Joy Preble, the author of Dreaming Anastasia: A Novel of Love, Magic, and the Power of Dreams, was the kid who loved reading, science, history, and even math, although she was always dreadful at it. She didn't so much read as she consumed books. Vats of them. Buckets full. Baskets. Well, you get the idea. Her debut novel is a young adult contemporary fantasy with a teen girl heroine, a mysterious handsome guy, and a famous Russian witch, all inspired by Anastasia Romanov's dissappearance.

I had the fortunate opportunity to ask Joy a few questions regarding her influences and inspiration...

To read the entire interview, please visit Examiner.com

Imagine in your dreams you're the Grand Duchess of Russia. Not a bad dream, right? It sounds well and good until you realize that the Grand Duchess was Anastasia Romanov, the youngest daughter of Tzar Nicholas, whose family was gunned down in the basement of their house.

In Dreaming Anastasia: A Novel of Love, Magic, and the Power of Dreams, Joy Preble delivers a debut novel that will have you wondering, What really happened to Anastasia Romanov? Persistent rumors of her possible escape circulated since her death, fueled by the fact that the location of her burial was unknown during the decades of Communist rule. Preble has used the rumors along with her family history to create a novel that confronts Russian history in a way not many would think of.

Read my interview at Examiner.com

Dawn Aldrich is a native to New England. She resides in Connecticut with her husband, Peter. Together they've raised two adult children and have one granddaughter. She holds an Associates Degree in Radio & TV Communications from Endicott College and a Bachelor's Degree in Christian Education from Houghton College.

Currently, she is enjoying writing books, writing and acting in dramatic presentations and public speaking to both youth and adults. Dawn's passion is to create a picture with words, whether it is written or spoken. It is her hope that her words encourage and impact her readers and audiences as they identify with her characters and reflect on their own lives. Told from the child's perspective, Auntie's House answers the universal questions of every child left in the care of someone other than a parent: "What will I do all day long? Are there fun things to do here? Will Mommy come back for me?"

To read the interview with Dawn, please visit Examiner.com

Ryan SanAngelo grew up in Connecticut and received his B.A. in Media
Communications at Western CT State University in December 2000. But as a sophomore in college, Ryan took a Children's Literature class that would forever change his life.

The result of the class was a wonderful picture book titled, Spaghetti Eddie, illustrated by the amazingly talented Jackie Urbanovic. Since the
book’s publication, Ryan has conducted author visits at venues throughout New England and beyond. He has delighted audiences with his charismatic performances showcasing both his book, his discussions, and his music. Ryan is also a teacher, who has a masters degree in Elementary Education and is certified to teach grades K-6. I had the fortunate opportunity to attend one of SanAngelo's performances and asked him a few questions about his unique path to publication and musical background.

To read the entire interview, please visit Examiner.com

Ever wonder where bad dreams come from? In The Dark Dreamweaver (Chronicles of Remin), you'll find they might come from an entire new world.

The book begins as 11 year old David is dreading going to bed. He spends every night trying to avoid closing his eyes, because as soon as he falls asleep, the nightmares begin again. But David is not the only one envisioning a very tall, very large man wearing a dark gray robe in his nightmares. Turns out, there's an epidemic of bad dreams sweeping the world and sleep specialists are puzzled by the rapid rise.

To read the entire review, please visit Examiner.com

Beginning today, students across the United States are celebrating Hispanic Heritage month . The first formal recognition of Hispanic Heritage was made by Congress in 1968. Originally designated as the week of Sept. 15, the celebration was centered around the Independence Days of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, which are celebrated on Sept. 15, and Mexico, which is celebrated on Sept. 16. In 1988, the celebration was extended to 31 days, beginning on Sept. 15 and ending on Oct. 15. It now includes Chile’s Independence Day (Sept. 18) and el Dia de la Raza, or the Hispanic celebration of Columbus Day (Oct. 12).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 44 million people in the United States are of Hispanic origin. That's why it's important to teach students about the ethnic diversity in our country and expose them to world traditions. National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates people of various different races, from more than 20 different nations around the world who share a related cultural and ethnic heritage.

Check out a wonderful list of children's books to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Examiner.com.

There's a lot of talk sweeping the internet about Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse and it's young author, Kaleb Nation. How could a 14 year old possibly write an intriguing, magical story throughout his teenage years? How much was he influenced by the infamous Harry Potter series? Now 20 years of age, Kaleb Nation's dream of being published has come true and his first book is being released today amidst a myriad of comparisons.

