Review of Isosceles by Scott R. Caseley

This World of Ink Tour is dedicated to the young adult novel, ISOSCELES, by Scott R. Caseley, published by MuseItUp Publishing. Congratulations, Scott, for an interesting look into the problems and psychology of children and teens.

On the very first day of Sean McIntyre and Trey Goodsby’s acquaintance in first grade,  we see the warning signs that this relationship is bound for trouble. As Trey builds a structure of blocks, Sean (jealous of the attention directed at Trey) throws a triangular block at him, but the block hits another first-grader, Madeline Edwards. Soon the reader realizes charming Trey has a talent for mischief-making leadership. Sean remains the quiet follower, and Madeline becomes the third member of this unusual grouping.

Then it happens that Sean’s mother and Trey’s father knew each other years ago and now decided to finish what they had started. So the two families break up. The two boys are unhappy, and defiant Trey leads Sean into to stealing. Trey predicts Sean and Madeline will marry, but it seems unlikely since they are simply friends.

As the three friends progress through school, Madeline tries to smooth things over between the boys and  their truant parents, to no avail. Trey continues to steal things, but when Sean’s mother warns him about Trey, Sean is resentful. His father says:

“She worries, Sean. That’s all. She’s just doing her motherly duty letting you

know she cares how you choose to live your life,” he said with tenderness.

“Was it part of her ‘motherly duty’ to leave us?” As I asked the question, the

color left his face, his eyes lost all expression, and he walked out of the room

without saying another word. As I had when Trey rode off on stolen bicycle, I just

watched Pop leave while I remained motionless not knowing what to do or say. I

felt a surge of guilt in an instant. One day, I prayed I’d be able to say the right

things to help someone. Never again, I vowed would I make anyone feel pain by

my words or my silence.

The game of MASH predicts that Madeline will marry Sean, but she says she never thought of him in those terms; and this years after Trey had predicted the very same thing.

Sean’s mother dies of an aneurism and the reception following the funeral is at Sean’s home. Madeline’s mother had committed suicide when she was a little girl.

The triangle drifts apart through the high school years. Then after  years of separation, the three go to a dance together. The evening turns out to be a date for Trey and Madeline while Sean becomes a wall flower.

Over the course of the story, Madeline falls in love with Trey, Sean falls in love with Madeline, and Trey loves all the girls. A lop-sided threesome. Madeline tries unsuccessfully to improve Trey, but he continues to lie and even drops out of school. Trey makes love to Madeline, but feels so guilty he tries to kill himself. His self-loathing finally makes him succeed and Sean gives a touching eulogy at Trey’s funeral.

Though Trey dies, there is a somewhat happy ending with an enduring hopeful prospect.

The finer psychological points are revealed slowly throughout the story, so I’ll leave it to you, dear reader, to decide which leg of the isosceles triangle was the short one.

ISOSCELES is available at MuseItUp Publishing and other fine book stores: http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=562&category_id=53&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

I enjoyed reading the review copy supplied by Virginia Grenier of World of Ink Tours.

knowonder, the literacy magazine

Scheherazade has nothing on knowonder! magazine. You can entertain your children every night with a new story from this magazine that contains 30 new stories each month.

About knowonder!

Knowonder is a leading publisher of engaging, daily content that drives literacy, the most important factor in a child’s success.

Ultimately, knowonder’s mission is to eradicate illiteracy and improve education success through content that is affordable, accessible, and effective.

Learn more at

www.knowonder.com

 

 

 

 

 

Preface: from the featured Author, Holly Stacey

People always ask me how I come up with my stories. The problem has never been what to write next, but which one to write next. With a background in archaeology (digging up ancient stuff is great inspiration) and museums (galleries filled with items; each one a wealth of tales), it’s not difficult to find inspiration. Okay, okay, and BOOKS. Lots and lots of books. It’s what got me interested in history and folklore, dragons, adventure, travel…

Books from my childhood mostly came from the library; a small, ramshackle place called Ruth Bach Library. It was located (kid you not) in a park. Getting there meant walking a bit past a grove of trees, over a bridge, a small field (well, baseball field), up a path and then into those glistening glass doors to where a whole world of adventure awaited. Small booklets, heavy tomes, cooking books, cuddly toy books, archaeology books (my personal favourite), fairytales…

So if, like me, you long for adventure, just sit back, relax, grab your favourite cuddly toy and a warm cocoa. Then pick up your latest knowonder! anthology and step into a portal of magical fun.

xx

Holly Stacey // Staff Writer

knowonder! publishing

www.knowonder.com

Here is a thumbnail sketch of each of the 30 stories in Volume 3:

p. 6. Nerissa’s Celebration, by Holly Stacey (featured author).

