Thought for the Day:
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes…including YOU!”
~ Ann Lamott ~
Gifts for My Writer Friends:
Query letters are, at least for me, daunting. So when I see a post on writing queries, I always pay attention. The one HERE from Sub it Club will help you out.
Words are so important, and sometimes the wrong word or word sequence can really mess up the timeline of a story. The Manuscript Shredder has a terrific post HERE that will help you keep time in order.
Just for fun, Mentalfloss has some foreign word translations HERE that will give you a laugh or two.
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I enjoyed my vacation, but I am glad to be back home and back to blogging. I am just about back to normal, but after 3200 miles in a Prius, my back told me to take a few quiet days with a lot of ice. It’s working. The family reunion was a lovely time. Twenty-two family members came together in Colorado Springs for three days of visiting and activities with nary a brouhaha or even a harsh word. That is quite an accomplishment!
On my last post, I offered an ARC of Hank Zipzer: The Cow Poop Treasure Hunt by Lin Oliver and Henry Winkler to one of you. Danielle Hammelef always reads my blog and leaves a comment and shares the link to my posts for extra chances. I appreciate that. She is the winner this week. Danielle, I will get this out to you this week. Thanks and congratulations! For the rest of you, I have another great giveaway, so please keep reading.
I read and reviewed Bobby Lee Claremont and the Criminal Element by Jeannie Mobley several months ago, but I have been hanging on to it. Some books are hard for me to give up, and this is one, but I also feel it needs to be shared. It’s quite a book. Here is the review I wrote for the Seattle Book Review.
Bobby Lee lost his mother and has lived with the Sisters of Charitable Mercy since. He is tired of being poor and, with all the logic of a 13-year-old boy, he decides to leave New Orleans and move to Chicago to enter a life of crime. What could possibly go wrong? Bobby Lee finds himself in a train car with a young widow and her baby, three sketchy guys traveling with her, and a New Orleans cop. Bobby Lee makes friends with the widow, and suddenly everyone seems interested in him, who he talks to, and what he has to say. He also finds some allies in Leon and Terrance, two African-American boys working with their grandfather, a porter on the train. The two introduce Bobby Lee to some fascinating people and interesting ideas.
Author Jeannie Mobley tells a compelling story that has at its core a hard look at the Jim Crow laws prevalent in the south in the early 20th century and how they affected people of color. Mobley has clearly done her homework and takes her readers to the 1920s with great descriptions, finely-drawn characters, and crisp writing. Don’t miss this one.
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.
Rosi Hollinbeck 
Glad you had such a good vacation, Rosi. This sounds like an interesting story, and I enjoy historical fiction.
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If you like historical fiction, you will like this. Good luck in the drawing. Thanks for the comment.
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Hours and hours in the car does it to me too. Glad you’re back, I’ll pass on this book.
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I’m glad to be back too. Thanks, Carol.
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Welcome back. I have a Prius and understand the need to stretch out after a long journey. I’d love that gently used copy about Bobby Lee Clement. That cover is priceless and your reviews say it’s a must read.
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I do love my Prius, but that was a loooong trip! Thanks for your comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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I’m so happy you enjoyed your family reunion! Glad you’re back. I love historical fiction and this sounds like a really good read,
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The reunion was fun. Thanks, Patricia. Good luck in the drawing.
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I also loved this one so no need for me to win another copy. The story grabs you from the beginning and the ride is memorable. Thanks for the links as my query letters are always in need of revision and the time element post hit home.
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Glad you find the links useful. The time element post was interesting, wasn’t it? Thanks for stopping by, Greg. Always nice to see you here.
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I love the Ann Lamont quote–so true! I also enjoyed the Mental Floss fun today. Thank you so much for sharing your book with me! I’m happy to share your informational posts always.
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I saw Ann Lamont at a conference once. If you ever get the chance to see her, do it. Glad you like the book. Thanks for commenting and sharing. Good luck in the drawing.
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Your revue grabbed me. If you have trouble letting go of a book, I know I need to read it! Please put me in the drawing!
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You are in, Tudy. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Good luck in the drawing.
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I love historical MG fiction, and this one sounds especially interesting to me since I visited my grandparents and other relatives in New Orleans during many of my childhood summer vacations. I can see why you wanted to share this treasure with us! Thank you for posting your review.
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It’s fun to find a book to which you have a personal connection. Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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This sounds like a terrific read, but I’m overwhelmed with the books I already have, so I will pass on the opportunity to win. Hope your back is better by now. Glad the reunion went well.
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My back is slowly getting better. Thanks. I know about overwhelmed with books! Thanks fro stopping by.
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Rosi–your posts are just amazing from the wonderful quotes and links to the fabulous reviews. I don’t know how you do it!
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Awwww. Thanks, Liz. Always nice to see you here. I always enjoy your posts, too. Good luck in the drawing.
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