A Cover for My New Critique Group

Posted on August 6, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

After my previous critique group disbanded, I began a search for some fellow MG writers to give my manuscripts one more look through. It didn’t take long to find three ladies desperately seeking (my words, not theirs) an MG writer.

I wasn’t sure at first since they were an Adult, YA, and a Picture Book writer, all sporting new works ready to be critiqued: A 120,000 word Historical Fiction, two separate YA contemporary offerings, and two picture books. They’d been together for several years and preferred having the various levels in their group to get a broader scope of opinions. I went ahead and signed on as the newbie.

They are spread around the country so my monthly writer’s group meeting (with to die for snacks)  is no more. Anyway, I couldn’t wait to get started and send the first chapters of two stories that have been revised again, but it seems like the final push as they’ve been critiqued to the max. My instructions came the next day with directions to send a sample book cover for each story. Huh? Was I in the wrong group?

I soon found out this was how they start their critique process, to see how you might interpret a front cover for your story. “Interesting,” I said. “I’ll get back to you on that one.”

I thought about book covers I adore, mostly the simple ones that provide just a hint as to what lies ahead. I don’t like dark covers where details are hard to decipher or busy covers with so much going on my head is spinning. I sifted through some of my favorites:

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  1. THE WEDNESDAY WARS provides a window to the main character with his desk slightly tilted. And what’s with the rodent?  This one grabbed me right away.
  2. LIAR AND SPY is a simple cover that says a lot. The title of course, but also the calming blue colors with the one light shining in the top room. So intriguing.
  3. DEAD END IN NORVELT is sadly hilarious. The boy’s head covered by the dead end sign, and how will that plane be a part of the story?

So I went to work on my first cover. It was rather an amazing process, thinking about my story as a whole and trying to capture a new reader’s attention in a single cover. It also made the story feel more complete.  I could see this taking a good portion of August so I kept it simple.  I’m just glad I don’t design book covers for a living. I’ll stick to writing and leave the covers to professionals.

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LOST IN THE SUN for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

The story line for this new book by Lisa Graff reminded me of Mile Lupica’s, THE ONLY GAME. In both books we discover early on that a horrific and unfortunate event has altered the life of our young boy narrator. Each story explores how they come to grips with their lives and a girl that becomes their best friend. Sports is also a backdrop.51kbqCJBhoL._SX328_BO1,204,203,200_

LOST IN THE SUN is set in a small town during the early months of Trent’s sixth grade year. The accident that haunts him occurred the previous winter. Yes it was Trent who took the unfortunate hockey shot that killed another boy. Now he must deal with a town that supposedly despises him. He is also increasingly at odds with his divorced dad who lives not far away in a new marriage.

Trent is on his way to becoming the most obnoxious 12-year-old ever. His less than charming personality pushes the limits as he tests teachers and other adults. He’s also not afraid to physically fight with other kids. The scattering of inappropriate language nudges the YA mindset, but never quite jumps to that side. Still though I’d leave this one for upper MG readers.

The story will touch you deeply and for me it showed the need for counselors and therapists in the schools. So sad they are often the first ones given the ax in budget crunches.

PUBLICATION DATE:2015   WORD COUNT: 72,802   LEVEL: 4.5

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  Everyone says that middle school is awful, but Trent knows nothing could be worse than the year he had in fifth grade, when a freak accident on Cedar Lake left one kid dead, and Trent with a brain full of terrible thoughts he can’t get rid of. Trent’s pretty positive the entire disaster was his fault, so for him middle school feels like a fresh start, a chance to prove to everyone that he’s not the horrible screw-up they seem to think he is.
If only Trent could make that fresh start happen.
It isn’t until Trent gets caught up in the whirlwind that is Fallon Little—the girl with the mysterious scar across her face—that things begin to change. Because fresh starts aren’t always easy. Even in baseball, when a fly ball gets lost in the sun, you have to remember to shift your position to find it.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: LOST IN THE SUN by Lisa Graff

  1. Trent is someone you’ll hate for the way he treats others but love how he reaches out and tries to understand both himself and the people in his life.
  2. Fallon, his unlikely friend, is a girl with a past she wears on her face. She’s a welcome breath of air in contrast to Trent’s confused state. We come to find out they’re both scarred, though in different ways. Such a great pairing with these two characters.
  3. A divorced family with Trent and his two brothers splitting time between two homes, is expertly told. Many kids from divorced homes will be nodding their heads at the similarities depicted here.
  4. Trent’s older and younger brothers are perhaps the most stable part of his life. It’s typical brotherly shenanigans and misunderstandings that come to have more meaning for each character. The parents of these boys could learn a few things about parenting by dropping in on their conversations.
  5. I gravitate toward outliers like Trent. Sometimes all they need is a listener.  For Trent, that listener is a teacher he despises. Wonderful thread with this sub plot.

