Category: Reading Writing Connection

Jane Austen

3/29/2018

"A fondness for reading, which properly directed, must be an education in itself."

Found it! The perfect gift for one of my literary-loving friends. She works as a children's librarian and is also an ardent fan of Jane Austen.
It's mind-boggling to consider that a quiet little novelist, who never published a book under her own name and died at the age of 41, remains a model of literary excellence. Two hundred years have not diminished interest in her life and writing. Her works have been made into multiple adaptations for television and movies. No one could have predicted that her work would be the inspiration for pop culture hits such as Clueless and Bridget Jones.

Purists delight in Austen’s perceptive portrayals of life: gently skewering the pompous, revealing the mind of the ardent searcher, and lovingly sympathizing with the tender-hearted.

Brave Jane Austin: Reader, Writer, Author, Rebel
by Lisa Pliscou ill Jen Corace

Lisa Pliscou's Brave Jane Austen: Reader, Writer, Author, Rebel is a thoughtful introduction to this well-known British author. Pliscou paints a portrait of a close-knit family who valued education and literary pursuits. The well-stocked family library included a globe and microscope. Her father read aloud to the family and her mother wrote poetry. When family finances permitted, Jane and her sister were sent away for schooling.
Jane's remarkable determination to remain true to herself and direct her own life is one of the distinguishing features of this narrative. Austen "presented the idea that a girl could use her intelligence to help her live the best life possible."
Back matter includes a brief statement on "The Life and Times of Jane Austen," selected quotations from the her writings, accolades from well-known authors, and a listing of additional resources.

Jen Corace uses a soft muted color pallet and stylized shapes to capture the essence of Jane's world in the late 1770's to the early 1800's. Darker silhouettes against a creamy yellow background echo images often often seen during this historical period.
A lovely volume to share with young readers, feminists, and aspiring authors.

Pour Your Heart Out:
A Journal of Wit, Wisdom, and a Touch of Charm
quotes by Jane Austen ill Clare Owen

This attractive journal features quotations from all six of Austen's novels: Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Mansfield Park, Persuasion, and Northanger Abbey. Each quotation is followed by a journal entry prompt. For example, this quotation is paired with the following prompt.
Quotation: "There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves. It is not my nature."
Writing prompt: "What are the craziest things you would do for a friend?"
Jane's feminist nature is revealed with statements such as "Songs and proverbs, all talk of women's fickleness. But perhaps you will say, these were all written by men"
Clare Owen's calligraphy and lovely graphic designs add just the right touch to this easy-to-personalize journal.

Additional Austin-inspired Gift Ideas

Literary Lust: Gift items celebrating the works of Jane Austen.

Zippered Pouch

Pemberly postcards

Mr. Darcy Quote Pillow

Obstinate Girl Mug

Bonus: Ten Jane Austin Adaptations

Which ones are your favorites?

Review copies provided by publishers

Book Pub date: January 30, 2018 Publisher: Henry Holt and Co ISBN: 978-1627796439

Journal Pub date: March 27, 2018 Publisher: Penguin Books ISBN: 978-0425290583

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Story Pirates

3/20/2018

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Stuck in the Stone Age by Geoff Rodkey ill by Hatem Aly

Have you ever read a book that was so funny that you found yourself laughing out loud? Have you ever found people looking at you and asking “What’s so funny?”
When this happens, you look up from your book and realize that you are making a public scene. Immediately you attempt to stifle the guffaws bubbling up inside you. Eventually you acknowledge that you can’t control your laughter. It is time to decide: either put the book away until you are alone or just keep reading and ignore the curious stares. This precisely describes my experience as I laughed my way through Stuck in the Stone Age by Geoff Rodkey. Note: I kept reading.

Tom Edison's dream (not THAT Tom Edison) is to become a world-famous scientist. Sadly, the study of science is not his forte. This fact is of no consequence. He is convinced that given the proper opportunity, he will prove his potential. First step on the ladder to greatness: a job as a janitor at CEASE- the Center for Extremely Advanced Science Experiments. There he meets the quiet researcher Dr. Marisa Morice. Through a bizarre twist of fate, the two unlikely companions find themselves transported via a time travel machine to the prehistoric era. This is a land of cavemen, bats with an inordinate amount of guano, and one very determined saber-tooth tiger. How will the ever-exuberant but dim-witted Tom and the brilliant but socially inept Dr. Morice work their way out of this dilemma and return to the present?
This is one fast-paced, laugh-filled adventure. Be advised: If you read this book in public and start laughing uncontrollably, people will take note and you'll probably have to read it aloud to total strangers.

"You think we'll be okay?"
"Definitely not."
"We'll survive, though, right?"
"Not a chance."
"Not even if we brace ourselves?"
"Did you take physics?"
"Yeah, But I got an H in it."
"What's an H?"
"It's a little worse than a G."

