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Ditched: A Love Story, by Robin Mellom copyright 2012
Reading a book written by someone I know is such a thrill.
I was fortunate to live in an area of California overflowing with talented writers. I read the first chapter of Jay Asher's haunting novel 13 Reasons Why in manuscript form at a critique group meeting. I met Thalia Chaltas as we carpooled to the national SCBWI convention, and read her novel, Because I am Furniture in manuscript form. I had the good fortune to know what the Disco Mermaids look like without all of the glitter and glamor. They're really lovely, good people.
So it was Very, Very Exciting to get my pre-ordered copy of Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom in the mail. I read it nearly in one sitting, but real life intervened and I had to put it down for a week.
I just finished it, and it's great fun. Laugh-out-loud funny and cringe-worthy at the same time.
Justina is not one of the popular people. Her philanthropist mother insists that all of her clothes must come from a thrift store or consignment shop. Her best friend Hailey is fierce and completely at ease in all situations. But Justina's biggest problem is that her best guy friend, Ian, has asked her to the prom . . . and she wants to be more than friends.
Now, this may not sound like a big problem, but what happens over the course of one prom night is an epic series of mishaps, mistakes, and misunderstandings that result in some tragic, comic, painful, and stain-filled episodes told in a series of flashbacks as Justina recounts her night of horror -- to the kind cashier at the 7-Eleven she walked to after waking up in a ditch. Ouch.
With vivid, larger-than-life characters, unexpected twists, and a three-legged chihuahua named Chomper, Ditched: A Love Story is the epitome of Robin herself -- witty, sensitive, romantic, loyal, and so very funny.
Robin has a middle grade novel due out this summer, and I hope it's some incarnation of what she was writing years ago when I heard it in critique group because it was wickedly funny.
Congrats, Robin! Go read this, especially you John Hughes fans.
Image copied from Robin's website.
I was fortunate to live in an area of California overflowing with talented writers. I read the first chapter of Jay Asher's haunting novel 13 Reasons Why in manuscript form at a critique group meeting. I met Thalia Chaltas as we carpooled to the national SCBWI convention, and read her novel, Because I am Furniture in manuscript form. I had the good fortune to know what the Disco Mermaids look like without all of the glitter and glamor. They're really lovely, good people.
So it was Very, Very Exciting to get my pre-ordered copy of Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom in the mail. I read it nearly in one sitting, but real life intervened and I had to put it down for a week.
I just finished it, and it's great fun. Laugh-out-loud funny and cringe-worthy at the same time.
Justina is not one of the popular people. Her philanthropist mother insists that all of her clothes must come from a thrift store or consignment shop. Her best friend Hailey is fierce and completely at ease in all situations. But Justina's biggest problem is that her best guy friend, Ian, has asked her to the prom . . . and she wants to be more than friends.
Now, this may not sound like a big problem, but what happens over the course of one prom night is an epic series of mishaps, mistakes, and misunderstandings that result in some tragic, comic, painful, and stain-filled episodes told in a series of flashbacks as Justina recounts her night of horror -- to the kind cashier at the 7-Eleven she walked to after waking up in a ditch. Ouch.
With vivid, larger-than-life characters, unexpected twists, and a three-legged chihuahua named Chomper, Ditched: A Love Story is the epitome of Robin herself -- witty, sensitive, romantic, loyal, and so very funny.
Robin has a middle grade novel due out this summer, and I hope it's some incarnation of what she was writing years ago when I heard it in critique group because it was wickedly funny.
Congrats, Robin! Go read this, especially you John Hughes fans.
Image copied from Robin's website.
Officer Buckle & Gloria by Peggy Rathmann copyright 1995
Today at work we received our monthly safety tips newsletter. The topic was office safety.
My mind flew to one of the favorite read-alouds of my years spent teaching: Officer Buckle and Gloria, by Peggy Rathmann. In this comic tale of a boring safety officer whose passion for the rules is greater than everything -- even, in the end, his own pride -- readers experience the joy of being in on the joke before the protagonist. With visual humor in abundance, fine pacing, and lots of heart, this picture book is beloved by generations of readers. It won the Caldecott medal in 1996, so you should be able to find it at your local library or bookstore easily. If your kids love funny books, you'll want one for your own shelf.
Rathmann is the author/illustrator of many fine books I enjoy for their humor and kid-friendliness, including Good Night, Gorilla and Ruby the Copycat.
Image from Peggy Rathmann's site.
