What happened while reading Tricia Springstubb’s, What Happened on Fox Street? I got to know the wonderful characters that live there including Mo Wren, the ten-year-old girl who loves Fox Street and couldn’t possibly think of living anywhere else. Her house is in the middle of the street, “right where …
As a writer/reader of Mid-Grade books, and the father of a Mid-Grade reluctant reader, it is refreshing to come across a book that is smart, witty and keeps readers wanting more. Almost two years ago, I came across Christopher Healy and his wonderful fractured fairy tale world of Prince Charmings …
Reading THE TIME OF THE FIREFLIES by Kimberly Griffiths Little is like eating comfort food. Think brownies just out of the oven. It’s a wonderful mix of favorite middle grade fiction themes: a curse, time travel and coming of age all wrapped up in mystery flavored by its setting: Louisiana. …
Contributor: Shari Schwarz After arriving in beautiful Golden, Colorado for the Rocky Mountain SCBWI Letters and Lines Conference, I first attended The Changing Landscape of Illustrations presented by the warm and inspiring Roberta Collier-Morales. She shared how illustrations create vision for the future and sow seeds of hope. We are …
Twelve-year-old March lives a different life. He’s the son of Alfie McQuin, a notorious jewel thief. One night in Amsterdam, a heist goes horribly wrong and March watches his father fall from a rooftop. Before he dies, Alfie manages to say a few words to March: “Find jewels.” Or did …
I recently had the pleasure of connecting with the wonderfully talented Cornelia Funke, author of bestselling Inkworld Trilogy. The stories she has created have captured our imaginations and inspired writers worldwide. For this interview, she pulls back the curtain a little and shares her insights on writing and more. Now, without further ado, Cornelia Funke… Middle …
The Nightingale’s Nest by Nikki Loftin has been called a powerful retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Nightingale, but calling it that doesn’t do it justice. First off, it isn’t exactly a fairy tale and second, it isn’t a retelling of the Andersen classic. The two stories have very little …
I’m going to be honest. I was afraid to read this book. Shelley Tougas and I share an agent, the wonderful Susan Hawk, and I wasn’t sure how I’d feel if I hated it. The good news is that not only did I not hate it, I LOVED it. Seriously, …
I was excited to have the chance to interview Beegee Topla. She is the very talented illustrator behind THE WINNIE YEARS series’ covers and has illustrated picture books, such as EVERYONE SAYS I LOVE YOU and THE SMALLEST TREE. Middle Grade Mafia: When you get hired to illustrate cover and/or interior art, do you …
Writing contests are a great way to get some attention for your novel and there’s a fun one going on now. The Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition is looking for: Original ideas, a fresh voice and a story that children will love! To enter, you must have written a completed …
