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#funny #short #easyread #girly #holiday

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I grew up in Mt. Holly, New Jersey. It was a small town surrounded by farmland . . . the kind of town where you greet people by name on Main Street. It was only an hour's drive to the ocean. So every summer we spent family vacations on Long Beach Island. My brother and I would ride the waves during the day and play miniature golf at night. It's the kind of idyllic memory that stays in your head long after you've grown up and moved away.

After graduating from high school and spending two years at Rider University, I transferred to the University of Alabama where I met my husband, Richard. Eventually his job brought him to Arizona. We both fell in love with the desert and wanted to stay here forever. Still, during the heat of the Arizona summers, those ocean memories would come rushing back. So-after years of sweaty summers-my husband and I finally built a house on Long Beach Island, the same island where my brother and I rode the waves as kids. In the story business, that's called "coming full circle." These days, Richard and I divide our time between the desert and the ocean. In the words of Junie B. Jones, I'm a lucky duck.

Q. What inspired you to start writing?

In my case, it was sort of "reverse" inspiration. I got a degree in secondary education. My plan was to teach high school history and political science. But, because of a scheduling problem my senior year, I ended up doing my student teaching in the seventh grade. The word disaster doesn't really cover this one. I'll spare you the details. But as I ran screaming from the school building every day, I knew that I would never be a teacher. My husband and I married after graduation, and started a family. A few years later, when I was ready to go to work, I was still haunted by the memories of student teaching. So I was "inspired" to try my hand at writing instead.

Q. How did you go about getting published?

The first children's novel I wrote was Operation: Dump the Chump. As soon as it was finished, I bought a copy of Writer's Market, found some addresses, and started sending it off to publishers who were accepting unsolicited manuscripts. It was rejected three times. All three rejections managed to work in the classic industry one-liner, "It isn't right for our list."

The fourth time I sent it to Alfred Knopf, Inc. A few weeks later, they called and said it was exactly right for their list. I felt like I'd hit the lottery.

Q: You've written middle-grade novels, early chapter books, and picture books. Which do you like writing best?

I can't really say which I like best. But after all the Junie B. books I've written, those certainly come the easiest. The middle-grade novels are more of a challenge. But in some ways, that makes them more rewarding. The last two I've written (Mick Harte Was Here and The Graduation of Jake Moon) were both about very sensitive topics, so it took a long time to get them exactly right. But I think those two books have made me the most proud.

Q. Tell us about your most recent picture book.

It's called, MA! There's Nothing to Do Here! It's about a baby in utero who is bored out of his mind. The idea for it was born (so to speak) when my daughter-in-law, Renee, invited me to my first grandson's ultrasound. Although I had never had an ultrasound myself, I'd seen pictures of other babies in utero. But I wasn't prepared for how amazing it would be to see my own little grandbaby on that screen. I felt like I was watching the Discovery Channel.

Q. How much did you continue to think about the baby after seeing the ultrasound? How did this develop into the idea for the book?

A. On the way out of the doctor's office, I remember thinking, Okay, so now we're all going back to our busy lives. But the baby is still in there just floating around. Except for an occasional kick or hiccup, he's got absolutely nothing to do.

A few months later-when I was getting ready to give Renee a baby shower-I wrote this poem, framed it, and gave it to her as a shower gift.

Q. Of the characters you've created, who is your favorite?

A. This would be a bit like picking a favorite child. I don't have a single favorite character, but again, I lived with the characters Mick and Phoebe Harte and Jake and Skelly Moon for a very long time. So those four are the most dear to me.

The characters I've had the most fun with have been the little ones. Little kids are so free to say whatever is on their minds. They aren't silenced by peer pressure and the notion that they have to sound cool. Molly Vera Thompson in The Kid in the Red Jacket is six, and Thomas Russo in My Mother Got Married and Other Disasters is five. They both were such fun to write about that they led to the creation of Junie B. Jones.

Q. Is Junie B. modeled after you as a child? Did you ever do any of the things that Junie B. does?

A. I was sent to "Principal" in first grade for talking. There were lots of notes sent home that year, as well. My father was on the Board of Education. Not good.

Q. There's been some criticism of the Junie-speak in the series. How do you answer concerns that Junie's grammar is not good for young readers?

A. Honestly, most of the grown-ups I hear from are writing to tell me that Junie B. Jones got their reluctant readers to read. I have drawers full of letters from parents and teachers that are so meaningful to me, I can't bear to part with them. These are adults who understand that fictional literature plays a whole different role in children's lives than a book of grammar or a basic reader.

That having been said, there are always going to be a handful of people who denigrate books that speak in a voice other than their own. I've stopped trying to explain the concept of literature to people like that. Wasted time better spent.

8. What makes you laugh?

My sense of humor is a little bit off-center, I think. In the movies, I usually laugh at parts that no one else seems to think are funny. Then there are movies like Young Frankenstein where I laugh from the opening scene straight through to the end.

Lots of other things make me laugh, as well. My husband and sons make me laugh. My dog. My grandsons. Friends. The absurdities of life. My lopsided cakes. The list goes on . . .

What advice do you have for teachers that are aspiring writers? For kids?

There's nothing revolutionary in my advice, I'm afraid. It's the same old stuff. Write as much and as often as you can. Try different genres to find your niche. Then rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. And-above all-be your own worst critic.

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Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime (Junie B. Jones #14)

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Amazon.com: Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime (Junie B. Jones #14): 9780375800399: Park, Barbara, Brunkus, Denise: Books

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#humor #pictures #vocab #highrated #series

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In the first book of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, #1 international bestselling author Jeff Kinney, introduces us to Greg Heffley: an unforgettable, unlikely hero that every family can relate to.

Being a kid can really stink. And no one knows this better than Greg. He finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. Greg is happy to have Rowley Jefferson, his sidekick, along for the ride. But when Rowley's star starts to rise, Greg tries to use his best friend's newfound popularity to his own advantage, kicking off a chain of events that will test their friendship in hilarious fashion.

The hazards of growing up before you're ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary. But as Greg says: "Just don't expect me to be all "Dear Diary" this and "Dear Diary" that."

Luckily for us, what Greg Heffley says he won't do and what he actually does are two very different things.

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #1)

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #1) [Kinney, Jeff] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #1)

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#simple #bedtime #youngchildren #pictures #easy

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In this classic of children's literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day.

In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. "Goodnight room, goodnight moon." And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room-to the picture of the three little bears sitting on chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one-the little bunny says goodnight.

One of the most beloved books of all time, Goodnight Moon is a must for every bookshelf. This board book edition is the right size for little hands and is the perfect gift for baby showers, toddler birthday parties, and holidays.

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Goodnight Moon [Margaret Wise Brown, Clement Hurd] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Goodnight Moon

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#girly #picturebook #funny #simple #goodread

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This sparkling New York Times bestselling picture book from Victoria and Elizabeth Kann celebrates all things pink while showing readers that being yourself is the best of all. This 10th anniversary edition of Pinkalicious features a special sticker and a glittery jacket just for the occasion.

Pinkalicious loves all things pink. From fairy dresses to cotton candy to bubblegum. Most importantly she loves eating pink cupcakes. Mommy and Daddy warn her not to eat too many, but Pinkalicious can't help herself. They're just too good! But when Pinkalicious eats one too many, she turns pink herself! What will she do?

Pinkalicious is the first picture book starring Pinkalicious and her family. She stars in five more picture books- Purplicious , Goldilicious , Silverlicious , Emeraldalicious , and Aqualicious -as well as I Can Reads, doodle books, and more!

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Amazon.com: Pinkalicious: 9780060776398: Victoria Kann, Elizabeth Kann, Victoria Kann: Books

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David misbehaves and gets in trouble with the adults. This shows children not to do certain things like fight with each other because they will get in trouble.

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The Caldecott Honor-winning classic by bestselling picture-book creator David Shannon!

When David Shannon was five years old, he wrote and illustrated his first book. On every page were these words: NO, DAVID! . . . and a picture of David doing things he was not supposed to do. Now David is all grown up. But some things never change. . . .Over fifteen years after its initial publication, NO, DAVID! remains a perennial household favorite, delighting children, parents, and teachers alike. David is a beloved character, whose unabashed good humor, mischievous smile, and laughter-inducing antics underline the love parents have for their children--even when they misbehave.

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No, David! [David Shannon] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. No, David!

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#funny #series #simple #family #fun

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At seven years of age. It was at a chess competition many moons ago, I did not excel at chess but there was an art competition too. I entered a rather odd funny looking Loch Ness monster and it won first prize!

Obviously I have moved on a little since then with a OND, HND and BA(hons) all in the arts. As soon as I left University I Started as a graphic designer for a advertising agency, learning the ins and outs of graphics and corporate literature then moved to a printers as studio manager.

Then moved to a newspaper as studio manager where the team designed large corporate events marketing and running visual campaigns to promote the newspapers and magazines.

Moving on from the hectic world of newspapers. I moved to a greeting card company as a product development manager where I created concepts and illustrations for the greeting card market and this is when I found my love of illustration again and went freelance into children's books and illustration.

I thoroughly enjoy illustrating Children's books. I find them funny and you can add slight adult humor too, this hopefully appeals to the adult purchaser. There is nothing more warming than seeing people enjoying and laughing at a published book that you have illustrated.

Nature and people are the biggest influence in my work and try to get as much character and expression into each piece of work as possible. Characters are the main subject of my work as I believe these can make and break a project. I have been fortunate to win a few awards and have been shortlisted for a few as well.

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How to Babysit a Grandma and Grandpa Board Book Boxed Set (How To Series)

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How to Babysit a Grandma and Grandpa Board Book Boxed Set (How To Series) [Reagan, Jean, Wildish, Lee] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. How to Babysit a Grandma and Grandpa Board Book Boxed Set (How To Series)

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#chapterbook #goodread #higherlevel #informative #inspiring

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Gymnastics is like flying and Riley is ready to soar.

Fourteen-year-old Riley lives for gymnastics. The beam and vault are her very breath. So when a setback causes her to lose her spot as a level eight gymnast on the Stick Squad team, she does what she has to―she finds another gym. Fitting in at the new gym feels impossible, but at least she can still tumble and train for the upcoming Regional Gymnastics Championships. Unfortunately, a former teammate will stop at nothing to keep Riley from competing. Can Riley ignore the hate and prove that she deserves to be at the meet?

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The Gymnast (All In Sports Middle Grade Books)

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Amazon.com: The Gymnast (All In Sports Middle Grade Books): 9798986818382: Slazyk, Joanne: Books

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#nonfiction #story #inspiration #gymnastics #simonebiles

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INVITE RACHELLE TO SPEAK AT YOUR SCHOOL!

Rachelle Burk is a writer of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children. Her books include: TREE HOUSE IN A STORM (picture book), DON'T TURN THE PAGE! (picture book), THE TOOTH FAIRY TRAP (chapter book), MISS CRUMP'S FUNNY BONE (chapter book), THE WALKING FISH* (grades 4-7 science-adventure novel), PAINTING IN THE DARK: ESREF ARMAGAN, BLIND ARTIST (picture book biography), THE STORY OF SIMONE BILES (chapter book bio), STOMP, WIGGLE, CLAP, AND TAP: MY FIRST BOOK OF DANCE, LET'S PLAY AN INSTRUMENT: A MUSIC BOOK FOR KIDS, and WOMEN WHO CHANGED THE WORLD: A FEMINIST BOOK FOR CHILDREN 3-5 . Her work has appeared in national publications such as Highlights for Children and Scholastic Science classroom magazines.

*THE WALKING FISH was an "Outstanding Science Trade Books for K-12," award winner by the National Science Teaching Association and Children's Book Council.

SCHOOL AUTHOR VISITS: The NJ author has traveled to 17 states to share the joy of reading and writing through dynamic school visit programs. For more information, visit her website: www.rachelleburk.com

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The Story of Simone Biles: A Biography Book for New Readers (The Story Of: A Biography Series for New Readers)

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The Story of Simone Biles: A Biography Book for New Readers (The Story Of: A Biography Series for New Readers) [Burk, Rachelle] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Story of Simone Biles: A Biography Book for New Readers (The Story Of: A Biography Series for New Readers)

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#informative #science #math #nonfiction #STEM

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Susan B. Katz is an award-winning of over 60 children's books. She is a Spanish bilingual author, National Board Certified Teacher, educational consultant, and social media strategist. As a former bilingual educator of over 25 years, Susan incorporates props, puppets and multimedia into her presentations making them interactive and engaging. Susan has published books with Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, Capstone, Lerner, Bala Kids, and Little Bee. MEDITATION STATION won the International Book Award for Best Children's Mind/Body/Spirit title. THE STORY OF RUTH BADER GINSBURG hit #18 on Amazon overall and #9 among all kids books. ALL YEAR ROUND was named "Best New Book" by The Children's Book Review. She translated it into Spanish as Un Año Redondo. MY MAMA EARTH (Barefoot Books), won the Moonbeam Gold Award for Best Picture Book as well as being named "Top Green Toy" by Education.com. Her most recent book, GAUDI: ARCHITECT OF IMAGINATION got a Starred Review from School Library Journal. Susan is also the Founder and Executive Director of www.ConnectingAuthors.org, a national non-profit bringing children's book authors and illustrators into schools and libraries as role models of literacy and the arts. Ms. Katz served as the Strategic Partner Manager for Authors at Facebook. When she's not writing, Susan enjoys salsa dancing and spending time at the beach. She is also an avid wildlife photographer: www.behance.net/susanbkatz Her website is: www.susankatzbooks.com

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The Story of Albert Einstein: A Biography Book for New Readers (The Story Of: A Biography Series for New Readers)

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Amazon.com: The Story of Albert Einstein: A Biography Book for New Readers (The Story Of: A Biography Series for New Readers): 9781646119714: Katz, Susan B.: Books

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#funny #girly #chapterbook #goodread #series

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I grew up in Mt. Holly, New Jersey. It was a small town surrounded by farmland . . . the kind of town where you greet people by name on Main Street. It was only an hour's drive to the ocean. So every summer we spent family vacations on Long Beach Island. My brother and I would ride the waves during the day and play miniature golf at night. It's the kind of idyllic memory that stays in your head long after you've grown up and moved away.

After graduating from high school and spending two years at Rider University, I transferred to the University of Alabama where I met my husband, Richard. Eventually his job brought him to Arizona. We both fell in love with the desert and wanted to stay here forever. Still, during the heat of the Arizona summers, those ocean memories would come rushing back. So-after years of sweaty summers-my husband and I finally built a house on Long Beach Island, the same island where my brother and I rode the waves as kids. In the story business, that's called "coming full circle." These days, Richard and I divide our time between the desert and the ocean. In the words of Junie B. Jones, I'm a lucky duck.

Q. What inspired you to start writing?

In my case, it was sort of "reverse" inspiration. I got a degree in secondary education. My plan was to teach high school history and political science. But, because of a scheduling problem my senior year, I ended up doing my student teaching in the seventh grade. The word disaster doesn't really cover this one. I'll spare you the details. But as I ran screaming from the school building every day, I knew that I would never be a teacher. My husband and I married after graduation, and started a family. A few years later, when I was ready to go to work, I was still haunted by the memories of student teaching. So I was "inspired" to try my hand at writing instead.

Q. How did you go about getting published?

The first children's novel I wrote was Operation: Dump the Chump. As soon as it was finished, I bought a copy of Writer's Market, found some addresses, and started sending it off to publishers who were accepting unsolicited manuscripts. It was rejected three times. All three rejections managed to work in the classic industry one-liner, "It isn't right for our list."

The fourth time I sent it to Alfred Knopf, Inc. A few weeks later, they called and said it was exactly right for their list. I felt like I'd hit the lottery.

Q: You've written middle-grade novels, early chapter books, and picture books. Which do you like writing best?

I can't really say which I like best. But after all the Junie B. books I've written, those certainly come the easiest. The middle-grade novels are more of a challenge. But in some ways, that makes them more rewarding. The last two I've written (Mick Harte Was Here and The Graduation of Jake Moon) were both about very sensitive topics, so it took a long time to get them exactly right. But I think those two books have made me the most proud.

Q. Tell us about your most recent picture book.

It's called, MA! There's Nothing to Do Here! It's about a baby in utero who is bored out of his mind. The idea for it was born (so to speak) when my daughter-in-law, Renee, invited me to my first grandson's ultrasound. Although I had never had an ultrasound myself, I'd seen pictures of other babies in utero. But I wasn't prepared for how amazing it would be to see my own little grandbaby on that screen. I felt like I was watching the Discovery Channel.

Q. How much did you continue to think about the baby after seeing the ultrasound? How did this develop into the idea for the book?

A. On the way out of the doctor's office, I remember thinking, Okay, so now we're all going back to our busy lives. But the baby is still in there just floating around. Except for an occasional kick or hiccup, he's got absolutely nothing to do.

A few months later-when I was getting ready to give Renee a baby shower-I wrote this poem, framed it, and gave it to her as a shower gift.

Q. Of the characters you've created, who is your favorite?

A. This would be a bit like picking a favorite child. I don't have a single favorite character, but again, I lived with the characters Mick and Phoebe Harte and Jake and Skelly Moon for a very long time. So those four are the most dear to me.

The characters I've had the most fun with have been the little ones. Little kids are so free to say whatever is on their minds. They aren't silenced by peer pressure and the notion that they have to sound cool. Molly Vera Thompson in The Kid in the Red Jacket is six, and Thomas Russo in My Mother Got Married and Other Disasters is five. They both were such fun to write about that they led to the creation of Junie B. Jones.

Q. Is Junie B. modeled after you as a child? Did you ever do any of the things that Junie B. does?

A. I was sent to "Principal" in first grade for talking. There were lots of notes sent home that year, as well. My father was on the Board of Education. Not good.

Q. There's been some criticism of the Junie-speak in the series. How do you answer concerns that Junie's grammar is not good for young readers?

A. Honestly, most of the grown-ups I hear from are writing to tell me that Junie B. Jones got their reluctant readers to read. I have drawers full of letters from parents and teachers that are so meaningful to me, I can't bear to part with them. These are adults who understand that fictional literature plays a whole different role in children's lives than a book of grammar or a basic reader.

That having been said, there are always going to be a handful of people who denigrate books that speak in a voice other than their own. I've stopped trying to explain the concept of literature to people like that. Wasted time better spent.

8. What makes you laugh?

My sense of humor is a little bit off-center, I think. In the movies, I usually laugh at parts that no one else seems to think are funny. Then there are movies like Young Frankenstein where I laugh from the opening scene straight through to the end.

Lots of other things make me laugh, as well. My husband and sons make me laugh. My dog. My grandsons. Friends. The absurdities of life. My lopsided cakes. The list goes on . . .

What advice do you have for teachers that are aspiring writers? For kids?

There's nothing revolutionary in my advice, I'm afraid. It's the same old stuff. Write as much and as often as you can. Try different genres to find your niche. Then rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. And-above all-be your own worst critic.

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JUNIE B. MY VALENTIM [Park, Barbara, Brunkus, Denise] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. JUNIE B. MY VALENTIM

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#funny #girly #chapterbook #goodread #series

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Junie B. Jones These Puzzles Hurt my  Brain!

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Junie B. Jones These Puzzles Hurt my  Brain!

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#funny #girly #chapterbook #goodread #series

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I grew up in Mt. Holly, New Jersey. It was a small town surrounded by farmland . . . the kind of town where you greet people by name on Main Street. It was only an hour's drive to the ocean. So every summer we spent family vacations on Long Beach Island. My brother and I would ride the waves during the day and play miniature golf at night. It's the kind of idyllic memory that stays in your head long after you've grown up and moved away.

After graduating from high school and spending two years at Rider University, I transferred to the University of Alabama where I met my husband, Richard. Eventually his job brought him to Arizona. We both fell in love with the desert and wanted to stay here forever. Still, during the heat of the Arizona summers, those ocean memories would come rushing back. So-after years of sweaty summers-my husband and I finally built a house on Long Beach Island, the same island where my brother and I rode the waves as kids. In the story business, that's called "coming full circle." These days, Richard and I divide our time between the desert and the ocean. In the words of Junie B. Jones, I'm a lucky duck.

Q. What inspired you to start writing?

In my case, it was sort of "reverse" inspiration. I got a degree in secondary education. My plan was to teach high school history and political science. But, because of a scheduling problem my senior year, I ended up doing my student teaching in the seventh grade. The word disaster doesn't really cover this one. I'll spare you the details. But as I ran screaming from the school building every day, I knew that I would never be a teacher. My husband and I married after graduation, and started a family. A few years later, when I was ready to go to work, I was still haunted by the memories of student teaching. So I was "inspired" to try my hand at writing instead.

Q. How did you go about getting published?

The first children's novel I wrote was Operation: Dump the Chump. As soon as it was finished, I bought a copy of Writer's Market, found some addresses, and started sending it off to publishers who were accepting unsolicited manuscripts. It was rejected three times. All three rejections managed to work in the classic industry one-liner, "It isn't right for our list."

The fourth time I sent it to Alfred Knopf, Inc. A few weeks later, they called and said it was exactly right for their list. I felt like I'd hit the lottery.

Q: You've written middle-grade novels, early chapter books, and picture books. Which do you like writing best?

I can't really say which I like best. But after all the Junie B. books I've written, those certainly come the easiest. The middle-grade novels are more of a challenge. But in some ways, that makes them more rewarding. The last two I've written (Mick Harte Was Here and The Graduation of Jake Moon) were both about very sensitive topics, so it took a long time to get them exactly right. But I think those two books have made me the most proud.

Q. Tell us about your most recent picture book.

It's called, MA! There's Nothing to Do Here! It's about a baby in utero who is bored out of his mind. The idea for it was born (so to speak) when my daughter-in-law, Renee, invited me to my first grandson's ultrasound. Although I had never had an ultrasound myself, I'd seen pictures of other babies in utero. But I wasn't prepared for how amazing it would be to see my own little grandbaby on that screen. I felt like I was watching the Discovery Channel.

Q. How much did you continue to think about the baby after seeing the ultrasound? How did this develop into the idea for the book?

A. On the way out of the doctor's office, I remember thinking, Okay, so now we're all going back to our busy lives. But the baby is still in there just floating around. Except for an occasional kick or hiccup, he's got absolutely nothing to do.

A few months later-when I was getting ready to give Renee a baby shower-I wrote this poem, framed it, and gave it to her as a shower gift.

Q. Of the characters you've created, who is your favorite?

A. This would be a bit like picking a favorite child. I don't have a single favorite character, but again, I lived with the characters Mick and Phoebe Harte and Jake and Skelly Moon for a very long time. So those four are the most dear to me.

