“I learned long ago that being Lewis Carroll was infinitely
more
exciting than being Alice.”
~ Joyce Carol Oates ~
Gifts for My Writer Friends:
Click
HERE to find some good ideas for critiquing.
HERE
is a great list of tips for editing and proofing.
If
you click HERE you will find a good list of Ten Tips for Aspiring Children’s
Book Writers.
We have been having a wonderful few days in Cedar City, Utah with our grandchildren visiting our daughter, Maggie, who is an on-stage musician at the Utah Shakespeare Festival playing for Twelfth Night. It's a terrific production and it was fun to see her in a different kind of role than we usually see her. We also saw Comedy of Errors, a very fun production set in the old West.
We are still in Utah, but our grandchildren are off exploring with their Auntie M, so I can get this post up. Last week I offered a copy of Elizabeth O. Dulemba's marvelous book A Bird on Water Street. Summer seems to have cut back on my commenters, but that means those of you who stop by have a better chance of winning, so we get to see names of winners repeated now and again. This weeks winner is Myra. Congratulations, Myra! I will be getting your book out to you this week. Stay tuned, though. I have another great giveaway this week.
Being on a long road trip with my favorite chauffeur (my hubby, Dave, does almost all the driving) gives me time to chip away at my TBR list. On the way to Utah, I finished reading Bird by Crystal Chan. Way back in February, I won a copy of Bird from the Teaching Authors blog. This is a blog run by six children's authors who also teach writing and it is worth your time to check it out. Click HERE to visit. The book has been high on my TBR pile ever since, but with all the reviews I do for San Francisco Book Review, sometimes my TBR pile lies untouched for awhile. But I am making time this summer for my pleasure reading. This book is a real pleasure to read.
Jewel never had the chance to know her brother. His real name was John, but everyone called him Bird, a name given him by his grandfather. The day Jewel was born, Bird tried to fly from a high cliff near their home. Jewel's father and grandfather, Jamaicans, believed a bad spirit called a duppy had caused Bird to believe he could fly, ending in his death. Jewel had lived all her twelve years in the shadow of this lost brother. Grandpa never spoke again. Her parents were both, it seemed, eternally and deeply sad and angry.
A new boy shows up during the summer. He is visiting his uncle and he and
 |
| Crystal Chan |
Crystal Chan has written a story of love and friendship, of lies and truths, of dreams and hopes, of growing up and of running for cover. The characters are well-rounded and very believable. This is a rich and complex story, beautifully written, and one that will haunt your memories for a long time.
When I won Bird, I received a signed hardback of the UK version. I am going to share that with one of you. All you need do is have a US address, be either a subscriber or follower (if you aren't yet, please check the right hand column to sign up), and leave a comment. If you would like extra chances in the drawing, please post this link on Facebook or your blog or Tweet about the giveaway or something like that. Let me know you've done that in your comment, and I will give you extra chances.
Don't forget to check out Shannon Messenger's wonderful blog for more Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday reviews and some giveaways. You can find it by clicking HERE.
