Thought for the Day:
“Writing is a job, a talent, but it’s also the place to go in your head. It is the imaginary friend you drink your tea with in the afternoon.”
~ Ann Patchett ~
Gifts for My Writer Friends:
Livia Blackburn wrote a good post HERE on A Brain Scientist’s Take on Writing that will tell you How to Personalize a Query in 10 Minutes. Some good advice here.
Having plot problems? HERE Janice Hardy at Fiction University has an excellent post on Why Your Plot Isn’t Working.
Our antagonists are every bit as important as our protagonists. HERE is a good article by Nathan Bransford on How to Create a Great Villain.
My daughter Maggie, who lives in New York, sent us some beautiful photos of fall colors she took while visiting upstate New York. Normally by this time of year, we would have trees turning, but we haven’t had any fall colors yet. Week before last, it was at or over 100 every day. Last week and this week, we’re looking at the low to high 80s most days. It is hard for me to believe there are still so many who think no climate change and global warming is going on. I’m fortunate to be able to have solar panels on my house, and I drive a Prius, so I’m doing what I can. Not everyone can afford solar or truly efficient cars, but we can vote for people who will be stewards of the Earth, will pass common-sense legislation to protect the land, and who are of good character. Getting rid of the EPA and doing away with regulations on businesses will leave even more of a mess for future generations. I try not to get too political on my blog, but desperate times call for desperate measures. If you are not familiar with Project 2025 or Agenda 47, they will gut the protections we have now for the earth and for the elderly and for so many others who need our help. Use your vote wisely, please.
Anyone who has read my blog for a while knows I have a special place in my heart for historical fiction. I don’t have a particular period in mind, but I just want to be transported to a time I’ve never been before, so a book set in the 1980s isn’t nearly as attractive as one set in medieval times. One of my all-time favorite books is A JOURNAL OF A PLAGUE YEAR by Daniel Defoe. When I saw PLAGUE THIEVES by Caroline Fernandez available for review, it was a must-read for me. That great cover is sure to draw readers in. Here is my review.
12-year-old Rose and her older brother, Lem, live with their parents above the family spice shop. It is London in 1665, and a terrible disease is claiming hundreds of lives. Father mixes an oil that he says can prevent the disease but can’t cure it. Mother dies from the Plague, and Father gets it. He gives the children the oil and tells them to leave, then he burns their shop, home, and himself. Rose and Lem end up living under a bridge, and then Lem disappears. Rose is on her own, but she is resourceful and makes some friends. Soon six children are working together trying to survive in Plague-filled London.
Caroline Fernandez has written a compelling story of brave kids facing nearly insurmountable odds in a fascinating historical period. Young readers will be captivated by the horror of that time, and they will be engrossed by this book. The characters are interesting and mostly believable. Clove sounds much older than she is. I know children had to grow up fast in those times, but she is only five and seems much older. Also, the dialogue sounds too modern. There is one historical inaccuracy I caught, and I am a stickler for details. Rose talks about making sandwiches, and the term sandwich did not appear until the 18th century. But those small complaints won’t keep young readers away from this very good middle-grade book. If this is a period taught in the middle grades, this book will be a perfect addition to the curriculum.
I have a gently-read paperback of this book to give to 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) with a US Address, 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 an extra chance. And please don’t forget to check for other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge’s blog HERE.
Rosi Hollinbeck 
I collect MG mysteries and HF books, so I definitely need this book, which after I read will be donated to a Title 1 school. Please choose me Rosi.
your friend Beth Schmelzer
schmelzb1@gmail.com
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Well, thanks to Kasey you will have an extra chance! Good luck and thanks for the comment.
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I’m all in when you have a historical fiction to share, one of my favorite genres. The cover and story line of this one sure have me anxious to give it a read.
Yes, Mother Nature doesn’t fool around when we don’t take care of our home. Let’s hope recent events will sway a few more of the masses to become believers.
The links are sure appealing this week. When time allows I’ll be going right to Janice Hardy but the other two also sound great. Thanks for the links and for being a part of MMGM again this week.
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This is a good one. You will like it. Glad you found things in the post you like. Yes, we need more believers. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Oh, and good luck in the drawing!
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As an example of climate change, I didn’t have to start my furnace until last week, which is about 3 weeks later than normal. I voted as soon as I could this year and voted wisely, doing my research. Historical fiction is fun to read but I dislike when the research isn’t thorough. No need to enter my name for the giveaway this week, but thank you for sharing your copy with us.
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Climate change is real. Unfortunately, we are all feeling the effects. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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This sounds like a really cool book! I’m also bugged by younger kids that seem too old for their ages in a book. It has to be hard to get that right when kids are all a little different, but I find it distracting when it feels off. The other components of the book sound really engrossing, though. Am I allowed to donate my entry to another participant? If so, please add an extra entry for Beth instead of me. 🙂
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It is very cool. I don’t see why you can’t assign your chance to Beth. Consider it done. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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I’ve had this on my TBR for a while- the ebook isn’t available at my library – so I would LOVE a copy to read and pass on to nephewsand nieces
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Maybe you will get lucky. Thanks for the comment and good luck in the drawing.
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A book narrated by 5-y-old? That and the time period sound fascinating. Count me in. I’m sure one of my tween bloggers would like to read it Thanks.
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Hmmm. I didn’t mean to imply that Clove is the narrator. She is one of the characters, and she speaks as if she’s much older. You are in the drawing. Good luck. Thanks for the comment.
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my bad, Rosie. I read through the review too quickly. Thanks for adding my name to the drawing.
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Great review~ and the cover is certainly enticing. Historical plague fiction… sounds like something we could all read and enjoy (and maybe even learn a couple of things for the next plague). I can’t believe that the nearest copy is in the Brooklyn Public Library – more than 150 miles away!
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Brooklyn? That’s disappointing. My library will purchase most books I request. You might try that. Or you might win! Good luck in the drawing. Thanks for the comment.
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I’m so happy we’ve discovered each other’s blogs! The links you shared for writing are really interesting as well as the book review.
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Me, too! Glad you like the links. Thanks for reading and commenting. Good luck in the drawing.
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Love today’s quote.
And the book sounds fascinating!
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Glad you like the quote. This book is, indeed, fascinating. Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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