FAVORITE LINES: I’m sorry. That’s what I wanted to say. But I wasn’t, not really. Not for what everyone wanted me to be sorry for. I was sorry Mom had to drive all the way out to get me because my dad was such a jerk that I couldn’t be in the same house as him for two full days. But I wasn’t sorry about the shouting, or the milk. I didn’t think I was the one who should be sorry about that..

“What am I going to do with you?” Mom said to me as we drove.

I didn’t answer. I didn’t have the slightest idea.

AUTHOR QUOTE: “One day when I was eight years old, I was whining to my mother that I was bored and she told me to “go write a story or something.” An hour later I produced a five-page picture book entitled The Strangest Flower, chock-full of spelling mistakes and truly terrible crayon drawings of flowers floating in midair. I still have it.” (Lisa Graff’s website)

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

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A HANDFUL OF STARS for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

By the looks of the cover you’d expect this to be a story about a dog. 51KyLXczCqL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_That’s only partially true as it’s just as much about friendship, blueberries (that’s what you can see on Lucky’s nose), and understanding. I gravitated toward this new novel by Cynthia Lord based on loving one of her previous books, RULES.

Narrated by Lily, it’s a honest view of life in a town dependent on the migrant workers who arrive each year to pick blueberries. She’s caught in the middle between an old and new friend, how to raise money for an operation to bring back her aging dog’s sight, and never knowing her mother who died when she was a toddler. Lily’s voice rings strong on every page.

Girls especially will adore this… boys, probably not as much. Once they discover what lies ahead on the pages, they’ll be back to fantasy, sports, and laugh out loud books. I though was enriched by this quiet story. The themes covered make for a special ride.

PUBLICATION DATE:2015   WORD COUNT: 32,823   LEVEL: 4.4

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  When Lily’s blind dog, Lucky, slips his collar and runs away across the wide-open blueberry barrens of eastern Maine, it’s Salma Santiago who manages to catch him. Salma, the daughter of migrant workers, is in the small town with her family for the blueberry-picking season.

After their initial chance meeting, Salma and Lily bond over painting bee boxes for Lily’s grandfather, and Salma’s friendship transforms Lily’s summer. But when Salma decides to run in the upcoming Blueberry Queen pageant, they’ll have to face some tough truths about friendship and belonging. Should an outsider like Salma really participate in the pageant-and possibly win?

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: A HANDFUL OF STARS by Cynthia Lord

  1. Blueberries are one of my favorite foods. I never really knew how they are harvested and brought to our table. I’m an expert now. I also couldn’t believe what I had missed all these years and had to immediately open a blueberry clamshell from the fridge. Yes, they each are capped with a star!
  2. Every plot point was given full consideration and a proper closing. It’s often not what the reader expects, but certainly makes sense for this story.
  3. Cultural biases are explored and in a way that makes us understand. Lily has much growth as she witnesses the various attitudes of people in her town.
  4. Oh my gosh, that cover just grabs me. Bravo to the genius at Scholastic who came up with that idea.
  5. The power and meaning of friendship has rarely been given such a thoughtful presentation.

FAVORITE LINES: “Stars are one of my favorite things. I love how when you look up at night, it doesn’t matter if you’re in Florida or Maine or Michigan or anywhere, it’s the same stars. So when I miss someone, I look at the stars and imagine that person seeing the same ones as me. No matter where I go, I can think of them and they can think of me. They’re my star friends.”

