This is the feel-good book that we need right now, when there is so much not right with the world. It’s got the kind Ogress you want to hug and the greedy dragon it’s so easy to hate, especially when he plays tricks on people for his own benefit. And then there are the clever orphans to cheer on as they try to unravel why so many bad things are happening . . . Continue reading Recommended: The Ogress and the Orphans
Shunned by his fearful village, a twelve-year-old apprentice embarks on a surprising quest to clear his name, with a mythic—and dangerous—wolf following closely at his heels.
Click below to read the full review and my Interview with the author! Continue reading Recommended: THE WOLF’S CURSE by Jessica Vitalis
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
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
Today we’re talking with a few 2021 debut authors about writing in multiple points of view. As writers we know it’s hard to get the character arc and voice down for one character, but two, three, four? Let’s see how these authors tackle this writing style. TWP: Why did you decide to write in more than one POV? One of the central questions my book … Continue reading How to Write in Multiple Points of View
Debut groups. What writers with their first publishing contracts are a part of. Ah, the dream! For years I’ve seen the hashtags of debut groups. We’ve all heard of the most recent Novel19s and Roaring20s, right? As soon as I had serious interest in my young adult novel, List of Ten, I realized I was clueless about the next steps. If my book sold, what would … Continue reading A Peek Inside the Author Debut Group
We’re back with another round of Quarantine Reads – this time we’re focusing on some of our favorite middle grade books. Continue reading Ten Great MG Reads During Self-Quarantine
It’s easy to go to a writing conference and think that there is only one road to a published book: Agent–> Editor–> Publisher–> New York Times Bestselling Author. 🙂
Many children’s books are produced by a completely different path. With a Work-For-Hire project… Continue reading WHAT HAPPENED? Halli Gomez, Rebecca J. Allen and the Work-for-Hire Writing Process
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 GENESIS BEGINS AGAIN by Alicia D. Williams. Thirteen-year-old Genesis has a list of 96 things she doesn’t like about herself––the texture of her hair, the darkness of her skin, the fact that her family keeps … Continue reading Featured: GENESIS BEGINS AGAIN
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. Middle Grade: … Continue reading February Four on 400 Winner Feedback
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
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