My mind flew to one of the favorite read-alouds of my years spent teaching: Officer Buckle and Gloria, by Peggy Rathmann. In this comic tale of a boring safety officer whose passion for the rules is greater than everything -- even, in the end, his own pride -- readers experience the joy of being in on the joke before the protagonist. With visual humor in abundance, fine pacing, and lots of heart, this picture book is beloved by generations of readers. It won the Caldecott medal in 1996, so you should be able to find it at your local library or bookstore easily. If your kids love funny books, you'll want one for your own shelf.
Rathmann is the author/illustrator of many fine books I enjoy for their humor and kid-friendliness, including Good Night, Gorilla and Ruby the Copycat.
Image from Peggy Rathmann's site.
Happy New Year!
I will forever be a sucker for January 1st. I've always been a resolver. I even managed to fulfill one of mine for 2011 -- keeping a gratitude journal with five entries for each day. I also managed to get married on Jan. 1, 2008, so happy anniversary to me.
Obviously, I love new beginnings, fresh starts, and the idea of renewal.
This year I'm hoping to renew my efforts to write, read, and publish in the realm of children's lit. It brings me great joy and energy to read well-written books, and thanks to my mom's gift of some bookstore gift cards, I can indulge myself. I'm hoping to attend the book festival at the University of South MS because (gasp!) Jane Yolen is receiving a medallion! I HAVE TO GO! Jane Yolen, people!
I might even sign up to be a giver on World Book Night (thanks to Jana for the idea!)
Do you have any bookish resolutions, or recommendations for me?
Happy Anniversary, Mark! xoxoxoxox
Obviously, I love new beginnings, fresh starts, and the idea of renewal.
This year I'm hoping to renew my efforts to write, read, and publish in the realm of children's lit. It brings me great joy and energy to read well-written books, and thanks to my mom's gift of some bookstore gift cards, I can indulge myself. I'm hoping to attend the book festival at the University of South MS because (gasp!) Jane Yolen is receiving a medallion! I HAVE TO GO! Jane Yolen, people!
I might even sign up to be a giver on World Book Night (thanks to Jana for the idea!)
Do you have any bookish resolutions, or recommendations for me?
Happy Anniversary, Mark! xoxoxoxox
Amazon vs. local bookstore, a different view
My friend and co-author Jana sent me this link to an interesting article on Slate.com.
We actually had better help getting our books on Amazon than from local bookstores and booksellers when our book came out. I think this writer makes some valid points.
On the surface, the "buy local" movement looks like an easy, "well, duh!" sort of argument, but it's more complex than that, and I like this author's approach.
Thanks Jana!
We actually had better help getting our books on Amazon than from local bookstores and booksellers when our book came out. I think this writer makes some valid points.
On the surface, the "buy local" movement looks like an easy, "well, duh!" sort of argument, but it's more complex than that, and I like this author's approach.
Thanks Jana!
Book Sculptures
It takes a true friend who knows someone very well to send this sort of link.
It's not just about book sculptures (though they are incredible). It's not just about libraries, though the catalyst for the mysterious donation of these sculptures is the funding cuts of libraries in Scotland.
It's about art, mystery, books, the importance of reading, poetry, taking risks, and the willingness to believe in magic.
Thanks, Neesie, for sending the link! Scotland, books, art, and poetry all in one place! EPIC!
Photo from blog post at Central Station, the Creative Social Network
It's not just about book sculptures (though they are incredible). It's not just about libraries, though the catalyst for the mysterious donation of these sculptures is the funding cuts of libraries in Scotland.
It's about art, mystery, books, the importance of reading, poetry, taking risks, and the willingness to believe in magic.
Thanks, Neesie, for sending the link! Scotland, books, art, and poetry all in one place! EPIC!
Photo from blog post at Central Station, the Creative Social Network
School Library Journal's top picks
Best Books of 2011 as determined by School Library Journal. This is an annotated list so you can get an idea of what each book is about.
I just love librarians.
By the way, it snowed here this morning. In Mississippi.
I just love librarians.
By the way, it snowed here this morning. In Mississippi.
NY Times list of notable children's books of 2011
Here is the link. Looks like Richard Peck has a new book I need to check out! Note that the list starts with YA and picture books are on the second page.
Anyone have any finds they'd like to share with the rest of us? Shameless self-promotion is acceptable, authors and illustrators. Just link in the comments.
Anyone have any finds they'd like to share with the rest of us? Shameless self-promotion is acceptable, authors and illustrators. Just link in the comments.