Read the entire review at Examiner.com

Voting for the 2009 Teens' Top Ten is now open. Teen's Top Ten is a "teen choice" list, where teens nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year, sponsored by YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association).

Nominators are members of teen book groups in fifteen school and public libraries around the country. Nominations are posted on Support Teen Literature Day during National Library Week, and teens across the country vote on their favorite titles each year.

Readers ages twelve to eighteen can vote online, anytime between Aug. 24 and Sept. 18. Teens can vote for up to three of their favorite titles from the 2009 nominees and the winners will be announced in a webcast featuring WWE Superstars and Divas during Teen Read Week, October 18-24.

Tell your book group, youth organizations you work with, and any other groups you know that work with teens to head over to www.ala.org/teenstopten between Aug. 24 and Sept. 18 and vote.

The more teens who participate, the more accurately the winning list will reflect the reading tastes of teens all over the country!

Download the 2009 Teens' Top Ten nominations (PDF)
Click this link to vote through Sept. 18.

The 2009 nominations are:

Graceling by Kristin Cashore.
Untamed (House of Night, Book 4) by Kristin Cast & P.C.
City of Ashes (Mortal Instruments) by Cassandra Clare
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Truancy (Tom Doherty Associates Books) by Isamu Fukui
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Paper Towns by John Green
Runemarks by Joanne Harris
Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, The by E. Lockhart
Daughter of the Flames by Zoe Marriott
Wake by Lisa McMann
Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4) by Stephenie Meyer
Bloodline by Katy Moran
The Knife of Never Letting Go: Chaos Walking: Book One by Patrick Ness
Evermore: The Immortals by Alyson Noel
Geek Charming by Robin Palmer
Melting Stones (Circle Reforged) by Tamora Pierce.
Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott.
Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith.
Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith
Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten.
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee.

 

Heading back to school can be fun for the whole family, but anxiety and nervousness can take its toll. School can bring many emotions as it forces students to experience a new teacher, new classroom, new schoolwork, and new friends. To help children (and yourself!) ease back into school mode, check out this great set of tips and selection of children's books that can help make the transition a smooth one and hopefully, set the course for a successful year at Examiner.com

To read the full article and get a link for a 90 day free trial, please visit Examiner.com.

Pat McCarthy grew up in Painted Post, NY. When she was 16, she moved to Greenville, Ohio, where she still lives. As a child, she spent much of her time reading, often perched in an apple tree. She wanted to be a writer, a teacher, an artist, a cowboy and a farmer.  Three out of five isn't bad, if you change artist to photographer.

She graduated from Miami University in Oxford Ohio with a degree in elementary education. She taught elementary school for 30 years. On retirement, she decided to write. Since then, she has had 14 books published by 4 different publishers. Her latest book, Heading West: Life with the Pioneers, 21 Activities (For Kids series) traces the vivid saga of Native American and pioneer men, women, and children from the colonial beginnings of the westward expansion to the last of the homesteaders in late 20th century Alaska.
She lives with her cats, Dorothy and Oz.

Tell us about your path to publication.
About three years before I retired, I decided I wanted to do writing and photography, so I took some workshops and classes, including going to Highlights' workshop at Chautauqua several times. I sold a few things to magazines before retirement and continued to do that for ten years, while also working on several books that never sold. Finally queried Enslow about a book on Annie Oakley. The editor wrote back and said she had just assigned a book on Annie, but asked if I would be interested in writing on other subjects. I called her and she ran a list of people by me for biographies. I picked Daniel Boone and that was the start of the books.

How did your experience teaching elementary school for many years affect your career as a children's author? I'm sure it makes it much easier for me to write for kids, since it's not real hard for me to write on their level.

How did you become an instructor for the Institute of Children's Literature and how do you juggle it with your own writing?
I thought I'd like the job and asked Fred Bortz about it, since I knew he was an instructor. He gave me lots of info on applying and I did. I had to go through several steps before they asked me to join the staff. Then they flew me to CT for training. Truthfully, I don't get enough work from them any more for it to be a problem juggling it with my writing.

What inspired you to write Heading West: Life with the Pioneers?
I queried the editor about writing a biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder. He thought a book on ALL pioneers would sell better, so we went from there.

In an age of Iphones, Facebook, and other technology, how do you get young readers interested in the whole pioneer era?Actually, I think they're interested just because it is so different from anything they've experienced. Also I think the 21 activities will get them interested. I plan to do school programs and will dress in pioneer dress to add interest.

