Thought for the Day:
“If you’re a singer you lose your voice. A baseball player loses his arm. A writer gets more knowledge, and if he’s good, the older he gets, the better he writes.” ~ Mickey Spillane ~
Gifts for My Writer Friends:
Robbie Cheadle has written a most interesting post about symbolism HERE on Story Empire Blog . If you are trying to make your writing more literary, adding symbolism is a good way to do it. She has wonderful examples.
We all want to keep our readers engaged, but how to do that? One way is to write emotional scenes. HERE is a great article about doing that by Kris Maze on Writers in the Storm.
Revision is a very necessary part of writing. Janice Hardy always has important posts, and HERE she has a Narrative Nugget that will help you with revision, especially when you have some big-time trimming to do.
It has been an interesting week for me in the world of baseball. My Giants won a game this week when the opposing pitcher filled the bases for us in the tenth inning, and then proceeded to walk the winning run in. The final score after 10 innings — 1 to 0. It really is all about pitching. The day before, we had beaten the same team 9 to 1. A tip of the hat to the pitcher who walked in the winning run! There have been lots of fun games to watch all around the league. I talked to my daughter Maggie today. She will be doing a show in Weston, Vermont in June and into early July. I have decided I’m going to go and see the show, and while I’m out that way, I will also go see a game at Fenway Park in Boston and maybe a game at Rogers Center in Toronto. Very excited! That will bring my park count to 23 or 24, with only 6 or 7 to go. I won’t get them all done this year, but I should be able to finish next summer.
As I was perusing the review book list for the Manhattan Book Review a couple months ago, I ran across a book called OCTOPUS MOON by Bobbie Pyron. I found the juxtaposition of those two words interesting, so I looked up the book and read a synopsis. It sounded really good, so I ordered it up. I am very glad I did. It’s exceptional. Here is the review I wrote for MBR.
Pearl does everything with Rosie and Mia, but things are changing. They are headed to fifth grade. They will change classes, have lockers, and maybe have different lunches. As summer ends, Pearl starts to feel different. Suddenly, what used to be easy, like running and homework, seems too difficult to do. She has no classes with her friends, she can’t get organized, she loses her unfinished homework, and she feels like she’s in a thick, gray fog. She doesn’t make the track team, and her teachers tell her parents she is really behind. Can Pearl find her way out of the fog?
Author Bobbie Pyron has tackled a very tough topic, looking at the onset of clinical depression at such a young age. Told in lyrical free verse from Pearl’s point of view, this is a moving story that will engage young readers, tapping into their natural empathy. There is a lot of teaching that goes on in this story, but it never becomes the least bit didactic. The writing is lovely, and the characters are realistic and well-rounded. This book deserves to be read far beyond its intended audience. Do not miss this wonderful book.
I have a gently-read ARC copy 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 
This book is about such an important topic! I’m sure my students will connect to it!
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It is important.It would be a great book to use in the classroom. Thanks for reading and commenting. Good luck in the drawing.
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Finding our way out of the fog—we’ve all been there. Great theme, especially for kids going into middle school or high school.
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I don’t think we always realize kids have these kinds of problems. It’s a very good book and an important one. Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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It sounds like you’ve got a fun trip planned to see your daughter and watch some baseball games. This sounds like a book a lot of kids sadly can relate to. I’ll pass on the giveaway.
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Yes, the trip should be fun. Thanks for reading an commenting. It’s always nice to see you here.
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Loved your pun😂 , your quote, and your review. Can’t wait to get this book at my library. I’ll skip the giveaway for another to win.
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So glad you liked the post. I hope your library gets the book. I’m sure you will enjoy it. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Loved the Mickey Spillane quote. The entomology block made me laugh. Thank you. The book sounds like it covers a relevant topic in a sensitive way.
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So glad you found things on the post you like. Thanks for reading and commenting. If you would like to have a chance in future drawings, please subscribe to the blog.
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First, I love the cover of the book. Second, it sounds like both an important “issue” book and a good read–always key to be the second if it’s going to be the first!
Great horrible joke about etymology and entomology!
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Haha. Glad you liked the joke. The cover really is lovely, and so is the book. Thanks for reading and commenting. Good luck in the drawing.
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Sounds like a lovely book, going to add it to my TBR. I’ll pass on the giveaway too so someone else can have an opportunity.
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It really is a good book. You will enjoy it. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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I enjoy reading books that tackle tough issues and this book has been on my Goodreads want to read since I first heard about it. I shared this post on tumblr, Facebook, and X. Thank you for sharing your copy with one of us.
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Thanks for reading and commenting. And thanks for sharing my link. I appreciate it. An extra chance for you. Good luck in the drawing.
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Another summer and another ballpark. Have a great time. The links all had helpful information especially Janice Hardy. Thanks for finding them. I enjoy verse novels more than I use to. This one has such an engaging story. Thanks for the giveaway chance and for featuring your review on MMGM.
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Thanks. I’m pretty excited about seeing a game at Fenway. It looks like I will be seeing the Rockies! Glad you like the links. I think you will like this book. Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.
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I love your quote! I often have that problem because I love studying words and my younger son collects bugs. And thank you for the wonderful links! I’m especially excited to read the symbolism one. The cover is just beautiful and it sounds intriguing, but please let someone else win this time as I’ve won quite a few lately.
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So glad you find things to like in the post. Yes, it is a beautiful cover. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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I’ve heard about this book, but haven’t had a chance to read it. It sounds really well done!
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It is really good. Thanks for reading and commenting. Good luck in the drawing.
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I’ve seen this book around, and after seeing your review, I’m placing it on my TBR list.
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I’m sure you will enjoy the book. Thanks for the comment. If you would like to be in future drawings, please subscribe to my blog.
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This sounds like a terrific read! Following your blog, and shared the post on social media!
https://x.com/craftychicky58/status/1924914916521025681
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Thanks for following and for sharing my link. I appreciate it. An extra chance for you. Good luck in the drawing.
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Great post, Rosi! I loved the joke, and the links are really useful. I particularly liked the one on character’s emotional journey (my current WIP is more character based than I normally write so I need to get that arc right!!), so thanks for sharing. Octopus Moon sounds fantastic! What an important topic, and it sounds like it is done so well too! Lovely cover too. Thanks for the recommendation. Delighted to see progress on your baseball stadia goals – almost there! Have a good week!
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So glad you found so much of the post that you liked. Thanks for all your kind words.
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