middle grade and yet unique to the character. It is how Shelby views the world, the words she choses to tell us what she sees, hears and feels. How she puts those words into sentences, elegant and ladylike at the same time as sassy and funny. It's all Shelby. It is something well worth taking a good close look at if you are a writer working on bringing what seems like that elusive voice to your work. Studying the work of others to see how it is done is well worth your time. In fact I would suggest reading both of these books. Read them out loud and you will hear the difference.

As a reader I was pulled in immediately by that same voice-felt like I could hear Shelby right away. I like that. It makes me know this will also make a great read-a-loud. Take that and this:

"The summer I turned eleven, I found out ghosts are real."

I am so there. The author carries on with throwing the mc right up a tree. She has to go and stay with a mother who walked out on her and her father over a year ago. And a mother she has not seen in three months. You are, and kids will be, immediately sympathetic to her and will want to see what happens next, including learning more about Mirage (aka, the mother, but Shelby does not want to call her that). As for where Shelby has to go? To the swamp. Deep in the swamp and she doesn't like it so much...it's filled with snakes, spiders...frogs with creepy red eyes and who knows what else. Her view of  the swamp (Bayou) is the polar opposite of Livie in THE HEALING SPELL and yet just as well done and just as compelling. You can imagine what it would be like to be there and not like it one bit.

It doesn't end there for Shelby. School comes complete with bullies who tease her about where she lives and her mother, "The Swamp Witch". So, when a friend named Gwen comes along you breath a sigh of relief for Shelby because you are so invested in her story. Next thing you know, you are continuing to turn those pages because you know there is something "off" about Gwen...something deep and mysterious like the swamp. In other words, suspense, tension and mystery combined with amazing setting and strong voice make this one a must read. So, if it's in your to read pile move it to the top!

Here is more information about the author:

Website - you can send in a request for a teacher's and/or mother daughter book club guide 

Blogs-Kimberly's Wanderings / From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle Grade  Authors / Spellbinders 

Here are the giveaway details:

• Open to US/Canada
• Leave a comment to enter, include contact info
• You have until next Sunday, Midnight MST
• RandomOrg.Com will be used to pick winner
• The author (thanks Kimberly!) will send the person picked one SIGNED hardcover copy of THE CIRCLE OF SECRETS. 

Good luck everyone.

And for more MMGM Marvelousness head on over to Shannon Messenger, the one who started it all!

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-Mira's Diary Lost in Paris by Marissa Moss/Giveaway

The time this summer is flying by. So fast, I almost wish I could step back in time to do this summer again.  It has been a good one.  Including the backpacking trip I just came from. LOVED it. And now watch this remarkable segway into talking about time slip fantasy for this Marvelous Middle Grade Monday.

But before that a quick shout out to Jill at OWL.  She won last week's pick your middle grade give away.  Her pick was The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver. I'll be getting this one too, that's for sure!

Another book I suggest you watch for is Mira's Diary: Lost in Paris by Marissa Moss.

I received the ARC from Rain Coast Books and started reading it the same week.  The book is not out until October, usually I wait but really wanted to tell you about this one. What a trip it took me on.  All the way to Paris and not just present day, either.  Oh no.  I was hopping all over time in this one and I really enjoyed myself.  Maybe not such a fun ride for the main character whose parents neglected to let her know that she is a fine traveler and can travel from era to era tweaking bits of history here and there as needed.

From the publisher:

Mira is shocked when she receives a postcard from her missing mother – from Paris! Her father decides it’s time for a trip to France to search for her. While visiting Notre Dame, Mira touches a gargoyle and is whirled into the past. There she meets the famous painter Degas and catches a brief, shocking glimpse of her mother. Mira begins to suspect that her mom didn’t run out on them but is a prisoner of the past. Can one family on an incredible worldwide adventure stop a plot in time?

Well written and oh boy, well researched. The book drips with historical Paris from Degas's time on. Famous figures walked off the pages. And I was right with the mc as she tried to find her mother and save a man from a horrible injustice. And again-the history, the facts and details did not, for me, slow it down. Once I get my book club up and running this one is going to be on the list. And on a final note-_great_ cover design.

If you'd like to read this one, I mean this very copy, let me know in the comments and I will enter your name in a draw. Giveaway will end next Monday.

Enjoy your day and head over to MMGM Mom, Shannon Messenger for some more fun!

