This is the final post in a four-part series about writing and researching my upcoming young adult historical fiction novel, Blood Moon, the second book in my Ella Wood series. (Part 1: Women’s Education; Part 2: African American Soldiers. Part 3: Early Photography.) The Civil War provided the turning point from the old European style […]
The Gladiator and the Guard, by Annie Douglass Lima and a giveaway!
I’m excited to announce the release of a young adult action and adventure book that I had the honor of beta reading this winter. I enjoyed thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the Krillonian Chronicles, The Collar and the Cavvarach, so when the opportunity arose to read book two, The Gladiator and the Guard, and be involved […]
Blood Moon: Early Photography
This is the third post in a four-part series about writing and researching my upcoming young adult historical fiction novel, Blood Moon, the second book in my Ella Wood series. (Part 1: Women’s Education; Part 2: African American Soldiers.) Photography plays an important role in Blood Moon. By the start of the Civil War, photographs had become […]
Blood Moon: African American Soldiers
This is the second post in a four-part series about writing and researching my upcoming young adult historical fiction novel, Blood Moon, book two in my Ella Wood series. (Part 1: Women’s Education.) I’m certainly getting an education in the events of the Civil War. In particular, the events that took place in and around […]
Blood Moon: Women's Education
This is the first post in a four-part series about writing and researching my upcoming young adult historical fiction novel, Blood Moon, the second book in my Ella Wood series. Every novel I write takes me on a new journey of discovery–especially when I write in the historical fiction genre. Little did I know that […]
The Wind, by Lars D. Hedbor
Before I start a four-post series about the research of Blood Moon next week, I’m sneaking in a review of my favorite book I’ve read since finishing the manuscript. And I’m reading a LOT of them right now. I’ve become a dedicated Lars Hedbor fan. In his Tales of a Revolution series, he takes little-known stories of […]
Where the Sidewalk Ends, by Shell Silverstein
Published in 1974, this longtime favorite has fallen in popularity as it’s aged. That’s so extremely unfortunate. I’m here to put it in front of a new generation of kids as well as remind parents, teachers, and homeschoolers who may have loved it long ago and forgotten all about it. I’ve never been a fan […]
Tony the Phony and the Northern Woods, by T. Man
Today I’m part of a very special blog event hosted by T. Man, a 10-year-old author and homeschooler who has just completed his SECOND book! When T. Man was only 8, he partnered with his older brother, M. Man, on a special homeschool writing project that resulted in their first published book, Tony the Phony […]
Audiobooks as a Literacy Tool
No review today. Because of the business of Christmas, I’m just going to reprint an article I posted over on Emblazon a few weeks ago… “The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children.” —Jim Trelease, author of The Read Alound Handbook The Benefits of […]
Flying the Dragon, by Natalie Dias Lorenzi
Skye has a cousin, Hiroshi, she has never met. Because Hiroshi lives in Japan, and Skye was born in America. But when Grandfather grows ill, Skye’s Japanese relatives move to America for Grandfather’s treatment. Skye is embarrassed to have Hiroshi in class with her. He can’t speak English well. He’s completely unaware how “uncool” he […]