The characters I've had the most fun with have been the little ones. Little kids are so free to say whatever is on their minds. They aren't silenced by peer pressure and the notion that they have to sound cool. Molly Vera Thompson in The Kid in the Red Jacket is six, and Thomas Russo in My Mother Got Married and Other Disasters is five. They both were such fun to write about that they led to the creation of Junie B. Jones.

Q. Is Junie B. modeled after you as a child? Did you ever do any of the things that Junie B. does?

A. I was sent to "Principal" in first grade for talking. There were lots of notes sent home that year, as well. My father was on the Board of Education. Not good.

Q. There's been some criticism of the Junie-speak in the series. How do you answer concerns that Junie's grammar is not good for young readers?

A. Honestly, most of the grown-ups I hear from are writing to tell me that Junie B. Jones got their reluctant readers to read. I have drawers full of letters from parents and teachers that are so meaningful to me, I can't bear to part with them. These are adults who understand that fictional literature plays a whole different role in children's lives than a book of grammar or a basic reader.

That having been said, there are always going to be a handful of people who denigrate books that speak in a voice other than their own. I've stopped trying to explain the concept of literature to people like that. Wasted time better spent.

8. What makes you laugh?

My sense of humor is a little bit off-center, I think. In the movies, I usually laugh at parts that no one else seems to think are funny. Then there are movies like Young Frankenstein where I laugh from the opening scene straight through to the end.

Lots of other things make me laugh, as well. My husband and sons make me laugh. My dog. My grandsons. Friends. The absurdities of life. My lopsided cakes. The list goes on . . .

What advice do you have for teachers that are aspiring writers? For kids?

There's nothing revolutionary in my advice, I'm afraid. It's the same old stuff. Write as much and as often as you can. Try different genres to find your niche. Then rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. And-above all-be your own worst critic.

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Junie B. Jones: These Puzzles Hurt My Brain! Book

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Junie B. Jones: These Puzzles Hurt My Brain! Book [Park, Barbara, Brunkus, Denise] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Junie B. Jones: These Puzzles Hurt My Brain! Book

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#funny #girly #chapterbook #goodread #series

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I grew up in Mt. Holly, New Jersey. It was a small town surrounded by farmland . . . the kind of town where you greet people by name on Main Street. It was only an hour's drive to the ocean. So every summer we spent family vacations on Long Beach Island. My brother and I would ride the waves during the day and play miniature golf at night. It's the kind of idyllic memory that stays in your head long after you've grown up and moved away.

After graduating from high school and spending two years at Rider University, I transferred to the University of Alabama where I met my husband, Richard. Eventually his job brought him to Arizona. We both fell in love with the desert and wanted to stay here forever. Still, during the heat of the Arizona summers, those ocean memories would come rushing back. So-after years of sweaty summers-my husband and I finally built a house on Long Beach Island, the same island where my brother and I rode the waves as kids. In the story business, that's called "coming full circle." These days, Richard and I divide our time between the desert and the ocean. In the words of Junie B. Jones, I'm a lucky duck.

Q. What inspired you to start writing?

In my case, it was sort of "reverse" inspiration. I got a degree in secondary education. My plan was to teach high school history and political science. But, because of a scheduling problem my senior year, I ended up doing my student teaching in the seventh grade. The word disaster doesn't really cover this one. I'll spare you the details. But as I ran screaming from the school building every day, I knew that I would never be a teacher. My husband and I married after graduation, and started a family. A few years later, when I was ready to go to work, I was still haunted by the memories of student teaching. So I was "inspired" to try my hand at writing instead.

Q. How did you go about getting published?

The first children's novel I wrote was Operation: Dump the Chump. As soon as it was finished, I bought a copy of Writer's Market, found some addresses, and started sending it off to publishers who were accepting unsolicited manuscripts. It was rejected three times. All three rejections managed to work in the classic industry one-liner, "It isn't right for our list."

The fourth time I sent it to Alfred Knopf, Inc. A few weeks later, they called and said it was exactly right for their list. I felt like I'd hit the lottery.

Q: You've written middle-grade novels, early chapter books, and picture books. Which do you like writing best?

I can't really say which I like best. But after all the Junie B. books I've written, those certainly come the easiest. The middle-grade novels are more of a challenge. But in some ways, that makes them more rewarding. The last two I've written (Mick Harte Was Here and The Graduation of Jake Moon) were both about very sensitive topics, so it took a long time to get them exactly right. But I think those two books have made me the most proud.

Q. Tell us about your most recent picture book.

It's called, MA! There's Nothing to Do Here! It's about a baby in utero who is bored out of his mind. The idea for it was born (so to speak) when my daughter-in-law, Renee, invited me to my first grandson's ultrasound. Although I had never had an ultrasound myself, I'd seen pictures of other babies in utero. But I wasn't prepared for how amazing it would be to see my own little grandbaby on that screen. I felt like I was watching the Discovery Channel.

Q. How much did you continue to think about the baby after seeing the ultrasound? How did this develop into the idea for the book?

A. On the way out of the doctor's office, I remember thinking, Okay, so now we're all going back to our busy lives. But the baby is still in there just floating around. Except for an occasional kick or hiccup, he's got absolutely nothing to do.

A few months later-when I was getting ready to give Renee a baby shower-I wrote this poem, framed it, and gave it to her as a shower gift.

Q. Of the characters you've created, who is your favorite?

A. This would be a bit like picking a favorite child. I don't have a single favorite character, but again, I lived with the characters Mick and Phoebe Harte and Jake and Skelly Moon for a very long time. So those four are the most dear to me.

The characters I've had the most fun with have been the little ones. Little kids are so free to say whatever is on their minds. They aren't silenced by peer pressure and the notion that they have to sound cool. Molly Vera Thompson in The Kid in the Red Jacket is six, and Thomas Russo in My Mother Got Married and Other Disasters is five. They both were such fun to write about that they led to the creation of Junie B. Jones.

Q. Is Junie B. modeled after you as a child? Did you ever do any of the things that Junie B. does?

A. I was sent to "Principal" in first grade for talking. There were lots of notes sent home that year, as well. My father was on the Board of Education. Not good.

Q. There's been some criticism of the Junie-speak in the series. How do you answer concerns that Junie's grammar is not good for young readers?

A. Honestly, most of the grown-ups I hear from are writing to tell me that Junie B. Jones got their reluctant readers to read. I have drawers full of letters from parents and teachers that are so meaningful to me, I can't bear to part with them. These are adults who understand that fictional literature plays a whole different role in children's lives than a book of grammar or a basic reader.

That having been said, there are always going to be a handful of people who denigrate books that speak in a voice other than their own. I've stopped trying to explain the concept of literature to people like that. Wasted time better spent.

8. What makes you laugh?

My sense of humor is a little bit off-center, I think. In the movies, I usually laugh at parts that no one else seems to think are funny. Then there are movies like Young Frankenstein where I laugh from the opening scene straight through to the end.

Lots of other things make me laugh, as well. My husband and sons make me laugh. My dog. My grandsons. Friends. The absurdities of life. My lopsided cakes. The list goes on . . .

What advice do you have for teachers that are aspiring writers? For kids?

There's nothing revolutionary in my advice, I'm afraid. It's the same old stuff. Write as much and as often as you can. Try different genres to find your niche. Then rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. And-above all-be your own worst critic.

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Junie B., First Grader: Cheater Pants (Junie B. Jones, No. 21)

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Junie B., First Grader: Cheater Pants (Junie B. Jones, No. 21) [Park, Barbara, Brunkus, Denise] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Junie B., First Grader: Cheater Pants (Junie B. Jones, No. 21)

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#funny #girly #chapterbook #goodread #series

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I grew up in Mt. Holly, New Jersey. It was a small town surrounded by farmland . . . the kind of town where you greet people by name on Main Street. It was only an hour's drive to the ocean. So every summer we spent family vacations on Long Beach Island. My brother and I would ride the waves during the day and play miniature golf at night. It's the kind of idyllic memory that stays in your head long after you've grown up and moved away.

After graduating from high school and spending two years at Rider University, I transferred to the University of Alabama where I met my husband, Richard. Eventually his job brought him to Arizona. We both fell in love with the desert and wanted to stay here forever. Still, during the heat of the Arizona summers, those ocean memories would come rushing back. So-after years of sweaty summers-my husband and I finally built a house on Long Beach Island, the same island where my brother and I rode the waves as kids. In the story business, that's called "coming full circle." These days, Richard and I divide our time between the desert and the ocean. In the words of Junie B. Jones, I'm a lucky duck.

Q. What inspired you to start writing?

In my case, it was sort of "reverse" inspiration. I got a degree in secondary education. My plan was to teach high school history and political science. But, because of a scheduling problem my senior year, I ended up doing my student teaching in the seventh grade. The word disaster doesn't really cover this one. I'll spare you the details. But as I ran screaming from the school building every day, I knew that I would never be a teacher. My husband and I married after graduation, and started a family. A few years later, when I was ready to go to work, I was still haunted by the memories of student teaching. So I was "inspired" to try my hand at writing instead.

Q. How did you go about getting published?

The first children's novel I wrote was Operation: Dump the Chump. As soon as it was finished, I bought a copy of Writer's Market, found some addresses, and started sending it off to publishers who were accepting unsolicited manuscripts. It was rejected three times. All three rejections managed to work in the classic industry one-liner, "It isn't right for our list."

The fourth time I sent it to Alfred Knopf, Inc. A few weeks later, they called and said it was exactly right for their list. I felt like I'd hit the lottery.

Q: You've written middle-grade novels, early chapter books, and picture books. Which do you like writing best?

I can't really say which I like best. But after all the Junie B. books I've written, those certainly come the easiest. The middle-grade novels are more of a challenge. But in some ways, that makes them more rewarding. The last two I've written (Mick Harte Was Here and The Graduation of Jake Moon) were both about very sensitive topics, so it took a long time to get them exactly right. But I think those two books have made me the most proud.

Q. Tell us about your most recent picture book.

It's called, MA! There's Nothing to Do Here! It's about a baby in utero who is bored out of his mind. The idea for it was born (so to speak) when my daughter-in-law, Renee, invited me to my first grandson's ultrasound. Although I had never had an ultrasound myself, I'd seen pictures of other babies in utero. But I wasn't prepared for how amazing it would be to see my own little grandbaby on that screen. I felt like I was watching the Discovery Channel.

Q. How much did you continue to think about the baby after seeing the ultrasound? How did this develop into the idea for the book?

A. On the way out of the doctor's office, I remember thinking, Okay, so now we're all going back to our busy lives. But the baby is still in there just floating around. Except for an occasional kick or hiccup, he's got absolutely nothing to do.

A few months later-when I was getting ready to give Renee a baby shower-I wrote this poem, framed it, and gave it to her as a shower gift.

Q. Of the characters you've created, who is your favorite?

A. This would be a bit like picking a favorite child. I don't have a single favorite character, but again, I lived with the characters Mick and Phoebe Harte and Jake and Skelly Moon for a very long time. So those four are the most dear to me.

The characters I've had the most fun with have been the little ones. Little kids are so free to say whatever is on their minds. They aren't silenced by peer pressure and the notion that they have to sound cool. Molly Vera Thompson in The Kid in the Red Jacket is six, and Thomas Russo in My Mother Got Married and Other Disasters is five. They both were such fun to write about that they led to the creation of Junie B. Jones.

Q. Is Junie B. modeled after you as a child? Did you ever do any of the things that Junie B. does?

A. I was sent to "Principal" in first grade for talking. There were lots of notes sent home that year, as well. My father was on the Board of Education. Not good.

Q. There's been some criticism of the Junie-speak in the series. How do you answer concerns that Junie's grammar is not good for young readers?

A. Honestly, most of the grown-ups I hear from are writing to tell me that Junie B. Jones got their reluctant readers to read. I have drawers full of letters from parents and teachers that are so meaningful to me, I can't bear to part with them. These are adults who understand that fictional literature plays a whole different role in children's lives than a book of grammar or a basic reader.

That having been said, there are always going to be a handful of people who denigrate books that speak in a voice other than their own. I've stopped trying to explain the concept of literature to people like that. Wasted time better spent.

8. What makes you laugh?

My sense of humor is a little bit off-center, I think. In the movies, I usually laugh at parts that no one else seems to think are funny. Then there are movies like Young Frankenstein where I laugh from the opening scene straight through to the end.

Lots of other things make me laugh, as well. My husband and sons make me laugh. My dog. My grandsons. Friends. The absurdities of life. My lopsided cakes. The list goes on . . .

What advice do you have for teachers that are aspiring writers? For kids?

There's nothing revolutionary in my advice, I'm afraid. It's the same old stuff. Write as much and as often as you can. Try different genres to find your niche. Then rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. And-above all-be your own worst critic.

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Junie B., First Grader: Boss of Lunch (Junie B. Jones, No. 19)

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Junie B., First Grader: Boss of Lunch (Junie B. Jones, No. 19) [Park, Barbara, Brunkus, Denise] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Junie B., First Grader: Boss of Lunch (Junie B. Jones, No. 19)

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#funny #girly #chapterbook #goodread #series

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I grew up in Mt. Holly, New Jersey. It was a small town surrounded by farmland . . . the kind of town where you greet people by name on Main Street. It was only an hour's drive to the ocean. So every summer we spent family vacations on Long Beach Island. My brother and I would ride the waves during the day and play miniature golf at night. It's the kind of idyllic memory that stays in your head long after you've grown up and moved away.

After graduating from high school and spending two years at Rider University, I transferred to the University of Alabama where I met my husband, Richard. Eventually his job brought him to Arizona. We both fell in love with the desert and wanted to stay here forever. Still, during the heat of the Arizona summers, those ocean memories would come rushing back. So-after years of sweaty summers-my husband and I finally built a house on Long Beach Island, the same island where my brother and I rode the waves as kids. In the story business, that's called "coming full circle." These days, Richard and I divide our time between the desert and the ocean. In the words of Junie B. Jones, I'm a lucky duck.

Q. What inspired you to start writing?

In my case, it was sort of "reverse" inspiration. I got a degree in secondary education. My plan was to teach high school history and political science. But, because of a scheduling problem my senior year, I ended up doing my student teaching in the seventh grade. The word disaster doesn't really cover this one. I'll spare you the details. But as I ran screaming from the school building every day, I knew that I would never be a teacher. My husband and I married after graduation, and started a family. A few years later, when I was ready to go to work, I was still haunted by the memories of student teaching. So I was "inspired" to try my hand at writing instead.

Q. How did you go about getting published?

The first children's novel I wrote was Operation: Dump the Chump. As soon as it was finished, I bought a copy of Writer's Market, found some addresses, and started sending it off to publishers who were accepting unsolicited manuscripts. It was rejected three times. All three rejections managed to work in the classic industry one-liner, "It isn't right for our list."

The fourth time I sent it to Alfred Knopf, Inc. A few weeks later, they called and said it was exactly right for their list. I felt like I'd hit the lottery.

Q: You've written middle-grade novels, early chapter books, and picture books. Which do you like writing best?

I can't really say which I like best. But after all the Junie B. books I've written, those certainly come the easiest. The middle-grade novels are more of a challenge. But in some ways, that makes them more rewarding. The last two I've written (Mick Harte Was Here and The Graduation of Jake Moon) were both about very sensitive topics, so it took a long time to get them exactly right. But I think those two books have made me the most proud.

Q. Tell us about your most recent picture book.

It's called, MA! There's Nothing to Do Here! It's about a baby in utero who is bored out of his mind. The idea for it was born (so to speak) when my daughter-in-law, Renee, invited me to my first grandson's ultrasound. Although I had never had an ultrasound myself, I'd seen pictures of other babies in utero. But I wasn't prepared for how amazing it would be to see my own little grandbaby on that screen. I felt like I was watching the Discovery Channel.

Q. How much did you continue to think about the baby after seeing the ultrasound? How did this develop into the idea for the book?

A. On the way out of the doctor's office, I remember thinking, Okay, so now we're all going back to our busy lives. But the baby is still in there just floating around. Except for an occasional kick or hiccup, he's got absolutely nothing to do.

A few months later-when I was getting ready to give Renee a baby shower-I wrote this poem, framed it, and gave it to her as a shower gift.

Q. Of the characters you've created, who is your favorite?

A. This would be a bit like picking a favorite child. I don't have a single favorite character, but again, I lived with the characters Mick and Phoebe Harte and Jake and Skelly Moon for a very long time. So those four are the most dear to me.

The characters I've had the most fun with have been the little ones. Little kids are so free to say whatever is on their minds. They aren't silenced by peer pressure and the notion that they have to sound cool. Molly Vera Thompson in The Kid in the Red Jacket is six, and Thomas Russo in My Mother Got Married and Other Disasters is five. They both were such fun to write about that they led to the creation of Junie B. Jones.

Q. Is Junie B. modeled after you as a child? Did you ever do any of the things that Junie B. does?

A. I was sent to "Principal" in first grade for talking. There were lots of notes sent home that year, as well. My father was on the Board of Education. Not good.

Q. There's been some criticism of the Junie-speak in the series. How do you answer concerns that Junie's grammar is not good for young readers?

A. Honestly, most of the grown-ups I hear from are writing to tell me that Junie B. Jones got their reluctant readers to read. I have drawers full of letters from parents and teachers that are so meaningful to me, I can't bear to part with them. These are adults who understand that fictional literature plays a whole different role in children's lives than a book of grammar or a basic reader.

That having been said, there are always going to be a handful of people who denigrate books that speak in a voice other than their own. I've stopped trying to explain the concept of literature to people like that. Wasted time better spent.

8. What makes you laugh?

My sense of humor is a little bit off-center, I think. In the movies, I usually laugh at parts that no one else seems to think are funny. Then there are movies like Young Frankenstein where I laugh from the opening scene straight through to the end.

Lots of other things make me laugh, as well. My husband and sons make me laugh. My dog. My grandsons. Friends. The absurdities of life. My lopsided cakes. The list goes on . . .

What advice do you have for teachers that are aspiring writers? For kids?

There's nothing revolutionary in my advice, I'm afraid. It's the same old stuff. Write as much and as often as you can. Try different genres to find your niche. Then rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. And-above all-be your own worst critic.

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Junie B., First Grader (at Last!) (Junie B. Jones, No. 18)

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Junie B., First Grader (at Last!) (Junie B. Jones, No. 18) [Park, Barbara, Brunkus, Denise] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Junie B., First Grader (at Last!) (Junie B. Jones, No. 18)

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#funny #girly #chapterbook #goodread #series

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I grew up in Mt. Holly, New Jersey. It was a small town surrounded by farmland . . . the kind of town where you greet people by name on Main Street. It was only an hour's drive to the ocean. So every summer we spent family vacations on Long Beach Island. My brother and I would ride the waves during the day and play miniature golf at night. It's the kind of idyllic memory that stays in your head long after you've grown up and moved away.

After graduating from high school and spending two years at Rider University, I transferred to the University of Alabama where I met my husband, Richard. Eventually his job brought him to Arizona. We both fell in love with the desert and wanted to stay here forever. Still, during the heat of the Arizona summers, those ocean memories would come rushing back. So-after years of sweaty summers-my husband and I finally built a house on Long Beach Island, the same island where my brother and I rode the waves as kids. In the story business, that's called "coming full circle." These days, Richard and I divide our time between the desert and the ocean. In the words of Junie B. Jones, I'm a lucky duck.

Q. What inspired you to start writing?

In my case, it was sort of "reverse" inspiration. I got a degree in secondary education. My plan was to teach high school history and political science. But, because of a scheduling problem my senior year, I ended up doing my student teaching in the seventh grade. The word disaster doesn't really cover this one. I'll spare you the details. But as I ran screaming from the school building every day, I knew that I would never be a teacher. My husband and I married after graduation, and started a family. A few years later, when I was ready to go to work, I was still haunted by the memories of student teaching. So I was "inspired" to try my hand at writing instead.

Q. How did you go about getting published?

The first children's novel I wrote was Operation: Dump the Chump. As soon as it was finished, I bought a copy of Writer's Market, found some addresses, and started sending it off to publishers who were accepting unsolicited manuscripts. It was rejected three times. All three rejections managed to work in the classic industry one-liner, "It isn't right for our list."

The fourth time I sent it to Alfred Knopf, Inc. A few weeks later, they called and said it was exactly right for their list. I felt like I'd hit the lottery.

Q: You've written middle-grade novels, early chapter books, and picture books. Which do you like writing best?

I can't really say which I like best. But after all the Junie B. books I've written, those certainly come the easiest. The middle-grade novels are more of a challenge. But in some ways, that makes them more rewarding. The last two I've written (Mick Harte Was Here and The Graduation of Jake Moon) were both about very sensitive topics, so it took a long time to get them exactly right. But I think those two books have made me the most proud.

Q. Tell us about your most recent picture book.

It's called, MA! There's Nothing to Do Here! It's about a baby in utero who is bored out of his mind. The idea for it was born (so to speak) when my daughter-in-law, Renee, invited me to my first grandson's ultrasound. Although I had never had an ultrasound myself, I'd seen pictures of other babies in utero. But I wasn't prepared for how amazing it would be to see my own little grandbaby on that screen. I felt like I was watching the Discovery Channel.

Q. How much did you continue to think about the baby after seeing the ultrasound? How did this develop into the idea for the book?

A. On the way out of the doctor's office, I remember thinking, Okay, so now we're all going back to our busy lives. But the baby is still in there just floating around. Except for an occasional kick or hiccup, he's got absolutely nothing to do.

A few months later-when I was getting ready to give Renee a baby shower-I wrote this poem, framed it, and gave it to her as a shower gift.

Q. Of the characters you've created, who is your favorite?

A. This would be a bit like picking a favorite child. I don't have a single favorite character, but again, I lived with the characters Mick and Phoebe Harte and Jake and Skelly Moon for a very long time. So those four are the most dear to me.

The characters I've had the most fun with have been the little ones. Little kids are so free to say whatever is on their minds. They aren't silenced by peer pressure and the notion that they have to sound cool. Molly Vera Thompson in The Kid in the Red Jacket is six, and Thomas Russo in My Mother Got Married and Other Disasters is five. They both were such fun to write about that they led to the creation of Junie B. Jones.

Q. Is Junie B. modeled after you as a child? Did you ever do any of the things that Junie B. does?

A. I was sent to "Principal" in first grade for talking. There were lots of notes sent home that year, as well. My father was on the Board of Education. Not good.

Q. There's been some criticism of the Junie-speak in the series. How do you answer concerns that Junie's grammar is not good for young readers?

