Thought for the Day:
“There are some themes, some subjects, too large for adult fiction; they can only be dealt with adequately in a children’s book.”
~ Philip Pullman ~
Gifts for My Writer Friends:
The last thing any of us needs is boring characters. HERE is a great post on Creative Writing Now with Story Writing Tips —5 Ways to Make Your Characters More Interesting.
Setting is something that must not be ignored or forgotten in your novel. It can anchor your readers and keep them involved in the story. HERE Joanna Penn on The Creative Penn has a post on Writing Tips: Setting and a Sense of Place. It’s worth your time.
We’ve all heard how important it is to have a one-sentence pitch or logline for your book. HERE Nathan Bransford has a great post on how to write a killer one-sentence pitch (or logline) for novels and memoirs.
We are having a continuation of mild spring weather here. It’s very unusual for this area, and I am having trouble settling into indoor work on my writing. I did get a little start on Storyteller Academy classes by joining the introductory Zoom meetings for this term’s classes and am deciding which classes I plan to take. The first class had a list of 28 picture books we will study, and my wonderful Sacramento County Library had every one of them, so I was able to order them all to use during the course. I plan to take two classes, but I’m not sure which the second will be yet. They take a lot of time and are a lot of work, but I do get so much out of them. I’m also getting ready for a visitor. Many years ago, we hosted a lovely exchange student from Hamburg, Germany. Sonni was a great fit in our family, and we have stayed in touch ever since and have visited each other a few times. Her youngest son is finishing his exchange year in Buffalo, NY, and Sonni is coming here to visit me for ten days before she goes to see him graduate and take him home. I can’t wait to see her, but I also have to change the way I do things. I will have to do some meal planning and cooking, something I don’t do a lot of while by myself. And we will need to do some day trips, working around my classes. We will go to a Giants game with my daughter’s family and probably to the ocean and Lake Tahoe. It will be a busy time. So if I disappear for a week or two, that is why.
I read a review of GOOD DIFFERENT by Meg Eden Kuyatt somewhere (sorry, I can’t remember where), and it sounded so good, I knew I wanted to read it. I was able to get a review copy from the Manhattan Book Review and was not disappointed. It’s not only a really good book, but it’s an important book that will help a lot of middle-graders be more accepting and empathetic to those who learn differently and respond to things differently. Here is the review I wrote for MBR.
Selah tries very hard to remember all the rules about what she must do to be “normal.” Her mother reminds her constantly how important it is. Selah has trouble when there is too much noise or bright lights or when she has to sit on a hard chair or do other things “normal” people aren’t bothered by. One day, Addie, a girl she considers a friend and whom Selah has tutored in math, starts braiding Selah’s hair without asking. It burns and frightens her, and she hits Addie without meaning to. Selah writes her frustrations out in poems, and her English teacher recognizes that her poetry might be Selah’s best chance to have others understand her and accept her.
Meg Eden Kuyatt has written a beautiful novel in verse that tells the story of a young girl who is on the autism spectrum, although her mother denies that anything is “wrong.” This book will open the eyes (and hearts!) of all who read it. Some will recognize themselves, and others will recognize those around them who deserve their understanding. The author’s note explains her experiences that shaped this book, and she offers other resources for readers. This is a must-read.
I have a gently-read ARC for one of you. All you need to do is be a follower (it’s free and easy — see the top, right corner of the post) and leave a comment. If you share the link to this post on social media, please let me know in your comment, and you will get extra chances. And please don’t forget to check for other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge’s blog HERE.
Rosi Hollinbeck 
Someone else recently recommended this book. I picked up the hard cover version of this book, but I haven’t had the time to read it yet.
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You will like it when you get to it, Pete. It’s a really good book. Thanks for stopping by.
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I want to read this book. Meg Eden lives in my SCBWI region and I’ve followed her writing journey. Please add me to the giveaway list. Thanks for your post, Rosi!
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How fun that Meg is in your region. Yes, you will really like this book. You are on the list. Good luck in the drawing. Thanks for the comment.
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I e been looking at the Storytellers Academy for a while. I’d be interested to know how your experience went.
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My experience with Storyteller Academy has been really great. I feel I’ve gotten my money’s worth and have learned a good amount. Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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I’ve been wanting to read this book since I first read an interview with this author. It sounds like one that will help readers gain empathy. I shared on Facebook, Pinterest, tumblr, and Twitter.
