Laurie's best blog attempt...
With dragons.
Angel’s Amazing Artwork
Angel sent me some amazing artwork of Caden from THE LAST DRAGON CHARMER! I love his eyes and his expression. It made my week!
Thirteen Doorways – Wolves behind them all.
This was historical fiction told from POV of a ghost. It was very interesting. Conversations between the dead lacked quotations marked which seemed to make the ghost conversations eerie and quiet. I enjoyed it! And I will leave more detailed thoughts later.
Fantastic Virtual Visits
In January, February, and March, I virtually visited some wonderful schools and students both with #KidsNeedMentors and during World-Read-Aloud-Day and Read-Across-America!
It takes work (and sometimes a bit of stress) for the teachers and librarians who arrange author visits so I need to give a shout out to Ms. Fletcher at Franklin Elementary, Ms Gray at Pleasant Grove Elementary, and Ms. Maldonado and Ms. Barcelona at Wilburn Elementary for working with me to set these visits up.
It’s so exciting to chat books and writing with kids. I honestly think if someone had told me I could write a book when I was in fourth or fifth grade, if we’d had authors visit my elementary school, I would’ve started writing a lot sooner. I hope some of these students our already writing their stories.
100 Books!
3. The Benefits of Being an Octopus – by Ann Braden. A good book about socio-economic class divides, growing up, and facing challenges!
“Seventh-grader Zoey has her hands full as she takes care of her much younger siblings after school every day while her mom works her shift at the pizza parlor. Not that her mom seems to appreciate it. At least there’s Lenny, her mom’s boyfriend—they all get to live in his nice, clean trailer.
At school, Zoey tries to stay under the radar. Her only friend Fuchsia has her own issues, and since they’re in an entirely different world than the rich kids, it’s best if no one notices them.
Zoey thinks how much easier everything would be if she were an octopus: eight arms to do eight things at once. Incredible camouflage ability and steady, unblinking vision. Powerful protective defenses.
Unfortunately, she’s not totally invisible, and one of her teachers forces her to join the debate club. Even though Zoey resists participating, debate ultimately leads her to see things in a new way: her mom’s relationship with Lenny, Fuchsia’s situation, and her own place in this town of people who think they’re better than her. Can Zoey find the courage to speak up, even if it means risking the most stable home she’s ever had?”
#KidsNeedMentors
I’m excited to be part of #KidsNeedMentors. I’ll be partnering with two wonderful NC Schools – Franklin Elementary in Mount Airy and Pleasant Grove Elementary in Morrisville!
Click the link above to read more about this wonderful program! I’ll post more as the year progresses.
100 Books…
My goal this year is to read 100 books. Currently, I’m at seventeen. I actually think I’m a little over that since I’ve read some unpublished works and there are a few books I did not finish (DNF). But there is nothing wrong with lofty goal and I’ll just continue it on to 2019 if I don’t conquer it this year.
Here are the last two books I’ve finished reading thus far. I’m putting these up in no particular order. Just counting up to one hundred!!! At my current pace, I should hit my goal roughly 2021…
1. Howl’s Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones
“Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl’s castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there’s far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye” – Goodreads description
Howl’s Moving Castle was also made into an anime by Hayao Miyazaki. The movie is a bit different from to book, but both had moving castles…and were cool.
2. Front Desk by Kelly Yang
“Front Desk tells the story of 10-year-old Mia Tang. Every day, Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel while her parents clean the rooms. She’s proud of her job. She loves the guests and treats them like family. When one of the guests gets into trouble with the police, it shakes Mia to her core. Her parents, meanwhile, hide immigrants in the empty rooms at night. If the mean motel owner Mr. Yao finds out, they’ll be doomed!”
– Goodreads description
This was another great book! The author immigrated from China as a child and her family managed hotels while she was growing up. The author’s note explains how many parts of the story were inspired by parts of her life.
Kidlitcon 2017 with the KidLitosphere in Hershey, PA this Friday and Saturday!
I’ll be on a fabulous panel about Villains in MG with great authors, librarians, and bloggers. Come and check it out. Also, click the KidLitCon banner to find out more about KidLitCon 2017 and to enter Kidlitosphere Central.
Iron Guy Carl for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Iron Guy Carl interviewed me on his wonderful blog! And he reviewed all my books. Check out the interview and reviews by clicking the here. Read Iron Guy Carl’s blog and you’ll also find great interviews with authors like Rick Riordan and Phyllis Reynolds Naylor and more MG book reviews.
Laurie's best blog attempt... 