Bibliophile's Corner

Story's End
by Marissa Burt

Flap Copy Description:
Long ago, a King ruled the land of Story...
During the reign, Heroes, Villains, and characters of all  kinds lived out new Tales filled with daring quests and epic struggles.
     Then the King disappeared, and over the years, nearly everyone forgot that he had ever existed. Now an evil Enemy has emerged, determined to write a new future for Story that he will control. And a ordinary girl named Una Fairchild is inextricably tangled up in his deadly plan.
     Una and her friends Peter and Indy are desperate to find a way to defeat the Enemy. But Una soon discovers that the real key may lie in her own mysterious ties to Story's past - and to the long-forgotten King, who could be Story's only hope for survival.

My Thoughts:
Story's End is the sensational sequel to Marissa Burt's first fantasy book, Storybound. Again we follow the protagonist, Una Fairchild, on her quest to overthrow the evil forces that threaten the alternate world of Story. Weaving three points of view, Ms. Burt keeps the reader intrigued all the way to the end of Una's adventure. All the elements you expect in a well-written children's book are found in Story's End. However, it is the subtle heartfelt lessons that the author sprinkled into this delightful tale that I found so endearing. I would highly recommend Story's End to readers from the ages of eight to fourteen.

To learn more about the author, Marissa Burt, click here: http://www.marissaburt.com/

Storyteller's Journey

Why We Write
edited by Meredith Maran

Amazon Description:
Anyone who's ever sat down to write a novel or even a story knows how exhilarating and heartbreaking writing can be. So what makes writers stick with it? In Why We Write, twenty well-known authors candidly share what keeps them going and what they love the most - and least - about their vocation.

My Thoughts:
Although I usually post reviews for middle grade books, I do occasionally feature an adult book when it's had a major impact on me as a writer. Why We Write is awesome! Learning from successful writers about what makes them "tick," so to speak, was both informative and inspiring. The reasons these writers write are as different as the genres of their books. However, it was reading about their doubts, insecurities, and even frustrations that reminded me that every writer deals with these things...even after they're published. I highly recommend Why We Write to all writers...wherever they're at on their storyteller's journey!

If you'd like to purchase Why We Write, here's the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Write-Acclaimed-Authors/dp/0452298156

Whimsical Word of the Week

Necrology -

a list of people who have died during a specific period.
Example: A necrology of those persons who died in the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 is inscribed in bronze at Memorial Plaza in New York City.   Never Forget

Bibliophile's Corner

America Is Under Attack
by Don Brown

Amazon Description:
The events of September 11, 2001 changed the world forever. Don Brown narrates the events of the day in a way that is both accessible and understandable for young readers. Straightforward and honest, this account moves chronologically through the morning from the plane hijackings to the crashes at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania; from the rescue operations at the WTC site to the collapse of the buildings.

My Thoughts:
This award-winning non-fiction book is the best children's book I've seen chronicling the events of 9/11. Its water color paintings perfectly illustrate the powerful and poignant text. If you are a parent, or teacher of young readers, this book is a must. I would highly recommend America Is Under Attack to readers from the ages of eight to fourteen.

Storyteller's Journey

Summer of 2013

This blog post reminds me of the back-to-school assignment: "What I Did On My Summer Vacation!" Here I'm hamming it up with my critique partner, Kriston Johnson. (L-R: Victoria and Kriston.)

In early June my hubby and I found ourselves in Bend, Oregon tootling through bookstores and art galleries. We took a nature walk around Mirror Pond - a familiar landmark in the artsy community.

The last Sunday of June we hosted a small family reunion at our home. Pictured from L-R: our youngest son, Brian; our soon-to-be-daughter-in-law, Jessica; our eldest son, David; and our middle son, Kevin.

Since our son, Brian, had moved home for a couple of months before moving to NYC, we spent several weekends taking him to some special spots in our area. In July we visited the Portland Japanese Gardens.

Later in July I spent time on Mt. Hood with Kriston Johnson for our writers' retreat. Here I'm pictured at Wildwood Recreational Site; we spent a couple of hours there walking around the amazing trails.

A few days after I returned from the writers' retreat, my husband, Michael, and I went back to Wildwood for a picnic...with some oil painting and writing on the side. That is our favorite thing to do on a free summer weekend.

In the midst of all this summer fun, I was actually able to accomplish my goal of rewriting an old manuscript! I'm still trying to decide whether or not to pursue beta readers, editing, and sending out query letters.
(Original copy pictured.)

I hope you all had a sensational summer. It feels good to be back in blogosphere after a much needed break. Happy writing, dear friends!

Whimsical Word of the Week

Riffle -

A rocky shoal or sandbar lying just below the surface of a waterway.

Example: The young salmon discovered a rich food supply in a riffle of the river.

Bibliophile's Corner

Hickory
by Palmer Brown

Back Cover Description:
Grandfather Clock makes a lovely home for a family of mice - if you don't mind the occasional clang. And here Hickory lives with his parents, his brother, Dickory, and his sister, Dock. But Hickory is a restless, fearless mouse, and he longs to be on the move, to breathe the sweet air and nibble on the wild strawberries of the fields. So one day in early spring, with the smells of honeysuckle and clover guiding him, he strikes out on his own. Soon he discovers that a meadow can be a lonely place, even with all its beetles and caterpillars. It's not until Hop the grasshopper comes around that Hickory finds a true companion. Hop warns him, though, that when the days get shorter and the goldenrod begins to fade, the "song she sings will soon be done." How Hickory and Hop confront and eventually accept the end of summer forms the core of Palmer Brown's poignant story.

My Thoughts:
I discovered this delightful little book while perusing through a local bookstore. How I had previously missed it is amazing since it's compared to Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit and E. B. White's Charlotte's Web. The book is loaded with illustrations just as lovely as those shown on its cover. The book is also considered a field guide to some common spring, summer, and autumn plants and flowers. Written in a poetic style, Hickory will have a place of honor in my library of children's books. I would highly recommend this forty-two page chapter book to readers from the ages of eight to eighty!

To learn more about Palmer Brown and his books, click here: http://www.nybooks.com/books/authors/palmer-brown/