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Yes, readers will certainly become more empathetic. Thanks for reading, commenting, and sharing my link. Extra chances for you.
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Sounds like a really great book. I can’t wait to check it out. Thanks for sharing!
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It is great, Kasey. Thanks for visiting. Good luck in the drawing.
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This sounds like such a powerful story, Rosi! Unfortunately, I think there are a lot of parents who deny that their children are autistic/neurodiverse/etc., because it hurts them to admit it—and obviously, it is to the children’s detriment not to fully understand themselves in those ways. So I’m really grateful this book is calling that out and conveying a compassionate portrait of Selah!
I hope your Storyteller Academy courses are as helpful and interesting as they’ve been in the past! And it’s so fun that Sonni is coming to visit you for over a week—I hope y’all enjoy each other’s company and preparing isn’t too much trouble! Also, I couldn’t possibly agree more with this week’s quote.
I’ll pass on the giveaway, just because I recently cleaned out 40 or so books, and I have to cling to my progress! Thanks so much for the thoughtful post, as always!
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I couldn’t agree more. Most parents avoid such diagnoses because they think it reflects on them. What a shame. Good for you for clearing out some books! Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate it.
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I love novels in verse. Thanks for this rec! And yes, I hope that punctuation is incorrect, too, LOL.
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Novels in verse are great. Thanks for stopping by. Good luck in the drawing.
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Sounds really good!
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Yup. Thanks for reading. Good luck in the drawing.
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I’ve heard of this book and shared it on FB and Twitter. Sounds very good.
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Thanks for sharing my link! Extra chances for you. Good luck in the drawing.
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It’s great that authors of children’ books cover diversity so well, while telling an interesting story. Good Different sounds like another such book. Thanks for the revue, Rosi.
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It’s a really good book. I hope you get a chance toe read it. Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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Very intriguing set of links. I will have to dive into them later this week as I have a rather busy first week of no school coming up. I too saw this book reviewed so thanks for bringing it to my attention again. The main character and plot will be very helpful to young readers who give it a try. Thanks for featuring your review on MMGM this week and have a great time with your former exchange student.
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Thanks, Greg. It always makes me happy that you like the links. Good luck in the drawing.
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This sounds like a book that every classroom library should have, or at least every school library. Enjoy your Storytellers Academy courses. It sounds like they have been quite fruitful. And thanks for the links. I especially like Nathan Bradford’s tips on loglines.
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You’re welcome. Yes, Nathan Bradford always has good content. I agree this book deserves wide readership. Thanks for reading and commenting. I hope all is well in Portugal.
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Best of luck with the Storytellers Academy, Rosi, I hope the coursework is not too intensive! How fantastic you have stayed in touch with your exchange student, I hope you have a fabulous time when she visits (visitors always keep you busy but well worth it!). The book also sounds a super book for kids, to get them to consider others. I love the title too! Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks. I will need good luck keeping up with the coursework at Storytellers Academy, but it will be worth it. Thanks for always reading and commenting. I appreciate it.
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Oh man, if ever there was a book written for me it would be Good Different…. Also, I 100% agree with Phillip Pullman about writing for children!
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It’s a really great book, Sue. I hope you get to read it soon. Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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Remarkable sounding book as always, Rosi!! I hope you can relax and enjoy your time with Sonni. I’ll be sharing on Facebook and Twitter.
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Thanks for sharing my link. Extra chances for you, Nancy. I think you will enjoy this book. Good luck in the drawing.
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I agree with other comments, that this is a very important book. We all need to learn that different is not wrong. People who are “different” add variety, richness, and depth to our culture and to our lives.
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Yes. I couldn’t agree more, Myra. Thanks for such a thoughtful comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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This sounds like a great book. I am definitely intrigued to read it. It sounds like a book that would be great for my students. Thanks for sharing!
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Yes, I think it belongs in a lot of classrooms. I hope you introduce your students to it. Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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This one sounds really good, Rosi. (And I don’t usually like books in verse.) Best of luck with your classes and kudos for taking some time to enjoy your visit with Sonni.
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The verse is not overwhelming at all. It’s a terrific book. Thanks for your kind words. Good luck in the drwing.
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