Mermaid Nerissa wants pearls for a new gown to wear to the festival. But in her impatience, she encounters an adventure. She rescues the oysters from bad men and the Red Tide. And though the oysters give her their pearls, she finds that it is better to have friends than a new dress.

p. 13. Just Plain Sarah Jane, by Nancy Julien Kopp.

Sarah Jane saves to buy a pretty dish for Ma. But a boy gets it and gives it to Annabelle, who doesn’t really appreciate it. Sarah Jane may be plain, but she plainly deserves the dish. Do you think she gets it?

p. 22. I Want My Own Monster, By Susan Sundwall.

Teena makes a list of qualifications and gets her own monster, Trevor.

p.27. To Be or No To Be a Princess, by Kathy Stattem Rygg.

Jetta Rose is a different princess every day: Like Cinderella she walks with one shoe; like Rapunzel she wears a yellow hair ribbon for hair; like Sleeping Beauty she sleeps all day. But if she were really a princess what are her specialties? Twirling, gliding, bowing.

p. 32. Kabungo and the Pumpkin, Part One, by Rolli.

Quote: “ I actually hadn’t seen too much of Kabungo since she’d fallen in love with Bun, her new kitten. … I’ve noticed that when people are in love they act like they’re in a snow globe. You can shake it as hard as you want and they just go on floating and smiling. Well, it’s the same with cavegirls and kittens….”  Beverly and friend, cave girl Kabungo, go to Miss VeDore’s for pumpkins; both Miss VeDore and Kabungo disappear, so Beverly goes into the house, nervous … to be continued.

p. 39. Dance Walking, by Kevin J. Doyle.

Ella finds she can do something new because her friend Marley stands by her.

p. 46. Roly-Poly Fat Cat, by Rolli.

This Very Funny take on the Gingerbread Boy story is hilarious.

p. 51. Ellie the Zoo, by Tracy Helixon.

Ellie pretends to be different animals, but her brother doesn’t want to play along. Will honey with biscuits lure him into becoming a bear?

p. 55. Bot-in-a-box, by David Welsh.

Alva throws away the directions for Box-E, so what kind of robot will emerge from his impromptu workings?

p. 63. Blackbird and Owl, by Tracey Glasspool.

This is a sweet soft story. Two opposites become friends and find a way to be together.

p. 67. Princess Piggy, by Holly Stacey.

A spoiled princess gets taught a lesson by her fairy godmother. A MOST unexpected ending. Beautifully written.

p. 72. Zora Zooms from Planet Zot, by Teresa DiNicola.

In her anger (that Mumby spends so much time with baby Nog), Zora flies away in her mini-rocket pod, but returns home to Mumby’s loving arms.

p. 75. The Small World, by Rolli.

Life is tough in the Tall World. But the secret is that there’s a Small World, too. And it’s even better.

p. 77. The Boy With the Lead Boots, by David Turnbull.

Finally Mike lets his new friends Marco, Kaz, and Emma, join in the fun of the secret of his lead boots.

p. 86. Mirinda’s Gift, by Holly Stacey.

With only three shells in her mer-purse, Princess Merinda, a mermaid, has to get a job to make her father a new robe.

p. 92. Where are the Ducklings? By Adelaide B. Shaw.

Eleven baby ducklings fall into the story drain. How will frantic Molly Duck get her babies back?

p. 96. A Damselfly in Distress, by Erin Fanning.

(Pretend )Knight Ian rescues a damselfly that got sloshed by water churned by his kayak.

p. 100. The First Snowflake, by Elliot Anderson.

Buford Bear is the slowest animal in the forest. Does he have a chance to catch the first snowflake with so many fast friends competing in the annual contest?

p. 109. A Puzzling Surprise, by Kathy Stattem Rygg.

