I always enjoy supporting my fellow SCBWI-Carolinas writers, particularly those who live in Charlotte. Today I'm bringing you Chrystal D. Giles' debut novel, TAKE BACK THE BLOCK (2021: Random House Books for Young Readers).
Saturday, December 31, 2022
TAKE BACK THE BLOCK: A MIDDLE GRADE REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY
REVIEW
Monday, December 26, 2022
EVERY MISSING PIECE: A Middle-Grade Review by Debut Tween Blogger, Olivia A.
Today I have the pleasure of introducing a new tween blogger, Olivia A. She's a granddaughter of a friend of mine, and a bibliophile. (When her family moved from North Carolina to Texas she brought along her 1000-book library!). Let's help her celebrate her book-reviewing career with her thoughts on EVERY MISSING PIECE by Melanie Conklin.
Maddy has trouble with anxiety; when her dad dies it gets even worse. Whenever she feels like something bad is going to happen, she has the urge to call the police. She decides to stuff those feelings down inside of her and hold back these urges. Six months later, a boy goes missing. A mysterious kid named Eric starts living on the neighbor’s property and Maddy suspects it's the missing boy. She believes it’s him because he looks like the missing boy that she researched on her computer. She thinks to herself, “It can’t be him, it’s not possible!” and she resists the urge to call the police. Is it the missing boy? Or is it just a normal kid? I guess you will find out, but only if you read the book!
Maddy is sparky, kind, and loving. The author, Melanie Conklin, makes her imperfect because she has normal kid problems that other kids can relate to. Like a jigsaw puzzle, the author fits pieces of the action and Maddy’s everyday life together perfectly. It seems as if the story is coming alive in front of your eyes. She is not a suspenseful author, but the book is so descriptive that she hooks you almost immediately. Here’s a quote from the book that grabbed me:
“That you Diesel?” A lanky pale-haired boy popped out from behind the tree in front of me like a ghost appearing out of thin air. White blond hair, skinny arms, stick-out ears.” I love how the author writes with so much conversation. It's so inviting to people, it’s as if you are in Maddy’s world just quietly standing beside them while everything is happening.
I didn’t believe I would like Every Missing Piece at first, because I normally prefer fantasy and adventure over realistic fiction. But this book surprised me, it had mystery, action, and everyday problems like dealing with fights with your friends. Normally, realistic fiction has a lot less action and more regular life stories that readers can relate to easily. This book had surprising twists, when I thought I had figured the plot out, it turned a different way. The twists astonished me, and I couldn’t put the book down. If you’re a fan of fantasy and adventure books (and realistic fiction) then you should definitely give this book a try!
Olivia is 10 and has one little brother, Liam. She has 2 dogs Baxter and Cookie.
She likes Star Wars, softball, and of course, she loves reading.
Monday, December 19, 2022
TWO HISTORICAL PICTURE BOOK by MEGAN HOYT
Today I'm proud to share two informational picture books by my SCBWI-Carolinas colleague, Megan Hoyt. No giveaways this week--my grandchildren will be the proud recipients of these fine books. But in case you need one (or two!) more gifts for the young reader in your life, check out these marvelous books.
Megan Hoyt discovers small pieces of history that are stories begging to be told and then writes them in a way that engages both children and adults. These picture books are for slightly older readers and can be used as classroom resources in grades 1-3. Both books have extensive back matter which include Megan's interest in the topic, additional information about the subject, timelines, and sources. BARTALI'S BICYCLE also includes a letter to the reader from Gino's granddaughter, Lisa. THE GREATEST SONG OF ALL includes the petition which Isaac Stern wrote to save Carnegie Hall.
REVIEWS
Gino Bartali thought of himself as an ordinary bicyclist in Italy in the 1930s. But he was far from ordinary.
For eight years he trained along Italy's mountains and rugged paths. He won race after race, including the prestigious Tour de France in 1938.
When World War II broke out, Gino refused to believe the lies that leaders were spreading about the Jews.
He watched as Jews were rounded up and taken away on trucks. He wanted to help--but how?
A priest contacted him and asked him to deliver secret identity papers to Jews who were trying to escape. Although he was afraid of getting caught, he decided to help. "Some medals are pinned to your soul, not your jacket," he said.
