Introduction It's been almost two months since my update about OUT OF THE FLAME. I haven't made as much progress as I'd like since I'm also proposing and composing presentations. But, I am trying to fit in a few hours several days a week. Here's a quick summary of my story discovery process. What I… Continue reading OUT OF THE FLAME: DISCOVERING THE STORY
INTRODUCTION Kate Lundeen is back today, sharing her thoughts about Florence Migga's debut Upper MG/YA novel, The Summer Scrapbook. It’s wonderful to have a best friend! However, sometimes relationships with your besties can be a bit too close. Ava, Becca, and Cat are best buds. They usually spend every moment of their summer together. One… Continue reading Summer Adventures: Friendship and Growth in Young Adult Fiction
INTRODUCTION Most of you know that I rarely post two blog posts about the same book. But, every once in a while I come across a book that deserves extra press. Cate Touryan's coming-of-age novel, Turning Toward Eden, is one of those. SYNOPSIS A 1971 California Coming-of-Age Mystery Eden Lewis knows two things for certain:… Continue reading Must-Read Cold War Mystery for Teens and Adults: Turning Toward Eden
Heart of the Green Leaf by Carla Harrison is a touching young adult novel. It is about resilient courage in the face of family struggles and the power of loyalty. REVIEW Meet Maralee Truett, a 14-year-old North Carolina farm girl with the weight of the world on her shoulders. The novel takes place in the summer… Continue reading Exploring Family Struggles in ‘Heart of the Green Leaf’
INTRODUCTION This is my third MG time travel mentor novel I've reviewed. If you missed the other two, I reviewed Jane Yolen's class, The Devil's Arithmetic and Time Traveling with a Hamster. Today's book, The Retake is totally different. I am enjoying seeing how various authors handle the concept of time travel and am finding… Continue reading Middle Grade Fiction: Lessons from ‘The Retake’
INTRODCUTION Warrior on the Mound by Sandra W. Headen is a fictional story through the eyes of twelve-year-old, Cato Jones. Cato is the pitcher for the Pender County Rangers. He and his team sneak out of school to see the new baseball field for the white team. After getting caught for trespassing, events unfold and… Continue reading Exploring Segregation Through Cato’s Baseball Journey
INTRODUCTION FROM REVIEWER, KATE LUNDEEN Today I am introducing The Barbary Chronicles: The Lost Prince by Bobbi Miller. This middle grade adventure takes place in San Francisco in the 1870’s. Here is the publisher’s description: Eleven-year-old Jack London holds her own among rascals, ruffians, and thieves in this rollicking adventure story set in 1870s San Francisco.Oliver Twist meets Deadwood in… Continue reading The Lost Prince: A Tale of Courage and Kindness
Introduction As many of you know, I have been a part of the Write2Ignite team for many years. Last year I was "promoted" to the co-director of our biannual Master Class and as we gear up for our next class, I'm eager to share this great opportunity with those of you who want to write… Continue reading Unlock Your Writing Potential: Join Write2Ignite’s Master Class
INTRODUCTION There is so much to love about this novel. The characters, the story, the themes... REVIEW Mary Bella is famous. Everyone loves her, and everyone loves her voice. But despite the fame, the awards, and the glory, Mary knows that something is missing…she just can’t place her finger on what. Then she meets Presley.… Continue reading Discover Faith and Love in OFFBEAT by Jen Lowry
INTRODUCTION Time Traveling with a Hamster (Yearling, 2018) by Ross Welford, my second time travel mentor novel, is totally different than The Devil's Arithmetic . REVIEW At least that's what I initially thought. But then one night when I couldn't sleep because I was thinking about time travel and how I was going to incorporate… Continue reading Time Travel in Middle Grade Literature