When Lucy and Alex put their giant floor puzzle together,  Pirate Captain Buzzard, and his parrot, Pickles, step out of it.

p. 114. Martian Cookies, by Tina Holt.

Schoolgirl, Maddie, goes to her sitter’s house after school because her mother has a new job. The day goes nicely for her when she pretends Miss Becky is a Martian and serves her Martian cookies.

p. 118. Dr. Franklin’s Staticy Cat, by Rolli.

Here is a fanciful way of telling how Dr. Benjamin Franklin discovered electricity. And all because he needed to cure his cat from being staticy.

p. 126. A Dark and Stormy Night, by Christine Collier.

Calla visits her grandmother, and on a dark and stormy night, she solves an old mystery and makes her grandmother very happy.

p. 131. Robert’s Shirt is Gone, by Laurel T. Sheridan.

It’s hard for Robert to admit that his favorite green t-shirt—the one he wears all day, to eat in, to play in, to sleep in—has stretched WAAAY to big.

p. 134. Beware of the Dragon! by Teresa DiNicola.

A LITTLE lizard causes a BIG commotion, but friendships are made in the end.

p. 137. Polly Porcupine’s Prickly Problem, by Max Elliot Anderson.

Polly wants to eat clover, climb trees, and shoot quills like the “other” porcupines. But she eats bugs, cannot climb and her quills are stuck tight. But wait … she’s a —–!

p. 144. Kabungo & the Pumpkin, Part Two, by Rolli.

Remember, we left Beverly as she was just entering Miss VeDore’s house. Once inside, she finds Kabungo having tea with Miss VeDore. After tea, Beverly and Kabungo take their pumpkins home (well, Kabungo’s goes to her cave).

p. 152. Harry, A Prince of a Dog, by Suzanne Purvis.

If one kiss can break one spell what can two kisses do? Read this highly original and heartwarming story to find out.

p. 161. Ellie’s Art Rocks! by Kai Strand.

Check this story out for a fun craft for your kids.

Don’t have enough money to buy a pass to the pool? Ellie paints rocks to sell to earn the money and has fun doing it. Ellie’s art, rocks.

p. 166. Sapphire and Weld, by Holly Stacey.

Another of Holly’s enchanting and enchanted mermaid stories. The good girl is rewarded with pearls and the selfish girl punished by having a frog attached to her head.

p. 174. The Grasshoppers Who Learned to Sings, by Lisa Barrass.

Lots of adventure when Cup Cake Sally sprinkles fairy dust on Polly, Lucas, and Ella when they visit Tickle Belly Alley Cottage.

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What is a Read-Aloud story?

knowonder! stories are Read-Aloud stories.

In fact, the whole knowonder! Literacy Program is built up around this core difference.

Read-aloud stories and picture books are very different from each other. Both are needed, but they provide very different benefits. Picture books are a wonderful literacy tool, but consider for a moment how reading stories out loud to your children from a young age can provide these key benefits:

Key Benefits

Consider these key benefits of read-aloud stories:

- Listening skills are built

- Concentration improves as children learn to sit still and focus

- Comprehension and understanding of events (cause and effect relationships) is

enhanced

- Imagination is actively exercised as children imagine the scenes, characters and

worlds the words create

- Vocabulary is increased as children discover new words

- A child’s ability to guess meanings of new words grows

- Children become more confident because they know they are cared for and loved

and because they can express their thoughts and needs

- Children are better-enabled to make friends and good relationships because their

communication skills are increased

- Learning in all subjects becomes much easier because the brain is literally being

wired to learn and take in new information

- Family bonds are strengthened and reinforced, creating an atmosphere of love, trust

and communication in the home which will last a lifetime

While it can be said that many of these benefits come from picture books, most of them are developed much better, faster, and deeper with read-aloud stories. When you consider the sum-total of all these benefits, it’s easy to see why reading to your child every day from birth is the single-most important thing a parent can do to ensure a child’s success in life, socially, mentally and financially.

to learn more, visit:  http://www.knowonder.com

Review of Barbara Cairns’ Gatsby’s Grand Adventure

I’m happy to present a recent addition to the Guardian Angel Publishing family, Barbara Cairns, whose picture book is illustrated by a familiar GAP illustrator, Eugene Ruble.

