"This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:24 My BFF writing partner emailed me this verse today. I AM rejoicing in all that the Lord did to help me get to my publication day. One of the ways I am celebrating is by sharing… Continue reading Launch Event for Half-Truths: Join the Celebration!
Audience: 6th – 9th graders In Three Words: poetic, empathetic, clear-eyed One Sentence Synopsis: Cayenne’s family begins to fracture after they abandon their nomadic lifestyle and settle in a small town. Final Verdict: 4.5/5 stars REVIEW Unsinkable Cayenne is a new take on a classic coming-of-age story perfect for middle schoolers who are ready to take on a… Continue reading UNSINKABLE CAYENNE: An Outstanding MG Book Review by Elliott Kurta
Yesterday you may have received a link to today's blog. If you clicked on it you would have seen a message that said the page didn't exist. Unfortunately, the blog was accidentally published before it was ready. You'll find Elliott Kurta's excellent article on including emotion in your writing here. With apologies to Elliott and… Continue reading Blog Snafu!
By Guest Blogger, Elliott Kurta Introduction Elliott Kurta has been reviewing books for me for over two years. It's been a pleasure to watch him develop his writing skills and I was happy to write letters of recommendation for him to attend writing camp this past summer. He attended The Alpha Writers Workshop in Pittsburgh… Continue reading How to Include Emotion in Writing
Book review of JA Nielsen's debut fantasy novel.
I'm pleased to have Elliott Kurta return to my blog. He is now a busy sophomore so I appreciate him taking time from his studies and volunteer work to share his thoughts about Rosie Woods in Little Red Writing Hood.Audience: 1st – 5th graders; teachersIn 3 Words: imaginative, bite-sized, funnyOne Sentence Synopsis: Rosie Woods explores the five… Continue reading ROSIE WOODS IN LITTLE RED WRITING HOOD: Book Review and Author Interview by Guest Blogger Elliott Kurta
While traveling through time, teen scientist Charley Morton has met Leonardo da Vinci, explored the Renaissance, and even been tried for witchcraft. Now, on her most daring adventure yet, she sets her eyes on journeying back in time to 17thcentury to meet her “shero”, Émilie du Châtelet. After receiving a distress call from a fellow time… Continue reading FIND ME IN THE TIME BEFORE: Review by Guest Blogger, Elliott Kurta and a Giveaway
As a freshman in high school, Elliott Kurta, one of my first student guest bloggers, is pretty busy with his academic workload and volunteer work at the library. But he returns to my blog today with a book he genuinely enjoyed, Down to Earth by Betty Culley. REVIEWIn Down to Earth, Henry Bower, an aspiring scientist, and water dowser,… Continue reading DOWN TO EARTH: A Middle Grade Book Review by Guest Blogger, Elliot Kurta and a Giveaway
Omar Rising is the latest middle-school book from Aisha Saeed, featuring twelve-year-old Omar as he fights for justice at Ghalib Academy, an elite boarding school in Pakistan.Despite having stayed at Ghalib over the previous summer, Omar is overwhelmed by the opulent campus. There’s a dining hall, soccer field, library, rec room, and walking paths. But Omar… Continue reading OMAR RISING: A MG Review by Teen Guest Blogger, Elliott Kurta
Here is Elliott Kurta's first foray into reviewing nonfiction. He wants more opportunities--so I'm on the lookout for books to recommend to him. If you have a favorite nonfiction middle-grade, please leave the title in the comments.REVIEWIf you could have any superpower, what would it be? In Elaine Kachala’s debut book, Superpower?, (Orca Books: 2022) kids learn about… Continue reading SUPERPOWER? A MIDDLE-GRADE STEM BOOK REVIEW by ELLIOTT KURTA, AUTHOR INTERVIEW, and GIVEAWAY!