He stuffed the fake identity papers into his hollow bicycle bars and delivered them to hundreds of families, he hid his friend's family in his cellar, and rescued prisoners.
Gino was a humble man who didn't want to be recognized.
"Good is something you do, not something you talk about," he said.
But stories trickled out. Children came forward.
Grateful families remembered the remarkable Gino Bartali, the Tour de France winner, Italian sports hero, and...secret champion.
THE GREATEST SONG OF ALL is brought alive by talented illustrator, Katie Hickey.
When Carnegie Hall opened in 1891 in New York City, Issac Stern wasn't even born yet. He was a young promising violinist in 1934 when Albert Einstein educated the audience with theories of splitting atoms and bending time.
But someone new would soon step onto the legendary stage. Without him, Carnegie Hall's story might have ended right there.
Issac was talented, but his parents were poor Jewish immigrants from Ukraine. They scrimped and said until pennies became dollars. Then they sent their son to the best violin teacher in town."
Issac practiced for years and at 23, made his Carnegie Hall debut. He ended up playing there more than fifty times. This cavernous ruby-colored room felt like a second home to Issac. Little did Issac know that a powerful city planner, Robert Moses, had other plans for Carnegie Hall.
His mind swirled with grids and sketches and pans. It may have looked like he was making the city more beautiful, but when Mr. Moses decide Manhattan needed a new, bigger, music hall, he didn't mind knocking down eighteen city blocks to make room for it.
The wrecking ball was scheduled for March 31, 1960. But Mr. Moses hadn't met Issac Stern's opposition.
Megan told me that she is attracted to stories that hold a personal connection. For Megan's connection to each topic (and a hint at what she is working on next), please visit the Talking Story Facebook page. (Interviews will be posted on December 20 and 21. If you aren't a member yet, just request to join and I'll approve you.)
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Congratulations to Danielle Hammelef who won The Snowman's Waltz and to Marci Whitehurst who won Baa, Baa, Tap, Sheep
Monday, December 12, 2022
Two Rhyming,Counting, Dancing Picture Book Review + Two Giveaways
I'm happy to share two more picture book giveaways both courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.
THE SNOWMAN'S WALTZ
Uniforms that all are matching.Black and white and looking fine.Purple sky peeks down to see them.Penguins tramping in a line.
Marching, marching all together,Penguins step and snowmen glide.
Back and forth they bump and waddleHaving fun they slip and slide.
And finish with,
The book ends with "The Snowman Waltz" lyrics and music by Karen Konnerth and a finger dance activity.
BAA, BAA, TAP SHEEP
The numbers that are pinned to their chest and their practice moves immediately brought Dancing with the Stars to mind.
Baa, baa, tap sheep, practicing their moves.Helping out at bedtime. Count their dancing grooves...
As the sheep tiptoe twirl, tango, and waltz, the children who are imagining these sheep Rockettes picture,
...Nine sheep, Ten Sheep
Softly swaying. Still.
Until...
Goodbye, sleep!
One sheep, two sheep,
jitterbug and jazz.
Three sheep. Four sheep.
Faster! More pizzazz!
But even sheep have to call it quits at some point.
GIVEAWAY
Saturday, December 3, 2022
2 Picture Books by Shannon Hitchcock, 1 Giveaway
If you've been following my blog for a while, you may remember my post on Shannon Hitchcock's book, Saving Grandaddy's Stories. I'm happy to share two more books that Shannon has written about unsung Appalachian artists. I love these books so much that I'm saving one for my granddaughter who I'm teaching to sew.
REVIEWS
SHE SANG FOR THE MOUNTAINS: The Story of Singer, Songwriter, Activist Jean Ritchie.
The book opens with a simple line that says so much about Jean Ritchie.
Jean came from a large family who loved to sing while they worked. In the evenings, they rested on the porch swing and sang accompanied by their father's dulcimer.
Jean wished she could turn back time.Her brothers and sisters left home one by one.Finally, it was Jean's turn to go.
Jean taught the songs of the hillsto the children of the city--songs that had echoedthrough the mountains for generations.
Jean was far from the home she loved in Kentucky, but when she heard about companies that mined coal and then moved on--leaving men sick or unemployed--she realized that she wanted to protest too.