In Gatsby’s Grand Adventure we get a double helping of artistic fare. No—make that a triple helping. We have Barbara’s colorful, energetic writing, Eugene’s amusing illustrations, and Winslow Homer’s realistic, homey Americana paintings.

Barbara presents the problem right up front. “Gatsby the cat lived in Miss Annabelle’s art gallery. At night, he had the most peculiar habit. He jumped into famous paintings. When he remembered to jump out before sunrise, everything was fine. But sometimes, Gatsby forgot.”

Ut, oh. Did you see the word “WHEN”? I think we have one of those “when”s coming up.

And what more fun painting for Gatsby to jump into than Winslow Homer’s “Crack the Whip”!

In the painting, eight boys are playing crack the whip in front of a small one-room schoolhouse. Homer captures the spirit of fun and freedom of children of the 1870s (check out those clothes).

If you or your child, grandchild, or school class don’t know how to play crack the whip—you must take a look at this painting. Kids used to have hilarious fun without gadgetry—just friends.

Eugene not only had to reproduce Homer’s subjects, but add Cairns’ characters as well. And they are Gatsby the cat, his Mistress Miss Annabelle, and a mouse and a dog. He even goes inside the schoolhouse. And he does it smoothly and convincingly, integrating past and present.

Barbara’s main character, Gatsby, has a penchant for entering the paintings in the gallery. But when he enters “Crack the Whip,” he causes a minor problem. It’s funny the way one problem leads to another until Gatsby finally sets things right.

Gatsby’s now looking forward to more adventures with the new paintings set to arrive soon. But that’s another story.

This entertaining and educational book is available at Guardian Angel Publishing bookstore and other fine book stores . http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/gatsby-snap-the-whip.htm

My review copy was provided by the author. I enjoyed reading it and reviewing it.

World of Ink Tour: Night Buddies:Impostors and One Far-Out Flying Machine

Watch out, Folks! Night Buddies are on the way!

“Who are the Night Buddies,” you ask.

I will tell you.

They are the product of Sands Hetherington’s quirky imagination—brought to life by illustrator Jessica Love. I think Sands is an eight-year-old boy in disguise. Snerk! Snog!

In Sands’ book, NIGHT BUDDIES, IMPOSTORS AND ONE FAR-OUT FLYING MACHINE, the protagonists come out at night (that is, the boy, John, sneaks out of the house) to foil the machinations of dastardly criminals. John’s Buddy is a red crocodile named Crosley who wears a yellow coat filled with pineapple cheesecakes. Crosley is mad about pineapple cheesecakes.

All of the night population of the Borough know the job of Night Buddies Almagated is to stop evil doings. Now suddenly, everyone thinks Crosley is doing bad things, such as spray painting “SUBWAY PEOPLE SUCK SLUGS” on the subway station wall. Why? Because an IMPOSTOR is pretending to be Crosley. Yerk, Yerk!

It won’t be easy for The Night Buddies to put a stop to the Iguana Gang (the impostors). But with the help of Officer Finnegan and his horse, Elmer, Fast Fanny the proprietor of The All Night Racing Blimp Emporium (her flying machines can fold up to fit in a closet), Cros’s brother, Crenwinkle, Rodney Oglesby, owner of the sauerkraut and jellybean hot dog cart, big huge Lonnie who supplies the pineapple cheesecakes—and more night people—John and Cros make the Iguana Gang PAY for all that troublemaking. Excelsior!

And what does Miss Stockbridge and the three lady moles, who provide mole milk for the iguanas, have to do with it all?

I can only say—move over, Captain Underpants. Make way for Night Buddies Almagated!

For more information about this fun, silly book and other books in the Night Buddies series, go to www.DuneBuggyPress.com ; also available at Amazon.com and other fine book Emporiums.

My review copy was provided by Virginia Grenier, coordinator of World of Ink Tours.

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My apologies to everyone who was notified that this posts would come out on January 17; I set the date before I left town, but obviously, I did something wrong.

So sorry.