A. Honestly, most of the grown-ups I hear from are writing to tell me that Junie B. Jones got their reluctant readers to read. I have drawers full of letters from parents and teachers that are so meaningful to me, I can't bear to part with them. These are adults who understand that fictional literature plays a whole different role in children's lives than a book of grammar or a basic reader.

That having been said, there are always going to be a handful of people who denigrate books that speak in a voice other than their own. I've stopped trying to explain the concept of literature to people like that. Wasted time better spent.

8. What makes you laugh?

My sense of humor is a little bit off-center, I think. In the movies, I usually laugh at parts that no one else seems to think are funny. Then there are movies like Young Frankenstein where I laugh from the opening scene straight through to the end.

Lots of other things make me laugh, as well. My husband and sons make me laugh. My dog. My grandsons. Friends. The absurdities of life. My lopsided cakes. The list goes on . . .

What advice do you have for teachers that are aspiring writers? For kids?

There's nothing revolutionary in my advice, I'm afraid. It's the same old stuff. Write as much and as often as you can. Try different genres to find your niche. Then rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. And-above all-be your own worst critic.

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Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl (Junie B. Jones, No. 17)

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Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl (Junie B. Jones, No. 17) [Barbara Park, Denise Brunkus] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl (Junie B. Jones, No. 17)

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#funny #girly #chapterbook #goodread #series

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I grew up in Mt. Holly, New Jersey. It was a small town surrounded by farmland . . . the kind of town where you greet people by name on Main Street. It was only an hour's drive to the ocean. So every summer we spent family vacations on Long Beach Island. My brother and I would ride the waves during the day and play miniature golf at night. It's the kind of idyllic memory that stays in your head long after you've grown up and moved away.

After graduating from high school and spending two years at Rider University, I transferred to the University of Alabama where I met my husband, Richard. Eventually his job brought him to Arizona. We both fell in love with the desert and wanted to stay here forever. Still, during the heat of the Arizona summers, those ocean memories would come rushing back. So-after years of sweaty summers-my husband and I finally built a house on Long Beach Island, the same island where my brother and I rode the waves as kids. In the story business, that's called "coming full circle." These days, Richard and I divide our time between the desert and the ocean. In the words of Junie B. Jones, I'm a lucky duck.

Q. What inspired you to start writing?

In my case, it was sort of "reverse" inspiration. I got a degree in secondary education. My plan was to teach high school history and political science. But, because of a scheduling problem my senior year, I ended up doing my student teaching in the seventh grade. The word disaster doesn't really cover this one. I'll spare you the details. But as I ran screaming from the school building every day, I knew that I would never be a teacher. My husband and I married after graduation, and started a family. A few years later, when I was ready to go to work, I was still haunted by the memories of student teaching. So I was "inspired" to try my hand at writing instead.

Q. How did you go about getting published?

The first children's novel I wrote was Operation: Dump the Chump. As soon as it was finished, I bought a copy of Writer's Market, found some addresses, and started sending it off to publishers who were accepting unsolicited manuscripts. It was rejected three times. All three rejections managed to work in the classic industry one-liner, "It isn't right for our list."

The fourth time I sent it to Alfred Knopf, Inc. A few weeks later, they called and said it was exactly right for their list. I felt like I'd hit the lottery.

Q: You've written middle-grade novels, early chapter books, and picture books. Which do you like writing best?

I can't really say which I like best. But after all the Junie B. books I've written, those certainly come the easiest. The middle-grade novels are more of a challenge. But in some ways, that makes them more rewarding. The last two I've written (Mick Harte Was Here and The Graduation of Jake Moon) were both about very sensitive topics, so it took a long time to get them exactly right. But I think those two books have made me the most proud.

Q. Tell us about your most recent picture book.

It's called, MA! There's Nothing to Do Here! It's about a baby in utero who is bored out of his mind. The idea for it was born (so to speak) when my daughter-in-law, Renee, invited me to my first grandson's ultrasound. Although I had never had an ultrasound myself, I'd seen pictures of other babies in utero. But I wasn't prepared for how amazing it would be to see my own little grandbaby on that screen. I felt like I was watching the Discovery Channel.

Q. How much did you continue to think about the baby after seeing the ultrasound? How did this develop into the idea for the book?

A. On the way out of the doctor's office, I remember thinking, Okay, so now we're all going back to our busy lives. But the baby is still in there just floating around. Except for an occasional kick or hiccup, he's got absolutely nothing to do.

A few months later-when I was getting ready to give Renee a baby shower-I wrote this poem, framed it, and gave it to her as a shower gift.

Q. Of the characters you've created, who is your favorite?

A. This would be a bit like picking a favorite child. I don't have a single favorite character, but again, I lived with the characters Mick and Phoebe Harte and Jake and Skelly Moon for a very long time. So those four are the most dear to me.

The characters I've had the most fun with have been the little ones. Little kids are so free to say whatever is on their minds. They aren't silenced by peer pressure and the notion that they have to sound cool. Molly Vera Thompson in The Kid in the Red Jacket is six, and Thomas Russo in My Mother Got Married and Other Disasters is five. They both were such fun to write about that they led to the creation of Junie B. Jones.

Q. Is Junie B. modeled after you as a child? Did you ever do any of the things that Junie B. does?

A. I was sent to "Principal" in first grade for talking. There were lots of notes sent home that year, as well. My father was on the Board of Education. Not good.

Q. There's been some criticism of the Junie-speak in the series. How do you answer concerns that Junie's grammar is not good for young readers?

A. Honestly, most of the grown-ups I hear from are writing to tell me that Junie B. Jones got their reluctant readers to read. I have drawers full of letters from parents and teachers that are so meaningful to me, I can't bear to part with them. These are adults who understand that fictional literature plays a whole different role in children's lives than a book of grammar or a basic reader.

That having been said, there are always going to be a handful of people who denigrate books that speak in a voice other than their own. I've stopped trying to explain the concept of literature to people like that. Wasted time better spent.

8. What makes you laugh?

My sense of humor is a little bit off-center, I think. In the movies, I usually laugh at parts that no one else seems to think are funny. Then there are movies like Young Frankenstein where I laugh from the opening scene straight through to the end.

Lots of other things make me laugh, as well. My husband and sons make me laugh. My dog. My grandsons. Friends. The absurdities of life. My lopsided cakes. The list goes on . . .

What advice do you have for teachers that are aspiring writers? For kids?

There's nothing revolutionary in my advice, I'm afraid. It's the same old stuff. Write as much and as often as you can. Try different genres to find your niche. Then rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. And-above all-be your own worst critic.

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Junie B., First Grader: Aloha-ha-ha! (Junie B. Jones, No. 26)

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Amazon.com: Junie B., First Grader: Aloha-ha-ha! (Junie B. Jones, No. 26): 9780375834042: Park, Barbara, Brunkus, Denise: Books

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#nonfiction #serious #history #goodread #chapterbook

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Discover the lives of Wilbur and Orville Wright-a story for kids 6 to 12 about making ideas take flight

The Wright brothers were the first people ever to build and fly an airplane, doing what many people at the time didn't think was possible. Before they made history with their airplane, Wilbur and Orville were curious kids who loved learning about the world around them and how it worked. They fell in love with the idea of flying and taught themselves everything they needed to know to make their dream come true.

Explore how the Wright brothers went from young boys growing up in Ohio to world-famous inventors, aviators, and businessmen. How will their hard work and big imaginations inspire you?
Explore how Wilbur and Orville brought their dreams to life in this fun and colorful biography for kids.

The Story of the Wright Brothers

Lasting change -Learn about how the Wright brothers' inventions changed how we live today.

Helpful glossary -Find definitions for some of the more advanced words and ideas in the book.

Visual timeline -Watch the Wright brothers progress from curious kids to famous flyers.

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The Story of the Wright Brothers: A Biography Book for New Readers (The Story Of: A Biography Series for New Readers)

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The Story of the Wright Brothers: A Biography Book for New Readers (The Story Of: A Biography Series for New Readers) [Whipple, Annette] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers.

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#mystery #fiction #chapterbook #goodread #intence

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Book 1 in the Shadow Jumper Mystery Adventure series. GOLD MEDAL WINNER IN THE WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS 2014. Read and enjoyed by over 100,000 readers! A middle-grade mystery adventure book for boys and girls aged 9 and over. Packed with action & adventure and contemporary themes.

The truth is out there somewhere . . . but how far is Jack willing to jump to find it? Jack Phillips's allergy to sunshine confines him to the shadows, leaving him lonely and at risk of life-threatening burns every time he steps into the light. Shadow jumping on the rooftops at dusk makes him feel alive. And free. But Jack's condition is suddenly worse than ever and only his missing scientist dad can save him. As Jack and his new friend, Beth, begin their frantic search and delve into his dad's past for clues, they have no idea what they are about to uncover. Shocking rumours and dark secrets bombard them at every turn. Jack is brave on the roofs. But can he find the courage to face the truth?- but on top of all that, it deals with a number of contemporary themes such as divorce, isolation and difficult health conditions and its impact, in a relatable manner.' 'Perfect for both, teens and preteens.' Families Rating 6 out of 6' Families Online, full of surprises and underpinned by a heart-warming message about the power of friendship to fight adversity.' Today's Child Magazine' 'with direct, accessible language'. 'A warm, human tale of friendship' - Primary Times (Gloucestershire)If you love a gripping adventure mystery, download your copy or buy your paperback version of Shadow Jumper now. Perfect for 9/10 - 14 year olds. - to be action-filled and a page-turner but to also tackle contemporary themes and issues. could be the book for you, your child or grandchild. And I'd love to know what you think of it, so do leave a review on here or at www.jm-forster.com
A story about friendship, family, loss, bravery and overcoming adversity. PRAISE FOR SHADOW JUMPER This adventure story has all the crucial elements of a good read - suspense, mystery, action a touching and gripping adventure
'. . . A tale full of adventure and mystery
' SHADOW JUMPER

INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR
Q: How did you decide to write for 10-14 year olds? A: When I was about 9 years old I loved reading action & adventure stories and mysteries. Being totally involved in the story and trying to figure out what was going to happen next was great fun, and for me this was the age when I first became really aware of how fantastic it was to read a well-written, gripping story. I wanted to recreate that feeling in TWILIGHT ROBBERY. SHADOW JUMPER
Q: What order should I read books in the series? Good question! The two books involve a different story, but my recommendation is to read SHADOW JUMPER first followed by the second book J M Forster is the awarding-winning writer of mystery books for 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 year olds, action and adventure stories for girls and boys, preteen and tween/teen mysteries and thrillers, fantasy, books for boys aged 9-12, chapter books for 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th graders, children's books age 9 - 11.
Q: What/who inspired the main character, Jack, in SHADOW JUMPER? I have to blame my sons for Jack's main preoccupation of shadow jumping! As children they didn't use to walk to school so much as jump between shadows on the pavement. I put this together with the idea of a boy sensitive to sunlight (a real condition that my dad suffered from, though not in such a severe form) and came up with Jack.
Q. Is this book for boys or girls? Both! Boys and girls between the ages of 9-14, teens and preteens, have read and loved it, so I hope you will too. If you enjoy a fast-paced middle-grade mystery adventure with lots of plot twists, then

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Shadow Jumper: A mystery adventure book for children and teens aged 10-14 (A Shadow Jumper Mystery Adventure)

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Amazon.com: Shadow Jumper: A mystery adventure book for children and teens aged 10-14 (A Shadow Jumper Mystery Adventure): 9780993070907: Forster, J M: Books

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#horror #scary #storytime #chaperbook #advanced

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Give Your Kids a Fright!

Haunted houses, prowling monsters, vengeful ghosts, and more are waiting for you. Inside you'll find 35 original short scary stories for kids, including:

A room where everything is wrong and you can never leave.

A forest guide who leads people on a walk they won't forget.

A monster dining in a graveyard.

A ghost ship that hunts down treasure seekers.

A statue that comes to life - for a price.

Just make sure you read these stories with the lights on.

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Ghost Stories for Kids Age 9 - 12: Short Spooky and Scary Horror Stories to Tell at a Campfire, Halloween, or Whenever It Gets Dark

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Ghost Stories for Kids Age 9 - 12: Short Spooky and Scary Horror Stories to Tell at a Campfire, Halloween, or Whenever It Gets Dark [Tate, Bernard] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers.

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#poetry #multiplestories #advanced #complex #whattodo

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Why Not on Tuesday?: A collection of children's poems and illustrations

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Why Not on Tuesday?: A collection of children's poems and illustrations [Cavallaro, Jamie, Cavallaro, Jamie] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Why Not on Tuesday?: A collection of children's poems and illustrations

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#literacy #fiction #literacyfiction #trains #chapterbook

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Zander Bingham was born and raised on a boat that was eventually captured by pirates when he was just 12-years-old. Forced to walk the plank, he, along with his family and crew, swam to a nearby island where Zander spent his days imagining the adventures he might have at sea, just like those swashbuckling pirates...

Well, not exactly.

But Zander did love boating adventures as a kid. And he always dreamed of exploring deserted islands and being a real-life castaway. He grew up cruising around Australia, the USA and The Bahamas. He eventually captained his very own sail boat, living aboard and exploring the Adriatic Sea with his wife and two young sons.

His thirst for exploration, his witty sense of humor, and his newfound passion for writing stories to read to his boys at bedtime, led to the creation of Jack Jones; the confident, brave and curious boy adventurer who is always searching for his next escapade.

The first three books in the Jack Jones Series form the literary debut for this author.

Zander is currently writing a twelve-book series called The Lost Island. It is centered around four children who become castaways and find themselves washed up on a tropical island that's full of mystery and adventure. Will they uncover the secrets of the island? And will they find a way home?

Also in production is a space adventure series called Galactic Academy which follows a team of new cadets chosen for a test mission to Saturn, only to find they're not alone in the galaxy and adventure ensues!

Zander Bingham is a pen name for Brett Swain who lives in Australia with his wife, two young, adventurous boys, and lots and lots of LEGO.

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Train To Nowhere (Jack Jones) [Bingham, Zander] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Train To Nowhere (Jack Jones)

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#thriller #mystery #horror #chapterbook #nature

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Baseball Legends and Their Life Lessons 

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Baseball Legends and Their Life Lessons 

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#historical #baseball #legends #nonfiction #sports

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Sports enthusiast turned author, I've dedicated my life to inspiring young minds through captivating tales rooted in human perseverance and the wonders of imagination. With a background in education, I've witnessed the transformative power of storytelling in shaping resilient and inquisitive individuals.

My writings dive deep into the world of sports, revealing life lessons hidden within each moment of action. Beyond mere stories, I weave narratives filled with action, heart, and timeless teachings. To every teacher, parent, and young reader who has joined me on this journey: your passion fuels my tales.

Here's to more adventures and the boundless joy of discovery!

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Inspirational Stories for Kids: Baseball Legends and Their Life Lessons: Unlocking Character Through the Journeys of Baseball Icons

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Inspirational Stories for Kids: Baseball Legends and Their Life Lessons: Unlocking Character Through the Journeys of Baseball Icons [Hope, Emma] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Inspirational Stories for Kids: Baseball Legends and Their Life Lessons: Unlocking Character Through the Journeys of Baseball Icons

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#romance #paperback #nature #chapterbook #love

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When I was a baby, someone tucked me into an old boat and pushed me out to sea.

I washed up on a tiny island, like a seed riding the tide.

It was Osh who found me and took me in. Who taught me how to put down roots, and thrive on both sun and rain, and understand what it is to bloom.

The island where we found each other was small but strong, anchored by a great pile of black rock that sheltered our -cottage-a ramshackle place built from bits of lost ships-nestled on a bed of earth and sea muck, alongside a small garden and the skiff that took us wherever our feet could not.

We didn't need anything else. Not in the beginning.

At low tide, we could cross easily to the next island, Cuttyhunk, through shallows strewn with bootlace weed and minnows.

At high tide, the cottage sat so close to the risen sea that it felt nearly like a boat itself.

For a long time, I was happiest when the water rose and set us apart, on our own, so just the two of us decided everything there was to decide.

And then, one night when I was twelve, I saw a fire burning on Penikese, the island where no one ever went, and I decided on my own that it was time to find out where I'd come from and why I'd been sent away.

But I didn't understand what I was risking until I nearly lost it.

I'll never know for sure when I was born. Not exactly.

On the morning Osh found me, I was just hours old, but he had no calendar and didn't much care what day it was. So we always marked my birth on whatever midsummer day felt right.

The same was true of my other milestones: moments that had nothing to do with calendars.

Like the day Mouse showed up at our door, whisker thin, and decided the cottage was hers, too. Much as I had.

Or the first time Osh let me take the tiller of our skiff while he sat in the bow and let the sun coddle his face for a while, his back against the mast, the fine spray veiling him in rainbows. Or the ebb tide when a white-sided dolphin stranded on our shore, Osh gone somewhere, and I came back from Cuttyhunk to find her rocking and heaving, her cries babylike and afraid. I used my bare hands to scoop away the wet sand that stuck her fast. And I grabbed her crescent flukes and tugged, inch by inch, until the water lifted her enough so we both slipped back suddenly into the sea.

She looked me in the eye as she passed, as if to memorize what I was at that moment. As if to say that I should remember this, too, no matter what happened later.

None of which had anything to do with calendars.

Still, I know I'd lived on that tiny island for eight years before I began to be more than just curious about my name. The dream that woke me, wondering anew about my name, was full of stars and whales blowing and the lyrics of the sea. When I opened my eyes, I lay for a minute, watching Osh as he stood at the stove, cooking porridge in a scabby pot.

I sat up and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. "Why is my name Crow?" I asked.

When Osh stirred the porridge, the spoon made a sound like a boat being dragged across the beach. "I've told you," he said. "You were hoarse with crying when you washed up here. You cawed over and over. So I called you Crow."

That answer had always been enough before. But it didn't explain everything. And everything was what I had begun to want.

"In English?" I asked.

Osh sometimes spoke in a language I didn't know, his voice like music, especially when he prayed, but also when he painted his pictures of the islands and the sea. When I first asked Osh about it, he said that it was one of the few things he'd kept from life before the island. Before me.

Even though he did not speak it often, that other tongue flavored his English so he sounded different from everyone else. Miss Maggie called it his accent. But I thought maybe it was everyone else who had an accent.

"No, not English at first," he said. "But people here speak English. So: Crow."

I stood and stretched the night out of my bones. My arms, in the thin morning light, looked almost nothing like wings.

But when I stepped onto a stool in front of our mirror-just big enough for a face-I could see the resemblance in the curve of my nose. The birthmark on my cheek that looked like a little feather. My hair, darker than anyone else's. My dark eyes. My skin, like Osh's after six months in the sun.

I looked down at my skinny legs, my bony feet.

Plenty of other reasons to be called Crow besides the way I had once cried.

Osh, himself, had three names. Daniel: what Miss Maggie called him. The Painter: what the summer people called him. Osh: what I had called him since the time I could make words out loud.

His real name was complicated. Difficult for a small child to say. "Osh" was all I'd been able to manage. And Osh was what I'd called him ever since.

"I wish I knew what my real name was," I said.

For a long moment, Osh was still. "What do you mean by real ?" he said.

"My real name. The one my parents gave me."

Osh was again silent for a while. Then he said, "You were brand-new when you arrived here. I don't know that you ever had a different name." He scooped some porridge into a bowl. "And if you did, I don't know how we'll ever learn what it was."

I fetched two spoons. "What it is , you mean."

When Osh shrugged, the hair that lay on his shoulders rolled up like night waves. "Was. Is. Will be." He filled a second bowl. "It doesn't much matter, since you're here now. And you have a name."

The sound of the porridge thwup ping into the crockery, the tock of the wooden spoon against the edge of the bowl, made me wonder who had named those things. And everything else in the world. Including me.

I could feel my curiosity strengthening, as if it were part of my bones, keeping pace with them as I grew.

But more than that-more than simple curiosity-I had a nagging need to know what I didn't know.

I wanted to know why there were pearls tucked inside some of the Cuttyhunk oysters but not others. I wanted to know how the moon could drag the ocean in and out from such a distance, when it couldn't stir the milk in Miss Maggie's tea. But I needed to know, among other things, why so many of the Cuttyhunk Islanders stayed away from me, as if they were afraid, when I was smaller than any of them.

I wondered whether it had anything to do with where I'd come from, but that didn't make any sense. What did where have to do with what ? Or who ?

Something, yes. But not everything.

And I needed to know all three.

Osh didn't. When I asked questions about pearls or tides, he did his best to answer them. But when I looked beyond our life on the islands, he became the moon itself, bent on tugging me back, as if I were made of sea instead of blood.

"I came a long, long way to be here," he once said when I asked him about his life before the one we shared. "As far as I could get from a place where people-where my own brothers-jumped headlong into such terrible fighting that no one could see a thing through that bedlam. And for what? Over what?" He shook his head. "Over nothing worth the fight. So I refused to be one of them. And here I am. And here I'll stay."

While I waited for Osh to bring our porridge to the table, I tried to think of another name that suited me well, but I came up with nothing better than Crow, which I already had.

And it pleased me that I was named for a bird that was smarter than most. Smarter, even, than some people. So different from the gulls and fish hawks that wheeled and dipped over the islands that I felt a certain kinship with the big, black birds that drifted over from the mainland like lost kites, tipping to and fro in the wind before settling noisily in Miss Maggie's hornbeam tree. They didn't seem to belong on the islands. And sometimes I felt like I didn't, either. But we were islanders, nonetheless, no matter what anyone else might think.

Osh called me other animal names from time to time. Cub. Kit. Mule when I was stubborn. Wren when I was good.

Now and then, he called me a mooncusser, too, because I liked to scour the shore at night for whatever the tide had brought in, but I did not lure the ships that wrecked off Cuttyhunk, and I was no thief afraid of being moonlit as I searched for lost treasure. I had never cussed the moon.

But for the most part, we didn't rely on names. If we were apart, we were far apart, beyond calling. If we were together, we talked the way people talk when there's no one else. Names didn't matter much.

Osh had built our cottage from whatever he could wrestle off the nearest shipwrecks that were slowly settling into the seabed, breaking up in storms, and otherwise disappearing, bit by bit.

The rest of the house was flotsam that had come to him, floating in on the tide, as I had, sometimes into our own little cove, sometimes on Cuttyhunk, where no one else wanted it.

He'd built the frame from long beams, the roof and walls from decking, the chimney from a vent pipe off a lost steamer, one window from a porthole. Our door was a piece of keel. Our hearth, a hatch lid. Our table a crow's nest turned upside down.

Osh had salvaged, too, many things that had no purpose but to be dear to us. The finest of these, two figureheads-solemn women with long, flowing hair-stared at us from either side of our fireplace, never blinking. And a pair of sun-white whale ribs arched over our doorway, a tarnished ship's bell hanging from their pinnacle.