AUTHOR QUOTE: “I write my books at least eight times before they are published.” (Cynthia Lord’s website)

And if you have time, here are snippets of Cynthia Lord’s A HANDFUL OF STARS kick-off celebration at an elementary school (11 minutes):

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

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GONE CRAZY IN ALABAMA for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday EXTRA

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

Time to sneak in another midweek review. This one is the third in a series about three Brooklyn sisters, age 12, 10, and 8 set in 1969. Their father and stepmother send them to visit relatives in Alabama. It may be just my recent reading choices this year, but it seems to be a lot of MG books set in the South. Maybe it’s because of the wide variety of interesting characters found in those states.

I was first introduced to this family five years ago in the memorable ONE CRAZY SUMMER. I missed the next offering in the triad with P.S. BE WceGgDUNlCA8RPHOz66AbHHs4RI12Vqg+OoBRGBrKx2plCphEkAr3aizNSRpuGHkIoDZcS4gLRs3LNNbucM2tzHjr1b6gOv!JK2gG4iMspVQ5iDKyCBWtzAWMsmQ+7PKELEVEN, and went right to this supposedly final story. If you have no prior history with the series and want to jump into GONE CRAZY IN ALABAMA, it stands on its own with enough back story thrown in to bring you up to date.

To me this third book is one that teachers, librarians, and parents would adore. Ten and eleven year olds? Probably not as much. Most of this story centers around the differences between two great grandparents who are also sisters. It’s ripe with family problems best appreciated by those of us with a few miles under our belts. I’d recommend younger readers begin with the first book and if hooked then continue with the other two.

1969 was a curious year in our history, and its all brought forth through the eyes of Delphine, the oldest of the girls. It’s funny, sad, and revealing how friendships and family ties often never stay that way. You’ll be enriched by the beautifully written story, especially if you spot similarities to one or two of your own family members.

PUBLICATION DATE:2015   WORD COUNT: 59,159  READING LEVEL: 4.5

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):

Newbery Honor winner and New York Times bestselling author Rita Williams-Garcia tells the story of the Gaither sisters, who are about to learn what it’s like to be fish out of water as they travel from the streets of Brooklyn to the rural South for the summer of a lifetime.

Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern are off to Alabama to visit their grandmother, Big Ma, and her mother, Ma Charles. Across the way lives Ma Charles’s half sister, Miss Trotter. The two half sisters haven’t spoken in years. As Delphine hears about her family history, she uncovers the surprising truth that’s been keeping the sisters apart. But when tragedy strikes, Delphine discovers that the bonds of family run deeper than she ever knew possible.
FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT GONE CRAZY IN ALABAMA by Rita Williams-Garcia

  1. The historical references are engaging to read. From the Black Panthers movement to the Klan; From Ted Kennedy’s problems to the first man on the moon. All are like a movie running in the background of the story.
  2. Sibling squabbles from the adults and the three children are portrayed with humor and sadness. Anyone who has grown up in a large family will understand.
  3. Not one perfect character. They each have their faults that are gloriously woven into the story.
  4. Our racial history is powerfully portrayed here. More than once I found myself shifting uncomfortably with the true words coming off the pages.
  5. I only glanced at the family tree at the back of the book before beginning to read. After finishing the 289 pages, I went back to that tree and retraced the memory of learning about this family. A very handy addition.

A SCENE THAT STAYED WITH ME: To Vonetta, he said, “Don’t go grinning at every white kid trying to make friends. Stick to your own and you won’t have any problems. If they call you a name, keep your mouth shut and walk away.”

QUOTE FROM AUTHOR: “I was born in Queens, N.Y, on April 13, 1957. My mother, Miss Essie, named me ‘NoMo’ immediately after my birth. Although I was her last child, I took my time making my appearance. I like to believe I was dreaming up a good story and wouldn’t budge until I was finished. Even now, my daughters call me ‘Pokey Mom’, because I slow poke around when they want to go-go-go.” Rita’s Web Site

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

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THE PAPER COWBOY for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

This novel has been on my pile of books to read for a long time. It got there like many often do with recommendations from other MMGM regulars. I added THE PAPER COWBOY to my list after seeing Rosi’s shout out on THE WRITE STUFF.

Set in the early 1950’s, 12-year-old Tommy narrates the story about life in a small Illinois town with three sisters and two parents. He’s a 20821303unlikeable protagonist right from the start. Tommy’s an expert at bullying, even doing so to a kid with a disability and an overweight classmate. His words and actions hurt many. I wanted to stop reading at many points, but continued on hoping there was change coming for this troubled boy. We soon find out, his home life is what fuels many of his aggressions. A mother who in modern day would be jailed for her beatings on Tommy, and a father who looks the other way and fails to take full responsibility for his family.

