Winners of the Weenie Books for Halloween

Dear Readers,

Thank you so much for joining the Halloween party with David Lubar. Wasn't he a perfect guest for getting into the spirit of things? I thought so, too. Be sure to read down past the winners, for another treat and a slightly different side of David. Well, sort of . . .

CONGRATULATIONS  to LUCKY WINNER #ONE: Mjolner (the guy in the beret) Please e-mail me (claragillowclark (@) gmail (dot) com) within one week with your mailing address and your autographed copy of  The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies will be on it's way to you asap!

 CONGRATULATIONS to LUCKY WINNER #TWO: Janet (Writing in the Blackberry Patch) Please e-mail me with your address, and your Halloween treat will be in the mail asap!

You can purchase a copy of Sleeping Freshman Never Lie by David Lubar from your favorite bookseller! (Available in paperback!)  Don't forget to visit David's web-site: http://www.davidlubar.com

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 7-10 -Scott Hudson is the quintessential freshman. He's small, he's lost, and seniors yoke him for spare change. His honors homework keeps him up all night and his gym teacher is trying to kill him. He joins the paper, runs for student council, and tries out for the play, just to be near a girl he likes. This all backfires. He turns out to be the least athletic sports reporter in school history, and freshman lackey to the sadists on stage crew. Meanwhile, his mother is pregnant. The plot is framed by Scott's journal of advice for the unborn baby. The novel's absurd, comical mood is evident in its entries, like "Scott Hudson's List of Good Things about Getting Beat Up," and jabs at the fetus ("I hope we can recover our investment [in baby furniture] when I sell you."). The author brings the protagonist to three-dimensional life by combining these introspective musings with active, hilarious narration. This format also breaks up the story for slower readers. Scott's character arc is extremely satisfying as he develops his true strengths over the nine months of school and the pregnancy. His interactions with the school delinquent and the heavily pierced new girl are fresh and subtle. Though Scott purposely peppers his journal with SAT words, Lubar's language use and writing style are deceptively simple. The teen's physical and emotional tumult is as clear, familiar, and complex as high school itself.-Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library  

David Lubar

 Thanks for joining us! Have a Happy and Spirited Halloween with good friends and good books! 

My November guest is Theodore Geisel Honor Winner, the Fabulous Illustrator/Author Suzanne Bloom. See you soon . . .

Annoucning the Lucky Winners of JOE and SPARKY early readers

Dear Readers,

Thank you, each and everyone, who stopped by to leave a comment for the lovely and talented author, Jamie Michalak. Jamie has graciously donated two books, which she will personalize and mail to the winners. How cool is that?  

So, without further ado, Lucky Winner #1 is:  LORRIE ZIEMBA! Congratulations, Lorrie. Please e-mail me [claragillowclark (@) gmail (dot) com] with your mailing address, and your book will be on its way to you asap.

JOE AND SPARKY GET NEW WHEELS

A Kirkus Best Children's Book of the Year

A Chicago Public Library Best Children's Book of the Year

A Junior Library Guild Selection

★ “Joe and Sparky are unlikely buddies—turtle Sparky enjoys the safety of his shell while giraffe Joe is up for any adventure. Joe, convinced that he has won a contest, decides to take the prize, a bright yellow sports car, for a spin. . . . New readers ready for the challenge of more words per page will appreciate the humor of the story and illustrations. Children familiar with the Froggy books will recognize Remkiewicz’s distinctively funny style and will laugh out loud at the innocent assumptions Joe (who sports a Carmen Miranda–like fruit hat) and Sparky make as they explore the world outside Sparky’s shell. Utterly charming.” —Kirkus, starred review

Lucky Winner #2 is: Margo Dill. Congratulations, Margo. Please e-mail me [claragillowclark (@) gmail (dot) com] with your mailing address and your autographed book will be on its way asap!

JOE AND SPARKY, SUPERSTARS!

★   "This warm buddy story is just about perfect for new readers who are forging new friendships. Amusing color illustrations on each spread (usually involving sight gags with Sparky's little legs and shell), four short chapters filled with easy sight words and lots of action, plus enough complexity to make it a bit of a challenge, make this a good choice for readers who are ready for chapter books. They will enjoy watching this funny duo, especially when Joe's plans do not turn out as planned. Being in on a joke is a treat for young readers, and this little treasure is one that will get passed around. Like the Hokey Pokey, that's what it is all about." --Kirkus, starred review

Here's a fun book of Jamie's that we are delighted to share with you!

Jamie assisted the legendary Bigfoot hunter, Morgan Jackson Phd, with the writing of this valuable field guide, containing everything you need to know about the furry fugitive, including tips on trapping and releasing your specimen. 

I'm sure you all have a special child in your life who would love to track a BIGFOOT! Click on the link to learn more about this and other books by Jamie: http://www.jamiemichalak.com/

Once again, thank you, dear readers, for all those awesome comments! And thank you, Jamie, for sharing your books and writing wisdom with all of us! I'll be back on October 15th with a special guest author and some Halloween Treats!

SPILLING INK WRITING CONTEST ***3rd Place WINNERS***

Dear Readers,

A Short Note about this contest: All through my school years, I never remember anyone teaching us anything about writing stories. We had to write spelling words in sentences and do book reports and essays. The essays always seemed to be connected to major tests or final exams. However, I did write poetry in high school, and because of that, I think, I received the Creative Writing Award at graduation. I still have the envelope that says Clara Gillow was the recipient. Over the years when the writing days were very hard and publication seemed out of my reach, I'd take out the envelope and read those words again.