And I'd found my share of baubles while searching the wrack line. Bits of sea glass among the mermaids' purses and limpet shells. A brass money clip with an elephant pressed into its face, all of it a crusty green. A banjo clock that would never again keep time but had a tiny cupboard where I kept the other trinkets I'd found. Another thing I had in common with crows: our habit of prizing the poorest of riches.

When I asked him what he'd done with the skiff that had brought me ashore, Osh told me he'd busted it up for firewood and burned it to keep me warm that first winter. For a long time, before I knew better, I wondered why that-of all the wood he'd salvaged-had ended up in the fire rather than our home.

With the money he made from lobstering and cutting ice out of Wash Pond and selling his paintings to the summer people, Osh had bought nails, a hammer, and whatever else he lacked. He dug clay from the sound side of Cuttyhunk, sailed it around to our cove, and mixed it with wood ash and salt to make the chinking that sealed the cottage against draft and hard rain. And he did everything else he could to make it strong and snug.

When I was old enough, I helped him keep it that way.

But even as we worked together on this home we'd made, I could not stop thinking about who had made me . Who had looked at me, soft and fresh as a blossom, and decided to give me to the tide. And why.

I carried those questions around with me like a sack that got heavier as the years went by, even though I had become accustomed to the idea of it. Even though I was not unhappy with the life I had.

I just wanted to know. To understand. To put that sack down.

Some things I knew through and through.

Osh had told me many times-so often that it had become like a bedtime story-how he'd found me in an old skiff that had beached itself on the wrack line overnight. Had he not found me when he had, the incoming tide would have taken me back out again, to somewhere else. But he had wanted fish for his breakfast and had gone out to cast for a striper or two.

The skiff was barely seaworthy, but it had survived the trip to the island, even through the wild currents that wrecked much bigger boats.

What Osh expected to see when he came up to the little skiff I don't know, but it could not have been a new baby, lashed to the bench with strips of dirty linen, inches above the water that had seeped into the hull.

Osh told me how I stopped cawing and lay silent as a mouse when a hawk-shadow comes-I blinking up at him and he down at me-that morning when we first met.

He lived alone in a place that was difficult even for a grown man, but he took me in first before deciding what else to do with me. And I stayed.

He often told me how hard it was in those first days after I arrived. How he had traded lobsters for milk at the Cuttyhunk grocery, poured it in a little flask, and fashioned a nipple from a clam neck made to squirt seawater. I sucked salty milk from it, as if from the sea itself. He swaddled me in wind-softened sailcloth, washed me in a smooth sink in the rocks where rainwater collected. Tucked me up alongside him at night so we slept as one.

By the time Miss Maggie and the others found out about me, Osh had decided that I was his until someone else could prove otherwise.

Miss Maggie had tried for a while. Not, she said, to take me away. Only, she said, to make sure no one was searching for me. Perhaps, she said, my mother hadn't been the one to send me to sea. Perhaps, she said, my mother was pacing the shores across Buzzards Bay, her breasts swollen with milk.

So Miss Maggie bullied the postmaster until he sent word on his telegraph machine to ports from Narragansett to Chilmark, asking if anyone was looking for a newborn like me.

And she wrote letters, too, and sent them to places too small for a telegraph machine.

From some, she got no answer: Onset; Mattapoisett; even Penikese, though it was the closest.

And none of those who did respond knew of a missing baby.

But it didn't really matter.

By the time the replies made their way into Miss Maggie's hands, I'd already become Osh's. And he had become mine.

It was a mystery why the skiff had washed up on our little island and not on Cuttyhunk where most treasure and flotsam came to rest. But I was glad that it had.

I couldn't imagine that any of the other islanders would have fostered me had I drifted up on their piece of land. I thought it far more likely that they would have sent me off to the mainland, to some place without so much sea and sky. And that would have been a shame. Osh and I were surrounded by a wild world. And I preferred it that way.

Still, there were a few people on Cuttyhunk I liked well enough. And they seemed to like me in their odd way. But they never touched me. Never came close. Seemed content to know me from a distance. Which had been true from the very start-all I'd ever known from them-so I didn't question it much until I was older and began to pull on the loose threads in my life.

When I did that and everything began to unravel, a seam opened up and let in some light, which helped me see my life more clearly, but it also made me want to close my eyes, sometimes, instead.

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Beyond the Bright Sea [Wolk, Lauren] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Beyond the Bright Sea

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#westernnovel #western #paperback #chapterbook #animals

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Zander Bingham was born and raised on a boat that was eventually captured by pirates when he was just 12-years-old. Forced to walk the plank, he, along with his family and crew, swam to a nearby island where Zander spent his days imagining the adventures he might have at sea, just like those swashbuckling pirates...

Well, not exactly.

But Zander did love boating adventures as a kid. And he always dreamed of exploring deserted islands and being a real-life castaway. He grew up cruising around Australia, the USA and The Bahamas. He eventually captained his very own sail boat, living aboard and exploring the Adriatic Sea with his wife and two young sons.

His thirst for exploration, his witty sense of humor, and his newfound passion for writing stories to read to his boys at bedtime, led to the creation of Jack Jones; the confident, brave and curious boy adventurer who is always searching for his next escapade.

The first three books in the Jack Jones Series form the literary debut for this author.

Zander is currently writing a twelve-book series called The Lost Island. It is centered around four children who become castaways and find themselves washed up on a tropical island that's full of mystery and adventure. Will they uncover the secrets of the island? And will they find a way home?

Also in production is a space adventure series called Galactic Academy which follows a team of new cadets chosen for a test mission to Saturn, only to find they're not alone in the galaxy and adventure ensues!

Zander Bingham is a pen name for Brett Swain who lives in Australia with his wife, two young, adventurous boys, and lots and lots of LEGO.

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Amazon.com: The Desert Quest (Jack Jones): 9781949247350: Bingham, Zander: Books

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#Bildungsroman #dog #story #sad #chapterbook

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We called him Old Yeller. The name had a sort of double meaning. One part meant that his short hair was a dingy yellow, a color that we called "yeller" in those days, The other meant that when he opened his head, the sound he let out came closer to being a yell than a bark.

I remember like yesterday how he strayed in out of nowhere to our log cabin on Birdsong Creek. He made me so mad at first that I wanted to kill him. Then, later, when I had to kill him, it was like having to shoot some of my own folks. That's how much I'd come to think of the big yeller dog.

He came in the late 1860's, the best I remember. Anyhow, it was the year that Papa and a bunch of other Salt Licks settlers formed a "pool herd" of their little separate bunches of steers and trailed them to the new cattle market at Abilene, Kansas.

This was to get "cash money," a thing that all Texans were short of in those years right after the Civil War. We lived then in a new country and a good one. As Papa pointed out the day the men talked over making the drive, we had plenty of grass, wood, and water. We bad wild game for the killing, fertile ground for growing bread corn, and the Indians had been put onto reservations with the return of U.S. soldiers to the Texas forts.

"In fact," Papa wound up, "all we lack having a tight tail-bolt on the world is a little cash money. And we can get that at Abilene."

Well, the idea sounded good, but some of the men still hesitated. Abilene was better than six hundred miles north of the Texas bill country we lived in. It would take months for the men to make the drive and ride back home. And all that time the womenfolks and children of Salt Licks would be left in a wild frontier settlement to make out the best they could.

Still, they needed money, and they realized that whatever a man does, he's bound to take some risks. So theytalked it over with each other and with their women and decided it was the thing to do. They told their folks what to do in case the Indians came off the reservation or the coons got to eating the corn or the !)cars got to killing too many hogs. Then they gathered their cattle, burned a trail brand on their hips, and pulled out on the long trail to Kansas.

I remember how it was the day Papa left. I remember his standing in front of the cabin with his horse saddled, his gun in his scabbard, and his bedroll tied on back of the cantle. I remember how tall and straight and handsome he looked, with his high-crowned hat and his black mustaches drooping in cow-horn curves past the corners of his mouth. And I remember how Mama was trying to keep from crying because he was leaving and how Little Arliss, who was only five and didn't know much, wasn't trying to keep from crying at all In fact, 'he xas howling his head off; not because Papa was leaving, but because he couldn't go, too.

I wasn't about to cry. I was fourteen years old, pretty near a grown man. I stood back and didn't let on for a minute that I wanted to cry.

Papa got through loving up Mama and Little Arliss and mounted his horse. I looked up at him. He motioned for me to come along. So I walked beside his horse down the trail that led under the big liveoaks and past the spring.

When he'd gotten out of hearing of the house, Papa reached down and put a hand on my shoulder.

"Now, Travis," he said, "you're getting to be a big boy; and while I'm gone, you'll be the man of the family, I want you to act like one. You take care of Mama and Little Arliss. You look after the work and don't wait around for your mama to point out what needs to be done. Think you can do that?"

"Yessir," I said.

"Now, there's the cows to milk and wood to cut and young pigs to mark and fresh meat to shoot. But mainly there's the corn patch. If you don't work it right or if you let the varmints eat up the roasting ears, we'll be without bread corn for the winter."

"Yessir," I said.

"All right, boy. I'll be seeing you this fall."

I stood there and let him ride on. There wasn't any more to say.

Suddenly I remembered and went running down the trail after him, calling for him to wait.

He pulled up his horse and twisted around in the saddle. "Yeah, boy," he said. "What is it?"

"That horse," I said.

"What horse?" he said, like he'd never heard me mention it before. "You mean you're wanting a horse?"

"Now, Papa," I complained. "You know I've been aching all over for a horse to ride. I've told you time and again."

I looked up to catch him grinning at me and felt foolish that I hadn't realized he was teasing.

"What you're needing worse than a horse is a good dog."

"Yessir," I said, "but a horse is what I'm wanting the worst...

Excerpted from Old Yeller by Gipson, Fred Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Copyright © 1980 Patricia MacLachlan. All rights reserved.
ISBN: 0-06-440288-6

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Old Yeller (HarperClassics) [Gipson, Fred] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Old Yeller (HarperClassics)

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1
It was almost December, and Jonas was beginning to be frightened. No. Wrong word, Jonas thought. Frightened meant that deep, sickening feeling of something terrible about to happen. Frightened was the way he had felt a year ago when an unidentified aircraft had overflown the community twice. He had seen it both times. Squinting toward the sky, he had seen the sleek jet, almost a blur at its high speed, go past, and a second later heard the blast of sound that followed. Then one more time, a moment later, from the opposite direction, the same plane.

At first, he had been only fascinated. He had never seen aircraft so close, for it was against the rules for Pilots to fly over the community. Occasionally, when supplies were delivered by cargo planes to the landing field across the river, the children rode their bicycles to the riverbank and watched, intrigued, the unloading and then the takeoff directed to the west, always away from the community.

But the aircraft a year ago had been different. It was not a squat, fat-bellied cargo plane but a needle-nosed single-pilot jet. Jonas, looking around anxiously, had seen others-adults as well as children-stop what they were doing and wait, confused, for an explanation of the frightening event.

Then all of the citizens had been ordered to go into the nearest building and stay there. IMMEDIATELY, the rasping voice through the speakers had said. LEAVE YOUR BICYCLES WHERE THEY ARE.

Instantly, obediently, Jonas had dropped his bike on its side on the path behind his family's dwelling. He had run indoors and stayed there, alone. His parents were both at work, and his little sister, Lily, was at the Childcare Center where she spent her after-school hours.

Looking through the front window, he had seen no people: none of the busy afternoon crew of Street Cleaners, Landscape Workers, and Food Delivery people who usually populated the community at that time of day. He saw only the abandoned bikes here and there on their sides; an upturned wheel on one was still revolving slowly.

He had been frightened then. The sense of his own community silent, waiting, had made his stomach churn. He had trembled.

But it had been nothing. Within minutes the speakers had crackled again, and the voice, reassuring now and less urgent, had explained that a Pilot-in-Training had misread his navigational instructions and made a wrong turn. Desperately the Pilot had been trying to make his way back before his error was noticed.

NEEDLESS TO SAY, HE WILL BE RELEASED, the voice had said, followed by silence. There was an ironic tone to that final message, as if the Speaker found it amusing; and Jonas had smiled a little, though he knew what a grim statement it had been. For a contributing citizen to be released from the community was a final decision, a terrible punishment, an overwhelming statement of failure.

Even the children were scolded if they used the term lightly at play, jeering at a teammate who missed a catch or stumbled in a race. Jonas had done it once, had shouted at his best friend, "That's it, Asher! You're released!" when Asher's clumsy error had lost a match for his team. He had been taken aside for a brief and serious talk by the coach, had hung his head with guilt and embarrassment, and apologized to Asher after the game.

Now, thinking about the feeling of fear as he pedaled home along the river path, he remembered that moment of palpable, stomach-sinking terror when the aircraft had streaked above. It was not what he was feeling now with December approaching. He searched for the right word to describe his own feeling.

Jonas was careful about language. Not like his friend, Asher, who talked too fast and mixed things up, scrambling words and phrases until they were barely recognizable and often very funny.

Jonas grinned, remembering the morning that Asher had dashed into the classroom, late as usual, arriving breathlessly in the middle of the chanting of the morning anthem. When the class took their seats at the conclusion of the patriotic hymn, Asher remained standing to make his public apology as was required.

"I apologize for inconveniencing my learning community." Asher ran through the standard apology phrase rapidly, still catching his breath. The Instructor and class waited patiently for his explanation. The students had all been grinning, because they had listened to Asher's explanations so many times before.

"I left home at the correct time but when I was riding along near the hatchery, the crew was separating some salmon. I guess I just got distraught, watching them.

"I apologize to my classmates," Asher concluded. He smoothed his rumpled tunic and sat down.

"We accept your apology, Asher." The class recited the standard response in unison. Many of the students were biting their lips to keep from laughing.

"I accept your apology, Asher," the Instructor said. He was smiling. "And I thank you, because once again you have provided an opportunity for a lesson in language. 'Distraught' is too strong an adjective to describe salmon-viewing." He turned and wrote "distraught" on the instructional board. Beside it he wrote "distracted."

Jonas, nearing his home now, smiled at the recollection. Thinking, still, as he wheeled his bike into its narrow port beside the door, he realized that frightened was the wrong word to describe his feelings, now that December was almost here. It was too strong an adjective.

He had waited a long time for this special December. Now that it was almost upon him, he wasn't frightened, but he was . . . eager, he decided. He was eager for it to come. And he was excited, certainly. All of the Elevens were excited about the event that would be coming so soon.

But there was a little shudder of nervousness when he thought about it, about what might happen.

Apprehensive, Jonas decided. That's what I am.

"Who wants to be the first tonight, for feelings?" Jonas's father asked, at the conclusion of their evening meal.

It was one of the rituals, the evening telling of feelings. Sometimes Jonas and his sister, Lily, argued over turns, over who would get to go first. Their parents, of course, were part of the ritual; they, too, told their feelings each evening. But like all parents-all adults-they didn't fight and wheedle for their turn.

Nor did Jonas, tonight. His feelings were too complicated this evening. He wanted to share them, but he wasn't eager to begin the process of sifting through his own complicated emotions, even with the help that he knew his parents could give.

"You go, Lily," he said, seeing his sister, who was much younger-only a Seven-wiggling with impatience in her chair.

"Why do you think the visitors didn't obey the rules?" Mother asked.

Lily considered, and shook her head. "I don't know. They acted like . . . like . . ."

"Animals?" Jonas suggested. He laughed.

"That's right," Lily said, laughing too. "Like animals." Neither child knew what the word meant, exactly, but it was often used to describe someone uneducated or clumsy, someone who didn't fit in.

"Where were the visitors from?" Father asked.

Lily frowned, trying to remember. "Our leader told us, when he made the welcome speech, but I can't remember. I guess I wasn't paying attention. It was from another community. They had to leave very early, and they had their midday meal on the bus."

Mother nodded. "Do you think it's possible that their rules may be different? And so they simply didn't know what your play area rules were?"

Lily shrugged, and nodded. "I suppose."

"You've visited other communities, haven't you?" Jonas asked. "My group has, often."

Lily nodded again. "When we were Sixes, we went and shared a whole school day with a group of Sixes in their community."

"How did you feel when you were there?"

Lily frowned. "I felt strange. Because their methods were different. They were learning usages that my group hadn't learned yet, so we felt stupid."

Father was listening with interest. "I'm thinking, Lily," he said, "about the boy who didn't obey the rules today. Do you think it's possible that he felt strange and stupid, being in a new place with rules that he didn't know about?"

Lily pondered that. "Yes," she said, finally.

"I feel a little sorry for him," Jonas said, "even though I don't even know him. I feel sorry for anyone who is in a place where he feels strange and stupid."

"How do you feel now, Lily?" Father asked. "Still angry?"

"I guess not," Lily decided. "I guess I feel a little sorry for him. And sorry I made a fist." She grinned.

Jonas smiled back at his sister. Lily's feelings were always straightforward, fairly simple, usually easy to resolve. He guessed that his own had been, too, when he was a Seven.

He listened politely, though not very attentively, while his father took his turn, describing a feeling of worry that he'd had that day at work: a concern about one of the newchildren who wasn't doing well. Jonas's father's title was Nurturer. He and the other Nurturers were responsible for all the physical and emotional needs of every newchild during its earliest life. It was a very important job, Jonas knew, but it wasn't one that interested him much.

"What gender is it?" Lily asked.

"Male," Father said. "He's a sweet little male with a lovely disposition. But he isn't growing as fast as he should, and he doesn't sleep soundly. We have him in the extra care section for supplementary nurturing, but the committee's beginning to talk about releasing him."

Jonas and Lily both nodded sympathetically as well. Release of newchildren was always sad, because they hadn't had a chance to enjoy life within the community yet. And they hadn't done anything wrong.

There were only two occasions of release which were not punishment. Release of the elderly, which was a time of celebration for a life well and fully lived; and release of a newchild, which always brought a sense of what-could-we-have-done. This was especially troubling for the Nurturers, like Father, who felt they had failed somehow. But it happened very rarely.

"Well," Father said, "I'm going to keep trying. I may ask the committee for permission to bring him here at night, if you don't mind. You know what the night-crew Nurturers are like. I think this little guy needs something extra."

"Of course," Mother said, and Jonas and Lily nodded. They had heard Father complain about the night crew before. It was a lesser job, night-crew nurturing, assigned to those who lacked the interest or skills or insight for the more vital jobs of the daytime hours. Most of the people on the night crew had not even been given spouses because they lacked, somehow, the essential capacity to connect to others, which was required for the creation of a family unit.

"Maybe we could even keep him," Lily suggested sweetly, trying to look innocent. The look was fake, Jonas knew; they all knew.

"Lily," Mother reminded her, smiling, "you know the rules."

Two children-one male, one female-to each family unit. It was written very clearly in the rules.

Lily giggled. "Well," she said, "I thought maybe just this once."

Next, Mother, who held a prominent position at the Department of Justice, talked about her feelings. Today a repeat offender had been brought before her, someone who had broken the rules before. Someone who she hoped had been adequately and fairly punished, and who had been restored to his place: to his job, his home, his family unit. To see him brought before her a second time caused her overwhelming feelings of frustration and anger. And even guilt, that she hadn't made a difference in his life.

"I feel frightened, too, for him," she confessed. "You know that there's no third chance. The rules say that if there's a third transgression, he simply has to be released." Jonas shivered. He knew it happened. There was even a boy in his group of Elevens whose father had been released years before. No one ever mentioned it; the disgrace was unspeakable. It was hard to imagine.

Lily stood up and went to her mother. She stroked her mother's arm.

From his place at the table, Father reached over and took her hand. Jonas reached for the other.

One by one, they comforted her. Soon she smiled, thanked them, and murmured that she felt soothed.

The ritual continued. "Jonas?" Father asked. "You're last, tonight."

Jonas sighed. This evening he almost would have preferred to keep his feelings hidden. But it was, of course, against the rules.

"I'm feeling apprehensive," he confessed, glad that the appropriate descriptive word had finally come to him.

"Why is that, son?" His father looked concerned.

"I know there's really nothing to worry about," Jonas explained, "and that every adult has been through it. I know you have, Father, and you too, Mother. But it's the Ceremony that I'm apprehensive about. It's almost December."

Lily looked up, her eyes wide. "The Ceremony of Twelve," she whispered in an awed voice. Even the smallest children-Lily's age and younger-knew that it lay in the future for each of them.

"I'm glad you told us of your feelings," Father said.

"Lily," Mother said, beckoning to the little girl, "go on now and get into your nightclothes. Father and I are going to stay here and talk to Jonas for a while."

Lily sighed, but obediently she got down from her chair. "Privately?" she asked.

Mother nodded. "Yes," she said, "this talk will be a private one with Jonas."

2
Jonas watched as his father poured a fresh cup of coffee. He waited.

"You know," his father finally said, "every December was exciting to me when I was young. And it has been for you and Lily, too, I'm sure. Each December brings such changes."

Jonas nodded. He could remember the Decembers back to when he had become, well, probably a Four. The earlier ones were lost to him. But he observed them each year, and he remembered Lily's earliest Decembers. He remembered when his family received Lily, the day she was named, the day that she had become a One.

The Ceremony for the Ones was always noisy and fun. Each December, all the newchildren born in the previous year turned One. One at a time-there were always fifty in each year's group, if none had been released-they had been brought to the stage by the Nurturers who had cared for them since birth. Some were already walking, wobbly on their unsteady legs; others were no more than a few days old, wrapped in blankets, held by their Nurturers.

"I enjoy the Naming," Jonas said.

His mother agreed, smiling. "The year we got Lily, we knew, of course, that we'd receive our female, because we'd made our application and been approved. But I'd been wondering and wondering what her name would be."

"I could have sneaked a look at the list prior to the ceremony," Father confided. "The committee always makes the list in advance, and it's right there in the office at the Nurturing Center.

"Did you find it?" Jonas asked. He was fascinated. It didn't seem a terribly important rule, but the fact that his father had broken a rule at all awed him. He glanced at his mother, the one responsible for adherence to the rules, and was relieved that she was smiling.

His father nodded. "His name-if he makes it to the Naming without being released, of course-is to be Gabriel. So I whisper that to him when I feed him every four hours, and during exercise and playtime. If no one can hear me.

"I call him Gabe, actually," he said, and grinned.

"Gabe." Jonas tried it out. A good name, he decided.

Though Jonas had only become a Five the year that they acquired Lily and learned her name, he remembered the excitement, the conversations at home, wondering about her: how she would look, who she would be, how she would fit into their established family unit. He remembered climbing the steps to the stage with his parents, his father by his side that year instead of with the Nurturers, since it was the year that he would be given a newchild of his own.

