Rory still can’t say his r’s, but that’s just the beginning of his troubles. First Rory’s ex-best-friend Brent started hanging out with the mean lacrosse kids. But then, a terrible accident takes Brent out of school, and Rory struggles with how to feel . . .
Read more in today’s post! Continue reading Recommended: THE WAY I SAY IT by Nancy Tandon
One of the most common pieces of advice given to writers is that their manuscripts must be complete and as perfect as possible before querying agents or editors. That is true in most cases, but there are some instances where complete manuscripts are not required. In fact, just a proposal will do. What? I have an idea for a book, a really good idea, and … Continue reading Writing on Proposal: A Different Option
As a fellow reader, I already have a list of books to read in 2022, and a list of books to recommend. Top on my list to recommend is the new middle grade series featuring Cole Champion, a regular kid who attends a not so regular school. (Think Sky High meets Big Hero 6.) These books include three features certain to grab the attention of … Continue reading Cole Champion: STEM Versus Superpowers
You asked for our favorite middle grade reads of 2021 so here they are! Now that summer is here, Rebecca, Richelle, and I are thrilled to recommend these middle grade books for your vacation. They are perfect for the beach, car, airplane, even when waiting in line at your favorite amusement park. The Truths We Hold (Young Readers Edition) by Kamala Harris Before she was … Continue reading Great Middle Grade Books for Summer 2021
It’s exciting to have one debut novel coming out in a year, but two? Today we are talking with Nicole Lesperance, middle grade and young adult author, who has two novels debuting in 2021! TWP Let’s start with introducing your two novels debuting this year. The Nightmare Thief and The Wide Starlight. Can you give us a brief summary of each? Nicole The Nightmare Thief … Continue reading Double Debut: Interview with Nicole Lesperance
Welcome to another edition of our new semi-regular series: Blast from the Past. A refresher: We will occasionally read (or listen to) a book we had loved as children but have not re-visited as adult writers. And then we’ll tell you about it. How did the story hold up? Is the magic still there? What differences do we notice, both cultural and in storytelling techniques and … Continue reading Blast from the Past: Judy Blume
This year has been pretty nutso. All the chaos and news demanding our attention can make reading new books hard – at least it has for me. I’ve found myself turning more and more to books, movies and TV shows that I’ve already experienced – for comfort, for predictability, for the relaxation that comes with knowing what’s next. Well, we Pennies decided that re-reading might … Continue reading New: Blast from the Past!
Do you like to solve mysteries? Know an amateur detective? Need a series for reluctant readers? The What Happened Series is the answer. And SHOWTIME SABOTAGE is the perfect place to start. Green Valley Middle School’s theater students knew their production of Pirates and Lost Boys was cursed. After months of snow days, chicken pox, and flaring rivalries, they have finally made it to opening … Continue reading Recommended: SHOWTIME SABOTAGE by Verity Weaver
The thing I loved about this book was the genuine characters. My favorite might be Dawson, the martial arts guy planning to stage a karate brick-break to recover from his embarrassing flop… Continue reading Recommended: FITNESS FIASCO by Verity Weaver
Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. Today we are featuring OTHER WORDS FOR HOME by Jasmine Warga. When life at home begins to get too dangerous for Jude and her expectant mom, they leave her papa and beloved, but rebellious brother behind in Syria and … Continue reading Featured: OTHER WORDS FOR HOME
Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. Today we are featuring SOME PLACES MORE THAN OTHERS by Renée Watson. With a new baby sister due to arrive in a few weeks and a mom who is still trying to force her to wear dresses, almost twelve-year-old … Continue reading Featured: SOME PLACES MORE THAN OTHERS by Renée Watson
Welcome, Sara Nickerson! I’m happy to host you here on The Winged Pen about your new middle grade book, Last Meeting of the Gorilla Club. Let’s dive right in. What a beautiful cover! Where did the inspiration for Last Meeting of the Gorilla Club come from? Yes, the fabulous cover! It was designed by Maria Fazio at Penguin Random House and illustrated by Maeve Norton. As for the … Continue reading Interview – Middle grade author Sara Nickerson