Change does come through with his love of cowboys and western movies, his fear of communism, and friendships he gets while delivering papers. It’s an emotional ride that will eventually have you riding off into the sunset with a smile on your face.

Not only is this a bit hefty in length for an MG book, but it’s too bad historical fiction is tough sell in my world. Young readers want fantasy, humor, and time travel. They most likely could care less about life in 1953. I’ll keep pushing books like this to them not from the historical angle, but that they will learn a lot about what growing up is really about.

PUBLICATION DATE:2014   WORD COUNT: 79,489   LEVEL: 4.1

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  Though he thinks of himself as a cowboy, Tommy is really a bully.  He’s always playing cruel jokes on classmates or stealing from the store. But Tommy has a reason: life at home is tough. His abusive mother isn’t well; in fact, she may be mentally ill, and his sister, Mary Lou, is in the hospital badly burned from doing a chore it was really Tommy’s turn to do. To make amends, Tommy takes over Mary Lou’s paper route. But the paper route also becomes the perfect way for Tommy to investigate his neighbors after stumbling across a copy of The Daily Worker, a communist newspaper.

Tommy is shocked to learn that one of his neighbors could be a communist, and soon fear of a communist in this tight-knit community takes hold of everyone when Tommy uses the paper to frame a storeowner, Mr. McKenzie. As Mr. McKenzie’s business slowly falls apart and Mary Lou doesn’t seem to get any better, Tommy’s mother’s abuse gets worse causing Tommy’s bullying to spiral out of control.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE PAPER COWBOY by Kristen Levine

  1. You will marvel at how the author ties up the many plot points threading through the story. It’s not a neatly tied bow at the end, but that’s the way life’s problems are sometimes. It’s a beautiful thing when treated with such care as Ms. Levine has done.
  2. The diverse cast of neighbors who provide growth and support for Tommy’s family. A huge reminder to get to know your own neighbors. There’s so much more to them than what you see from across the street.
  3. Life without cell phones or computers is a pleasant reminder how the world used to be. Today’s constant need to be always on was back then a time for talking with family, neighbors, reading, and a variety of outdoor activities.
  4. I’d use this one in a history class with older students learning about the Cold War. There are so many gems of discussion possibilities that fly off the pages.
  5. The author’s notes that this is based on her father’s life. I think other adults may see themselves as one of the characters presented here and in turn understand themselves a little better.

FAVORITE LINES: As we mixed and baked, my thoughts were mixed-up too. I knew communists were bad and evil. I knew they wanted to deny us, and even their own people, freedom of speech. Commies didn’t believe in freedom of religion either. Heck, they didn’t believe in religion at all. The Reds wanted to take all the businesses away from their owners and give them to the government. According to Mr. Sullivan, they might even be planning to drop an atomic bomb on Chicago! So why did I kind of like Mrs. Glazov? What was wrong with me?

AUTHOR QUOTE: “My hope for my readers is that they, much like Tommy in THE PAPER COWBOY, will never stop striving to finds ways to create a supportive community in their own lives.” (Kristin’s website)

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

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SCHOOL OF CHARM for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

I doubt I could talk any middle grade boys into picking this one up, but I finally did myself to discover a charming book set in 1977. Yes, especially for any male out there, you really can’t judge a book by its cover (or its title).51XnY5I48fL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_

Chip makes for one of the most endearing female protagonists ever, telling her story with heart and emotion. She is a square peg trying to fit into a round hole – otherwise known as her family. There is a touch of magic not only at the School of Charm but also in the beautifully written words. Set in North Carolina, it’s a gentle reminder of life in the south almost 40 years ago.

I kept turning the pages anxious for the next surprise. Now I can’t wait for more from this author.