He remembered his mother taking the newchild, his sister, into her arms, while the document was read to the assembled family units. "Newchild Twenty-three," the Namer had read. "Lily."

He remembered his father's look of delight, and that his father had whispered, "She's one of my favorites. I was hoping for her to be the one." The crowd had clapped, and Jonas had grinned. He liked his sister's name. Lily, barely awake, had waved her small fist. Then they had stepped down to make room for the next family unit.

"When I was an Eleven," his father said now, "as you are, Jonas, I was very impatient, waiting for the Ceremony of Twelve. It's a long two days. I remember that I enjoyed the Ones, as I always do, but that I didn't pay much attention to the other ceremonies, except for my sister's. She became a Nine that year, and got her bicycle. I'd been teaching her to ride mine, even though technically I wasn't supposed to."

There was talk about changing the rule and giving the bicycles at an earlier age. A committee was studying the idea. When something went to a committee for study, the people always joked about it. They said that the committee members would become Elders by the time the rule change was made.

Rules were very hard to change. Sometimes, if it was a very important rule-unlike the one governing the age for bicycles-it would have to go, eventually, to The Receiver for a decision. The Receiver was the most important Elder. Jonas had never even seen him, that he knew of; someone in a position of such importance lived and worked alone. But the committee would never bother The Receiver with a question about bicycles; they would simply fret and argue about it themselves for years, until the citizens forgot that it had ever gone to them for study.

Jonas shivered. He pictured his father, who must have been a shy and quiet boy, for he was a shy and quiet man, seated with his group, waiting to be called to the stage. The Ceremony of Twelve was the last of the Ceremonies. The most important.

"I remember how proud my parents looked-and my sister, too; even though she wanted to be out riding the bicycle publicly, she stopped fidgeting and was very still and attentive when my turn came.

"But to be honest, Jonas," his father said, "for me there was not the element of suspense that there is with your Ceremony. Because I was already fairly certain of what my Assignment was to be."

Jonas was surprised. There was no way, really, to know in advance. It was a secret selection, made by the leaders of the community, the Committee of Elders, who took the responsibility so seriously that there were never even any jokes made about Assignments.

His mother seemed surprised, too. "How could you have known?" she asked.

His father smiled his gentle smile. "Well, it was clear to me-and my parents later confessed that it had been obvious to them, too-what my aptitude was. I had always loved the newchildren more than anything. When my friends in my age group were holding bicycle races, or building toy vehicles or bridges with their construction sets, or-"

"All the things I do with my friends," Jonas pointed out, and his mother nodded in agreement.

"I always participated, of course, because as children we must experience all of those things. And I studied hard in school, as you do, Jonas. But again and again, during free time, I found myself drawn to the newchildren. I spent almost all of my volunteer hours helping in the Nurturing Center. Of course the Elders knew that, from their observation."

Jonas nodded. During the past year he had been aware of the increasing level of observation. In school, at recreation time, and during volunteer hours, he had noticed the Elders watching him and the other Elevens. He had seen them taking notes. He knew, too, that the Elders were meeting for long hours with all of the instructors that he and the other Elevens had had during their years of school.

"So I expected it, and I was pleased, but not at all surprised, when my Assignment was announced as Nurturer," Father explained.

"Did everyone applaud, even though they weren't surprised?" Jonas asked.

"Oh, of course. They were happy for me, that my Assignment was what I wanted most. I felt very fortunate." His father smiled.

"Were any of the Elevens disappointed, your year?" Jonas asked. Unlike his father, he had no idea what his Assignment would be. But he knew that some would disappoint him. Though he respected his father's work, Nurturer would not be his wish. And he didn't envy Laborers at all.

His father thought. "No, I don't think so. Of course the Elders are so careful in their observations and selections."

"I think it's probably the most important job in our community," his mother commented.

"My friend Yoshiko was surprised by her selection as Doctor," Father said, "but she was thrilled. And let's see, there was Andrei-I remember that when we were boys he never wanted to do physical things. He spent all the recreation time he could with his construction set, and his volunteer hours were always on building sites. The Elders knew that, of course. Andrei was given the Assignment of Engineer and he was delighted."

"Andrei later designed the bridge that crosses the river to the west of town," Jonas's mother said. "It wasn't there when we were children."

"There are very rarely disappointments, Jonas. I don't think you need to worry about that," his father reassured him. "And if there are, you know there's an appeal process." But they all laughed at that-an appeal went to a committee for study.

His father chuckled. "You know," he said, "I remember when Asher was a newchild at the Nurturing Center, before he was named. He never cried. He giggled and laughed at everything. All of us on the staff enjoyed nurturing Asher."

"The Elders know Asher," his mother said. "They'll find exactly the right Assignment for him. I don't think you need to worry about him. But, Jonas, let me warn you about something that may not have occurred to you. I know I didn't think about it until after my Ceremony of Twelve."

"What's that?"

"Well, it's the last of the Ceremonies, as you know. After Twelve, age isn't important. Most of us even lose track of how old we are as time passes, though the information is in the Hall of Open Records, and we could go and look it up if we wanted to. What's important is the preparation for adult life, and the training you'll receive in your Assignment."

"I know that," Jonas said. "Everyone knows that."

"But it means," his mother went on, "that you'll move into a new group. And each of your friends will. You'll no longer be spending your time with your group of Elevens. After the Ceremony of Twelve, you'll be with your Assignment group, with those in training. No more volunteer hours. No more recreation hours. So your friends will no longer be as close."

Jonas shook his head. "Asher and I will always be friends," he said firmly. "And there will still be school."

"That's true," his father agreed. "But what your mother said is true as well. There will be changes."

"Did you still play at all, after Twelve?" Jonas asked.

"Occasionally," his mother replied. "But it didn't seem as important to me."

"I did," his father said, laughing. "I still do. Every day, at the Nurturing Center, I play bounce-on-the-knee, and peek-a-boo, and hug-the-teddy." He reached over and stroked Jonas's neatly trimmed hair. "Fun doesn't end when you become Twelve."

"Lily," her mother said fondly, "you're very close to being an Eight, and when you're an Eight, your comfort object will be taken away. It will be recycled to the younger children. You should be starting to go off to sleep without it."

But her father had already gone to the shelf and taken down the stuffed elephant which was kept there. Many of the comfort objects, like Lily's, were soft, stuffed, imaginary creatures. Jonas's had been called a bear.

"Here you are, Lily-billy," he said. "I'll come help you remove your hair ribbons."

Jonas and his mother rolled their eyes, yet they watched affectionately as Lily and her father headed to her sleeping room with the stuffed elephant that had been given to her as her comfort object when she was born. His mother moved to her big desk and opened her briefcase; her work never seemed to end, even when she was at home in the evening. Jonas went to his own desk and began to sort through his school papers for the evening's assignment. But his mind was still on December and the coming Ceremony.

Though he had been reassured by the talk with his parents, he hadn't the slightest idea what Assignment the Elders would be selecting for his future, or how he might feel about it when the day came.

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The Giver: A Newbery Award Winner (Giver Quartet, 1)

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Amazon.com: The Giver: A Newbery Award Winner (Giver Quartet, 1): 9780544336261: Lowry, Lois: Books

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#ScienceFiction #science #storytime #chapterbook #fiction

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Ben Magid is a best-selling author and professional WGA screenwriter. Originally from Chicago, Ben now lives in Los Angeles with his partner Ciana, two daughters, and dog Finn.

Before he started writing, Ben studied film at Columbia College Chicago. He sold his first screenplay, Pan, in 2006, and has been writing ever since. When not dreaming up fantastic stories, he enjoys adventuring, from running with the bulls in Pamplona, climbing some of the world's tallest mountains, and building epic LEGO sets.

If you want to know more about Ben and his next releases, follow him on Twitter @benmagid, and please visit his website benmagid.com, where you can sign up to receive emails about future books.

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No Man's Land (The Robosapien Trilogy Book 1)

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No Man's Land (The Robosapien Trilogy Book 1) - Kindle edition by Magid, Ben. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading No Man's Land (The Robosapien Trilogy Book 1).

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#fantasy #chapterbook #mystery #funny #love

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For those who wish that Narnia, Harry Potter, and Alice in Wonderland could go on forever, Croswald opens a whole new world of magic!

In this series opener, Ivy believes she is the only unmagical creature in a rich fantasy world, where gems are rife with power, quills cast spells, and dragons fill the sky. She must step into wonderland, discover her power at a magical academy, and find out who she truly is before it's too late.

When she crosses a magical boundary, Ivy discovers a realm of enchantment and mystery. Making friends that will last a lifetime-and save her life-she steps into her own abilities and discovers more about her hidden past, her magical blood, and the power of Croswald's mystical stones. But all is not well: a dark history and an evil Queen threaten all that is good. Will Ivy's bravery and wit be enough?

Recommended as a read-aloud for families and an independent middle-grade fantasy read, The Crowns of Croswald is an award-winning, four-book series that will carry readers to a whimsical world that they won't want to leave.

Don't miss the thrilling second book, The Girl with the Whispering Shadow !

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The Crowns of Croswald: A Magical Fantasy Adventure for Tweens and Teens Ages 9-13, Grades 4-7 (Croswald Series Book 1)

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Amazon.com: The Crowns of Croswald: A Magical Fantasy Adventure for Tweens and Teens Ages 9-13, Grades 4-7 (Croswald Series Book 1): 9798985378221: D.E. Night, Jessie Chatigny: Books

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#dystopian #chapterbook #gifted #readallowd #thriller

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In a world where resources are dwindling, natural selection has taken a new turn.

The Olympics, which take place every year, weed out the weak. The problem is that Eden is one of the weak, and she's not ready to be eliminated.

Her best friend, Xander, will easily win a medal in the Olympics and be granted the chance to reach adulthood.

Eden, on the other hand, will enter the fight for her life and is willing to use any dirty tricks necessary to make sure she receives a medal.

Will she be able to win a medal, and if she doesn't, what does 'eliminated' really mean?

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The Final Olympics: A YA Dystopian Novel

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In a world where resources are dwindling, natural selection has taken a new turn. The Olympics, which take place every year, weed out the weak. The problem is that Eden is one of the weak, and she's not ready to be eliminated. Her best friend, Xander, will easily win a medal in the Olympics and b...

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#magicalrealism #magic #realism #fox #thriller

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The first novel in the Chinese bestselling White Fox series, translated by Jennifer Feeley.

A young white fox called Dilah returns home to find his mother gravely injured. Before she dies, she tells him about a treasure with the power to make animals human. The clues to its location are contained in a moonstone buried beneath their den. But wicked blue foxes seek the treasure too and Dilah must race to find it first. Along the way, he meets all sorts of other creatures: a friendly seal, an ancient tortoise and a fierce leopard - but can he stay one step ahead?

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White Fox (The White Fox) [Jiatong, Chen] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. White Fox (The White Fox)

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#realistliterature #realist #science #nonfiction #factual

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Kevin Kurtz writes mainly nonfiction children's books about science and nature. During his career he has worked in a marine biology lab, a marine biology research ship, a marine geology research ship, an aquarium, a bird of prey center, and a science museum. He draws on these experiences with each of his books.

Kevin regularly provides live and remote author visits to schools to inspire students and teach them about reading, writing, science, and nature. You can learn more about him and his books at http://www.kevkurtz.com.

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The Fascinating Science Book for Kids: 500 Amazing Facts! (Fascinating Facts)

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The Fascinating Science Book for Kids: 500 Amazing Facts! (Fascinating Facts) [Kurtz MA, Kevin] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Fascinating Science Book for Kids: 500 Amazing Facts! (Fascinating Facts)

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#animals #happy #picturebook #youngreaders #simple

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What Makes Animals Smile [O'Gorman, Irene] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. What Makes Animals Smile

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#otter #animals #love #sad #early readers

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An adorable introduction to friendship for pre-readers, this picture book follows the journey of an otter teaching little ones about courage and the true meaning of love.This children's book on friendship offers:More in the Series

Nobody knows what it means to be alone more than Otto, the lonely otter. Otto is very shy, so some things are just harder for him to do... like making friends. When Otto spots another otter, all on her own, he thinks he's finally found someone just like him. But can he pluck up the courage to swim across and meet her?

- A sweet story for the love-liest time of the year, about a shy otter who finds joy in being alone, while also finding the courage to step out of his comfort zone and make room for others.

At DK, we believe in the power of discovery.

So why stop there?

If you like
- A gentle introduction to discussing emotions, boosting self-esteem, overcoming worries and building positive relationships.
- Beautifully illustrated pages that accompany the charming narrative text.
- A small format with sturdy pages that is suitable for small hands to hold.

Dive into the sea and meet a lonely otter, who learns a lesson in love: loving himself and finding his place with others. Featuring whimsical illustrations and an exciting shiny cover, this book is sure to make its way into the hearts of adults and children alike, as they follow along to see if this lonely otter ever finds his perfect match!

This lovely, heartwarming book about being brave and daring to step out of the shadows reminds little ones that being alone doesn't always mean you are lonely. This Valentine's-inspired book for children aged 0-5 is from the bestselling series that includes The Happy Pumpkin, The Grumpy Reindeer and The Sleepy Bunny and shows children the magic of friendship.

The Lonely Otter, then why not try other titles in this bestselling board book series? Go on a Halloween adventure with The Happy Pumpkin , or get ready for the festive season with The Grumpy Reindeer !

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The Lonely Otter: A Heart-warming Story About Love and Friendship (First Seasonal Stories)

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The Lonely Otter: A Heart-warming Story About Love and Friendship (First Seasonal Stories) [DK] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Lonely Otter: A Heart-warming Story About Love and Friendship (First Seasonal Stories)

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#otters #love #valentines #bonding #sweet

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A USA Today bestseller! Give hedgehugs and kisses to your little squeakheart with this pun-tastic, funny baby book, the perfect gift for Valentine's Day or any occasion!

There's no better way to say "I love you" than with a sweet and heartfelt animal pun book! I Love You Like No Otter combines a warm message of love with beautifully illustrated animals families will love to read and share together. From baby shower gifts for new parents to bedtime read alouds all year long, this adorable board book is purrfect for anyone you love beary much!

I love you like no otter. You truly are the best.

My special little squeakheart, a step above the rest.

Babies and toddlers ages 0-3. Made just for their little hands!

Valentine's Day, Mother's, or Father's Day gifts

Baby shower gifts for new parents

Holiday stocking or Easter basket stuffers

Birthdays and other special moments all year long

More charming stories from Punderland, the perfect gift for any occasion:

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I Love You Like No Otter: A Funny and Sweet Valentine's Day Board Book for Babies and Toddlers (Punderland)

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I Love You Like No Otter: A Funny and Sweet Valentine's Day Board Book for Babies and Toddlers (Punderland) [Rossner, Rose, Hanson, Sydney] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. I Love You Like No Otter: A Funny and Sweet Valentine's Day Board Book for Babies and Toddlers (Punderland)

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#catapillar #funnny #cute #classic #simple

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#bears #animals #mystery #humerous #simple

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Bill Martin Jr, an elementary-school principal, teacher, writer, and poet, held a doctoral degree in early childhood education. His many books, among them the bestselling classics Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?; Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?; Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?; and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, are a testament to his ability to speak directly to children.

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Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

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A big happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse, and a soft yellow duck--all parade across the pages of this delightful book. Children will immediately respond to Eric Carle's flat, boldly colored collages. Combined with Bill Martin's singsong text, they create unforgettable images of...

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#mystery #love #adventure #simple #short

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A gentle, simple story that explores the fear of being separated from loved ones, always with the reassurance that "I promise I'll find you." A classic, thoughtful and timeless story.

A beloved classic that continues to reassure children.

I Promise I'll Find You is a moving story that parents will love reading to and sharing with their children again and again.

The fear of being separated from loved ones is a universal emotion. Consider a child who feels lost -- wandering away from home, becoming separated in a crowd, or feeling frightened in a new and strange place.

I Promise I'll Find You is a perennial favorite of parents and children alike; it's like a comforting hug, a warm lap, a reassuring kiss and the enveloping arms of a parent who pledges, no matter what happens, "I promise I'll find you."

In 11 warm and simple verses, Heather Patricia Ward delivers a timeless message of reassurance. Sheila McGraw's imaginative illustrations show a devoted mother and an amusing dog as they search the world over for a lost child: at sea, in the city, over mountains and even in outer space.

Together, parents and children will enjoy the gentle language and the calm, reassuring pictures of this thoughtful and important book.

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I Promise I'll Find You [Ward, Heather Patricia, McGraw, Sheila] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. I Promise I'll Find You

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#DrSuess #funny #rhyme #humerous #food

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Join in the fun with Sam-I-Am in this iconic classic by Dr. Seuss that will have readers of all ages craving Green Eggs and Ham! This is a beloved classic from the bestselling author of Horton Hears a Who!, The Lorax, and Oh, the Places You'll Go! I do not likeThe Cat in the Hat , this beloved early reader series motivates children to read on their own by using simple words with illustrations that give clues to their meaning. Featuring a combination of kid appeal, supportive vocabulary, and bright, cheerful art, Beginner Books will encourage a love of reading in children ages 3-7.
green eggs and ham.
I do not like them,

With unmistakable characters and signature rhymes, Dr. Seuss's beloved favorite has cemented its place as a children's classic. Kids will love the terrific tongue-twisters as the list of places to enjoy green eggs and ham gets longer and longer...and they might even learn a thing or two about trying new things!

And don't miss the Netflix series adaptation!

Beginner Books are fun, funny, and easy to read! Launched by Dr. Seuss in 1957 with the publication of
Sam-I-am.

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Amazon.com: Green Eggs and Ham: 0079808800167: Dr. Seuss: Books

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#animals #funny #mystery #silly #lizzards

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Discover an instant classic with a mischievous twist that will keep your family laughing for days!

When a lazy lizard is simply trying to relax, SPLAT! His day is ruined by a very unwelcome surprise. Join him on his hilarious quest to discover the culprit and learn an important lesson about things not always being what they seem.

With colorful illustrations that leap from every page, this adorable children's book is a laugh-out-loud adventure that will amuse both parents and children alike. Take a trip into the jungle to answer the very important question: Who Pooped on Me?

Funny and entertaining, this book also shows children the importance of not jumping to conclusions and that things are not always as they seem. Perfect for parents and educators who are searching for a silly bedtime story or a light-hearted story with an important lesson. Who Pooped on Me? is an endearing story that captures children's imaginations with its simple layout and comical story.

Makes a great gift for boys and girls ages 4-99. Works as the perfect silly bedtime story or for a fun discussion in the classroom.

Grab your copy today and start reading!

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Amazon.com: Who Pooped on Me?: 9780997567366: David Cunliffe, Ivan Barrera: Books

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#reptiles #snakes #lizzards #science #funny

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Since an early age Jill McDonald has loved to draw and especially loved color. Growing up in the Midwest she was encouraged to explore her talent. Jill graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a major in Textile Design. She went on to work as a print stylist in New York for Gap Inc. design headquarters. Following that she returned to the Midwest to work as an Illustrator for Hallmark Cards.

In 2004 Jill started her own design studio & over the years has worked with an wide array of clients like The Land of Nod, Pottery Barn Kids, The Company Kids, Oopsy Daisy, Random House, Scholastic, Barefoot Books, C.R. Gibson, Target & many more. Jill's art has been applied to an array of products from bedding, wall art, books, puzzle, holiday decor & so much more.

Jill's art is bright, bold with a quirky twist. She likes to add a touch of education when she can.

In her spare time she likes to do yoga, spend time with her husband & son, pick flowers and drink coffee.

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Hello, World! Reptiles [McDonald, Jill] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Hello, World! Reptiles

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#oceanlife #ocean #science #animals #seies

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Since an early age Jill McDonald has loved to draw and especially loved color. Growing up in the Midwest she was encouraged to explore her talent. Jill graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a major in Textile Design. She went on to work as a print stylist in New York for Gap Inc. design headquarters. Following that she returned to the Midwest to work as an Illustrator for Hallmark Cards.

In 2004 Jill started her own design studio & over the years has worked with an wide array of clients like The Land of Nod, Pottery Barn Kids, The Company Kids, Oopsy Daisy, Random House, Scholastic, Barefoot Books, C.R. Gibson, Target & many more. Jill's art has been applied to an array of products from bedding, wall art, books, puzzle, holiday decor & so much more.

Jill's art is bright, bold with a quirky twist. She likes to add a touch of education when she can.

In her spare time she likes to do yoga, spend time with her husband & son, pick flowers and drink coffee.

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Hello, World! Ocean Life [McDonald, Jill] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Hello, World! Ocean Life

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#weather #science #seasons #rain #series

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Since an early age Jill McDonald has loved to draw and especially loved color. Growing up in the Midwest she was encouraged to explore her talent. Jill graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a major in Textile Design. She went on to work as a print stylist in New York for Gap Inc. design headquarters. Following that she returned to the Midwest to work as an Illustrator for Hallmark Cards.

In 2004 Jill started her own design studio & over the years has worked with an wide array of clients like The Land of Nod, Pottery Barn Kids, The Company Kids, Oopsy Daisy, Random House, Scholastic, Barefoot Books, C.R. Gibson, Target & many more. Jill's art has been applied to an array of products from bedding, wall art, books, puzzle, holiday decor & so much more.

Jill's art is bright, bold with a quirky twist. She likes to add a touch of education when she can.

In her spare time she likes to do yoga, spend time with her husband & son, pick flowers and drink coffee.

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Amazon.com: Hello, World! Weather: 9780553521016: McDonald, Jill: Books

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#solarsystem #planets #starts #earth #science #series

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Since an early age Jill McDonald has loved to draw and especially loved color. Growing up in the Midwest she was encouraged to explore her talent. Jill graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a major in Textile Design. She went on to work as a print stylist in New York for Gap Inc. design headquarters. Following that she returned to the Midwest to work as an Illustrator for Hallmark Cards.

In 2004 Jill started her own design studio & over the years has worked with an wide array of clients like The Land of Nod, Pottery Barn Kids, The Company Kids, Oopsy Daisy, Random House, Scholastic, Barefoot Books, C.R. Gibson, Target & many more. Jill's art has been applied to an array of products from bedding, wall art, books, puzzle, holiday decor & so much more.

Jill's art is bright, bold with a quirky twist. She likes to add a touch of education when she can.

In her spare time she likes to do yoga, spend time with her husband & son, pick flowers and drink coffee.

