Pictures of Hollis Woods

I finished reading Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff, a Newberry Honor book. It's because of books like this that I love to read and want to write. I could not put it down. Ms. Giff had me completely tied up with her character, Hollis Woods. The story is told in a unique and fascinating manner using flashbacks and drawings created by Hollis Woods.

I loved the book and recommend it to middle-grade novel readers everywhere.

Two New Book Contracts

I am happy to report that I received two new nonfiction picture book contracts this week with E&E Publishing.

E&E Publishing has a wonderful book out about being a freelance writer by Nancy Sanders, called Yes You Can . . . Write Children's Books. Check it out. If you want a career in writing for children, it's an excellent tool to help shape and guide your career.

I just finished reading Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli. It was a Newberry Honor book and I see why. It was thought provoking and uplifting. Maybe it should have been the winner.

The Golly Whopper Games

The Golly Whopper Games, by Jody Feldman is a clever updated version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I really enjoyed reading it and trying to solve the puzzles myself. I was NOT as good at the puzzles as the main character, Gil! (I would have been out in round one.)

This is an excellent book to read aloud in school. It encourages cooperative problem solving, higher levels of thinking, and math skills.

I loved the book and would encourage 3rd - 6th grade teachers to read it aloud in their classrooms.

I visited a second grade classroom today. The students were working on researching topics and taking notes. I talked about looking at the pictures and reading the captions in a book to find valuable facts when researching.

Then the students got to work. I walked around and helped them find facts and organize their notes.

The students were delightful and I had fun helping them.

These are the lovely ladies in my critique group. Karen McDonald (author/illustrator), Sheila Jarkins (author/illustrator), and me. I'm lucky to have them.

SCBWI New Years Resolutions Conference

This past Saturday, I attended the SCBWI New Years Resolutions Conference in Syracuse, NY.

The morning began with a talk by author Carla McClafferty, a non-ficiton children's author from Arkansas. She offered advice on researching non-ficiton children's books. Her ideas were inspirational. I left feeling ready to tackle a non-fiction writing project.

Illustrators, Bob Dacey and Debra Bandelin spoke next. They were hillarious, talented, and down to earth. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to them and I gained a great deal from their talk even though I'm not an illustrator.

Randi Rivers, an editor from Charlesbridge, spoke next. She was insightful and helpful about getting the most out of your submission. One thing I found very helpful was her list detailing of the elements of a fiction synopsis. Recently, I hunted for a good guide to writing a ficiton synopsis and I couldn't find one. I will use her list from now on.

Overall, this was one of the best conferences on writing for children I've attended. I plan to attend next year.

Harry Potter Series

I finished Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and am working on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The thing that is incredible to me is that book #7 ties in ideas from the beginning books; the first snitch Harry caught, the Deluminator, and the sword of Godric Gryffindor. Within each book an elaborate story is woven, yet that is only on a micro level compared to the whole. On a macro level, all seven books act as chapters in an elaborate story about an unlikely hero. Bravo, J.K. Rowling.