Rodkey has created two things here: a hilarious time travel adventure and a how-to guide for aspiring young authors. Not since Adventures in Cartooning have I encountered such a successful and innovative approach to making a dual-purpose publication. The Story Pirates series takes it one step further. Rodkey solicitated Story Ideas from youngsters. He uses an idea from Vince Boberski, a boy from Memphis, as the premise for Stuck in the Stone Age. He explains the story creation process in a writing manual located at the back of the book. Throughout the text, references are made to sections within the manual which provide guidance and suggestions. The notations throughout the story are accompanied by clever illustrations. Helpful infographics are an added bonus. Hatem Aly’s zany art provides the perfect complement to this wild adventure. This book is a gold mine for those who enjoy a good tale well told and/or those who want to tell their own amazing stories.

Bonus Resources

Interested in story creation? Story Pirates website is storytelling central. With live performances, educational programs, and online resources that include podcasts and videos, this is a treasure chest filled with imaginative delights. Enjoy this sample of videos from the Story Pirate's YouTube channel.

Review, images, and text based on uncorrected copy.

Pub date: March 6, 2018 Publisher: Rodale Kids ISBN: 978-1635650891

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Anatomy of an Author Visit

5/3/2016

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"How I became a killer and a thief."

YA author, April Henry is well-known for her stories which send a bone-tingling chill up the spines of teen readers. What thrill-seeking reader doesn't love that?
Teens in South Texas were treated to a week of school visits from Ms Henry.
In addition to describing the trials of writing a book with an arm injury which temporarily left her without the use of her dominant hand/arm (she was forced to fall back on dictation software which sometimes produced hilarious results), the author offered two important components of her writing process.

Start with the question "what if?" Look for interesting events from real life and ask yourself, "what if? "" What if the person were blind?" " What if the body were here?"" What if the parent was someone else?" This change in perspective can start you on the trail toward your own story.
It's all about the research, research, research. "What would it be like to be blind?" "How does a person escape from handcuffs?" Learn all that you can to answer your questions, including asking professionals in the field and spend time in actual training and simulations.

"We were all so sure we knew the truth, but we were wrong."

Highlights from April Henry's visit to Four Bluff High School

The Girl I Used to Be by April Henry

"It's like I'm in one of those snow globes. Somebody's picked me up and shaken all my memories loose.
Now they float around me, flickering in the corners of my eyes."

The Girl I Used to Be is based on a fascinating premise:
What if your mother was killed when you were only three years old?
What if you grew up believing that your father killed your mother and then disappeared?
What if at age fourteen you learned that wasn't true?
What if you realize that someone killed both your father and mother?
What if you return to your father's funeral, determined to find out what really happened to your parents?
What if the killer is much closer to you than you ever realized?

"I'm not a little kid. I already know about evil. Nineteen stab wounds, a jawbone, blood drying on a knife. I know a lot about evil."

April Henry books are like potato chips. They are short and snappy with a definite crunch. Never sweet or sticky, but crisp and tangy. They are the perfect reading snack.
But be warned, just like potato chips, they are highly addictive.
You can never consume just one!

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Innovative Storytelling

7/26/2015

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Storytelling is as old as language, spanning all cultures and appealing to all audiences. I wondered "What could be new with this ancient art?" Then I discovered How to Tell a Story by Daniel Nayeri and Spot by David Wiesner, two intriguing new approaches to exploring the art of storytelling. Young readers and writers will appreciate these visual tools which stimulate thinking and offer innovative approaches to learning the art of storytelling.

How to Tell a Story by Daniel Nayeri

How to Tell a Story consists of a full-color 144-page book paired with a collection of 20 six-sided, illustrated storytelling cubes. The blocks are coded by color, each loosely associated with a part of speech. An accompanying guide book presents activities to introduce the storytelling principles of characters, conflict, climax, dialogue, motivation and theme. For example, an activity might direct an individual to roll the blocks and find one red block (person or animal) “who wanted nothing more in this world than to” one green block (action).
These brightly colored cubes bring a “hands on” approach and an open-ended aspect to creative writing and storytelling. This can serve as a great addition to classrooms, creative writing workshops, and storytelling programs for youth groups. The possibilities are endless.

Spot by David Wiesner

Taking full advantage of the iPad capabilities, SPOT leads users through wondrous worlds which encourage exploration and story-telling.
This immersive and wordless interactive storybook app launches the reader into five incredibly detailed and imaginatively realized worlds. Follow the trail interconnecting the worlds to see how a world so big can become one so close and accessible. It is up to each viewer to decide the direction they wish to take. The animations revealed with each "pinch" and "zoom" invite further exploration. The app’s non-linear format promotes exploration, and learning through experimentation.
A downloadable iBook includes an extensive guide for using SPOT. It’s easy to get lost for hours and hours in this astounding "world within a world within a world".

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Persuasive Writing in the Library

5/16/2015

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We had an extra copy of Derek Jeter's Ultimate Baseball Guide 2015. So many students wanted that book. What to do?
We decided that every student who wanted a chance to win our extra copy of the book would submit a small ballot on a piece of scratch paper. The ballot would include a statement as to why they should be the recipient of the Baseball Guide.
The rules were: you could submit only one entry and it had to contain: 1) your name, 2) your classroom number, and 3) a convincing argument for you to receive this book. All entries that included those three items were placed in a basket and at the end of the day one ballot was randomly drawn from the basket.
The persuasive statements were terrific! Each one was unique. But all were compelling. A great "stealth" writing exercise.
I will definitely do this again.