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Hello, World! Solar System [McDonald, Jill] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Hello, World! Solar System

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#plants #garden #science #series #animals

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Since an early age Jill McDonald has loved to draw and especially loved color. Growing up in the Midwest she was encouraged to explore her talent. Jill graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a major in Textile Design. She went on to work as a print stylist in New York for Gap Inc. design headquarters. Following that she returned to the Midwest to work as an Illustrator for Hallmark Cards.

In 2004 Jill started her own design studio & over the years has worked with an wide array of clients like The Land of Nod, Pottery Barn Kids, The Company Kids, Oopsy Daisy, Random House, Scholastic, Barefoot Books, C.R. Gibson, Target & many more. Jill's art has been applied to an array of products from bedding, wall art, books, puzzle, holiday decor & so much more.

Jill's art is bright, bold with a quirky twist. She likes to add a touch of education when she can.

In her spare time she likes to do yoga, spend time with her husband & son, pick flowers and drink coffee.

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Hello, World! Garden Time [McDonald, Jill] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Hello, World! Garden Time

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#friendship #acceptance #diversity #garden #communitybuilding

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The Author

Ophelia Bard was born in Paris, France. Her never-quenched curiosity led her to live and work in many places and among widely different cultures, including Nepal, Thailand, New Zealand, Malta, and the Caribbean.

She now gets to share her passion for outdoors and exploration with her husband and their two children.

Ophelia works in specialized education as a behavior therapist, where she assists kids of all backgrounds and ages in finding the paths most meaningful to them. Through her stories, she hopes to inspire children to believe in themselves, explore the unknown, and trust in the beauty of the world around them.

A Colourful Garden is her first published book and very close to her heart.

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A Colourful Garden: A Story about Diversity, Acceptance and Friendship

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Amazon.com: A Colourful Garden: A Story about Diversity, Acceptance and Friendship eBook : Bard, Ophelia, Kuchynskaya, Maria: Kindle Store

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#celebration #funny #acceptance #love #dragon

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Happy Birthday, Dragon!: Celebrate The Perfect Birthday For Your Dragon. A Cute and Fun Children Story To Teach Kids To Celebrate Birthday (My Dragon Books)

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Happy Birthday, Dragon!: Celebrate The Perfect Birthday For Your Dragon. A Cute and Fun Children Story To Teach Kids To Celebrate Birthday (My Dragon Books) [Herman, Steve] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Happy Birthday, Dragon!: Celebrate The Perfect Birthday For Your Dragon. A Cute and Fun Children Story To Teach Kids To Celebrate Birthday (My Dragon Books)

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#animals #zoo #chapterbooks #funny #thriller

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A fast-paced and exciting read for middle grade fantasy, mystery, and animal buffs. Something strange is happening at the Clarksville City Zoo. Late at night, monkeys are scaling the walls and searching the neighborhood-but what are they looking for?

Noah, his sister Megan, and their best friends, Richie and Ella, live next door to the zoo. Megan is the first to notice the puzzling behavior of some of the animals. One day Megan disappears, and her brother and their friends realize it's up to them to find her. Their only choice is to follow a series of clues and sneak into the zoo. But once inside, they discover there's much more to the Clarksville City Zoo than they could ever have guessed...

The author originally had the idea for The Secret Zoo when he was nine and wondered what would happen if zoo exhibits had secret doors that allowed kids to go inside-and the animals to come outside. He brings that sense of adventure and excitement to this story, making it a favorite for home and classroom reading along with such middle grade fantasy favorites as The One and Only Ivan.

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The Secret Zoo [Chick, Bryan] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Secret Zoo

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#series #mystery #fantasy #girls #friendship

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When eight-year-old Hazel and her little sister, Bess, visit their grandparents' farmhouse for the summer, they're given one big rule to follow: Just don't go in the attic.

Of course, that's the first rule Bess breaks. And rule-following Hazel doesn't have a choice. She knows it's wrong to go in, but she has to get her sister out. And that's when she discovers the reason behind the rule, a hidden time machine and a trunk full of stolen items from history.

It's the beginning of a family mystery that takes the girls all through time to return stolen items while trying not to ruin history.

The first stop on this time travel adventure is to 1738 to meet a young George Washington and learn that you don't have to wait to grow up to know you have what it takes to succeed in life.

Books in this series:

First stop: 1738 to meet a young George Washington, and learn that the qualities of leadership can show up at any age.

Never Give Up:

Second stop: 1879 to meet Thomas Edison, and learn that success often includes failure, and lots of it. The trick is to never give up.

Third stop: 1849 to meet Harriet Tubman and learn that courage sometimes means taking the hard road in order to help everyone get on the right road.

Fourth stop: 1916 to meet Marie Curie during WWI, and learn that we can all reach new heights when we all work together to get there.

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Amazon.com: Secrets: The Time Machine Girls: 9781519385031: Jones, Ernestine Tito: Books

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#magic #education #girls #funny #thriller

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A.M. Luzzader is an award-winning children's author who writes chapter books and middle grade books. She specializes in writing books for preteens. A.M.'s fantasy adventure series 'A Mermaid in Middle Grade' is a magical coming of age book for ages 8-12. She is also the author of the 'Hannah Saves the World' series, which is a children's mystery adventure, and 'Arthur Blackwood's Scary Stories for Kids Who Like Scary Stories' series, a collection of short horror stories for boys and girls.

A.M. decided she wanted to write fun stories for kids when she was still a kid herself. By the time she was in fourth grade, she was already writing short stories. In fifth grade, she bought a typewriter at a garage sale to put her words into print, and in sixth grade she added illustrations. Now that she has decided what she wants to be when she grows up, A.M. writes books for girls and boys full time. She was selected as the Writer of the Year in 2019-2020 by the League of Utah Writers.

A.M. is the mother of a 10-year-old and a 13-year-old who often inspire her stories. She lives with her husband and children in northern Utah. She is a devout cat person and avid reader.

A.M. Luzzader's books are appropriate for ages 5-12. Her chapter books are intended for kindergarten to third grade, and her middle grade books are for third grade through sixth grade. Find out more about A.M., sign up to receive her newsletter, and get special offers at her website: www.amluzzader.com.

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Kate: A Magic School for Girls Chapter Book (A Magic School for Girls Chapter Book Series)

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Kate, Bailey, and Julie are super excited! The three friends have turned eight years old, which means they can finally go to Miss Annie's Magic School, where they'll learn to fly on brooms, cast magic spells, and learn important lessons as they study to become witches. But Miss Annie's School isn...

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#friendship #bonds #fame #choices #mystery

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An intermediate chapter book for preteen girls ages 8-12! Torn between her best friend and the cool kids...

Mia Vigore has an amazing voice and loves to sing, but she's shy and introverted. With the help of her best friend Siarra, she finds the courage to join Senior Choir.

As Mia learns to share her talent, other students take notice, especially the competition. Mia decides to train with a more experienced singer and her friendship with Siarra becomes strained. With the prestigious Winter Festival solo on the line, Mia wonders if she has what it takes to be in the spotlight.

As she struggles through challenging new situations, a strained friendship, and troubles at home, can Mia discover what is really most important to her?

Friendship or Fame is an exciting, fast-paced story about a smart, thoughtful young girl trying to find her voice.

Will Mia give up on her dream of performing at the prestigious Winter Festival, or can she find the strength to be true to herself. Does she need to choose between friendship and fame?

Friendship or Fame is ideal for middle grade girls aged 8-12.

The Step-By-Step series are realistic, coming-of-age stories featuring smart, funny, authentic characters dealing with challenging situations.

If your child enjoys Kate DiCamillo, Junie B Jones, and The Babysitter's Club, then don't miss Friendship or Fame by Paul Breau.Recommended for: grade three, grade four, grade five, and grade six girls

Recommended reading levels: Intermediate chapter books and middle grade books for girls
Recommended for ages: eight, nine, ten, eleven, and twelve-year old girls
Friendship or Fame and all books in the entire friendship series can be read in any order.

What Amazon readers are saying:
★★★★★ "Really enjoyed this middle school book about friendship and singing together. Mia not only finds her voice she also finds the true meaning of friendship. I highly recommend this book to all fifth and six graders. Adults will find it interesting as well."
★★★★★ "The author leaves each chapter hanging and unresolved to encourage the child to continue reading. I will be sending her more of his books."
★★★★★ "The characters are relatable and sensitively written. I gave this book to my eight year old great granddaughter and she loves it."
★★★★★ "Mia is an extremely vivid, three-dimensional character, and her struggles are so real and relatable. Highly recommended!"
★★★★★ "I was drawn into the reality of Mia's internal & external dramas, and had to keep reading to find out how she managed her next challenge! Mia is wraught so perfectly as the quiet talented girl, and she plays the final scene in the limelight with total grace" Great for fans of:

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Friendship or Fame: Mia Finds Her Voice (A chapter book for girls aged 8-12 about friendship and singing in the choir) (Step-By-Step)

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Amazon.com: Friendship or Fame: Mia Finds Her Voice (A chapter book for girls aged 8-12 about friendship and singing in the choir) (Step-By-Step): 9781999232290: Breau, Paul: Books

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#friendship #diversity #series #chapterbook #differnces

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Praise for 365 DAYS OF WONDER: Best of Children's Books Best of Children's Books Best of Children's Books Best of Children's Books is the best kids' book of the year.""It's in the bigger themes that Palacio's writing shines. This book is a glorious exploration of the nature of friendship, tenacity, fear, and most importantly, kindness.""Few first novels pack more of a punch: it's a rare story with the power to open eyes--and hearts--to what it's like to be singled out for a difference you can't control, when all you want is to be just another face in the crowd.""Palacio makes it feel not only effortless but downright graceful, and by the stand-up-and-cheer conclusion, readers will be doing just that, and feeling as if they are part of this troubled but ultimately warm-hearted community."
Kirkus Reviews
"Not only a companion to
Starred Review, Wonder, Praise for WONDER: #1 New York Times School Library Journal

A Publishers Weekly

A Kirkus Reviews

A

" Wonder is essentially ... a wonder. It's well-written, engaging, and so much fun to read that the pages almost turn themselves. More than that, Wonder touches the heart in the most life-affirming, unexpected ways, delivering in August Pullman a character whom readers will remember forever. Do yourself a favor and read this book - your life will be better for it. " - Nicholas Sparks , #1 New York Times : Wonder : :

Entertainment Weekly:
"In a wonder of a debut, Palacio has written a crackling page-turner filled with characters you can't help but root for."
The New York Times
Wonder is a book about seeing the beauty that's all around us.
"Rich and memorable...It's Auggie and the rest of the children who are the real heart of 'Wonder,' and Palacio captures the voices of girls and boys, fifth graders and teenagers, with equal skill."
The Wall Street Journal
I dare you not to fall in love with Auggie Pullman. Rebecca Stead
"What makes R.J. Palacio's debut novel so remarkable, and so lovely, is the uncommon generosity with which she tells Auggie's story...The result is a beautiful, funny and sometimes sob-making story of quiet transformation."
The Huffington Post

"Full of heart, full of truth, , Newbery award-winning author of "It is the deceptive simplicity and honesty of the work that make Wonder so memorable. Every single character seems real and well drawn and oh-so human ...This book is beautiful." - Christopher Paul Curtis , Newbery award-winning author of Bud, Not Buddy A beautiful story of kindness and courage. There are many real and well-developed characters, and they each have their shining moments. Of course, Auggie shines the brightest." - Clare Vanderpool , Newbery award-winning author of Moon Over Manifest Wonder is a beautifully told story about heartache, love, and the value of human life . One comes away from it wanting to be a better person." - Patricia Reilly Giff , two-time Newbery honor-winning author of Lily's Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods "Wonder is a shining jewel of a story that cannot help but encourage readers of all ages to do better, to be better, in how they treat others in life. I'm totally in love with this novel." - Trudy Ludwig , anti-bullying advocate and author of My Secret Bully , Confessions of a Former Bully , Better Than You , and Just Kidding Starred Review, Starred Review, : Starred Review, : Publishers Weekly

Starred Review,

School Library Journal
"Palacio has an exceptional knack for writing realistic conversation and describing the thoughts and emotions of the characters...A well-written, thought-provoking book. Kirkus Reviews
"A memorable story of kindness, courage and wonder."

R. J. PALACIO lives in NYC with her husband, two sons, and two dogs. For more than twenty years, she was an art director and graphic designer, designing book jackets for other people while waiting for the perfect time in her life to start writing her own novel. But one day several years ago, a chance encounter with an extraordinary child in front of an ice cream store made R. J. realize that the perfect time to write that novel had finally come. Wonder is her first novel. She did not design the cover, but she sure does love it.Wonder

Learn more about R.J. Palacio and the world of at wonderthebook.com.

Ordinary

Okay, okay, okay.

I know, I know, I know.

I haven't been nice to August Pullman!

Big deal. It's not the end of the world, people! Let's stop with the drama, okay? There's a whole big world out there, and not everyone is nice to everyone else. That's just the way it is. So, can you please get over it? I think it's time to move on and get on with your life, don't you?

Jeez!

I don't get it. I really don't. One minute, I'm like, the most popular kid in the fifth grade. And the next minute, I'm like, I don't know. Whatever. This bites. This whole year bites! I wish Auggie Pullman had never come to Beecher Prep in the first place! I wish he had kept his creepy little face hidden away like in The Phantom of the Opera or something. Put a mask on, Auggie! Get your face out of my face, please. Everything would be a lot easier if you would just disappear.

At least for me. I'm not saying it's a picnic for him, either, by the way. I know it can't be easy for him to look in the mirror every day, or walk down the street. But that's not my problem. My problem is that everything's different since he's been coming to my school. The kids are different. I'm different. And it sucks big-time.

I wish everything was the way it used to be in the fourth grade. We had so, so, so much fun back then. We would play tackle-tag in the yard, and not to brag, but everyone always wanted a piece of me, you know? I'm just sayin'. Everyone always wanted to be my partner when we'd do social studies projects. And everyone always laughed when I said something funny.

At lunchtime, I'd always sit with my peeps, and we were like, it. We were totally it. Henry. Miles. Amos. Jack. We were it! It was so cool. We had all these secret jokes. Little hand signals for stuff.

I don't know why that had to change. I don't know why everyone got so stupid about stuff.

Actually, I do know why: it was because of Auggie Pullman. The moment he showed up, that's when things stopped being the way they used to be. Everything was totally ordinary. And now things are messed up. And it's because of him.

And Mr. Tushman. In fact, it's kind of totally Mr. Tushman's fault.

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Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories [Palacio, R. J.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories

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#diversity #chapterbook #friendship #hardtimes #love

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#thriller #mystery #adventure #achapterbook #series

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PW's starred review of the 1999 Newbery Medal winner described it as a "dazzling blend of social commentary, tall tale and magic realism." Ages 10-up. (May)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Winner of the Newbery Medal
Winner of the National Book Award
#1 New York Times Bestseller
A New York Public Library's 100 Great Children's Books 100 Years Selection dazzling blend of social commentary, tall tale and magic realism." -Publishers Weekly, Starred Review kids will love Holes . " -School Library Journal, Starred Review engrossing adventure. " -Kirkus Reviews delightfully clever story is well-crafted and thought-provoking." -VOYA This is a can't-put-it-down read. " -The Bulletin

"[Sachar] comes fully, brilliantly into his own voice.

Stanley Yelnats is under a curse. A curse that began with his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather and has since followed generations of Yelnats. Now Stanley has been unjustly sent to a boys' detention center, Camp Green Lake, where the warden makes the boys "build character" by spending all day, every day, digging holes: five feet wide and five feet deep. It doesn't take long for Stanley to realize there's more than character improvement going on at Camp Green Lake. The boys are digging holes because the warden is looking for something. Stanley tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment--and redemption.

Stanley Yelnats tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment-and redemption.

Louis Sachar is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Holes , which won the Newbery Medal, the National Book Award, and the Christopher Award, as well as Stanley Yelnats' Survival to Camp Green Lake ; Small Steps , winner of the Schneider Family Book Award; and The Cardturner , a Publishers Weekly Best Book, a Parents' Choice Gold Award recipient, and an ALA-YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Book. His books for younger readers include There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom, The Boy Who Lost His Face, Dogs Don't Tell Jokes, and the Marvin Redpost series, among many others.

Stanley Yelnats was the only passenger on the bus, not counting the driver or the guard. The guard sat next to the driver with his seat turned around facing Stanley. A rifle lay across his lap. "If only, if only," the woodpecker sighs, to have survived," Stanley's mother was quick to point out.

"The bark on the tree was just a little bit softer."
It was a song his father used to sing to him. The melody was sweet and sad, but Stanley's favorite part was when his father would howl the word "moon".

The apartment smelled the way it did because Stanley's father was trying to invent a way to recycle old sneakers. "The first person who finds a use for old sneakers, " he said, "will be a very rich man."

The bus was slowing down. The guard grunted as he stretched out his arms.

"Welcome Camp Green Lake," said the driver.

Stanley looked out the dirty window. He couldn't see a lake.

And hardly anything was green.

It was this lastest project that led to Stanley's arrest.
The bus ride became increasingly bumpy because the road was no longer paved.

Actually, Stanley had been impressed when he first found out that is great-grandfather was robbed by Kissin' Kate Barlow. True, he would have preferred living on the beach in California, but it was still kind of cool to have someone in your family robbed by a famous outlaw.

Kate Barlow didn't actually kiss Stanley's great-grandfather. That would have been really cool, but she only kissed the men she killed. Instead, she robbed him and left him stranded in the middle of the desert.

"He was
The bus hit a small bump and the guard sat up, instantly alert.

Stanley's father was an inventor. To be a successful inventor you need three things: intelligence, perseverance, and just a little bit of luck.

Stanley's father was smart and had a lot of perseverance. Once he started a project he would work on it for years, often going days without sleep. He just never had any luck.

Every time an experiment failed, Stanley could hear him cursing his dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather.

Stanley's father was also named Stanley Yelnats. Stanley's father's full name was Stanley Yelnats III. Our Stanley is Stanley Yelnats IV.

Everyone in his family had always liked the fact that "Stanley Yelnats" was spelled the same frontward and backward. So they kept naming their sons Stanley. Stanley was an only child, as was every other Stanley Yelnats before him.

All of them had something else in common. Despite their awful luck, they always remained hopeful. As Stanley's father liked to say, " I learned from failure."

But perhaps that was part of the curse as well. If Stanley and his father weren't always hopeful, then it wouldn't hurt so much every time their hopes were crushed.

"Not every Stanley Yelnats has been a failure," Stanley's mother often pointed out, whenever Stanley or his father became so discouraged that they actually started to believe in the curse. The first Stanley Yelnats, Stanley' s great-grandfather, had made a fortune in the stock market. "He couldn't have been too unlucky."

At such times she neglected to mention the bad luck that befell the first Stanley Yelnats. He lost his entire fortune when he was moving from New York to California. His stagecoach was robbed by the outlaw Kissin' Kate Barlow.

If it weren't for that, Stanley's family would now be living in a mansion on a beach in California. Instead, they were crammed in a tiny apartment that smelled of burning rubber and foot odor.

"While the wolf waits below, hungry and lonely,
He cries to the moo-oo-oon,
"If only, if only."

Stanley was sitting about ten rows back, handcuffed to his armrest. His backpack lay on the seat next to him. It contained his toothbrush, toothpaste, and a box of stationary his mother had given him. He'd promised to write to her at least once a week.

He looked out the window, although there wasn't much to see-mostly fields of hay and cotton. He was on a long bus ride to nowhere. The bus wasn't air-conditioned, and the hot heavy air was almost as stifling as the handcuffs.

Stanley and his parents had tried to pretend that he was just going away to camp for a while, just like rich kids do. When Stanley was younger he used to play with stuffed animals, and pretend the animals were at camp. Camp Fun and Games he called it. Sometimes he'd have them play soccer with a marble. Other times they'd run an obstacle course, or go bungee jumping off a table, tied to broken rubber bands. Now Stanley tried to pretend he was going to Camp Fun and Games. Maybe he' d make some friends, he thought. At least he'd get to swim in the lake.

He didn' t have any friends at home. He was overweight and the kids at his middle school often teased him about his size. Even his teachers sometimes made cruel comments without realizing it. On his last day of school, his math teacher, Mrs. Bell, taught ratios. As an example, she chose the heaviest kid in the class and the lightest kid in the class, and had them weigh themselves. Stanley weighed three times as much as the other boy. Mrs. Bell wrote the ratio on the board, 3:1, unaware of how much embarrassment she had caused both of them.
Stanley was arrested later that day.
He looked at the guard who sat slumped in his seat and wondered of he had fallen asleep. The guard was wearing sunglasses, so Stanley couldn't see his eyes.

Stanley was not a bad kid. He was innocent of the crime for which he was convicted. He'd just been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It was all because of his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather!
He smiled. It was a family joke. Whenever anything went wrong, they always blamed Stanley's no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather!

Supposedly, he had a great-great-grandfather who had stolen a pig from one-legged Gypsy, and she put a curse on him and all his descendants. Stanley and his parents didn't believe in curses, of course, but whenever anything went wrong, it felt good to be able to blame someone.

Things went wrong a lot. They always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
He looked out the window at the vast emptiness. He watched the rise and fall of a telephone wire. In his mind he could hear his father's gruff voice softly singing to him.

"If only, if only.... lucky

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Holes (Holes Series) [Louis Sachar, Vladimir Radunsky, Bagram Ibatoulline] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Holes (Holes Series)

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#love #divorce #traveling #thriller #adventure

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This award-winning contemporary classic is the survival story with which all others are compared-and a page-turning, heart-stopping adventure, recipient of the Newbery Honor. Hatchet has also been nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read.

Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson, haunted by his secret knowledge of his mother's infidelity, is traveling by single-engine plane to visit his father for the first time since the divorce. When the plane crashes, killing the pilot, the sole survivor is Brian. He is alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but his clothing, a tattered windbreaker, and the hatchet his mother had given him as a present.

At first consumed by despair and self-pity, Brian slowly learns survival skills-how to make a shelter for himself, how to hunt and fish and forage for food, how to make a fire-and even finds the courage to start over from scratch when a tornado ravages his campsite. When Brian is finally rescued after fifty-four days in the wild, he emerges from his ordeal with new patience and maturity, and a greater understanding of himself and his parents.

