The book RAT by Jan Cheripko is an upper middle-grade/young adult novel offering a unique, first-person perspective of Jeremy, a disabled boy in high school. I would recommend this book for readers 11+ who can comprehend the use of mature language, suggestive dialogue, violence, abuse, and swear words. We start in a courtroom, with Jeremy a witness in a… Continue reading RAT: A Book Review by Tween Guest Blogger, Brooke White
This week I have two very different picture books for you courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press; both are related to Canada's national winter sport--hockey. If you want to win either of these books, make sure to include your name and email address when you leave a comment and let me know which book you're interested in. The… Continue reading TWO CANADIAN STORIES + TWO GIVEAWAYS
What do you know about Helen Keller?Many of us have grown up knowing the story of how Annie Sullivan taught Helen to sign her first word, "water" by the family's water pump. But as the title of this new picture book from Sleeping Bear Press indicates, there is much more to know. Written by Meeg Pincus… Continue reading SO MUCH MORE TO HELEN! The Passion and Pursuits of Helen Keller: A Picture Book Biography and Giveaway
In my last post I shared Monica Roe's debut middle grade novel, Air. Today you're going to hear why Monica was uniquely prepared to write this book, her path to publication, and why bees and Alaska each have special roles.In the author note at the end of Air, Monica relates that in her job as a pediatric… Continue reading INTERVIEW WITH MONICA ROE, AUTHOR OF AIR, and a GIVEAWAY- PART II
Congratulations to Jeannie Smith who won Deanna Klingel's book, "Cracks in the Ice." Writers have ongoing debates as to which is better, a character-driven story or one that is plot-driven. Obviously, both well developed characters and engaging plots are vital for a successful novel. As Rebecca Petruck said in a recent post, "Character and plot… Continue reading Character + Plot = Pinned