Thought for the Day:
“Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.”
~ Denis Waitley ~
Gifts for My Writer Friends:
Naming characters is fun, but it isn’t always easy. HERE is a great post from Anne R. Allen’s wonderful blog on Naming Fictional Characters: 10 Tips to Avoid Pitfalls.
This post must have been written with me in mind. It seems to have me written all over it. Royaline Sing has a very important post HERE on Fiction University on The Danger of Self-Rejection (And Tricks on How to Battle it).
Ryan Lanz at A Writer’s Path has a really good post HERE on How to Have Stronger Character Beginnings. He has excellent examples.
We certainly seem to be finally turning a big corner on the pandemic. I was astonished when the CDC announced this week that in so many instances, people really don’t need to be wearing masks. I wonder if it didn’t come a little too soon and without an emphasis on the caveats that this is for those who have been vaccinated. My fear is that the anti-vaxers are the same group that are anti-maskers, and they will not respect the need to wear masks if one hasn’t been vaccinated. How can we ever get to the necessary 70% under these circumstances? I was relieved and excited that my granddaughter, Gracie, age 15, was able to get her first shot this week. I have been so worried that she has been unprotected all this time. For now, I intend to keep wearing my mask when I am out and about, and I will keep on encouraging people to be vaccinated. I hope all of you and your families are protected and stay well.
I have mentioned how fond I am of books that help emerging readers make that leap into middle-grade books. I always keep my eye open for them, and recently I saw a book on the review list for the Portland Book Review that I had to have. It is a graphic novel for emerging readers. I don’t know of any others, but I don’t know everything, so maybe there are others. Nobody Likes You, Greta Grump by Cathy Malkasian is perfectly charming and a lot of fun with some magic thrown in and is just right for those emerging readers. Here is the review I wrote for PBR.
Greta is a very obstreperous child. She throws food, is mean to just about everyone, and has exhausted her parents to the point they fall asleep at dinner. They have tried everything, including renting her every kind of pet imaginable, but she rejects them one after another. Until, that is, they bring home a turtle from the pet rental. Greta and the turtle (named Nobody) get into a shouting match, but Nobody stays right with Greta and doesn’t give any ground. Surprisingly, Greta asks him to stay. In the morning, he takes her to a rather magical land where they have some interesting and sometimes difficult travels. It’s there she discovers a lot about what makes people unhappy, including herself. But can any of this change things for Greta?
Cathy Malkasian has written a very engaging graphic novel for the youngest of middle-grade readers. The artwork is great with lots of fun details in every frame. The characters are fully formed and quirky. Greta is irreverent and smart, and Nobody is the perfect foil for her. The story is fanciful and funny with a touch of fantasy. Emerging readers and reluctant readers will especially love this book.
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 
As you so often do, Rosi, it sounds like you found another winner. I’m impressed.
Regarding the masking, I have decided that I will continue to mask whenever I don’t feel well, whenever I’m entering a crowd of strangers, and whenever “something is going around.”
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Good for you. Keep on masking! Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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Jenny and Matt Holm have some board book graphic novels, and Hilo, Super Amoeba, and Babymouse are good introductory GN. I’m in the middle of renovating my graphic novel section– it’s certainly changed since I got my first two graphic novels, Manga Claus and Stormbreaker, in 2009!
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Board book graphics! Wow! Everything changes so quickly these days. This book might be a good one to add to your collection. Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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This sounds like a cute story. I recently read my first graphic novel and enjoyed it. This sounds like one I’d like too.
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It is awfully cute. I’m glad you like your first graphic novel. I’m not sold on them for me, but I’m sure kids like them. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Good luck in the drawing.
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This book sounds like such a great story! I’m curious to see how Greta develops with the help of a magical adventure, and I also love that this is in graphic novel format! I love the meme and quote, and I agree with you that the CDC’s decision is a bit alarming—I’m already paranoid, even being vaccinated, that I’ll still get COVID (although that’s probably highly unlikely), but adding the who-is-and-who-isn’t-vaccinated thing to the mix sounds like even more of a nightmare! I’ll be wearing masks for the foreseeable future. I’ll pass on the giveaway, but thanks for the great post!
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Glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for your very thoughtful comment. It’s always nice to see you here.
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This looks like a fun book, but since I just won, I’ll pass.
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Thanks for stopping by.
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I’ve been reading and enjoying graphic novels this year, including Jarret Lerner’s books. Thank you for sharing with one of your readers. I shared on tumblr, Facebook, and Twitter:
I already know that people aren’t going to be honest about vaccinations, especially if they are still in the hate to wear mask group or don’t take COVID seriously. I went to the library today and they are still requiring masks, much to my relief.
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Thanks for all the shares, Danielle. Extra chances for you. Good luck in the drawing.
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What a great cover — Gretta looks angry and mean. Love the word play. I am a big fan of emerging reader books for kids moving into MG books. This sounds like a fun story and one that kids will enjoy reading — especially if there is a talking turtle that stands up to her. Enjoyed your review.
I am with you. I don’t wear a mask outside walking, but when in a group, I do wear a mask. You just don’t know who’s been vaccinated. Will be interesting to see if the 5 $1 million lottery drawings will boost our numbers of vaccinations in Ohio — sad to see money as an incentive.
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One would think staying alive would be incentive enough to get the vaccine! And I think the governor might have done better offering 50 prizes of $100,000 each, but that’s just me. I hope it works. Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you enjoyed the review. Good luck in the drawing.
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I liked your post about names. I always have some characters that are hard to name–and until I find the right one, I can’t seem to figure out who the character is.
This sounds like a great read. It sounds hilarious and something a lot of kids can relate to.
I love the idea of a rent-a-pet!
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I think rent-a-pet is a pretty fun idea. It’s a funny book. I’m glad you found a link that’s helpful. Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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I’m always on the lookout for cute graphic novels! You don’t have to enter me in the draw, as I’m in Canada, where we are a little behind schedule on vaccinations but we’re getting there! We do have some anti-maskers, but a lot fewer anti-vaxxers I think, so if we could just get supplies distributed we could maybe get a handle on this pandemic! Sigh. I’ve had my first shot, at least.
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I’m glad you got a shot. Even one is very helpful, so you are safer than before. This is a cute. book. I hope you can find a copy. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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I’ve known a few like Greta!. Perfect story line to bring out her other qualities. Thanks for featuring on MMGM but let someone else win this week. My pile is too high right now. I forwarded your review to my nieces family. She’s on the lookout for books to read this summer.
I especially enjoyed the link to the “self-rejection” article. So many important lessons. And yes, I’m still wearing my mask, too–at least for awhile.
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I hope your niece likes the book. That link on self-rejection really spoke to me. Glad to know you are masking. Take care, Greg. Thanks for stopping by.
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