Besides writing, you've stated that you love photography and many of your photos have been included in your books. What advice can you give an author who would also like to submit photos along with their manuscript?For most of my books, I've been required to provide all the photos.  I don't get paid for the photos, but neither do I have to pay for them, which is a plus. If you're not required to provide photos, I don't know how easy it would be to get your photos used. I have sold many articles with photos, though, and I think it's easier to sell an article if you have photos to accompany it. Also the age of digital photography has made it much less expensive.
To learn more about Pat McCarthy, her books, and school visits, please visit her blog.

Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Chicago Review Press (August 1, 2009)
ISBN-10: 1556528094
ISBN-13: 978-1556528095


Nonfiction Monday takes place at various wonderful blogs throughout the Kidlitosphere! Today, you can check out the Roundup at Practically Paradise.
To see the blog schedule for Nonfiction Monday, please visit Anastasia Suen's Picture Book of the Day.

C.E. Walz is a children's book author as well as an educator. She has been teaching writing for over twenty-five years. Walz currently teaches English and chairs the middle school English department at Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia. In her spare time she likes to bird-watch, hike, play the saxophone, and write--but not all at the same time! Her latest picture book, Alley Loo: A Spooky Swamp Tale won best children's book from Dragonfly Publishing, Inc.

Tell us about your path to publication.
I've been teaching children for over 25 years, but I've been a musician for most of my life. When I began my teaching career, I was teaching third grade, and I enjoyed writing musicals and short stories for my students. My first published stories appeared in magazines like Jack and Jill, Children's Digest, and Turtle. My first children's book (Mary's Treasure Box) was published by Tommy Nelson Publishers in 1998.

Tell us a little about Alley Loo.
Alley Loo is a spooky swamp tale for children ages 3-8, but it's really a mystery story. The swamp can be a mighty spooky place with moss-covered trees, creepy-creaky sounds, and dark pools of water. But what's really scaring the swamp critters is Alley Loo! That's the mystery--who is Alley Loo?

Congrats on winning the 2008 DFP's Best Children's Book Award. What would you tell a writer who is hesitant about entering a writing contest?
I LOVE writing contests...for several reasons! Contests give me a deadline and specific entry requirements and I like to work within boundaries like that. It is very difficult these days for freelance authors to get a publisher's attention, but with a contest,at least I know that my work is being read.

Where did you get the inspiration to write Alley Loo?
Several years ago I traveled down to south Georgia with my family to visit the Okefenokee Swamp, one of the largest swamps in the world. It's a wonderful, kid-friendly place to learn about the swamp, complete with nature hikes, exhibits, wildlife demonstrations, gift shop, and guided boat tours. While I was on a boat tour, our guide mentioned what he thought was the scariest critter in the swamp--and that's when the idea for Alley Loo came to me.

How did you come up with the name Alley Loo?
Alley Loo sounded like a spooky name for a swamp critter. I can hear it being whispered around a campfire at night: "Better watch out for Alley Looooooo..." and it has great rhyming potential!

How has teaching for over 25 years affected being a children's author?
For me, writing and teaching English go hand in hand. I've been quite blessed to have been teaching at Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia, for most of my career. Woodward is one of the largest private schools in the nation, and some of my students have gone on to become very successful writers, actors, and musicians. I've always emphasized creative writing in my classroom and shared my writing experiences with my students. Many young people have been inspired to continue writing beyond their school years, and that makes my own writing experience seem worthwhile.

What was the best writing advice you've received and why?
It may sound like a cliche, but the best writing advice I've received is "write what you know." I have to be able to visualize what I'm writing and there's no better way to see something in your head than to have lived it! No, I've not lived in a swamp, but I've been to one AND I've done lots and lots of research. A writer has to have the picture in her head before the words will make sense.

What's next for C.E. Walz?
I usually have two or three projects going on at once. I just signed a contract with Dragonfly Publishers for a second children's book, Swamp Lullaby. This book was inspired by a song I wrote with my husband, who is also a musician. Because of its swamp setting, It's a companion book for Alley Loo, and my husband and I are working on a CD of swamp music to go along with both of these books. The CD should be out this fall.
In addition, I sent off a manuscript to another contest recently, and I just returned from the Rocky Mountains where I did some research on a native American legend that I'm turning into a middle-grade novel. And then there's a folder next to my computer with four or five other book ideas...

For more info:
Please visit the official website of C.E. Walz

Ever wonder what creatures lurk in the swamp? In Alley Loo: A Spooky Swamp Tale, there's danger all around. There are things in the swamp like you've never seen. A hungry black bear, a big-eyed creature hooting, a polecat slinking back to his bed, bobcats screaming, and bullfrogs bellowing. But they all have a warning for you--"Run. Hide. If you see Alley Loo!"

