Monday, August 29, 2005
Windblown in California
We arrived yesterday in Mountain View, California to see our son. Our little car did famously in the rain and on all the curves and mountains. We had the top down much of the way and enjoyed the open road and all the wonderful and curious sights.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Girls' Reviews of Divided Loyalties
Today I got feedback from two readers of my new book, Divided Loyalties. I've been wondering if girls would like the book since it is about a boy. Carson liked it better than my other books and said it was "an amazing read." Chelsea really enjoyed it, but thought it was "more emotional" than my other books. She liked the girl in the book because "I usually tend to like the girl characters more than the boys." She also enjoyed it because she likes to read about the Revolutionary War.
Girls' Summer Book Group
On Monday I traveled to Petersburg, Virginia where I gave a talk to nearly 60 girls aged eight to twelve. This was the final session of a Girls' Summer Book Group. I talked about being a writer, about the Civil War, and about my books. The girls were attentive and responsive. I hope that they enjoyed my presentation as much as I enjoyed meeting them.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
For Freedom
Carson, a reader from North Carolina, recommended For Freedom, the Story of a French Spy by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Set in Cherbourg, France during World War II, fifteen-year-old Suzanne became a spy for the French Resistence. This exciting historical novel is based on the experiences of Suzanne David Hall. My only criticism of the book is that I would have liked an author's note highlighting the accurate parts of the story. Also a glossary would help readers unfamiliar with World War II.
Set in Cherbourg, France during World War II, fifteen-year-old Suzanne became a spy for the French Resistence. This exciting historical novel is based on the experiences of Suzanne David Hall. My only criticism of the book is that I would have liked an author's note highlighting the accurate parts of the story. Also a glossary would help readers unfamiliar with World War II.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Trouble Don't Last
Not long ago at a book signing, a young reader recommended Shelley Pearsall's book, Trouble Don't Last. I always try to read what kids suggest. Sometimes it takes we a while, since I get so many book recommendations.
I was initially not very enthused about the book when I found the subject was the Underground Railroad. The topic has been written about so much that I feared I would be bored. However, I was pleasantly surprised with Ms. Pearsall's book. It is a compelling story, carefully research with a wonderful command of significant historical details.
I was initially not very enthused about the book when I found the subject was the Underground Railroad. The topic has been written about so much that I feared I would be bored. However, I was pleasantly surprised with Ms. Pearsall's book. It is a compelling story, carefully research with a wonderful command of significant historical details.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
First Reviews of Divided Loyalties
Authors receive two kinds of reviews: professional reviews and reader reviews. Within the last week, I have received one of each.
KaaVonia Hinton, Ph.D., an expert in children's literature, gave the book a glowing review that will appear in ForeWard. She writes "Divided Loyalties is not just a fictional story, but a story grounded in American history and triumph."
Rising fifth grader, Conor, wrote: "I think Divided Loyalties is very good. It is very well written. I could not put the book down. You managed to put action on every page. The book kept me on the edge of my seat."
You can imagne that after all the hard work that goes into a book, I am delighted with these reviews.
KaaVonia Hinton, Ph.D., an expert in children's literature, gave the book a glowing review that will appear in ForeWard. She writes "Divided Loyalties is not just a fictional story, but a story grounded in American history and triumph."
Rising fifth grader, Conor, wrote: "I think Divided Loyalties is very good. It is very well written. I could not put the book down. You managed to put action on every page. The book kept me on the edge of my seat."
You can imagne that after all the hard work that goes into a book, I am delighted with these reviews.