PUBLICATION DATE:2014   WORD COUNT: 58,002   LEVEL: 4.1

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  Eleven-year-old Chip has always been her daddy’s girl, so when he dies she pins her hopes on winning a beauty pageant to show her family of southern belles that she still belongs. But she’d rather be covered in mud than makeup! Can a rough-and-tumble girl ever become a beauty queen? A universal story about finding your place in the world, School of Charm explores themes of loss, family, and friendship.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: SCHOOL OF CHARM by Lisa Ann Scott

  1. Change – not only for Chip, but for her mother, a bitter grandmother, and her obnoxious older sister. Talk about a character arc! This one covers every element of character development in a perfect way.
  2. The charm bracelet Chip and her two friends wear is such a great underlying story telling device. Once you have growth in the way you think then a related charm falls off.
  3. So many themes and historical references make this story stand out. Roles of male and females, acceptance of African Americans, first female in space, and the death of Martin Luther King to name a few.
  4. You want a wicked witch? There’s not one here, but instead a horrible antagonist in the form of Chip’s grandmother. You will despise this woman from the get go, but slowly the reasons for her actions surface from a locked room. Luckily for Chip she has another adult in her life that becomes her hero – Miss Vernie, the School of Charm teacher.
  5. Kids who don’t fit in might find hope with this story. Sometimes you have to look in the most unlikely places to find understanding.

FAVORITE LINE: And then I realized what I had to do. The answer had found me, just like Daddy always said answers would. “Just like a lost dog, they’ll show up,” he’d tell me. And my answer was pawing at the door. I would work on the pageant in secret and surprise them all on the day of the competition.

AUTHOR WEB SITE

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

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TIME SQUARE – UFO for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday EXTRA

Posted on July 9, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

I’ve once again gotten way ahead on reviews so I’m throwing in an occasional midweek bonus.

Earlier this  year I reviewed the first book in this series TIME SQUARE- THE SHIFT. It’s the set-up for this second book as four time traveling teens take on their first mission to find a person gone missing after an untimely shift in the master clock. In book one we find out the mess-up with our ticks and tocks came about because the father of two of these kids discovered an obelisk not knowing that inside was the home for how time is kept – a place called Time Square. If you jump right in and have not read the first in the series, don’t worry as author, S.W. Lothian, brings you up to date in the first third of this adventure.61Od2AEwzZL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_

The action focuses mostly on 1947 Roswell, New Mexico where the teens are sent to find and bring back a wayward time traveler. That’s the site of a real life event known as the Roswell UFO Incident. There is also another plot thread set in 1930 Washington D.C. where the obelisk has been stolen by rival Sultan Peppercorn causing some very chilly havoc at Time Square. So far bumbling agent James Blonde has come up empty in his attempts to resolve this situation.

If you like wildly inventive characters, funny dialog, and time travel with a bit of history thrown in, then look no further than the TIME SQUARE series.

PUBLICATION DATE:2014   PAGE COUNT: 214

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  The effects of the Shift have caused havoc at Time Square. Time itself is in danger of imploding and Operation Slingshot has been activated to save the day. Team ELMR embark on their first mission to locate and rescue the first of the missing travellers.

Mission: ELMR-01
Date: 8-July-1947
Location: Roswell, New Mexico, United States of America

Mission Brief: Readings indicate that the target traveler has possibly been captured by a brilliant, but eccentric, scientist who is investigating reports of extra-terrestrials that have crashed in the Roswell area.

Due to this, it is essential that the target is located and rescued before he unwittingly reveals our secret. If the secret of time-travel is revealed to such a random mind, then it could spell disaster and have a huge impact on the world.
FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT TIME SQUARE – UFO by S.W. Lothian

  1. A unique utility pen is used to get out of many situations for the teens. You’ll wish it were possible to have one yourself after witnessing all that it can do. Such a great gadget.
  2. A rhino beetle is a character I would never think to put into a story. Neil is there in all his silent beetle glory and will bring more than few grins to your face.
  3. The subtle sense of humor pervasive in every chapter ensures it’s never a scarey ride.  From amusing play on words to some funny dialog exchanges, it’s all tongue in cheek.
  4. Time travel provides an interesting side effect for one of the teens. This twist adds a fun sidelight.
  5. The next mission is already in the works set for the Bermuda Triangle. Looks like a 2016 delivery for this one.

FAVORITE LINES: They clumped together like overcooked rice and edged into the eerie grey beyond the reach of the streetlight, towards the voice.