Who's Alley Loo you might ask and what's so scary about Alley Loo? This rhyming adventure provides a wonderful opportunity for young readers to guess who Alley Loo is and they'll just adore the illustration of the animals cuddled in a heap afraid of Alley Loo. Just beware because Alley Loo is an animal you may run across sooner or later for Alley Loo is a baby alligator!

Wedel's illustrations portray Alley Loo as the cutest gator you could ever meet--what alligator have you seen that wears a pink bow and pink scarf? So why is everyone afraid of Alley Loo? Her Mama, Betty Jo!

A typical swamp is full of plants, wildlife, and water and Walz has captured this dark and lonely place in a fun, rhyming story that provides a wonderful introduction to the creatures that lurk in the swamp. The story shows the love a mother has for her baby and the lengths she'll go to protect her. Wedel's illustrations compliment the text with mysterious and spooky watercolors of scary creatures you may encounter if you enter at your own risk.

For more info, lesson plans, and a contest, please visit the official website of C.E. Walz

Additional Information:
Author: C.E. Walz
Illustrator: Pamela Wedel
Paperback: 24 pages
Publisher: Dragonfly Publishing, Inc. (March 26, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0981908047
ISBN-13: 978-0981908045

One valuable step to reading is comprehending and developing thoughtful interpretations of what one reads. That's why it's important for young readers to be actively involved in the books they read. Beginning at the pre-school age, parents should discuss what's happening in the illustrations of a picture book, and ask questions such as what will happen next.

By the time your young readers are in school, many teachers will use books as a great way to not only get them reading, but also writing. Even if a school is fortunate enough to have an excellent reading curriculum in place, several other factors play a large role in whether students will be able to meet their reading objectives.

There are many instructional tools available for teachers and one is called Book Punch. Book Punch is an educational software program that provides interactive, step-by-step writing prompts for popular children's and young adult literature. Popular titles include "Because of Winn-Dixie," "Holes," and "The Giver." The program uses instructional technology to lead students step-by-step through pre-writing, organizing, revising, editing and publishing their original responses to writing prompts for each book.

For teachers who find it difficult to provide enough personal attention to each pupil, Book Punch is an aid in the classroom that can help guide students through the process of thinking and writing about books commonly read in schools today. Book Punch's writing prompts provide support for students of a wide range of abilities, including striving readers.

For additional information on Book Punch, please visit the official website for full-working demos, teaching tips and pricing information.

How often do you see a children's book cover like this-a beautiful portrait without text? The cover of  Eleanor, Quiet No More is captivating and so is the story in this lovely picture book biography.

Young readers will learn about Eleanor's lonely childhood and how her mother called her Granny, thinking that Eleanor was too serious. They'll also follow Eleanor as she moves in with her grandmother when her parents die to her marriage and family to her transformation into an intelligent and outstanding woman.

Similar to Rappaport's Martin's Big Words (2001) and Abe's Honest Words (2008, both Hyperion), the author gives young readers a glimpse into the life of Eleanor with informative background, quotes from Eleanor herself, and amazing illustrations. The emotions caught in each of the illustrations tell Eleanor's story along with the text. Young readers will be astounded at Eleanor's transformation and growth into an unforgettable First Lady who fought for social justice, human rights, and equality.

Additional Information:
Author: Doreen Rappaport
Illustrator: Gary Kelley
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (February 3, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0786851414
ISBN-13: 978-0786851416

Nonfiction Monday takes place at various wonderful blogs throughout the Kidlitosphere! Today, you can check out the Roundup at Wrapped in Foil.

To see the blog schedule for Nonfiction Monday, please visit Anastasia Suen's Picture Book of the Day.

Imagine living in a plaid, plaid world. This very imaginative rhyming story will have your young readers looking at plaid differently. To her surprise, young Madison finds a lonely plaid purse left in the park, and she vows to take care of it. But after she picks it up, Madison finds the purse causes a plaid virus to spread all over herself and across town.

"It crawled all over her jacket. It slithered under her hat. The plaid did a dance on her underpants."

Madison tries ditching the purse, but the plaid continues to spread and her mom diagnoses the "Plaid Curse." So Madison returns to the park and grabs the purse once again. This time, Madison comes up with a great idea--she turns it inside out, but then everything changes to the blue shade of the lining. But don't fret, Madison is a pro at curing the blues and from then on, the purse ends up coordinating with Madison's moods.

Once you read Mad About Plaid by Jill McElmurry, you'll be mad about this book!

