The Three Rules of Everyday Magic
Back in 2015, Pitch Wars founder Brenda Drake put out a call for middle grade mentors to take on a second mentee. Without any idea who the writer was or what the story was about, Joy McCullough, Rebecca Wells, and I volunteered to co-mentor this mysterious project. That writer turned out to be Amanda Rawson Hill, who was working on a gorgeous story called The … Continue reading The Three Rules of Everyday Magic
Book Recommendation: The Colors of the Rain
The wonderful thing about historical fiction is that readers are able to experience many points in time. We’re able to learn what life was like for people decades, even centuries ago, in different regions and countries. But what I love most about this genre is that I always find the characters and their situations are not that different from today. R.L. Toalson’s novel-in-verse, The Colors … Continue reading Book Recommendation: The Colors of the Rain
September Four on 400 Feedback
Thank you to all the brave souls who entered this month’s Four on 400 contest! Sharing your writing takes courage, and we appreciate your enthusiasm for our contest.Below, we’ve posted the first 400 words from this month’s winner, along with feedback from at least four of our members. We also encourage our readers to share their (constructive) suggestions and encouragement in the comments section below. YA Contemporary: … Continue reading September Four on 400 Feedback
Windows & Mirrors: DREAM COUNTRY by Shannon Gibney
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. This week we are featuring Dream Country by Shannon Gibney. DREAM COUNTRY begins with the incredible and gut-wrenching story of a seventeen-year-old Liberian refugee. Kollie, who is both too black and not black enough for his African-American peers, is … Continue reading Windows & Mirrors: DREAM COUNTRY by Shannon Gibney
LOUISIANA’S WAY HOME by Kate DiCamillo
If you read my posts regularly, you know I devour and love many books. To call me a Kate DiCamillo super-fan may be an underestimation. I was THRILLED to receive an ARC for LOUISIANA’S WAY HOME by Kate DiCamillo. Yes, I screamed. Ask my family. Kate DiCamillo launches us back into the world of Raymie Nightingale in LOUISIANA’S WAY HOME. This time, Louisiana Elefante is … Continue reading LOUISIANA’S WAY HOME by Kate DiCamillo
Ariel Bernstein Tells Us About Her New Chapter Book Series WARREN & DRAGON
Ariel Bernstein’s new chapter book series WARREN & DRAGON is a modern-day Calvin and Hobbes-esque tale about a dreamy boy and his vain dragon companion. The first two books in the series—100 Friends and Weekend with Chewy—just published last month. So, I am thrilled to interview Ariel, who I had the pleasure of meeting recently at an unworkshop at Highlights. First of all congratulations, Ariel, on the publication … Continue reading Ariel Bernstein Tells Us About Her New Chapter Book Series WARREN & DRAGON
Windows & Mirrors: MERCI SUÁREZ CHANGES GEARS by Meg Medina
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 Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina. Because they are scholarship students, Merci and her older brother, Roli, are “different” from the other kids at their private school. Since they don’t have fancy cars or … Continue reading Windows & Mirrors: MERCI SUÁREZ CHANGES GEARS by Meg Medina
September Four on 400 Contest
Q: What is Four on 400? A monthly contest that provides ONE LUCKY MG or YA WRITER with feedback on their opening 400 WORDS! As part of our ongoing mission to support writers, we’ll give a MG or YA writer feedback from four of The Winged Pen’s contributors. Q: Sounds exciting! How do I enter? To enter, simply click the link the at the bottom of this post and submit … Continue reading September Four on 400 Contest
Recommended: THE THIRD MUSHROOM by Jennifer Holm
Anyone who knows me will tell you that The Fourteenth Goldfish is one of my favorite books. EVER. I actually screamed when I heard that the sequel, THE THIRD MUSHROOM , was releasing this summer. The second the arc became available, I started reading. Ellie, my favorite middle school scientist, is back. Why do I like Ellie so much? She funny, down-to-earth, open-minded, curious, and not a … Continue reading Recommended: THE THIRD MUSHROOM by Jennifer Holm
Windows & Mirrors: Zora & Me-THE CURSED GROUND by T.R. Simon
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 Zora and Me: The Cursed Ground by T.R. Simon. The Curse Ground is the second novel in the Zora and Me series. The first book, Zora and Me written by Victoria Bond and T.R. Simon, … Continue reading Windows & Mirrors: Zora & Me-THE CURSED GROUND by T.R. Simon
Recommended: NOT EVEN BONES by Rebecca Schaeffer
Publisher’s Description Nita doesn’t murder supernatural beings and sell their body parts on the internet—her mother does that. Nita just dissects the bodies after they’ve been “acquired.” Until her mom brings home a live specimen and Nita decides she wants out; dissecting a scared teenage boy is a step too far. But when she decides to save her mother’s victim, she ends up sold in … Continue reading Recommended: NOT EVEN BONES by Rebecca Schaeffer
THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS by Ann Braden
Many seventh graders spend their days worrying about friendship drama, their appearance, or their killer homework. But there are millions of kids in our country whose worries are related to their safety or who are living in serious poverty. We don’t see those kids in books often enough, which is why I was eager to read THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS. Zoey has her … Continue reading THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS by Ann Braden