QUOTE FROM AUTHOR: “I love hearing from my readers.  One of the strangest things about writing is the huge length of time from when you pen the words on the page until the time that a reader engages in the story.  It’s very fulfilling when readers contact me to share their thoughts and questions about my books.” SOURCE

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

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DIEGO’S DRAGON: DRAGONS OF THE DARK RIFT for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

Last year I enjoyed the first DIEGO’S DRAGON novel (SPIRITS OF THE SUN). If you somehow missed that first book and delve right into this one, fear not, you won’t be lost. Author, Kevin Gerard, does a nice job of pulling in the original plot points into this one. The stakes are much higher now as young Diego must battle dragons to save the Earth. The fighting is fierce and the story may be best for upper MG. Dragons-of-the-Rift-683x1024

I found this second story in the series even more exciting. The dragons harness the sun for their power, and the leaders each have their own unique personalities. Written in third person, most of the pages center around Diego as he prepares to become a guide for the mightiest dragon. While Diego is learning, many of the in-between chapters have visits to the good and bad dragon worlds. You’ll no doubt be thoroughly engrossed in the proceedings right to the thrilling climax.

The author also did something very cool in naming a few of the prominent dragons. He held a contest at local middle schools to let students come up with the names for the main fiery beasts. Through his preparation and writing the author is in tune with his audience.

If you have a dragon loving reader in your household, give this one a try.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2012   Pages: 203

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  A Prophecy, an Ancient Calendar, and a Battle for Earth’s Survival. The turning of the 26,000 year cycle is approaching. The fifth sun promises a time of peace for all creatures. Magnifico, Estrella, and the Sol Dragones eagerly await the new age. Vipero hopes to alter the ancient prophecy. He orders the Dragons of the Dark Rift to find and eliminate the Sol Dragones. If they succeed, nothing will stop him from destroying Diego’s world and claiming ownership of Sol, a star with unlimited spiritual power. Diego and Racquel travel with their dragons to the Dark Rift, the entrance to the magical realm known as the Xibalba. Together with the Sol Dragones, they battle Vipero’s immense army in a fight to save or shift the Mayan prediction. The fate of earth depends on victory or defeat, and Diego is the key. His choice – to betray Magnifico or stay true to the Sol Dragones – will determine the outcome of the conflict.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT DIEGO’S DRAGON (Book Two): DRAGONS OF THE DARK RIFT  by Kevin Gerard

  1. If you want diversity in main characters look no further. Diego is Latino and unique protagonist on today’s book shelf. You’ll be cheering for him all the way. Family life is also portrayed authentically with Spanish words and phrases mixed in. I could follow the dialog in context with no problem, but there is a handy two page translation guide at the back of the book.
  2. The shift from Diego playing soccer with his pals to being a guide in the dragon world was a perfect balance and made for an enjoyable connection.
  3. Family. Loving parents and a special bond Diego has with an older brother makes for what seems like a rare story these days with a family intact.
  4. Fire is used in both training and battle. Diego learns to not only shield himself from searing flames but also how to throw balls of fire. That should be enough motivation for reluctant readers to jump right in and read this one.
  5. Several full page illustrations are scattered throughout the story. They add detail and even more excitement to this epic tale.

FAVORITE LINE:

He kept his eyes shut tightly. He didn’t want to see the creature responsible for tearing his classroom to pieces.

AUTHOR QUOTE:

“I started asking teachers and librarians how many middle grade fantasy series are there with a Latino boy hero. Everyone of them said zero and I was just shocked.” (From a television interview with Mr. Gerard)

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

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THE GIRL IN THE TORCH for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

What a perfect time with Independence Day on Saturday to present this new novel by Robert Sharenow. If you’re a YA reader his name may sound familiar from his two historical novels, MY MOTHER THE CHEERLEADER and THE BERLIN BOXING CLUB. Robert also has an interesting ‘day’ job as the Executive Vice-President and General Manager of Lifetime and A&E network. And here I thought I was busy! WceGgDUNlCA8RPHOz66AbHHs4RI12Vqg+OoBRGBrKx2plCphEkAr3aizNSRpuGHkIoDZcS4gLRs3LNNbucM2tzHjr1b6gOv!JK2gG4iMspVQ5iDKyCBWtzAWMsmQ+7PK

This new title is all MG and it fits like a warm blanket. The journey 12-year-old Sarah as a Russian immigrant takes will have you glued to the surprising end. It’s a marvelous reminder of what The Statue of Liberty means to so many people. Turn of the century New York City comes to life in world building perfection that will surround you in a marvelous heartwarming ride.

