Thought for the Day:
“Much of writing might be described as mental pregnancy with successive difficult deliveries.”
~ J.B. Priestley ~
Gifts for My Writer Friends:
Anne R. Allen has a really important post HERE for all writers. Please do not miss this one, and make sure you read all the way through.
The California Writer’s Club had a talk on Saturday (via Zoom) by C. S. Lakin. If you ever get a chance to hear her or take a workshop from her, do it. She’s great. She always has good advice on her site, Live Write Thrive. HERE she will show you how Crafting Great Characters Starts and Ends with Motivation.
Janice Hardy wrote a guest post for Writers in the Storm HERE that will give you 5 Ways to Keep Your Protagonist Proactive.
I got a new computer this week — a Macbook Pro with 16 gigs of ram. There was nothing wrong with my other laptop; I just needed more memory. I am still struggling a bit getting used to it, but I do love it. The speed is great. The keyboard is a tiny bit different and has a different feel to it, so I am making more typos than usual, so if some escape me, please forgive me. I have a treat for you this week. Every year the Washington Post’s Mensa Invitational asks readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. Here are most of the winners. There were a couple that were R rated, so I left them out. My favorites are 13 and 14, but they are all pretty clever. Enjoy!
- Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.
- Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
- Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
- Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
- Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.
- Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn’t get it.
- Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
- Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)
- Karmageddon: It’s like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it’s like, a serious bummer.
- Decafhalon (n): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
- Glibido: All talk and no action.
- Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.
- Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you’ve accidentally walked through a spider web
- Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.
- Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn when you discover half a worm in the fruit you’re eating
Last week I offered a gently read ARC of Egg Marks the Spot by Amy Timberlake and illustrated by Jon Klassen to one of you. This week’s winner is Danielle Hammelef. Congratulations, Danielle! I will get your book out to you soon. Danielle always shares my link for extra chances, and it often works for her. Thanks for doing that, Danielle.
I have long been a fan of Terry Lynn Johnson. When I saw a new book by her, Rescue at Lake Wild, available for review from the Portland Book Review, I was excited to claim it. I had previously read her books Dog Driven and Ice Dogs, both of which I really loved, so I always keep an eye out for her work. This book seems written for a slightly younger audience, but it has a great story and characters who are engaging, but not quite the intensity of the others I had read. That said, I thought it was perfect for that slightly younger group of middle-graders and will engage older reluctant readers. Here is the review I wrote for PBR.
Madison is twelve, but she already knows what she wants to do with her life. She will rescue wildlife, as her late grandmother had done and like her hero Jane Goodall. In fact, she is already doing it, unofficially and against her parents’ wishes, but when she and her best friends, Aaron and Jack, discover two beavers have been killed, they know there are kits still in the lodge that must be saved. Ignoring the danger, Madison swims into the lodge and makes it out with two tiny kits. The kids have to hide them from Madison’s parents and find ways to feed them. They also take it upon themselves to use their detective skills to find out who killed the beavers. The town is thinking of putting a bounty on beavers! Things are getting desperate.
Author Terry Lynn Johnson always creates brave, daring girls to people her stories, and this book is no exception. The story is very compelling, the writing terrific, and readers will root for Madison and her two friends in their mission. There is some danger, but not too much for the middle-grade set, and a good bit of adventure. This is a winner.
I have no giveaway this week since I will donate the nice hardback copy I got. Don’t forget to check for other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge’s blog HERE. He always has links to several middle-grade reviews, and he writes reviews on his own blog two or three times a week. See you here soon!
Rosi Hollinbeck 
Hi Rosi,
If you have time tonight—change the title to your post. Instead of Rescue at Wild Lake, switch the last two words to Rescue at Lake Wild.
Have a great week. Go Giants!
Greg ALWAYS in the MIDDLE
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for this, Greg. I saw it when you sent it and fixed the problem right away. I’m grateful.
LikeLike
I also read and enjoyed this book very much. It’s my second by this author and I enjoy her focus on wildlife. The backmatter was enlightening and made me want to know more about beavers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s a great writer. You will probably like any books of hers you run across. Thanks for the comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your list of “altered words” and their definitions. Yes, 13 and 14 are particularly clever–and so is 15!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How nice to see you here, Ellen. Thanks for stopping by. Glad you enjoyed the altered words.
LikeLike
Really enjoyed the links and bookmarked two. I have a friend who is regularly cloned on FB, and I’ve been called more than once by outfits that would love to help me republish my book. So they are out there, all right!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is scary how bad guys can wheedle their way into our lives. I hear of new scams all the time. Stay safe! thanks for reading.
LikeLike
Your altered list is so funny. I’m a fan of Terry’s too. This sounds like a great story for younger middle graders.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pretty clever wordsmithing, eh? Glad you liked it. This book is a great introduction to Terry’s books for younger middle-graders. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
I am also a fan of Terry Lynn Johnson and her books, and I really enjoyed reading this as well as learning something about beavers. Also, I love the word alternations and the new definitions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you found things to like here. Yes, TLJ has great books! Thanks for the comment.
LikeLike
I just loved this book and thought it a perfect read for younger middle grade students. Loved your review.
Thanks for sharing the list of altered words — very clever and creative definitions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your kind words. The altered words are fun, aren’t they? Thanks for reading and commenting.
LikeLike
I also enjoyed this book as well as the others you mentioned. My original copy has been passed around to various young readers so many times I’ve lost track as to how many. I’m looking forward to her next title she creates.
Thanks for the links. That first one was a real wake up call and I’m glad I read it completely. As always, thanks for being a part of MMGM.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, that first link is an eye-opener. I’m glad your young friends are enjoying Terry’s book. I like nothing better than a worn kid’s book. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
LikeLike
Another fun review! Thank you for sharing the altered words. So fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for always reading and commenting.
LikeLike
This is the second time I’m seeing a review of this book … the one about the beavers. Thanks for reminding me that I want to read this! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You will like this book. I learned a lot about beavers. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
This has been on my list to read – I guess I ought to go find a copy. I love that Terry highlights the strength and problem-solving of girls.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This one is right up your alley, Sue. You will like it. Thanks for reading and commenting.
LikeLike
I’ve heard so many great reviews of Rescue at Lake Wild, and you make it sound wonderful as well! And the other books you mention by Johnson remind me that people always seem to love her books—I remember Dog Driven was also reviewed by tons of bloggers.
I love the quote and meme as always! And I looked at the first link about the scams—the Facebook thing is bad enough, but the “editors” STEALING PEOPLE’S BOOKS when they’re not copyrighted yet?! That’s off-the-rails. People have to be unreasonably vigilant on the Internet these days, seriously.
On a lighter note, I love all the altered words—it’s so fun to stop by here every week and see some fun puns! Thanks so much for the great post with all the goodies!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome. Thanks for all your kind words. I always love to hear from you. Glad you found much to like here. I appreciate hearing when people enjoy reading my blog.
LikeLike