I know how hard it is to be a writer and I also know how great it feels to hold a published book in your hands that has your name on it. One of the reasons I persisted through years of rejection came from the generosity of that giver who made a Creative Writing Award possible.  My hope is that this writing contest will do the same for all  the talented young writers who shared their stories. Congratulations to all of you. Write on!

Without further ado, please welcome and applaud the TWO **3rd Place WINNERS** Luke Mayhew and Emma Borme.

Luke's Bio in his own words: "I am in 7th grade. I don't think I can choose one favorite book, but I really like "Brian's Winter" by Gary Paulsen. My favorite subject in school is Math but I also like History. I love playing board games, and designing my own board games. 'You can be anybody and do anything in a board game,' I always say. I also made my own secret language!

Thanks for everything!"  [You are very welcome, Luke!]

Rebellion

By: Luke Mayhew

274 Words

    Joshua walked down the street, wondering if the rumors of the rebellion against King Marthael were true.  Suddenly a man materialized next to him.

     He hastily pulled a small box from underneath his dark cloak. “Here! Take this and don’t let anything happen to it!”

     Joshua looked down at a small, crude wooden box with rough edges. He opened his mouth to ask the man what was inside, but he had vanished from sight.

     Joshua opened the box. Tucked inside a leather pouch was a golden ring imprinted with the image of a falcon. 

     “No,”Joshua whispered “Not the king’s ring! If the rebels get their hands on this they can impersonate King Marthael!”

      Joshua sprinted through the town square, thinking only that he had to reach the castle as quickly as possible.

A soldier on patrol saw the box. His eyes widened. “Stop!”

Joshua ran behind buildings and through shops until he eluded the soldier and made it to the castle. As he approached the king’s throne room, he was confronted by a guard.

“What are you doing?” The guard asked, noticing the box in Joshua’s hand. “Give me the box!” He yelled, drawing his sword. 

Suddenly from out of the shadows, the man with the dark cloak flew through the air and tackled the guard. “Go! Go!” 

Feeling his knees might buckle at any moment, Joshua ran into the throne room just as the king spoke.

“Order my people to evacuate. The rebellion has begun.”

Joshua handed the box to the king and said, “Here, you might need this.”

The king lifted the lid and his eyes widened in surprise.

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Emma Borme is a 7th grader in the mid-west. I'd like to eat some of those Swiss Rolls she writes about in her story below. Enjoy!

Swiss Rolls

By: Emma Borme

            Sunny McFeld was a normal teenage girl who lived in a small town in Oklahoma. Sunny was adventurous and kind-hearted child.  She had a favorite snack… Swiss Rolls!  Every Saturday, Sunny picks up a packet of eight Swiss Rolls. 

 It was a nice sunny day.  Sunny went over to the pantry to get the package of Swiss Rolls when she suddenly realized she had forgotten to buy them at the grocery store. She quickly grabbed her keys and raced out the door.  She grabbed her Swiss Rolls, paid, and raced back home.  

Sunny was half way home when she saw a shaggy man in neon blue jogging shorts running after her.  She ran franticly to her house! Sunny was getting close when she felt a hand reach into her pocket and drop something. It was a small, light wooden box. The man said, “Don’t let anything happen to this,” as he sprinted away.

Sunny quickly got home, and ran inside her room. She shoved the package under her bed.  When she sat down on her bed, the curiosity got to her and she opened the box.  Inside the box was a golden key with a beautiful bright red ruby on the end. Sunny quickly threw the box under the bed.

Sunny looked out the window and saw the man in blue shorts go by her house again.  This made her curious.  Sunny walked outside and went up to the man and asked him, “Why did you give me this key?  He said, “ Whomever sees the masterpiece shall live forever.” Then, he vanished.  Sunny went to the store each week to purchase Swiss Roles hoping she would see the man again.  However, now at 102 years old she often wonders if she will live forever.

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Please take a moment to comment on what you liked about the stories or simply to CONGRATULATE these very special young writers! I'll be back on Tuesday to share the story of the Spilling Ink 2nd place Winner. Thanks again, dear readers, for your wonderful support!

WINNERS !!! WINNERS!!! WINNERS!!! WINNERS!!! WINNERS!!!

It's been a thrilling week! Lindsay and Maggie should feel very loved! Thank you everyone for your enthusiastic comments!  

And the WINNERS are:

Posters:  Carriann Shultz
               Becky Povich
               Kristin Gray 
               Rebecca  T
               Susan Couture

Autographed copy of MAGGIE'S BALL goes to: Margo Dill

Congratulations, Margo!!!

THE BACK TO SCHOOL GRAND PRIZE--A FREE SCHOOL VISIT with LINDSAY BARRETT GEORGE and MAGGIE  along with HUGE CONGRATULATIONS go out to:


       

   !!!!!!!!  PRESTON AREA SCHOOL !!!!!! 

All winners please e-mail me claragillowclark (@) gmail (dot)com with your mailing address! 

Preston Area School, please send me an e-mail with a contact person for setting up your FREE school visit with Lindsay! 
WOW! I can hear the cheering from here!  

Don't forget to visit Lindsay's website for your FREE coloring pages for kids!   lindsaybarrettgeorge.com  

Next up is author Linda Oatman High who will be talking to us about her historical fiction picture book, Tenth Avenue Cowboy!