Marvelous MIddle Grade Monday Giveaway-Your Pick of a Middle Grade You're Dying to Read

Happy MMGM Monday, everyone!

Today is just a plain old giveaway. Leave a comment telling me what MG you are dying to read and I will get it for you if your name is picked. You have until midnight tonight (MST). Cheers!

I am guest posting on MMGM Mom Shannon Messenger's blog today.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday and the middle grade e-books of Anthony R. Williams

Before I get to the books I am talking about today, I need to let you all know who won SEEING CINDERELLA! Totally forgot to do that last Monday. The winner was:

Michelle Mason

Congrats to Michele!

The book is on the way.

And the winner of ISLAND DANGER is:

Jennifer Rumberger - Children's Author

Congrats, Jennifer! Will pass this along to Margo who will send you a copy in the format of your choice.

Finally, on to... 

Some time ago author Anthony R. Williams contacted me about reading his book CULT OF THE FLY. The flap copy of the book caught my interest and the fact that I read a mention similarity to R.L. Stine or Stephen King for the young and reluctant reader set, I was doubly interested.

CULT OF THE FLY did not disappoint. Loved it. Even the really gruesome bits that were so well described I was actually reading with my face scrunched up and eyes partially close. The action was fast paced and the author was not afraid to make things for the kid characters get worse and worse...and worse.

Now, this book was free on Amazon as were his two other books, EYES WITHIN IN THE CEMETERY and SARCOPHAGUS. I didn't get the next two because they were free, I got them because I liked CULT OF THE FLY and wanted to read more from this author. He succeeded again with writing faced paced, scary stories that could easily grab the reluctant reader or any reader who loves the scary--and not a little scary but the kind that goes SCREAM in the night.

All three of these books are well, well worth trying out. Mr. Williams has some serious writer chops and has great skill with suck-you-into-the- scene vocabulary rich descriptions that don't affect the pacing of the book in a way that could lose the reader, especially a reluctant one. Not only that, the characters are real kids thrown into fantastic-ly creepy situations that come with hold your breath climaxes. Of course, if you check out his site you'll see the writing history he has serves him well.


Following are brief descriptions of each book as provided by the author.

Cult of the Fly - The last place Jessica wanted to be stuck during Spring Break was in a hotel in the middle of the desert with her family. What she didn't anticipate was stumbling upon dark secrets undiscovered for decades. When all hell breaks loose Jessica must face her fears and the terrors concealed deep underground by the Cult of the Fly.

Sarcophagus - When Jeremy moved into his new house he left his friends, school, and old life behind. With nobody but his eccentric neighbor Adrian to play with, Jeremy unearths something buried within the woods that was meant to remain undiscovered. The fate of the world is in Jeremy and Adrian's hands when they must stop the dormant evil they unwittingly unleash from within the Sarcophagus.

Eyes Within the Cemetery - If moving wasn't already bad enough, Marcus' new house doesn't have a backyard, it has a graveyard. He didn't want to believe ghosts, ghouls, and zombies lived back there. Marcus didn't want to think the cemetery was haunted. But when he spots two glowing Eyes Within the Cemetery he won't have a choice but to confront an unspeakable evil living right outside his bedroom.


That's it from me! Hope you are all having a Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Be sure to head back to Shannon Messenger {our fairy MMGM mother!} to see even more MMGM goings on.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-Interview and Giveaway with Margo Sorenson

 

It's my great pleasure to welcome Margo Sorenson to my blog.   Here is a little bit about her from her website:


Margo Sorenson is the author of twenty-eight books for young readers. A National Milken Educator and Minnesota Book Award finalist in YA fiction, Margo’s latest middle grade mystery/adventure is Island Danger, (MuseItUp Publishing, June 2012) set in Hawaii, complete with surfing and explosives.


