Thought for the Day:
“Quantity produces quality. If you only write a few things, you’re doomed.”
~ Ray Bradbury ~
Gifts for My Writer Friends:
Lara Willard has a GREAT post HERE with 2 Words You Should Stop Deleting Right Now and 66 Overused Words.
I am a pantser, and I wonder sometimes if that’s okay. HERE Gwen Hernandez has a great post on Writer Unboxed called Losing the Plot: Writing by the Seat of Your Pants.
Do you need to ramp up the conflict in your story? HERE Becca Puglosi has a guest post on Anne R. Allen’s blog with great suggestions for more conflict.
I listened when the doctor told me my immune system would be compromised by the treatments I was getting, but I don’t think I realized just how careful I should be. This week I came down with a bad cough, took a Covid test, and, yup, I had it! Ack! I got in touch with my doctor, and she prescribed the new anti-viral medication. It truly is a miracle drug. I am much better already and feel like I’m going to come through this latest setback just fine. So now I am going to be staying home as much as possible, using N95 masks if I have to go somewhere, and being much more careful. Lesson learned. That nasty stuff is still out there. Be careful everyone.
I don’t choose a lot of advice kinds of books, but I liked the title of How to Take the GROAN Out of Grown-Ups (and Get Along!) by Eric Braun and illustrated by Steve Mark. I guess it was the play on words that caught my attention when I saw it on the review list for the San Francisco Book Review. I hope this book gets a wide readership. Sure, it’s great for the young readers, but parents would do well to read it and teachers could certainly use it in the classroom for great discussion starters. Here is the review I wrote for SFBR.
Most kids have plenty of adults in their lives. Sometimes they are easy to get along with, but sometimes it seems to be the most difficult thing in the world. So if a middle-grader could find a nice book chock-full of good advice about dealing with adults, that would be a real gift. And if the book had a friendly tone and used lots of humor and a ton of fun illustrations, that would be even better. And then, if none of it came across as being preachy, well, that would be almost too much to hope for, but this is that book.
Author Eric Braun keeps everything light while still being on target the whole way through. He does this while discussing some pretty serious topics, things that might make readers uncomfortable, but in this case, he avoids that discomfort. His advice is sound, including lots of ideas about how to have difficult conversations with parents, teachers, and other adults as well as good examples of what one might expect in terms of responses. Illustrator Steve Mark has filled the pages with super-fun, cartoonish drawings that will engage readers. This is a 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 Greg Pattridge’s blog HERE.
Rosi Hollinbeck 
So sorry you got COVID, Rosi. This sounds like a great book, especially with the illustrations. I’ll pass on the giveaway. I’m buried in books.
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Thanks for visiting and commenting, Natalie.
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Thanks for the links, Rosi, and so sorry to hear your immune system is so compromised! Worth it, I know, but look after yourself! Sounds a good book, but sometimes I think it’s the adults who need to read these the most! 🙂 Take care of yourself!
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Haha. Yes, the adults do need to read this one too. Thanks for the comment.
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Sounds like an interesting, different sort of book. Count me in-Elliott might enjoy reading and reviewing.
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Okay, Carol, you are in! Good luck!
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I’m so relieved to read that the anti-viral drugs work so well. I haven’t known anyone personally who has had to use them. This book sounds like a fun book that may generate some story ideas for me. I shared on tumblr, twitter, and facebook too: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/yesreaderwriterpoetmusician/686964321313488896?source=share
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Thanks for sharing my link. Good luck, Danielle.
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I know many people who have been ultra careful and still end up with Covid. As far as I know, I’ve managed to avoid it, but a lot of this still comes down to things out of our control. I’ve heard others talk about the virtues of anti-viral medicines for Covid.
I like books like the one you reviewed because both young and old can learn from them and get a few laughs.
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Everyone has something to learn from this book, and, yes, the laughs are nice. Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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What a great title and cover for the book. Like you, I don’t enjoy reviewing advice books — not easy to review. This does sound catchy!
So sorry to hear you got COVID, but glad that you got the right meds quickly and are feeling better. This thing is going to stay with us for a while. Take care!
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This advice book is a good one. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Good luck in the drawing.
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The title is one of the best to capture a new reader’s attention. It sure did for me. I know many middle grade kids who would benefit from the advice.
Thanks once again for the selection of links. Loved the one on overused words.
Best wishes for a quick recovery from COVID. So many people I know have come down with it the last few months.
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Thanks, Greg. Glad you like the link. Yes, this is a neat little book and lots of kids can benefit. Good luck in the drawing.
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I’m so sorry you got COVID, Rosi! It’s frustrating that the treatment you need for one health condition ended up resulting in a different one, but I’m so glad the antiviral meds have helped so much! I really hope you feel better soon.
As for the book, this is such a brilliant idea—giving kids advice to deal with the grown-ups in their lives! I’m impressed by how this author seems to cover complex topics in a lighthearted manner. I also love the quote and meme you shared! I’ll pass on the giveaway, but thanks so much for the wonderful post!
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Thanks, Max. I do feel better. The fun approach really makes this one work. And thanks for the kind words.
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What a fun title!
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Fun title and fun book. Thanks for stopping by. Good luck in the drawing.
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