Thought for the Day:
“You are never too old to set another goal, or to dream a new dream.”
~ C.S. Lewis ~
Gifts for My Writer Friends:
James Scott Bell at Kill Zone has something HERE to say about saying nothing. It’s interesting.
We are always being told how important our openings are. Just for fun, HERE are 25 great first lines from novels.
Alex Limberg at Ride the Pen has a list of 63 interesting writing prompts HERE.
My trip to Mendocino last week was wonderful. My granddaughter and I had a lot of fun together and my reading went fine. I didn’t drool or spit on anyone or trip over my words. I picked up my copy of the Noyo River Review with my novel excerpt in it, and my granddaughter was impressed. That was worth a lot to me. Copies can be ordered through the bookstore on the bookmark.
I had a little success this week. A poem of mine was published on Today’s Little Ditty, the wonderful poetry blog run by Michelle Heidenrich Barnes. You can check it out HERE.
Last time I was here, I offered a gently-read copy of Strongheart: Wonder Dog of the Silver Screen by Candace Fleming to one of you. The winner this time is Patricia Tilton. Congratulations, Patricia! I will get your book out to you soon. If you don’t now Patricia, please check out her terrific blog, Children’s Books Heal HERE. Do please keep reading. I have another fun book to give away.
I ran across Road Trip with Max and his Mom by Linda Urban on the review list for San Francisco Book Review. I had read some of her other books and thought this one looked like fun, so I asked for it. It is a lot of fun and perfect for the younger middle-grade set. Here is the review I wrote for them.
Max is working a project for school based on his readings during Biography Month. His problem is he has read about seven great explorers, and he has trouble deciding which one to report on. In fact, Max has some other difficult decisions to make. His mom and dad are divorced, and his mom wants to take him to a family reunion on a weekend. But weekends are his dad’s time. Max talks things out about the trip with both his mom and his dad, and is able to figure out how to go on the trip without feeling like he’s abandoning his dad. And in preparing their scrapbook pages for the reunion, Max learns a lot about his mom that’s pretty nice. His project and the trip are also fun learning experiences.
Author Linda Urban has a deft touch with a problem many youngsters have to deal with.

The story is one that will speak to kids in second to fourth grade without talking down to them and about things that are important to them. Cute illustrations by Katie Kath scattered throughout will help to keep the youngsters eyes on the pages and pages turning.
I have a gently-read hardback for one of you. All you need do is be a follower or subscriber (it’s free!), have a U.S. address, and leave a comment below. If you would like extra chances, please share the link to this post on Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media outlet and let me know you have done that. If you are reading this in your email, please click HERE to get to my blog, then click on the title of the post, and leave a comment. And don’t forget to check for other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at the Greg Pattridge’s blog HERE.
Hi, Rosi,, glad you had a good time with your granddaughter in Mendocino. Congratulations again on your story’s inclusion in the anthology and your reading. Thanks for the links, too. I enjoyed Bell’s post about when characters “say nothing”. Interesting slant.
LikeLike
Thanks, Mitty. Glad you like the links. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Good luck in the drawing.
LikeLike
Great news about your trip and I loved your sweet poem. I’m always struggling with beginnings so it was good to get the reminder of the ones who got it right. I’ve added Road Trip with Max and his Mom to my list. I’m always getting inquiries about books for younger MG readers and especially one with a theme that will resonate. Thanks for the great review, but I’m still enjoying the last book I won so put me aside for this week’s contest.
LikeLike
I’m always glad you and a few other readers like the links. It keeps me going. Thanks for the comment.
LikeLike
Sounds like a cool book. Count me in! And congrats on your success. We all need to celebrate ALL victories!
LikeLike
Your weekend with Gracie sounds great. I’m so proud to hear you didn’t spit on anyone. Is this a major step up for you, Rosi? Hahaha! Congratulations on your successes! I loved your descriptive poem!
I’m so far behind on my reading that I think I’ll skip this week’s drawing!
LikeLike
Thanks for the kind words (and the not so kind ones!). Glad you like the poem. Always nice to see you here.
LikeLike
Congrats on your recent successes. I get all the famous explorers mixed up so I should probably read that book!
LikeLike
I never could keep the explorers straight either. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Good luck in the drawing.
LikeLike
Lucky me! Thank you Rosi. I love dog books. Am so glad you had such a great time at the conference. Impressing your granddaughter is a big deal! And I like the imagery in your Sickle Moon poem. You have a lot going on!
This sounds like a perfect road trip book for kids this summer.
LikeLike
You should have the book by now, Patricia. I didn’t get it mailed right away. If it’s not there, yet it will be soon.Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.
LikeLike
Gad you had such a great weekend. Congrats on your successes. This is a little young for me so I’ll let someone else win.
LikeLike
Thanks, Natalie. This week’s book might be more up your alley.
LikeLike
I’m also happy that your trip went well and that you’re seeing your hard work pay off lately. I love Linda Urban’s writing so I would love to read this book too. I shared on twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, and tumblr.
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing everywhere and thanks for always comment. Good luck in the drawing.
LikeLike
Loved your new blog.
Jeanette Koscheski
LikeLike
Thanks, Jeanette. Nice to see you here. Good luck in the drawing.
LikeLike
Glad your trip was fun!
Congratulations on getting your poem published.
Road Trip with Max and his Mom sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Stephanie. You got in just under the wire for the drawing. Good luck.
LikeLike
Your new blog looks great. Congratulations!
LikeLike