Thanks for Visiting Stories a la Mode

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop, II

I want to thank Tina Cho for tagging me to participate in “The Next Big Thing Blog Hop.” These answers pertain to my book, which has yet to have a publication date. After the questions, I tag other authors, where you can read about their “Next Big Thing!” Please join us!

My answers to these questions will introduce you to my next big adventure.

What is the working title of your book? Arctic Danger

Who or What inspired you to write this book? I was inspired to write a story about some kids I saw swimming in a river in Alaska when my husband and I were traveling there in our motorhome. But I had no plot. Then I heard about an Alaska pipeline oil spill, and there was my plot.

What genre does your book fall under? Middle Grade Adventure

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? I would choose a couple of unknown kids for the two main characters, Athabascan brother and sister.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? A leisurely kayak trip by two kids is interrupted whey they must rush to report an oil pipeline spill.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? It is under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? About a week or two

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? Any middle grade book that has children being courageous.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? The depiction of an unusual environment and the typical lives of youngsters living in a cold climate. Also, that the pipeline zig-zags across the countryside.

Thanks, Tina, for giving me the opportunity to talk about what I hope will be MY next big thing.

Now I would like to tag Jayne Moraski who has a beautiful book in production.

Review of Penelope Anne Cole’s Magical Matthew

It is my pleasure to introduce Penelope Anne Cole and her picture book for kids ages 4-9, Magical Matthew.  This books is published by Guardian Angel Publising

 

 

 

 

Penelope Anne Cole is an observer. When she noticed a child moving into “double digits,” she wondered how she could put this aging process into a book for children. Magical Matthew is the result. She herself is much like Matthew; she has worked helping people as a Human Resources person and as a teacher. Ms. Cole has a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from San Jose State University and a Masters in Human Development Education from the University of Maryland.

What kid wouldn’t want to have special powers—like the one Matthew has? Matthew can magically fix things, but he keeps it a secret for a long time. It’s important that whoever learns about the secret can be trusted. Lily, Matthew’s good friend, helps him find things that need to be fixed. When she figures out about the secret power, Matthew shares everything with his grandma. Grandma wonders if Lily can be trusted and Matthew says he thinks she can. But suddenly Matthew no longer has his power. He lost his last baby tooth and this is a signal that he’s getting too old. At first he’s angry, but Grandma convinces him there are other ways to fix things, even though those ways take more effort. He and Lily will continue to do good deeds. But the power to fix things isn’t lost. When you read the book you will see how the spirit of helpfulness lives on!

Kevin Collier’s illustrations show just how excited and astonished Matthew is when he realizes he has this power and later, his disappointment when he outgrows it. It’s very interesting the way Kevin interpreted Penelope’s poem about the way Matthew sees himself. Together, Penelope and Kevin have created characters whom young readers will be happy to know and parents will find trustworthy.

disclaimer: I purchased a copy of Magical Matthew from Guardian Angel Publishing http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/matthew.htm in order to review it. I enjoyed it and think it is a worthwhile book to  add to any child’s collection. The book is also available at Amazon and Barnes and Nobel.

BOO !! and The Next Big Thing !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boo!

HI Folks,

Hope I didn’t scare you too much, there.

I am participating in THE NEXT BIG THING Blog Hop, and I have been asked to answer some questions about my Work in Progress.

But before I do, let me mention that this blog hop will continue next week on the blogs of Shellie Neumeier and Jayne Moraski. You will find their blog addys down at the end of this post.

And I want to thank Penelope Anne Cole for inviting me to participate and look forward to The Next Big Works of Literature here and in the other postings.

• Ten Interview Questions for The Next Big Thing Blog Hop:What is the working title of your book? RANIL AND THE BABY ELEPHANT.

  Where did the idea come from for the book? I LEARNED ABOUT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS WORKING TO HELP THE ELEPHANT SITUATION IN SRI LANKA IN AN ARTICLE IN THE SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE. THE SAD THING IS THAT ELEPHANTS ARE LOOSING THEIR HABITAT BECAUSE IT TAKES FORWARD THINKING PEOPLE TO PLAN AND IMPLIMENT WAYS FOR ELEPHANTS AND PEOPLE TO SHARE A SMALL-ISH ISLAND.