I sometimes hear from the MG age group that historical novels are boring. This one couldn’t be further from that notion and will have readers of all ages wrapped up in this superb piece of storytelling.

PUBLICATION DATE:2015   Pages: 304

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):

The Invention of Hugo Cabret meets True Grit in this heartfelt novel of resilience, hope, and discovering a family where you least expect it, from award-winning author Robert Sharenow.

At the dawn of the twentieth century, thousands of immigrants are arriving in the promised land of New York City. Twelve-year-old Sarah has always dreamed of America, a land of freedom and possibility. In her small village she stares at a postcard of the Statue of Liberty and imagines the Lady beckoning to her. When Sarah and her mother finally journey across the Atlantic, though, tragedy strikes—and Sarah finds herself being sent back before she even sets foot in the country.

Yet just as Sarah is ushered onto the boat that will send her away from the land of her dreams, she makes a life-or-death decision. She daringly jumps off the back of the boat and swims as hard as she can toward the Lady’s island and a new life.

Her leap of faith leads her to an unbelievable hiding place: the Statue of Liberty itself. Now Sarah must find a way to Manhattan while avoiding the night watchman and scavenging enough food to survive. When a surprising ally helps bring her to the city, Sarah finds herself facing new dangers and a life on her own. Will she ever find a true home in America?

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT THE GIRL IN THE TORCH by Robert Sharenow

  1. Sarah is a strong, forward thinking young girl. Her presence as a positive female role model is not only welcome but is a main character we can all learn from.
  2. Diversity surrounds the reader especially when Sarah reaches Chinatown. Each of the characters she befriends is a different race and color, but Sarah finds no difference. She only sees them as friends and family.
  3. Her touching friendship with Tommy, an orphan who sells papers on the street. This young newsie is a stark reality to the dancing boys in Disney’s musical.
  4. Short chapters! Teachers are encouraged to read out loud to their students. The problem is finding a book that has chapters short enough to fill the 5-7 minutes of time usually left over for this endeavor. THE GIRL IN THE TORCH has titles for every chapter and each stands on its own, leaving you wanting more.
  5. It’s a humble reminder that on the inside we are all the same, but what we do with our choices on the outside makes us who we really are. Thankfully, the characters here show us what being human is all about.

FAVORITE LINES: Now just a few hundred yards away, the Lady’s face beamed down at them, silent and strong. Sarah’s mother smiled and whispered, “Thank the Lord.”

AUTHOR QUOTE: Ever since I dreamed of becoming a novelist, I’ve wanted to write an immigration story. Both sets of my great-grand parents immigrated to the United States from Czarist Russia, where they lived in segregated Jewish shtetls and were persecuted for their beliefs. For me, their journey to become Americans forms the most powerful and dramatic core of my family history…

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

MMGM2

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The Path to Publishing: Become Famous First

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

There are a growing number of actors, talk show hosts, and anyone else who has had more than the standard 15 minutes of fame showing up as authors on the children’s bookshelf.

I would guess their path is a lot easier than those of us going the more traditional route.

  • I doubt any of these fine people ever reviewed children’s books.
  • I doubt they’ve taken the time to read dozens of books on writing, taken classes, or attended writing conferences.
  • Finally, they probably never had to enter a contest to get their work noticed or tirelessly read blogs.

Yeah, I get it. They’re famous and publishers want to sell books. Having a name that people recognize gives the book a jumpstart, along with a prominent place on a store shelf.

614a2j+UDGL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_My first interest in a famous person’s children’s book came in the late 1980’s. I was watching reruns of The Munsters. Not sure why. Anyway, a short time later I came across a book authored by Fred Gwynne (Herman Munster). It was amusing so I bought it, and I still have the copy. Mr. Gwynne authored numerous children’s books and his talents as an artist showed through in every title.

So suddenly in the past year we’ve had an onslaught of the famous hoping to strike it rich with their own books (and in some cases co-written). Their names are almost as large as the titles. I wish them the best of luck and would love to add them to my TBR list, but I’ve got rewrites, reviews to finish, and a critique group meeting to attend.

 

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Posted in Book Lists, New Release, Writing | Tagged | 9 Comments