Her book, ISLAND DANGER is a middle grade/tween mystery set in Hawaii featuring an utterly believable 14 year old boy named Todd. He's on a mission to prove to he is old enough to take care of himself and not always leaping before he looks. The thing with Todd is that he does leap before he looks when trying to prove himself. Sometimes he is understanding of others and sympathetic, even willing to stand up to his Uncle who has nothing good to say about native Hawaiians. In the same thoughts, though, he too judges others and assumes the worst based on who they are. In other words, he really is confused and trying to figure himself out while showing everyone he is a grown-up. I remember those days. This book is a great contemporary read with lots of suspense, some mystery and dangerous situations that keep the story moving along. Although it is considered a boy book, this is one I could easily recommend/booktalk for girls, especially ones who like mystery and adventure. And let me tell you--you feel like you are in Hawaii. The author knows her setting and people inside out and backwards. More from the publisher:


When fourteen-year-old soccer star Todd arrives in Hawaii, he hears that radical, militant Hawaiian activists have hidden weapons in a nearby ravine to use for their rebellion against the U.S. government to gain Hawaiian independence.  Even though he’s warned that people are raising marijuana or “pakalolo” in the ravine, guarding their crops with rifles, pit bulls, and explosives, Todd plans to scout the ravine and find the weapons, hoping he can finally earn his family’s respect and find some adventure to offset his boring summer.  What will Todd discover in the ravine that could force him to rethink everything he’s believed?






Margo and I got talking back and forth on Sunday and she kindly agreed to answer a few questions for me. As some of you know I am always interested in how writers balance everything they do and that is where I started with the questions.


We love talking finding that balance in your writing career. How do you find yours? How has it changed now that your book is out and you are out there promoting it?


How do I find a balance between my writing life and my “real life”?  Hmmmm, well, once we take into consideration that I’m probably a bit unbalanced to begin with, the answer is that it ebbs and flows.  If I have an editorial letter that I need to be working on, my schedule goes into overdrive, and I’m at the computer revising early, say, around 6:30 AM.  I work all day, taking a few breaks.  If I’ve got a work-in-progress, depending on whether I’m “on fire” at a particular juncture of the plot, I can’t keep my hands off the keyboard.  But, on the other hand, if I’m at a “sticking point,” and am worrying over a characterization interaction or a plot flaw, then I get up and take a long break.  Over the years, I’ve found that letting ideas simmer on the “back burner,” so to speak, is often the best way to get clear of the ‘gators in the writing swamp.  Now, that was a mixed metaphor! 



 Right now, I’m fortunate that my children are grown, my dear husband is very understanding, and I’m retired, so I do have much more latitude in my daily life than when I was raising my family, teaching middle and high school, and trying to write a little at the same time.  Needless to say, the family always came first, even though sometimes I’d sit at soccer games, thinking about a story idea, but I’ve never regretted putting family first.  Nowadays, when I have a book coming out, I start six months in advance with a to-do list, and then as the day draws closer, I go into action again.  I’ll spend possibly one to two hours a day doing just publicity.  I still keep an eye out for publicity opportunities for my other books, as well, especially since they’re still in print, and follow up on those. When the grandbabies call, though, I’m front and center for them!  


 What is a piece of advice you have for writers who may have hard time switching back and forth between the writing, the reading, the social media-ing and that crazy thing called life?


As I said, the “back burner” analogy has stood me in good stead over the years.  A theory that I learned in a  course in psychology of the unconscious that I took at Berserkley has proven to be most helpful: that our unconscious minds do a lot of work when we’re not “paying full attention,” and I use those times to enjoy family and friends and let the writing things sort themselves out.  I know other writers do the same.  The social media conundrum is interesting, especially to this dinosaur, and I love this quote I just read:  “Facebook is where you lie to your friends and Twitter is where you tell the truth to strangers.”  Ha!  Earlier, I mentioned that family comes first, and I’m into “regret minimization:” not doing things I’ll regret later, and doing things that I won’t regret I didn’t do!  Does that make sense?  First things first, and you’ll never regret.  Or, not often, anyway.


Would you care to share a snapshot of your day?


Honestly, every day is different when you’re retired, but I’m a morning person, so I’m up early and doing some writing task – or pleasure: either working on a new idea, or doing some promotion (besides ISLAND DANGER, I have another middle grade ebook mystery  TIME OF HONOR, coming out in October), or revising some of my many (blush!) works in progress.  When we travel, I always have a notebook with me, along with pencils and a small pencil sharpener.  I know, pencil sharpeners are hard to find these days!  I’m always on the lookout for new ideas and thoughts, and the notebook is key.  Otherwise, I may play golf or read a book for a few hours, watch a baseball game (go, Angels!), cook an Italian dinner for my dear husband, and enjoy the day.  Still, that back burner is cookin’ away!


Thank you so much, Deb, for hosting me on your wonderful blog!