  What genre does your book fall under? MIDDLE GRADE CONTEMPORARY FICTION.

  Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? SINCE THE CHARACTERS IN THE STORY ARE SRI LANKAN, I CAN’T NAME SPECIFIC ACTORS. MAYBE ONE OF THE KIDS FROM “SLUM DOG MILIONAIRE.”

  What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? IN ORDER TO SAVE THE BABY ELEPHANT FROM BEING TAKEN BY A CIRCUS, RANIL MUST COME UP WITH A WAY TO MAKE MONEY IN HIS VILLAGE.

  Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? I WOULD BE VERY HAPPY IF MY BOOK WERE TAKEN UP BY AN AGENCY, BUT IN LIEU OF THAT, I WILL PROBABLY TRY TO GO WITH A TRADITIONAL PUBLISHER.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? THE STORY STARTED OUT AS A MAGAZINE STORY—VERY SHORT. THEN WHEN I DECIDED TO EXPAND IT, IT TOOK ABOUT A YEAR OF WRITING AND RESEARCHING.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? SINCE THIS IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL STORY, I WOULD COMPARE IT TO CARL HIAASEN’S HOOT.

Who or What inspired you to write this book? I FEEL TERRIBLE THAT THE ELEPHANTS OF SRI LANKA ARE LOOSING THEIR HABITAT AND THEIR LIVES TO AGRICULTURE.
I SALUTE HELPFUL PEOPLE, SUCH AS KARL WALD, WHO ARE WORKING HARD TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEM.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? THE SOLUTION THAT RANIL COMES UP WITH IS TO START A COMPANY IN HIS VILLAGE TO MAKE PAPER OUT OF ELEPHANT POO.

Now, tune in next Wednesday, November 7, to the following blogs to hear all about Shellie’s and Jayne’s upcoming books.

Shellie Neumeier :  http://shellieneumeier.com

Jayne Moraski : http://jaynemoraski.tumblr.com/

If you would like to read some more blogs about new books, go to Penelope Ann’s blog and work backward:    http://penelopeannecole.blogspot.com/

Link to Children’s Literary Classics Author Spotlight:

http://www.clcawards.org/Author-Spotlight.html

http://www.clcreviews.blogspot.com/

 
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Fantastic Flight’s Gold Award

my award winning picture book, Fantastic Flight

Literary Classics Announces Youth Media Top Book Winners

SOUTH DAKOTA, Monday, October 15, 2012 - Literary Classics announced its 2012 selection of top books for children and young adults today.  Award recipients were selected from entries received throughout the world.  The Literary Classics selection committee is proud to recognize the following titles in children’s and young adult literature which exemplify the criteria set forth by the Literary Classics Awards committee.

A list of the 2012 recipients follows:

Best First Picture Book, PreSchool, A Box Story by Kenneth Kit Lamug

Best First Picture Book, Early Reader, Terple Always Dream Bigger by Richie Frieman

Best Illustrator, Bella & Harry, Let’s Visit Athens, Illustrated by Kristine Lucco

Best Series, The Bella & Harry Book Series by Lisa Manzione

Best First Chapter Book, Shelby & Shauna Kitt and the Dimensional Holes by PHC Marchesi

Gold – Picture Book, Preschooler,  Fantastic Flight by Barbara Bockman

and illustrated by Jack Foster

Silver – Picture Book, Preschooler, Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep by Kathy Stemke

Gold – Picture Book, Early Reader, Bella & Harry Let’s Visit London by Lisa Manzione, Illustrated by Kristine Lucco

Silver – Picture Book, Early Reader, Bella & Harry Let’s Visit Cairo by Lisa Manzione, Illustrated by Kristine Lucco

Gold – Educational, Early Reader, The Great Divide, Suzanne Slade

Silver – Educational, Early Reader, Animal Animalogies by Marianne Berkes

Gold – Environmental Issues, Early Reader, Sea Turtle Summer by Nancy Stewart

Silver – Environmental Issues, Early Reader, One Pelican at a Time by Nancy Stewart

