Welcome to my Blog!
This is where I put my musings that don’t make it into my paper journal. I try to write about things that might interest other writers and readers, including reviews of MG books I’ve been reading.
What I Did Over My Summer Vacation
I have lost track of the number of times I’ve vowed to be more consistent in my newsletter. I promised readers a monthly post and it has become maybe twice yearly. So, I’m taking a page from a...
We Have Liftoff!
I remember seeing this photo, by Boyd Norton, in Anna Merz’s obituary in 2013 and thinking, “Gosh! There’s a story there that young readers would love!” And now, nine years later, after a trip to...
The Magic of a Glasshouse
“Glasshouse of Stars,” by Shirley Marr (Simon & Schuster for Young Readers), grabbed my attention from the start by the author’s use of second-person narration. It’s an unusual and bold choice...
“Pie” and other works by Sarah Weeks
Aunt Polly has an almost mystical ability to make absolutely delicious pies….
Princess of the Wild Sea, A Fairytale Mash-Up
The latest by Megan Frazer Blakemore has her trademark fairy tale feel and even incorporates elements from specific fairy tales that will, I think, help young readers engage with the story. At the...
Book Banning Effort Unites Characters
“Answers in the Pages,” by David Levithan (Knopf), is an interesting and maybe ironic title choice for this new novel. Because, while that phrase makes life sound cut and dried, it turns out that,...
Our Friend Hedgehog; The Story of Us
“Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us” is a book that has the feel of a classic. The reading level is on the young side of middle grade, so for those readers who devour chapter books, this would be...
Cracking the Code
Not being a huge fan of secret codes and cryptography, I did not open this book, “Can You Crack the Code? A Fascinating History of Ciphers and Cryptography,” by Ella Schwartz, (illustrated by Lily...
Dogs, Divorce and Dancing
I picked up “I, Cosmo” by Carlie Sorosiak from the new releases at my local library, but I hesitated to get started. I love books with dogs in them, but I have mixed feelings about books narrated by...
Two Stories for Fans of Drama (as in Theater)
I recently read two different middle-grade books set in the school theater world. The school in “Meow or Never,” by Jazz Taylor, is doing a student-written, contemporary version of Romeo and Juliet...
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