Thought for the Day:
“When I’m writing, I like to seal everything off and face the wall, not to look outside the window. The only way out is through the sentences.”
~ E. L. Doctorow ~
Gifts for My Writer Friends:
I have a couple characters in my novel who have heavy accents, but how should one handle that so it doesn’t overwhelm the reader? Louise Harnby has a terrific post HERE that will help with that issue.
I am a big proponent of the Oxford comma. It’s always nice to have confirmation of that position as the article HERE from Derek Haines at Just Publishing Advice.
I have been told that my book is “episodic.” What does that really mean and how can I fix it? I did some searching and found a good article HERE that might really help me.
This meme says it all for me. We all hoped 2021 would be a fresh start, but, boy howdy, we are still getting more of that awfulness of 2020. The next couple weeks will continue to be very interesting, but hopefully after that things will calm down and we can get back to some semblance of normalcy as we continue to focus on getting this pandemic under control and getting people vaccinated. I had one shot and am scheduled for my second shot on February 18. I sure hope everyone can get theirs in the next few months. I know our new president is doing everything he can to get them out. Thanks, Joe! On another note, if someone had told me last year that the Super Bowl would be introduced with a live reading of a poem, I would have been gobsmacked. It just happened and, guess what? I am gobsmacked, but in a very good way. What a beautiful thing. Now I hope we have a good game.
The title of a book is always so important. I was intrigued when looking at the list of available books for the Manhattan Book Review by the title Because of that Crow by Beverley Brenna. What could that possibly mean? I had to find out. I’m glad I requested it. It’s a terrific book. Here is the review I wrote for them.
Harris is ten years old and struggling with guilt over being the sole survivor of a terrible car accident that killed both his parents. He and his older sister, Tessa, and his younger sister, Pinky. live with his grandfather. Grampa seems angry a lot of the time, and sometimes Harris’s behavior doesn’t help, like when he doesn’t do his school work. He has a science project to do. It’s really important to his teacher that all the children in the class do well as these projects are for the science fair. Harris has a poster that is overdue, and he is having a tough time coming up with an idea when a crow shows up. He is intelligent and starts to follow Harris around, distracting him from what he should be doing. That crow changes things for Harris, inspiring his science project and helping him understand his own problems and those of other family members.
Author Beverley Brenna has written a rich, complex story that will help youngsters discover important things about themselves and those around them. The writing is beautiful, the story compelling, and the characters fully developed and engaging. It’s short, sweet, and a real winner.
I have a gently-read paperback 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. And don’t forget to check for other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at the Greg Pattridge’s blog HERE.
Rosi Hollinbeck 
I’m heading over to how to write accents. Thanks for post!
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You’re welcome. Thanks for stopping by. Good luck in the drawing.
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Glad you are getting your COVID shot. I’m not 65 until July so I have to wait for mine. Hopefully by this spring things will speed up. This sounds like a very sweet book. I’ll let someone else win because I’m kind of buried in books.
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Thanks for the comment. Good that Uncle Joe got all that vaccine purchased. It should make it easier for everyone to get their shots.
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I am working with an 8th grader who is having a hard time getting schoolwork done this year, and is behind on all his projects. This book sounds intriguing, and perhaps holds some hope for my young reader.
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I think a lot of young readers will love this book. Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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I’m so happy you were able to get your vaccine. I’m probably looking at summer time for mine. This book sounds excellent from your review. I would enjoy reading it and then sharing it with my teacher friend for her classroom. I shared on Facebook, Twitter, and tumblr. Thank you for sharing!
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Thanks for stopping by and for sharing my link. Extra chances for you. Good luck in the drawing.
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All of the sources you shared were so helpful. And Because of that Crow sounds like a great read, but I’ll skip the contest, since there isn’t any room in our luggage for another book. This was a great review, though. Meanwhile, Amanda Gorman’s poetry just grabs me and shakes me. I, too, think it’s lovely that the Super Bowl was introduced with a poem. I’d love to see poetry come back into a prominent cultural influence as it once was.
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I think poetry is making a comeback as a cultural influence. Thanks for all your kind words.
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Happy to see you reviewing Beverly Brenna’s new book! Haven’t bought my copy yet, but it sounds like an excellent story. I loved her Wild Orchid trilogy about a girl on the autism spectrum. Also know her cousin, who I included in the tweet of your post today.
I watched the beginning of the Super Bowl just to hear Amanda Gorman’s poetry. She has a bright future and will inspire many young people to write poetry.
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Thanks for tweeting out my link. An extra chance for you. I think Amanda Gorman is inspiring to all of us. Good luck in the drawing.
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Great links once again. Go Oxford Commas!
Super Bowl was fun to watch and other than not viewing it with a crowd of friends and family, it felt like normal was making inroads.
Your featured book sounds like a plot many young readers will relate to in different ways. The crow is a unique connection to help bring the story’s eventual resolution. Thanks for the heads up on Beverly’s new book.
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You’re welcome. Thanks for all your kind words. Good luck in the drawing.
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I can see why you picked this one. What an intriguing title. I can’t imagine a child going through something like that, but this sounds like a very hopeful book.
And thanks for an inspiring writing quote as usual!
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You’re welcome! And thanks for stopping by and commenting. Good luck in the drawing.
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I love the links you’ve shared—I am definitely in favor of the Oxford comma as well! The quote is excellent as well, and the meme is…well, unfortunately accurate! Because of that Crow sounds intriguing—it reminds me a bit of Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur, which I found incredibly compelling considering its somewhat clichéd MG topics. I’ll pass on the giveaway, but thanks for the great post!
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It’s comments like yours that keep me going. Thanks! I’m glad you find things here that are useful to you.
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I like the sounds of this book, Rosi, and the title is interesting. We’re on the list, but haven’t gotten our shot yet.
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I hope you get your shot soon. Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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Another fun book! My TBR stack is teetering at the moment, so I’ll pass this time.
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Thanks for stopping by and commenting. It’s always nice to see you here.
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The title caught my attention right away. Sounds like an interesting story. The main character sounds like they are going through a lot! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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You’re welcome. It’s a terrific book. Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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What an interesting concept! The crow part is intriguing me! Thanks for sharing.
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You’re welcome. Thanks for the comment. Always nice to see you here.
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