Gold – Non Fiction Preteen, Clara’s Great War by Evelyn Rothstein

Gold – General Preteen, the Casting by Joyce Shor Johnson

Silver – General Preteen, Return to Finkleton by KC Hilton

Gold – Fiction Preteen, the Reinvention of Moxie Roosevelt by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

Silver – Fiction Preteen, Walking Through Walls by Karen Cioffi

Gold – Fantasy Preteen, Shelby & Shauna Kitt and the Dimensional Holes by PHC Marchesi

Silver – Fantasy Preteen, Shield Maiden by Richard Denning

Gold – Science Fiction Preteen, Shelby & Shauna Kitt and the Dimensional Holes by PHC Marchesi

Silver – Science Fiction – Preteen, The Crystal Ship by CJ Carter-Stephenson

Gold – Mystery Preteen, the Stone Child by Dan Poblocki

Gold – General Young Adult, Runaway Twins by Pete Palamountain

Silver – General Young Adult, Young, Funny & Unbalanced by David Smithyman

Gold – Fiction Young Adult, Caves, Cannons & Crinolines by Beverly Stowe McClure

Silver – Fiction Young Adult, Young Knights of the Round Table The King’s Ransom by Cheryl Carpinello

Gold – Non-Fiction Young Adult, Black & White by Larry Dane Brimner

Gold – Fantasy Fiction Young Adult, Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut

Silver – Fantasy Fiction Young Adult, Drawn by Marie Lamba

Gold – Science Fiction Young Adult, the Limit by Kristen Landon

Silver – Science Fiction Young Adult, the Orphan Ship by Sterling R. Walker

Gold – Mystery Young Adult, Stalked by Kristiana Gregory

Cultural Issues, Clara’s Great War by Evelyn Rothstein

Holiday, Santa & The Little Teddy Bear by Peter John Lucking

Self Esteem, Beautiful Wild Rose Girl by B. Magnolia

Female Audience, My Sister is my Best Friend by Nicole Weaver

Mature Issues, In Memory of Dad by Maranda Russell

Literary Classics, an organization dedicated to furthering excellence in literature, takes great pride in its role to help promote classic literature which appeals to youth, while educating and encouraging positive values in the impressionable young minds of future generations.  Judging is based upon the criteria set forth by Literary Classics’ highly selective awards committee which honors books promoting character, vision, creativity and learning, through content which possesses key elements found in well-crafted literature.

The Literary Classics judging committee consists of experts with backgrounds in publishing, writing, editing, design, illustration, and book reviewing.   To learn more about Literary Classics, visit their website at http://www.literaryclassicsawards.com.

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My Congratulations to all the winners. This is an awesome list of books. And my thanks to Lynda S. Burch, my publisher, and Jack Foster, the illustrator of Fantastic Flight.

Good News

I’m happy to announce that my picture book, Fantastic Flight, illustrated by Jack Foster, was awarded the Children’s Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE LETTER THAT CAME WITH THE AWARD:

Children’s Literary Classics is pleased to announce that the children’s picture book, Fantastic Flight, written by Barbara Bockman and illustrated by Jack Foster, has been selected to receive the Children’s Literary Classics Seal of Approval.  The CLC Seal of Approval is a designation reserved for those books which uphold the rigorous criteria set forth by the Children’s Literary Classics review committee, a team comprised of individuals with backgrounds in publishing, editing, writing, illustration and graphic design.

Fantastic Flight is the whimsical tale of a young girl staying for a week at her grandparents who becomes homesick after only one night away from home.  When her grandfather takes her for an adventure to help cure her homesickness, she soon learns that an outing with Grandpa is anything but ordinary.  Barbara Bockman has crafted an imaginative tale that is sure to enchant young readers.  Paired with delightful illustrations by Jack Foster, this book is a high-flying adventure in reading.

Children’s Literary Classics, an organization dedicated to furthering excellence in  children’s literature, takes great pride in its role to help promote classic children’s literature which appeals to youth, while educating and encouraging positive values in the impressionable young minds of future generations.   To learn more about Children’s Literary Classics, you may visit their website at http://www.clcawards.org or www.childrensliteraryclassics.com

Fantastic Flight is available at: http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/fantastic-flight.htm

Guest author Kai Strand

Greetings to All,

You will remember the name Kai Strand because I reviewed her book, THE WEAVER, some time ago.