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Amazon.com: Hatchet: 9781416936473: Paulsen, Gary: Books

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#animals #love #thriller #adventure #fun

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A Top 100 Children's Novel, School Library JournalThe New York Times Book Review Arizona Daily Star Where the Red Fern Grows
A Must-Read for Kids 9 to 14, NPR
A Great American Read's Selection (PBS)
Winner of Multiple State Awards
Over 14 million copies in print! One of the great classics of children's literature . . . Any child who doesn't get to read this beloved and powerfully emotional book has missed out on an important piece of childhood for the last 40-plus years." - Common Sense Media

"A book of unadorned naturalness." -
"A rewarding book . . . [with] careful, precise observation, all of it rightly phrased....Very touching." - Kirkus Reviews

"An exciting tale of love and adventure you'll never forget." - School Library Journal
"Written with so much feeling and sentiment that adults as well as children are drawn [in] with a passion." -

"It's a story about a young boy and his two hunting dogs and . . . I can't even go on without getting a little misty." - The Huffington Post

"We tear up just thinking about it." - Time on the film adaptation

Billy, Old Dan and Little Ann -- a Boy and His Two Dogs...

A loving threesome, they ranged the dark hills and river bottoms of Cherokee country. Old Dan had the brawn, Little Ann had the brains -- and Billy had the will to train them to be the finest hunting team in the valley. Glory and victory were coming to them, but sadness waited too. And close by was the strange and wonderful power that's only found...

An exciting tale of love and adventure you'll never forget.

From the Paperback edition.

Billy, Old Dan and Little Ann -- a Boy and His Two Dogs...
A loving threesome, they ranged the dark hills and river bottoms of Cherokee country. Old Dan had the brawn, Little Ann had the brains -- and Billy had the will to train them to be the finest hunting team in the valley. Glory and victory were coming to them, but sadness waited too. And close by was the strange and wonderful power that's only found...
An exciting tale of love and adventure you'll never forget.

"From the Paperback edition.

Wilson Rawls is the author of the timeless classic Where the Red Fern Grows and the acclaimed novel Summer of the Monkeys . He was born on a small farm in the Ozark Mountains and spent much of his boyhood roaming northeastern Oklahoma with his only companion, an old bluetick hound.Where the Red Fern Grows has assumed the status of a classic and has been made into a widely acclaimed motion picture. Rawls' second novel, Summer of the Monkeys
Since its publication more than fifty years ago, , received rave reviews and won the prestigious California Young Reader Medal Award, among other accolades.

When I left my office that beautiful spring day, I had no idea what was in store for me. To begin with, everything was too perfect for anything unusual to happen. It was one of those days when a man feels good, feels like speaking to his neighbor, is glad to live in a country like ours, and proud of his government. You know what I mean, one of those rare days when everything is right and nothing is wrong.

I was walking along whistling when I heard the dogfight. At first I paid no attention to it. After all it wasn't anything to get excited about, just another dogfight in a residential section.

As the sound of the fight grew nearer, I could tell there were quite a few dogs mixed up in it. They boiled out of an alley, turned, and headed straight toward me. Not wanting to get bitten or run over, I moved over to the edge of the sidewalk.

I could see that all the dogs were fighting one. About twenty-five feet from me they caught him and down he went. I felt sorry for the unfortunate one. I knew if something wasn't done quickly the sanitation department would have to pick up a dead dog.

I was trying to make up my mind to help when I got a surprise. Up out of that snarling, growling, slashing mass reared an old redbone hound. For a second I saw him. I caught my breath. I couldn't believe what I had seen.

Twisting and slashing, he fought his way through the pack and backed up under the low branches of a hedge. Growling and snarling, they formed a halfmoon circle around him. A big bird dog, bolder than the others, darted in. The hedge shook as he tangled with the hound. He came out so fast he fell over backwards. I saw that his right ear was split wide open. It was too much for him and he took off down the street, squalling like a scalded cat.

A big ugly cur tried his luck. He didn't get off so easy. He came out with his left shoulder laid open to the bone. He sat down on his rear and let the world know that he had been hurt.

By this time, my fighting blood was boiling. It's hard for a man to stand and watch an old hound fight against such odds, especially if that man has memories in his heart like I had in mine. I had seen the time when an old hound like that had given his life so that I might live.

Taking off my coat, I waded in. My yelling and scolding didn't have much effect, but the swinging coat did. The dogs scattered and left.

Down on my knees, I peered back under the hedge. The hound was still mad. He growled at me and showed his teeth. I knew it wasn't his nature to fight a man.

In a soft voice, I started talking to him. "Come on, boy," I said. "It's all right. I'm your friend. Come on now."

The fighting fire slowly left his eyes. He bowed his head and his long, red tail started thumping the ground. I kept coaxing. On his stomach, an inch at a time, he came to me and laid his head in my hand.

I almost cried at what I saw. His coat was dirty and mud-caked. His skin was stretched drum-tight over his bony frame. The knotty joints of his hips and shoulders stood out a good three inches from his body. I could tell he was starved.

I couldn't figure it out. He didn't belong in town. He was far out of place with the boxers, poodles, bird dogs, and other breeds of town dogs. He belonged in the country. He was a hunting hound.

I raised one of his paws. There I read the story. The pads were worn down slick as the rind on an apple. I knew he had come a long way, and no doubt had a long way to go. Around his neck was a crude collar. On closer inspection, I saw it had been made from a piece of check-line leather. Two holes had been punched in each end and the ends were laced together with bailing wire.

As I turned the collar with my finger, I saw something else. There, scratched deep in the tough leather, was the name "Buddie." I guessed that the crude, scribbly letters had probably been written by a little boy.

It's strange indeed how memories can lie dormant in a man's mind for so many years. Yet those memories can be awakened and brought forth fresh and new, just by something you've seen, or something you've heard, or the sight of an old familiar face.

What I saw in the warm gray eyes of the friendly old hound brought back wonderful memories. To show my gratitude, I took hold of his collar and said, "Come on, boy, let's go home and get something to eat."

He seemed to understand that he had found a friend. He came willingly.

I gave him a bath and rubbed all the soreness from his muscles. He drank quarts of warm milk and ate all the meat I had in the house. I hurried down to the store and bought more. He ate until he was satisfied.

He slept all that night and most of the next day. Late in the afternoon he grew restless. I told him I understood, and as soon as it was dark, he could be on his way. I figured he had a much better chance if he left town at night.

That evening, a little after sundown, I opened the back gate. He walked out, stopped, turned around, and looked at me. He thanked me by wagging his tail.

With tears in my eyes, I said, "You're more than welcome, old fellow. In fact, you could've stayed here as long as you wanted to."

He whined and licked my hand.

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Amazon.com: Where the Red Fern Grows: 9780440412670: Wilson Rawls: Office Products

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#family #cousins #mystery #fun #adventure

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ROMANCES ARE NOW AT CATHRYN BROWN.

Shannon L. Brown has been a real estate agent, an administrative assistant, in retail, and more. When she began writing, she knew she'd found her happy place. After becoming an award-winning journalist, she moved over to fiction so she can make everything up.

The Crime-Solving Cousins Mysteries are for the 8- 12-year-olds in your life. They will enjoy these fun page-turners best described as modern Nancy Drew-type books.

Born and raised in Alaska, Shannon now lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her professor husband and adorable calico cat.

Check out her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/shannonlbrownauthor/

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The Feather Chase (The Crime-Solving Cousins Mysteries Book 1)

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The Feather Chase (The Crime-Solving Cousins Mysteries Book 1) - Kindle edition by Brown, Shannon L.. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading The Feather Chase (The Crime-Solving Cousins Mysteries Book 1).

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#mystery #series #adventure #cousins #family

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ROMANCES ARE NOW AT CATHRYN BROWN.

Shannon L. Brown has been a real estate agent, an administrative assistant, in retail, and more. When she began writing, she knew she'd found her happy place. After becoming an award-winning journalist, she moved over to fiction so she can make everything up.

The Crime-Solving Cousins Mysteries are for the 8- 12-year-olds in your life. They will enjoy these fun page-turners best described as modern Nancy Drew-type books.

Born and raised in Alaska, Shannon now lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her professor husband and adorable calico cat.

Check out her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/shannonlbrownauthor/

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The Chocolate Spy (The Crime-Solving Cousins Mysteries Book 3)

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Amazon.com: The Chocolate Spy (The Crime-Solving Cousins Mysteries Book 3) eBook : Brown, Shannon L.: Kindle Store

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#mystery #family #cousins #spy #treasure

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ROMANCES ARE NOW AT CATHRYN BROWN.

Shannon L. Brown has been a real estate agent, an administrative assistant, in retail, and more. When she began writing, she knew she'd found her happy place. After becoming an award-winning journalist, she moved over to fiction so she can make everything up.

The Crime-Solving Cousins Mysteries are for the 8- 12-year-olds in your life. They will enjoy these fun page-turners best described as modern Nancy Drew-type books.

Born and raised in Alaska, Shannon now lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her professor husband and adorable calico cat.

Check out her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/shannonlbrownauthor/

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The Treasure Key (The Crime-Solving Cousins Mysteries Book 2)

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The Treasure Key (The Crime-Solving Cousins Mysteries Book 2) - Kindle edition by Brown, Shannon L.. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading The Treasure Key (The Crime-Solving Cousins Mysteries Book 2).

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#death #horror #mystery #thriller #scary

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Aunt May's funeral was strange, but things get stranger when fourteen-year-old Allie Thomas encounters Pettikin Periwinkle, a gnome with a love of sweets and a penchant for screaming, who is stranded on Earth after the death of its only Gatekeeper.

To get Pettikin home, Allie must enlist the help of a powerful, yet unconventional, Guardian and prove to him that she has what it takes to be a Gatekeeper. With three alpacas to guide her, a month's supply of cookies, and zero training, she sets off with Pettikin through three secret realms. But there is a Contractor here working with the evil race of sslorcs to stop her. And on top of that, she just might be falling for the Guardian.

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Aunt May's funeral was strange, but things get stranger when fourteen-year-old Allie Thomas encounters Pettikin Periwinkle, a gnome with a love of sweets and a penchant for screaming, who is stranded on Earth after the death of its only Gatekeeper. To get Pettikin home, Allie must enlist the help...

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#diverstiy #acceptance #love #family #friendship

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My name is Jeff Conlan, I live in New York State with my wife Tara, 16 year old autistic son William, and his service dog Charger. This is my first novel, although I have been writing most of my life. My hope for this project is that along with enjoying a good story, people may learn something to help them better understand autism and those affected by it. My wife and I believe in the credo that awareness leads to acceptance. But advocacy and actions are what truly help build a better tomorrow.

"A Different Kind of Cool," is a traditional American story with a not-so-traditional main character. It incorporates aspects of sports, friendship, true love, loss, and PTSD. All the while, giving a close look at some of the struggles a family raising a severely autistic child may face. While there are many books that have similar themes, I know of none that are centered around a severely autistic character. It has been my experience that most autistic characters in novels, movies, etc. are usually high functioning, savants, or the quirky doctor who happens to have Asperger Syndrome. This often leads to a one-sided view of autism. I believe this book will make readers laugh and cry, but more importantly, it will increase their awareness. It is the book you read on the plane or at the beach. It is the suggested reading that helps a young adult better understand his autistic classmate. It is a book that you will want to recommend to a friend.

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"A Different Kind of Cool," is a traditional American story with a not-so-traditional main character. It incorporates aspects of sports, friendship, true love, loss, and PTSD. All the while giving a close look at some of the struggles a family raising a severely autistic child may face. "A book e...

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#nonfiction #truestory #refugee #struggles #love #family

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Born in Albania, twin sisters Argita and Detina Zalli were eleven years old when the government collapsed and civil war broke out. Two years later, after several failed attempts to flee the violence and poverty, they escaped with their parents to England.

Overcoming the formidable challenges of being refugees, both young women achieved academic success and went on to become highly accomplished PhD research scientists and lecturers. Influenced by Barack Obama and eager to help others, they founded We Speak Science, a nonprofit organization that supports disadvantaged students throughout the world, particularly immigrants, whose circumstances hinder their ability to learn at school.

Subsequently, in collaboration with world-class oncologists and scientists, Argita and Detina cofounded Aferdita Ime, a nonprofit initiative that seeks to help cancer patients through psychosocial support and counseling.

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Good Morning, Hope: A True Story of Refugee Twin Sisters and Their Triumph over War, Poverty, and Heartbreak

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Amazon.com: Good Morning, Hope: A True Story of Refugee Twin Sisters and Their Triumph over War, Poverty, and Heartbreak eBook : Zalli, Argita, Zalli, Detina: Kindle Store

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#science #math #learning #carreer #diversity

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Elizabeth Shelby was born in 1967 and raised in Malvern Pennsylvania United States. She is a pediatric nurse who loves art and fond to be with kids. She sees beauty in every day acts of kindness. She wants to share her talent and encourage kids to grow. Her grandmother was an elementary art teacher who taught her how to draw; some of her fondest memories were with her. Drawing pictures as a kid is such an exciting and fun way to do to relieve stress, anxiety and develop visual skills and talent.

She is one of the most respected and renowned authors for her exemplary work for the Kid's collection of different varieties of artistic creations of coloring books.

As of now, Elizabeth resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with her husband John, and two daughters Ann and Rose. She constantly inspired and fascinated to continue working on books to color the kid's world's imagination and bring out the best and put a smile on every child's faces to motivate, develop their little hands and become a great artist when they grow up.

Elizabeth Shelby

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Inspiring Stem Careers for Kids 8 - 12 Years Old English Edition: Children Jobs and Careers : Teachers Kids about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Illustrated gift idea

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It's natural for us parents to dream of a bright future for our kids, but does your kid have an idea of what career to pursue in the future? A child who does not learn about careers early on might have a hard time deciding on their career in the future or regret their choice later on.

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#science #math #STEM #inspiring #hope

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This book introduces the concept of "the engineering process" as a way to solve problems in the real world in a fun, simple way to boost STEAM knowledge! Stem books for kids 3-5.Teach kids how to think like an engineer and apply the engineering process to problem-solving. The process explained in this book will encourage try and solve everyday problems using engineering. The purpose is to inspire more little Engineers to build a better world. This children's picture book shows kids just how cool it is to be an Engineer and use their knowledge of engineering to build cool things that solve problems and move society into the future. The book explains the various types of engineers and what it takes to become one. It shows real-world solutions that we use every day created by Engineers. Throughout the book, a diverse team of Kid Engineers solves the problem of how humans can exploring other planets and survive long distances in space. The team decides to solve the problem by a building Robot to travel through space to explore other planets then come back and tell them what he found. Its a great mix of facts and story format to reinforce stem knowledge.

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This book introduces the concept of "the engineering process" as a way to solve problems in the real world in a fun, simple way to boost STEAM knowledge! Stem books for kids 3-5.Teach kids how to think like an engineer and apply the engineering process to problem-solving. The process explained in...

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#science #climate #change #nonfiction #informative

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Learn the essentials about climate change in just 10 days! Have you ever wondered why the climate is changing? Do you know how scientists track the effects of global warming? Did you know that small actions can make a big impact on our planet's health? .

Learning: Dive into scientific discoveries.

Investigating: Uncover the mysteries behind climate phenomena.

Researching: Explore the history of climate science and its role in our world.

Reporting: Record findings and insights.

Drawing Diagrams: Illustrate newfound knowledge.

Introducing a captivating addition to our series 10 Days of Science: 10 DAYS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

Over ten days, children will discover the challenges posed by our changing climate and carry out activities based on the knowledge they have already learnt.
Rich with black and white illustrations and diagrams, this workbook takes children on an exploration of climate change's fundamental concepts. From understanding greenhouse gases to investigating rising seas, your young explorers will grasp the essence of Earth's delicate balance.

This workbook is a gateway to inspired learning. Whether it's a school break, a weekend adventure, or a homeschooling pursuit, it's the perfect educational tool to nurture curiosity.
By the end of the workbook, young minds will hold a firm grasp on climate science, ready to explore this critical topic even further.

Let the fun begins!

Structured to nurture learning and application through various activities, this workbook follows the scientific method: A diverse blend of materials maintains your child's curiosity, including general knowledge, historical insights, facts, and research. Inside, your child will learn about: Climate Science, Greenhouse Effect, Carbon Footprint, Energy Sources, Renewable Energy, Ecosystem Impact, Climate Solutions, Ocean Acidification and more Scitenberg Kids , Early Learning for Brighter minds.

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10 Days of Climate Change: Science Book For Kids (10 Days of Science)

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Amazon.com: 10 Days of Climate Change: Science Book For Kids (10 Days of Science) eBook : Ref, Dr., Scitenberg: Kindle Store

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#science #childrensread #informative #STEM #cells

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Cells are the building blocks of all living things. They are called "cells" because Robert Hooke, the person who discovered the cells when looking under the microscope thought that it looked like the "empty rooms" of a monastery where monks used to sleep in.

Biology is the study of living organisms and the research of the science behind living things. Biology is the core that unites all other disciplines and sub-disciplines of biological science. This starts with the understanding of the cell. Hence, the study of biology is vital for our children.

This book, "Cells for kids" is a book designed for children with diagrams so that they can learn everything about animal and plant cells from the start. As parents, we must ingrain their minds and awaken their curiosity so that they can be ready for this complex and rapidly evolving subject area.

Most biology books, be it for children or adults start with a chapter on the cell. It is here that all biological processes take place. Hence it is vital that we as parents, teach our children about the cell as early as possible. Some may be able to learn while some may not but at least it's a step in the right direction.

I wrote this book for my own children and I can see that they are now curious about what a cell is and what exactly does it does? Half of my job is done; this will save me a lot of heartache later on when I am trying to trying to teach them biology. My ultimate aim would be to get them to study science when they grow up and this book would be one of their stepping stones. Study of biology will prepare children for a range of careers where they can make a difference in the world.

Here's what's covered in this book about cells. I have included questions after some chapters for parents to ask to ensure kids are learning before moving on to the next chapter. There is a quiz at the end of the book.

The chapters:

1. What is a cell? (This chapter defines what a cell is)

2. Who discovered the cell? (Describes exactly how Robert Hooke discovered the cell and what he saw under the microscope)

3. What are cells made of? (Describes what the cell is made of - organelles and cytoplasm)

4. Why cells are mostly made of water? (A good question and a difficult one to answer)

5. How big is a cell? (Cells come in different shapes and sizes, get to learn the size of the cell)

6. How many cells are in the human body? (The body is made of cells and children will learn how many cells we have)

7. How many different types of cells are there? (Learn about the different types of cells namely; eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells)

8. The animal cell (Learn about the animal cell and its various structures with a labelled diagram)

9. Parts and organelles of animal cells (Describes each organelles of the animals cells)

10. The plant cell (Learn about plant cells with a labelled diagram)

11. The parts and organelles of plant cells (Describes parts and organelles of the plant cells)

12. Animal cells and plant cells - The difference (Goes through the many differences between the animal and plant cells)

13. What are tissues, organs and organ systems? (Cells form tissues, which then form organs and then organs systems)

14. Cellular division - cell cycle (There are two types of cells (1) Mitosis and (2) Meiosis)

15. 10 facts about the cell (Some facts about the cell)

16. Quiz - What can you remember? (A quiz at the end of the book)

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Cells For Kids (Science Book For Children)

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Cells are the building blocks of all living things. They are called "cells" because Robert Hooke, the person who discovered the cells when looking under the microscope thought that it looked like the "empty rooms" of a monastery where monks used to sleep in. Biology is the study of living organis...

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#science #lab #STEM #empowering #informative

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Emma began working with Dr. Martin in a lab this spring. She gets to do all kinds of experiments. In "Christmas in the Hot Glass Shop," the team uses glass blowing to make Christmas ornaments for the big sale.

Emma gets to talk about the hot glass shop with Dr. Martin. They take a small tour, learn about the various tools in a hot glass shop, and some safety rules.

The Life in a Lab: Science and Engineering for Kids series takes big science lab topics and brings them down to a kid's level with full-color illustrations and a fun story. That way, kids can experience and learn about STEM-related topics. Be sure to get this STEM kid's book today!

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Life in a Lab: Christmas in The Hot Glass Shop (Life in a Lab: Science and Engineering for Kids)

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Amazon.com: Life in a Lab: Christmas in The Hot Glass Shop (Life in a Lab: Science and Engineering for Kids) eBook : Wetherby, Brie: Kindle Store

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#science #childrens #picturebook #inspiring #fun

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A.J. Cosmo's stories are crafted to help parents teach their children

simple everyday lessons in an easy to understand manner. By artfully

marrying beautiful illustrations and language, children are challenged to

explore his magical worlds. Written for the transitional reader, A.J.'s

stories allow your child to develop and master a new level of reading.

Praise for A.J. Cosmo's "The Monster That Ate My Socks"

"5 Stars Out of 5. This story is sure to stimulate the imaginations of young children..."

Janette Fuller - Editor/Reviewer

JanetteFuller.com - Books, Inspirations and Life 01-NOV-12

"Recommended reading: Easy to read...silly [and] appealing to kids. Best of all [the book] addresses two important life lessons. Whimsical illustrations."

NJ KIDS ON THE GO

njkidsonline.com 03-APR-13

"THIS is the bedtime story you've been MISSING!"

regarding "The Monster that Ate My Socks"

angelsintheunderworld.com 09-JAN-13

Bestselling Children's Books by Self Published Authors in February

Listed on Galleycat - The First Word on the Book Publishing Industry

www.mediabistro.com/gallyecat 22-FEB-13

"A.J. Cosmo: Monstrous Success in the Kindle Store...sit back and enjoy."

Karleen Tauszik - Editor/Reviewer

KidsEBookBestsellers.com 13-APR-13

"Fun halloween book that has a great message. Easy enjoyable read...simple fun illustrations to which children will be drawn [to]."

regarding "A Ghost Went Trick or Treating"

Crafty Canuck Publishing

craftycanuk.com - Sarah - Craft's E-Book Review 24-OCT-12

Customer Reviews:

"Great story for 5 years and older...cheeky and fun."

Amazon Verified Purchase - jenn 20-JUL-13

regarding "The Monster that Ate My Socks"

"Awesome book says my eight and six year old's"

Amazon Verified Purchase - Jayman 29-APR-12

regarding "The Monster that Ate My Socks"

"Colorful and fun, attractive and witty. The artwork is vivid and alive. Nicely done!"

Amazon Verified Purchase - Bruce E Arrington 29-FEB-12

regarding "Four Stories from A.J. Cosmo"

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In this fun, kid-friendly, read-along book, children and their parents examine gravity through the eyes of a middle-school aged Galileo and his best friend Newton, who, spurred by the phenomenon of two objects falling, explore the question "Do heavier objects fall faster than lighter ones?" Child...

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#germs #science #informative #lifelessons #safety

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#science #bones #organs #simple #picturebook

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Hi, I'm A.D. Largie I am a father of three, author, and artist. I create beautiful children's books, thought-provoking non-fiction titles, and exciting sci-fi, and fantasy comic books for grown-ups.

