Posts by Beth
GHOUL STUFF — A Halloweensie Story
I’m posting next Monday’s post early, because today’s the first day of Susanna Hill’s wonderful Halloweensie Writing Contest and I couldn’t wait to join in the fun! The rules, in brief, are (quoting from Susanna’s blog): Write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (children here defined as 12 and under) (title not included…
Read MoreFalling Over Sideways by Jordan Sonnenblick — Book Recommendation
Title: Falling Over Sideways Author: Jordan Sonnenblick Publisher: New York: Scholastic, 2016 Genre: Upper MG, Lower YA Fiction Audience Age: 10 to 14 Themes topics: Parental illness, stroke, family problems, school problems, dance, music Opening Sentences: I’m waiting in the wings, watching all of the fathers dancing onstage. Well, all of the fathers except mine.…
Read MoreDream
Quite some time ago, Langston Hughes wrote a poem called I Dream a World. Despite some non-inclusive language (it was from another era) it resonates with me. It begins I dream a world where man No other man will scorn, Where love will bless the earth And peace its paths adorn… That is a…
Read MoreCaring. Connecting. Changing.
Until earlier today, I was planning a different blog post. I didn’t get it written over the weekend, but was planning to write it first thing today. Then, this morning, I read the news about Las Vegas, and my plans changed. Last night, I attended an annual event in my city at which seniors are…
Read MoreThe Blue Whale by Jenni Desmond — Picture Book Recommendation
Title: The Blue Whale Author/Illustrator: Jenni Desmond Publisher: Brooklyn, NY: Enchanted Lion Books, 2015 Genre: Picture book, NON-FICTION Audience Age: 4-9 Themes/Topics: Whales, endangered species, reading Opening Sentences: Once upon a time, a child took a book from a shelf and started to read. He read that the blue whale is a mammal of gigantic…
Read MoreAnywhere Farm — Perfect Picture Book Friday
Title: Anywhere Farm Author: Phyllis Root Illustrator: G. Brian Karas Publisher: Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2017 Genre: Picture book, fiction Audience Age: 4 to 8 Themes/Topics: Nature/Gardens, Neighbors Opening Sentences: For an anywhere farm, here’s all that you need: soil and sunshine, some water, a seed. Synopsis: In simple, delightful verse and equally simple, delightful illustrations,…
Read MoreAround Our Way on Neighbors’ Day by Tameka Fryer Brown — Book Recommendation
Title: Around Our Way on Neighbors’ Day Author: Tameka Fryer Brown Illustrator: Charlotte Riley-Webb Publisher: New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2010 Genre: Picture book, fiction Audience Age: 4 to 8 Themes/Topics: Neighbors, diversity, sharing food, friendship Opening Sentences: Blue sky, no clouds, Summer heat, side street, Whirling, whizzing feet. Everyone is out to play…
Read MoreThe Alice Network by Kate Quinn
This is a riveting historical novel, just published in June, by Kate Quinn. It is the intertwined stories of a young American woman who is searching for a missing cousin in the aftermath of the Second World War, and an older, embittered, broken English/French woman who was a spy in the First World War. It…
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