 

Kai has written another middle grade book, but this one is not of a fantasy nature. It’s about youngsters who could be students in any school in this country.  And actually, it’s all too true as to what can happen when a person becomes a nationally recongnized figure. The name of the book is SAVE THE LEMMINGS.

Kai, will you give us an overview of SAVE THE LEMMINGS? I think we’re all interested in how this typical American Girl’s life intersects with the legend we’re all familiar with. This brings up the question of legends and old wives tales that we would also like to hear more about.

Thanks, Barbara. I would love to tell you about my young inventor, Natalie, and how the lemmings help her get a grasp on the important things in life.

Eighth  grade inventor, Natalie Isabelle Cailean Edwards is the N.I.C.E. girl who finishes last with the kids in school. Sappy inspirational phrases and monochromatic outfits have all but her best friends wrinkling their nose at her. When Natalie’s invention, the Texty-Talky, goes nationwide, she becomes an overnight sensation. Suddenly her days consist of photo shoots and interviews with little time left for her friends. A local reporter shatters her good-girl image by reporting a graffiti incident and the media launches into a smear campaign. It is so bad, even her friends start to believe the stories. Will Natalie be able to overcome the lies being printed about her?

Well, Natalie uses the media to turn everyone’s attention away from herself to her pet project: saving the lemmings. As her arch enemy, Trudy, sarcastically said (even though it was true): “When life gives you lemmings, you make lemmingade….”

I think we’re now ready to hear what you have to tell us about LEMMING TRIVIA AND OTHER OLD WIVES TALES.  

First, about lemmings blindly committing mass suicide.

Lemmings are solitary creatures except during migration. They bunch up along cliffs and dive into the water to swim long distances. Unfortunately some lemmings die of exhaustion or hunger. But they are not committing mass suicide.

(Cute little critters, aren’t they?)

Some wives tales are ridiculously false:

Don’t cross your eyes, they’ll stay that way. How many of you tempted fate as a child and kept your eyes crossed until the optic nerves grew tender? Sure enough, you’re not staring at your nose today.

Others are thankfully false:

Knuckle cracking does not cause arthritis I’m happy (and relieved) to report. My hips crack loudly when I reach toward my toes. When I was a kid I got such a kick out of scaring people with the loud crack and then making a face as if it hurt. Their horrified expressions were so entertaining. Blessedly I’m not hobbling around on arthritic hips today.

Some wives tales are regrettably false:

Were you ever told that swallowing your gum was bad for you because it takes seven years to digest? If that were the case that would make for a great weight loss program! Just swallow enough gum to suppress your appetite.

It’s a shame that shaving your hair doesn’t really make it grow back thicker, darker and coarser. It would put Rogaine out of business!

But some are true:

Drinking a warm glass of milk really can help you sleep. Milk contains tryptophan and will indeed aid your trip to slumber land.

If you hold an aspirin between your legs, you won’t get pregnant. It’s true. Think about it.

A few wives tales have a kernel of truth to them:

Chicken soup is good for a cold. The veggies and chicken can mitigate the inflammation associated with a common cold. It won’t cure you, but it may offer some relief.

Thanks, Kai. Now lets hear a little about yourself.

I write fiction for middle grade and young adult readers. My debut novel, The Weaver, was a finalist in the 2012 EPIC eBook Awards. The Wishing Well: Another Weaver Tale is set in the same storytelling village as The Weaver. I am a (very lucky) wife and the mother of four amazing kids. The most common sound in our household is laughter. The second most common is, “Do your dishes!” My family and I  hike, geocache, and canoe in beautiful Central Oregon, where we call home.

 Kai, it sounds as if you lead an exciting life.

Thanks for inviting me to be on Stories a la Mode, Barbara. It’s been a pleasure.

To find out more about Kai’s books, download companion documents, find links to her published short stories and discover all the places to find Kai both virtually and in person, visit her website: www.kaistrand.com. She loves to hear from readers, so feel free to send her an email or visit her facebook page, Kai Strand, Author.

Pick up your copy of Save the Lemmings here: http://www.featherweightpublishing.com/ShowBook.php?YA=KS_SAVE_LEMMINGS