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Human Body Homeschool: Bones: Level 1 Book (Kids Read Daily Level 1)

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This Level One Kids reading book, is perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences. Kids learn all about their bones inside their body. This introductory book all about bones, joints and how they work. This beautifully illustrated, full color, the large print book is perfect for ...

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#math #inspiring #storytelling #fun #passion

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#nature #science #informative #animals #plants

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Meet Danisha Dumornay, a Haitian-American author who is set to make her mark on the literary world with the release of her debut book Teachings of The Great Outdoors. With a profound passion for storytelling and a fresh perspective on life, Danisha is poised to captivate readers with her unique voice and imaginative narratives about exploring the core teachings of happiness and humanity through the lens of nature.

Having spent many years as a hiking group facilitator in the Greater Boston area, Danisha tells stories from a deep passion within her that aims to spread awareness of nature education with communities of color. Her journey as a writer began with a deep love for literature, combined with her recording the way she felt inspired by her surroundings when hiking. Along the way, she eagerly absorbed and paired the wisdom of the outdoors with the support from literary mentors to improve her writing craft. Danisha aims to tell stories that reflect the people from all walks of life she encountered during her excursions to encourage others to seek the healing experience of connecting with the natural world around us.

Drawing inspiration from her own personal experiences and observations, Danisha's debut work promises to be a captivating exploration of the human experience. Through her writing, she skillfully delves into themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the beauty of embracing one's true identity.

Beyond her own writing endeavors, Danisha is a certified yoga instructor, spent many years as a education administration and management specialist, and is now working as a strategy and operations professional at a private consulting firm. She is a passionate advocate for equitable education, literacy, and artistic expression. She believes in the transformative power of storytelling and hopes to inspire others to embrace their creative potential.

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Teachings of the Great Outdoors: Exploring Nature, Robin Finds Herself

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Teachings of the Great Outdoors: Exploring Nature, Robin Finds Herself - Kindle edition by Dumornay, Danisha. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Teachings of the Great Outdoors: Exploring Nature, Robin Finds Herself.

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#informative #science #childrensbook #picturebook #funny

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If I could talk to myself at the age of 5, I would have a world of advice. This advice is the inspiration behind each of my books.

I grew up as a people pleaser. I put everybody else first and never thought about what I wanted. I went on to lead a life that wasn't me at all and I ended up very lost. So, I wrote the "Think for Myself" series in the hopes that I could help my kids avoid doing the same.

I'm also a big believer in feeding our bodies good food. Being aware of all the health benefits to eating real food, I figured I could have saved myself years of stomach pain with what I know now, so, I wrote "We Are What We Eat".

Anyone that knows me knows that I've always been an exceptionally positive person with BIG dreams. It wasn't until a few years back that I realized that ALL of my BIG dreams have always come true. The Law of Attraction truly works, and I can't imagine how much BIGGER I would have dreamed if I knew this from a young age. It's powerful information that I would want myself to know as a little girl, so I wrote "We Are What We Think".

I have a lot more advice coming, and I hope that my books serve as a great way to raise Holistic Thinking Kids!

On a more personal note - I have 3 energetic kids with wild imaginations. They would all say that my kale chips are their favorite food. They definitely think for themselves, but sometimes I wish I wrote the book, "Listen to what you're told" to make my life easier!

We live out of town, totally off the grid, in a log cabin that we built from scratch. We grow our own food, speak our own minds, and dream really big!

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We Are What We Eat: Holistic Thinking Kids

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Do your kids eat too much sugar? Do you find yourself saying, "eat your vegetables" all too often? Give yourself a break and let these hilarious, rhyming, food characters take over for you! Parents love reading it and kids love hearing it! If you like books like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, then this...

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#time #calculation #math #funny #informative

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The zany CATegorical cats introduce the measurement of time, from seconds, minutes, and hours up to decades. Brian P. Cleary and Brian Gable bring their winning teamwork to this playful, fun look at learning about time.

From the author and illustrator duo of the best-selling Words Are CATegorical® series, Math Is CATegorical® introduces basic math concepts for young readers and reveals that sometimes math is easier to show than explain! Pairing clever rhyming verse with comical cartoon cats, Brian P. Cleary and Brian Gable help children add up just how fun math can be!

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A Second, a Minute, a Week with Days in It: A Book about Time (Math Is CATegorical ®)

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A Second, a Minute, a Week with Days in It: A Book about Time (Math Is CATegorical ®) - Kindle edition by Cleary, Brian P., Gable, Brian. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets.

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#math #addition #elementary #additon #series

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#math #subtraction #series #learning #lesson

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#math #science #measuring #learning #informative

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Children love to size up the world around them. Although they are quick to figure out that a favorite toy ends at 10 on a ruler, they need guidance in learning what makes an inch, a foot, or a yard and how these units from our customary system compare to the metric system. This annotated bibliography offers not only books that introduce the concept of measurement and the need for standard measurements but also books about such innovative measurers as Eratosthenes, who measure the circumference of the Earth in the third century BCE, and Fannie Farmer, who invented modern recipes with exact measurements, as well as books that simply make measuring fun. A special sidebar, "Size Matters," features books that allow children to observe size comparisons and realize the importance of measurement, from the smaller particles to the biggest dinosaurs.

Informational Books

How Long or How Wide? A Measuring Guide. By Brian P. Cleary. Illus. by Brian Gable. 2007. 32p. Millbrook, paper, $6.95 (9781580138444); lib. ed., $15.95 (9780822566946). 530.8. Gr. 1-4.

Similar to Cleary's other Math Is CATegorical titles, bouncy thymes and jovial cartoon cats humorously introduce the concept of measuring length. The author begins with the inch, foot, and yard and relates them to the metric system's millimeter, centimeter, decimeter, and meter. Concluding charts and size comparisons provide a good recap. The series also presents the concept of weight with On the Scale, a Weighty Tale Book Links

, Other Print --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Brian P. Cleary is the author of the Words Are CATegorical® , Math Is CATegorical® , Food Is CATegorical™ , and Animal Groups Are CATegorical™ series, as well as several picture books. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio.

Brian Gable is the illustrator of many of the best-selling Words Are CATegorical® books, as well as the Math Is CATegorical® series. Mr. Gable lives in Toronto, Canada.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the author and illustrator duo of the best-selling Words Are Categorical(tm) series, Math Is Categorical(tm) introduces basic math concepts for young readers and shows that sometimes math is easier to show than explain! Pairing clever rhyming verse with comical cartoon cats, Brian P. Cleary and Brian Gable help children add up just how fun math can be! --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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How Long or How Wide?: A Measuring Guide (Math Is CATegorical ®)

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How Long or How Wide?: A Measuring Guide (Math Is CATegorical ®) - Kindle edition by Cleary, Brian P., Gable, Brian. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading How Long or How Wide?: A Measuring Guide (Math Is CATegorical ®).

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#love #family #diverstity #acceptance #mixed

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Catherine Maxey Brown is a devoted Christian, wife, mother, and grandmother whose career has been based in Healthcare. She worked for more than 20 years as a nurse before transitioning to healthcare administration and now works to support the elderly population. But it's her unwavering love for her family that drove her interest in writing.

Catherine has witnessed firsthand the challenges and stereotypes that mixed-race families face. Despite this, she chose to approach the issue with love and compassion, inspiring others to do the same. Her first book, "Mixed With Love," shares the real-life experiences of her family and encourages readers to start much-needed conversations about diversity and the changing face of families today. Catherine's story is a testament to the power of love and education in creating a better world for all.

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Mixed With Love: A children's book that encourages diversity and challenges the stereotypes faced by mixed-race families.

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Mixed With Love: A children's book that encourages diversity and challenges the stereotypes faced by mixed-race families. - Kindle edition by Maxey Brown, Catherine. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets.

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#love #diversity #acceptance #happiness #friendship

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Vanessa celebrates self-love and acceptance of all cultures through her work, and hopes to inspire young readers to find their own voices. She first learned to express herself as a little girl through song. Growing up in a musical family, Vanessa's parents taught her how to sing to help overcome her stuttering. Each night the family would gather to make music together, with her mom on piano, her dad on guitar, and Vanessa and her sister, Coy, singing the blues, gospel, spirituals, and jazz. Now whenever she illustrates, music fills the air and finds its way into her art. The children she draws can be seen dancing, wiggling, and moving freely across the page in an expression of happiness. Music is a constant celebration, no matter the occasion, and Vanessa hopes her illustrations bring joy to others, with the same magic of a beautiful melody.

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One Love: (Multicultural Childrens Book, Mixed Race Childrens Book, Bob Marley Book for Kids, Music Books for Kids)

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One Love: (Multicultural Childrens Book, Mixed Race Childrens Book, Bob Marley Book for Kids, Music Books for Kids) - Kindle edition by Marley, Cedella, Marley, Bob, Brantley-Newton, Vanessa. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets.

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#love #acceptance #diversity #friendship #family

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"Fun-filled, educational and brimming with good values, this book is a must for children in diverse cultural settings." - Reedy Discovery (MUST-READ, 5-star review)

Little Polyglot Adventures Series (Book 3): A Multicultural Picnic - Children's Picture Book

This is Book 3 in the multi-award-winning children's series Little Polyglot Adventures and is the sequel to Book 1 (Dylan's Birthday Present) and Book 2 (A Wild Day at the Zoo).

This is the original, English version of this book, which is also available in several other languages, in both bilingual and monolingual editions.

Book Summary:

Dylan and Isabella, the polyglot siblings, have special guests in town: the grandparents. To celebrate their arrival from abroad, the family decides to have a picnic at the park. Things get a bit out of control when the children meet a group of unwelcoming boys at the park and when Kiki, Dylan's pet chicken, decides to venture out on her own.

In this fun and multicultural story, children will learn about the true value of friendship, of not judging a book by its cover, and of being proud of their own culture while also respecting that of others.

While reading this book, kids will learn six new words in different languages and feel like little polyglots themselves!

♥ If you like this book, don't forget to check out Books 1 and 2 in this series, as well as the coloring book companion (sold separately) to this book. ♥

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A Multicultural Picnic: Children's Picture Book (Little Polyglot Adventures 3)

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A Multicultural Picnic: Children's Picture Book (Little Polyglot Adventures 3) - Kindle edition by Dias de Oliveira Santos, Victor, Miklós, Eszter. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading A Multicultural Picnic: Children's Picture Book (Little Polyglot Adventures 3).

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#diversity #heritage #acceptance #identity #love

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Bridget Yiadom is a children's book author seeking to increase cultural awareness in young children relating to their heritage, traditions, and the way of life around the world. She aims to develop and stimulate the minds of these young children by creating a series of books with visual imagery that contain cultural facts and eliminate any stereotypes.

Bridget was born and raised in East London, but loves and is proud of her Ghanaian heritage. She is the youngest of three siblings. She loves her family, son, and food with all her heart. She enjoys being a mumpreneur whilst developing her career.

Subscribe with Bridget at bio.site/bridgetyaaenterprise to find out more about her work, life, and the Two Countries One Me book series and free printable colouring pages.

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Two Countries One Me - Where Am I From?: A Children's Multicultural Book (Two Countries, One Me 3)

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Amazon.com: Two Countries One Me - Where Am I From?: A Children's Multicultural Book (Two Countries, One Me 3) eBook : Yiadom, Bridget, Khan, Amir: Kindle Store

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#love #acceptance #diversity #family #hertitge

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#love #acceptance #diversity #children #differences

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C. Ingram ECE (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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Children from Around the World: A Multicultural Travel Adventure for Children Ages 6 to 12 years. (Geography, Culture and Travel for Children Book 2)

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Amazon.com: Children from Around the World: A Multicultural Travel Adventure for Children Ages 6 to 12 years. (Geography, Culture and Travel for Children Book 2) eBook : Ingram ECE,C.: Kindle Store

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#love #accptance #diverstity #whoamI #whoIam

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Bridget Yiadom is a children's book author seeking to increase cultural awareness in young children relating to their heritage, traditions, and the way of life around the world. She aims to develop and stimulate the minds of these young children by creating a series of books with visual imagery that contain cultural facts and eliminate any stereotypes.

Bridget was born and raised in East London, but loves and is proud of her Ghanaian heritage. She is the youngest of three siblings. She loves her family, son, and food with all her heart. She enjoys being a mumpreneur whilst developing her career.

Subscribe with Bridget at bio.site/bridgetyaaenterprise to find out more about her work, life, and the Two Countries One Me book series and free printable colouring pages.

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Two Countries, One Me - What Is My Name?: A Children's Multicultural Picture Book

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Amazon.com: Two Countries, One Me - What Is My Name?: A Children's Multicultural Picture Book eBook : Yiadom, Bridget, Khan, Amir: Kindle Store

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#love #acceptance #diversity #princess #multicultural

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#whoamI #multicultural #diversity #acceptance #love #culture

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Robert Arnett, a native of Columbus, Georgia, has had an avid interest in India for over 45 years. From 1988 to the present, he has made six trips to India, spending almost two years there travelling the country and living with Indian families while studying art, culture, and religion.

Robert Arnett has lectured widely throughout North America, including the Smithsonian Institution, The Kennedy Center, Harvard, Yale, and Stanford Universities. He was a speaker at the Parliament of the World's Religions held in Cape Town, South Africa. He has also given numerous presentations at schools, libraries, community organizations, temples, and churches. He has been interviewed on National Public Radio, Voice of America, South African Broadcasting Corporation, and various television programs.

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Finders Keepers?: A Bus Trip in India (Children's Multicultural & Character Education Book Series 1)

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The honored recipient of many distinguished awards, "Finders Keepers?" is a charming true story with vivid illustrations that is set in India. The book shares the traditions, customs, and values of the people of India through simple experiences the author had with them. The delightful, jewel-tone...

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#history #diverstiy #heratige #acceptance #family

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An inquisitive little fellow wants to know what it was like when his grandmother was young? How did they cook? Were there computers and cellphones, garbage disposals, microwaves, dishwashers, etc.? How did they manage? From one generation to the next, everything, he found, was different - everything except one. What could that be? You'll have to read the book to find out.

This children's picture book is part of the wonderful collection of children's books by Sally Huss.

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What Was it Like, Grandma? (Rhyming MULTICULTURAL Children's Picture Book About Valuing Grandparents)

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Amazon.com: What Was it Like, Grandma? (Rhyming MULTICULTURAL Children's Picture Book About Valuing Grandparents) eBook : Huss, Sally: Kindle Store

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#heratige #culture #diverstiy #love #acceptance

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Mia blogs on parenting, children's books, and education at PragmaticMom.com and is the co-creator of Multicultural Children's Book Day, a non-profit celebrating diversity in children's books.

She is the co-author of two books with Alison Foley, HOW TO COACH GIRLS (a primer on how to keep girls in sports for coaches), and THE ELUSIVE FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIP: AN INSIDER'S GUIDE.

Her debut picture book, SUMO JOE, is illustrated by Nat Iwata and published by Lee and Low.

Scholastic is the publisher for her middle grade anthology ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HEROES.

To find the best diverse books, she wrote BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN'S BOOKS: MY FAVORITE DIVERSITY BOOKS FOR KIDS AGES 1-12 published by Audrey Press.

She is also the co-founder of Aquent, the world's largest company staffing creative, digital and marketing talent with 37 offices around the world.

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Read Your World: A Guide to Multicultural Children's Books for Parents and Educators

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Read Your World: A Guide to Multicultural Children's Books for Parents and Educators brings together booklists from blogging and author contributors who have participated in Multicultural Children's Book Day. Each list is created around a topic or theme. Themes include Diversity as Everyday, Afri...

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#diversity #power #love #accptance #truth

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We are the Same, We are Different, We all Belong

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We are the Same, We are Different, We all Belong

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#belong #acceptance #diversity #love #culture

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Do you want to raise a child who's kind to themselves and kind to others?

This book will help children:

Love and accept themselves just the way they are

Appreciate and celebrate other people's differences

Build their self-confidence and self-esteem

Nurture their tolerance, empathy and kindness

The best social emotional learning / SEL book for raising caring children

In her own heartwarming, hilarious words, Marnie, a spunky multiracial kindergartener, explores the concept of diversity. She finds that differences (e.g. race, size, accent, learning styles, ways of moving around) are only one part of a person's unique story.

Want to guide your child... but don't quite know how?

This book is an engaging, interactive framework for parents and teachers to introduce that crucial conversation that will transform children's attitudes towards themselves and others. asks readers a series of heartwarming, hilarious questions

This engaging, interactive picture book alongside a quirky main character, and gracefully illustrates that the best friendships can be made when we love what's different (and the same) about each other.

#1 Amazon.com bestseller in Physically Disabled Education (Feb 2024)
#1 Amazon.com Hot New Releases in Children's Multiculturalism & Tolerance (Sept 2023)

Editorial Reviews:

"We're the Same, We're Different and We All Belong is one of the best books I've read about celebrating and respecting diversity. Everything about this book is top-notch. Marnie is a character that kids will immediately want as their friend. She is confident yet also vulnerable and engaging... The message of diversity and acceptance is woven expertly throughout the story. KayJay Miller has crafted a luminous character in Marnie. I hope to see her in future stories. As a retired children's librarian, I've read thousands of picture books, and We're the Same, We're Different and We All Belong is one of the best." ★★★★★ - Readers' Favorite every child has a unique story that's worth discovering... An engaging book that provides opportunities for youngsters to practice empathy. " - Kirkus Reviews (Received Kirkus "Get It" accolade) covers various important topics such as individual differences, disability awareness, life skills

"Miller's picture book tells of how and much more, making it perfect for kids of all ages to learn from. Miller's spirited story is a reminder that our differences are what make the world a better place..." ★★★★★ - Reedsy Discovery ("Must Read" award) Takeaway: Inviting introduction to inclusion as told by a six year-old narrator." - Booklife Reviews A book every child should read... This heartwarming story promotes empathy, curiosity, and harmonious coexistence... highly recommended for families and classrooms. Helping children develop self-esteem and appreciate all the differences in the world is just the starting point of this magnificent children's book." ★★★★★ - Literary Titan

"... an amazing fiction story that

This is a diverse book for kids: for girls and boys in preschool (ages 3-5), kindergarten and grades 1, 2 & 3 (ages 6 - 8).

The themes this book explores include acceptance, understanding, community, school life, friendship, disability / disabilities, prejudice, racism, inclusion, anti bullying, neurodiversity, multiculturalism and belonging.

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We're The Same, We're Different and We All Belong: A Children's Diversity Book For Kids 3-5, 6-8 That Teaches Kindness, Acceptance & Empathy. Differences Are Only One Part Of A Person's Unique Story.

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We're The Same, We're Different and We All Belong: A Children's Diversity Book For Kids 3-5, 6-8 That Teaches Kindness, Acceptance & Empathy. Differences Are Only One Part Of A Person's Unique Story. - Kindle edition by Miller, KayJay. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets.

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#diversity #culture #acceptance #holidays #family

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Aditi Wardhan Singh is a multi award-winning, best-selling author. She is an authoritative voice on cultural sensitivity and empowerment, featured on numerous global publications and broadcast networks like NBC, CBS, Huffpost, Thrive, Richmond Family Magazine, Reading with Your Kids podcast etc. Her passion for diversifying dialogue within multicultural families led her to founding the collaborative RaisingWorldChildren.com platform. Today, she aims to help parents diversify their libraries by lifting other multicultural authors like herself. In her spare time, she enjoys choreographing dance recitals, volunteering and having impromptu dance parties with her two charming kids.

Her upcoming works include a multicultural children's book about belonging and a unique bilingual Hindi-English resource for children.

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The Sparkles Within: A Festive Children's Book about Finding Your Talents and the Winning Spirit (Sparkling Me Series 5)

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The Sparkles Within: A Festive Children's Book about Finding Your Talents and the Winning Spirit (Sparkling Me Series 5) - Kindle edition by Singh, Aditi Wardhan, Alshalabi, Noor. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets.

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#love #acceptance #happiness #diversity #friendship

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Gilroy loves to help others.
Is the task big? Is it small? Five-year-old Gilroy can do no wrong!

After making a MAJOR messy (and sugary) mistake, Gilroy's good heart starts to feel, well, not so good anymore.

What will he do with these big feelings ?

Faced with self-doubt, will Gilroy remember to love himself ?

Gilroy is ideal for boys and girls ages 4-7!

Children & Families will love:

Teachers & Counselors will love:

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Gilroy's Good Heart: A Children's Book About Kindness, Self-Care, and Managing Anxiety

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Gilroy's Good Heart: A Children's Book About Kindness, Self-Care, and Managing Anxiety - Kindle edition by Trussell, Victor, Laureano, Junis. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Gilroy's Good Heart: A Children's Book About Kindness, Self-Care, and Managing Anxiety.

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#love #acceptance #differences #family #happiness

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Callie is very proud of her brother Charlie. He’s good at so many things — swimming, playing the piano, running fast. And Charlie has a s...

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#love #acceptance #differences #celebratingdifferent #happiness

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Rationale:
I chose to select All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism by Shaina Rudolph because it is an age appropriate story that reflects the social, linguistic, and cultural contexts where my students live or in someway can relate to. This story will provide opportunities for students to view a different perspective other than their own. Cultural diverse books promote appreciation of new ideas and experiences (Adam & Harper, 2016). My role as a teacher is to assist students in findin...more

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Rationale: I chose to select All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism by Shaina Rudolph because it is an age appropriate story that reflects the social, linguistic, and cultural contexts where my students live or in someway can relate to. This story will provide opportunities for students to view a different perspective other than their own.

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#love #acceptance #differences #celebratingbeingdifferent #friendship

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This book is about learning some of the different disabilities children have. It expresses that just because a child or a person has a disability, doesn't mean they don't want to join in on a certain sport activities. We shouldn't judge people who look different than us and never make fun of anybody. Everyone in the world is unique and have different things about us that makes us different.

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This book is about learning some of the different disabilities children have. It expresses that just because a child or a person has a disability, doesn't mean they don't want to join in on a certain sport activities. We shouldn't judge people who look different than us and never make fun of anybody.

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#love #acceptance #differences #happiness #informative

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Read 27 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. A young blind girl tells how she adapts and functions with her disability and how she does ...

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#love #acceptance #friendship #celebratingdifferences #family

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A Very Special Critter (Golden Look-Look Books) (Little...

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Read 51 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Little Critter discovers that the new boy in class is really not so different from anyone e...

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#love #acceptance #diverstiy #friendship #pets

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Susan laughs, she sings. she rides, she swings.She gets angry, she gets sad, she is good, she is bad... Told in rhyme, this story follow...

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#feelingdifferent #acceptance #selflove #selfcare #love