Jean never stopped singing important songs which inspired others. Even when she was old and moved back to Kentucky, she kept
singing for the mountainsand heard music everywhere.
To this day, Jean's music lives on,in the hearts of folksingers,dulcimer playersand activistswho raise their voices and sing for the mountains.
STORY QUILTS: Appalachian Women Speak
The women had large families and worked hard. Their days were filled with cooking, cleaning, gardening, and canning.
Then, at day's end, they threaded their needles,reached for their rag bags,pieced colorful squaresand turned scraps into quilts that told stories.
She would move her quilt squares like puzzle pieces,until they told a story.
GIVEAWAY
Saturday, November 26, 2022
TWO CHRISTMAS PICTURE BOOKS, TWO GIVEAWAYS
Following up on last week's blog, I have two more picture books for you from Sleeping Bear Press for presents for a little reader in your life. Enjoy!
REVIEWS
MISS MARY'S CHRISTMAS MITTENS
Written by Trinka Hakes Noble and illustrated (so very colorfully!) by Renee Andriani.
This opening page sets the tone for the entire book:
Just before Christmas vacation, the first snow fell.
On her way to school, Miss Mary tested the snow for good packing.
She designed amazing snowmen and snow angels in her head.
Excitedly, Miss Mary gave her students an extra long recess.
Their little cold hands were frozen--nobody had any mittens!
Miss Mary would take care of that.
What was Miss Mary going to do? Her students needed mittens!
On the way home from school a piece of yarn from her hat came loose. That gave her an idea. She ran home and started unraveling her hat, scarf, and gloves.
Miss Mary worked at night--winding balls of yarn--and the next day she started knitting. With only two days before Christmas, she had to hurry!Miss Mary's Christmas Mittens is more than a Christmas book. It's a story about a teacher's generosity and what it looks like when a person put others' needs before her own. And although the book revolves around an adult, (contrary to popular recommendations to writers that the protagonist must always be a child) Miss Mary is kid-like in her imaginings about playing in the snow. Plus, she had a problem and solved it in a very unique way.
Back matter includes instructions on making a mitten ornament.
CHRISTMAS WITH AUNTIE
We go together like ribbons and bows,holly and jolly,and tickles and toes.
Family and friends with holiday wishes.Mistletoe comes with big hugs and kisses.
Sugarplum sweetie, on this merry night,we'll wish on a star and its twinkling light.
The book includes a place where the child's aunt can write a note as well as a place for a picture of the two of them.
GIVEAWAY
Saturday, November 19, 2022
TWO SPLENDID SEAFARING PICTURE BOOKS + 2 GIVEAWAYS
If you're like me, you give books as presents. On today's blog, I have two fun books published by Sleeping Bear Press that will make great presents for a young pirate or sailor in your life. Both books use great wordplay which will tickle the ears of both kids and adults.
REVIEWS
What happens when a young man (who loves to dance) signs up to be a pirate? Author-illustrator Shawna J.C. Tenney answers that question in this action-packed picture book.
To read about Shawna's backstory for writing and illustrating this book, please see this post on Kathy Temean's blog.
MONSTERS IN THE BRINY
Share some jokes and your best riddle,Feed her cakes from Cookie's griddle,Teach her how to bow the fiddle,Kraken in the briny.
Keep a bucket at the ready,Mop his forehead if he's sweaty,Tuck him into serpent beddy,Serpent in the briny.
Next, the brave sailors meet a tearful turtle. They find innovative ways to cheer him up.
How about a hungry hydra?
"Yo! Ho! And up he's rising, Yo! Ho! He's quite surprising,
But wait.
One of the sailors is sick of shipwrecking monsters.
So,
Yo! Ho! And up we're rising,
Yo! Ho! We're all surprising,
Yo! Ho! We're harmonizing,
Monsters in the briny.
The back matter includes two pages about sea monsters and the music to "Monsters in the Briny" which is based on an old sea shanty about a drunken sailor.
GIVEAWAYS
THE NIGHT WAR: A MG Historical Novel Review
By now you should have received an email from my new website about my review of THE NIGHT WAR by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. (It'll com...
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Congratulations to Janet Davis-Castro who won HER FEARLESS RUN on last week's blog. No giveaway this week, but I hope you...
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Although I normally feature middle grade or young adult books and authors, every once in awhile I find another author whose work I want t...