About the Author:
Jill McElmurry was born in California and grew up in Taos, New Mexico. She studied art for two years at SUNY, Purchase and The School of Visual Arts in New York, but mostly she's been drawing and painting on her own for a long time. Not that she had much choice: both her parents were illustrators, and even her grandparents were artistic professionals (her grandfather painted the backgrounds for the 1939 classic King Kong). When she's not producing books, Jill enjoys working with her husband and dog on their Higglety Pigglety Farm in New Mexico.

Visit Jill McElmurry's Official Website

Additional Information:
Author/ Illustrator: Jill McElmurry 
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (April 4, 2000)
ISBN-10: 0688169511
ISBN-13: 978-0688169510

Yes--there's a lot of drama in sports and it's captured in Nora Raleigh Baskin's Basketball (or Something Like It). Baskin catches the action, drama, and fun of playing basketball and it's told from the perspective of four unlikely friends.

The book begins with Hank, listening in on his parents' conversation how the basketball coach is deliberately scheduling clinics to conflict with Hank's soccer playoffs, so the coach's own son will come out looking better. Hank's parents are a bit controlling, insisting that Hank play every game, and that the coach should be fired. We've all seen a player like this on one team or another.

Next is Nathan. Nathan is not very good at basketball, but he brags to his parents that he is. After all, he's the only black kid in the whole North Bridge sixth grade. Throughout the season, Nathan tells his parents how great he is, but will he be able to pull of his lie when his parents show up at the final game of the season?

Then there's Jeremy. Jeremy is a great player who temporarily lives with his grandmother after moving from the city to North Bridge. However, feeling a bit isolated and alone in North Bridge, Jeremy really doesn't want to play basketball this year. But with a little nudging and a payoff from his grandmother, Jeremy agrees to try out.

To add a bit of a girl factor to the story, we also have Anabel. Anabel's brother, Michael plays on the team and Anabel has been dragged to every game since she could remember. Anabel knows that basketball could  be fun if you take out the parents, the arguments, the tension, and the expectations.

What I really enjoyed about this story were the characters and the alternating third-person narratives. Anyone who has ever played on a sports team will be able to relate to them, feel for them, and cheer for them. It's interesting to see how sports affect each young athlete differently--from parents living vicariously through their children, the pressure of trying to impress parents, and girls being cast aside while sports expectations are placed on sons.The team endures some humiliating losses, the loss of coach after coach, and the reality of putting up with demanding parents, but in the end, the theme of team and friendship prevails. A great read for any sports fan!

Additional Information:
Author: Nora Raleigh Baskin
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (January 30, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0060596120
ISBN-13: 978-0060596125

Helping your child learn to read is a partnership that will pay off for a lifetime. Although reading and writing abilities continue to develop throughout life, the early childhood years - from birth through age eight - are the most important period for literacy development. Many people wonder when a child learns to read. Most would answer kindergarten or first grade, but the truth is children start down the road to reading as soon as they are born.

The development of early literacy skills through early experiences with books and stories is critically linked to a child's success in learning to read. That's why children's books need to provide both the stories children enjoy and the structure they need to read fluently and independently.

You can prepare your child to read by sharing your time, talking about the world around you, telling and reading stories and asking and answering questions.

Here are suggestions for helping your child before, during, and after reading:

1. Make reading fun. Read to your child in a comfortable place. Have her sit on
your lap or next to you so that she can see and point to the print and the pictures.

2. Show enthusiasm as you read with your child. Read the story with expression, almost as though you're acting the story out on a Broadway stage. You can make the story more interesting by talking as the characters would talk, making sound effects, and making expressions with your face and hands.

3. Read to your child often. Set aside special times for reading each day, maybe after lunch and at bedtime. The more you can read to him or her, the better—as long as he/she is willing to listen. Reading times can be brief, about 5 to 10 minutes.

4. Look at the cover together and ask your child to predict what the story is about.

5. Encourage your child to chime in with familiar words and phrases.

6. Echo read with your child by reading a line first and having your child read it after you do.

7. Encourage your child to use phonics skills to sound out new words.

8. Provide the word for your child when more assistance is needed so that he or she does not struggle and the experience of reading with you is a positive one.

9. Encourage your child to read the books over and over again. Have him or her read to brothers, sisters, grandparents, and even stuffed animals. Repeated readings develop confidence in young readers.

10. Talk about the stories. Ask and answer questions. Share ideas about the funniest and most interesting characters and events in the stories.


Even six-week-old babies like the feeling of closeness when a parent,grandparent, or other caretaker reads to them. When children find out that reading can be a warm, happy experience, they begin to build a lifelong love of reading.