Thank you for being here and taking some last minute questions from me. It's been great getting to know and your writing more. I'll be waiting and watching for TIME OF HONOR. In the meantime happy writing...and using that back burner!


Next week, Margo will be over on Middle Grade Mafioso...yep, our favourite Don will be back in town!


Further links: 


Author's Website, includes interviews, new books, information for teachers.


Author talking about writing ISLAND DANGER.


Guest post on Writing for Boys!


If you'd like to win a copy of ISLAND DANGER just leave a comment and next Monday I will draw a winner and send you the book in format preference.


MORE! GUEST POSTING today:


 I am guest posting on Shannon Messenger's website again. Talking it up for The Rock of Ivanore, oh yes I am! Please head over there to check it out and enter the giveaway!

Also, there is still time to enter the giveaway for SEEING CINDERELLA.

More MMGM love:

Shannon Whitney Messenger (a.k.a. Fearless Leader)-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe
Jennifer Rumberger-Children's Author
Joanne Fritz-My Brain on Books
Danika Dinsmore-The Accidental Novelist 
Shannon O'Donnell-Book Dreaming
Natalie Aguirre-Literary Rambles
Brooke Favero-Somewhere in the Middle
Ally Beecher- Kid Lit Frenzy
Barbara Watson-Novel and Nouveau
Anita Laydon Miller-her middle grade blog
Michael G-G-Middle Grade Mafioso
Jessica Lei-her blog  
Pam Torres-So I'm Fifty
Akoss-Nye Louwon – My Spirit | a search for the writer in me
Gabrielle Prendergast-Angelhorn
Gina Carey
T.L. Conway

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday Giveaway: SEEING CINDERELLA by Jenny Lundquist

A wee while back I read this interview on Literary Rambles with Jenny Lundquist, athour of SEEING CINDRELLA. I also won the giveaway and the wonderful Natalie Aguirre sent me SEEING CINDERELLA. On the inside was a note from Natalie saying she hoped I enjoyed the book. Well, I did. Alot. In fact, I loved enough to say it is one of my favourite MG reads of '12. Clever, funny and so bang on the universal trials and tribulations of that first year in middle school it even brought me back to my own time in grade six. Take that and mix in some magical glasses you have a wonderful blend of contemporary fiction and fantasy. Not only that, the author is one a heck of a good writer. She blends characterization, plot, setting and theme in a way that makes me want to reread it so I can better my own writing. Yep. Kinda loved it.  This is for sure one I would recommend to fans of Wendy Mass and Lauren Myracle, the Winnie Years.  To wrap up here is the description from IndieBound.Org:

Sixth grade is not going well for Calliope Meadow Anderson. Callie’s hair is frizzy, her best friend, Ellen, is acting weird, and to top things off, she has to get glasses. And her new specs aren’t even cute, trendy glasses—more like hideously large and geeky. But Callie soon discovers that her glasses have a special, magical perk: When she wears them, she can read people’s thoughts. Crazy glasses aside, Callie has more drama to face when she’s cast as the lead in the school play—and instead opts to be an understudy, giving the role of Cinderella to Ellen. Can Callie’s magic glasses help her see her way to leading lady, or is she destined to stay in the background forever?


That's it from me. 


WAIT. That is not it. You know I have to do a giveaway right? Must pay it forward and share the love of this book. All you need to do is leave a comment with a way for me to contact you. You have until midnight, next Monday. Good luck!


Happy MMGM all! And, as always, check out some of the following blogs for more middle grade love.


Shannon Whitney Messenger (a.k.a. Fearless Leader)-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe
Jennifer Rumberger-Children's Author
Joanne Fritz-My Brain on Books
Danika Dinsmore-The Accidental Novelist 
Shannon O'Donnell-Book Dreaming
Natalie Aguirre-Literary Rambles
Brooke Favero-Somewhere in the Middle
Ally Beecher- Kid Lit Frenzy
Barbara Watson-Novel and Nouveau
Anita Laydon Miller-her middle grade blog
Michael G-G-Middle Grade Mafioso
Jessica Lei-her blog  
Pam Torres-So I'm Fifty
Akoss-Nye Louwon – My Spirit | a search for the writer in me
Gabrielle Prendergast-Angelhorn
Gina Carey
T.L. Conway
Julie DeGuia-Writer-In-Training