Latest Reads
I spent 2021 reading all 100 Newbery Award Winners. I loved the challenge and the diversity and range of these winning writers.
I love free verse novels for middle grade and young adult.
Some of my favorite free verse novel authors: Kelly Bingham, Cordelia Jenson, Sharon Creech, Katherine Applegate, Margarita Engle, Lisa Schroeder, Virginia Euwer Wolff, Helen Frost, Sarah Crossan, Jason Reynolds, Kwame Alexander, Jeannine Atkins. . .
Another fabulous Middle Grade by my wonderful friend, the late Gail Shepherd -- The True History of Lyndie B. Hawkins.
An amazing middle grade series by another friend Nancy Springer: The Enola Holmes Mysteries, the first released as a major motion picture on Netflix.
More of my favorites, mostly Middle Grade, Some YA, Some Picture Books:
Hope Was Here, by Joan Bauer
Calvin, by Martine Leavitt
Crenshaw, by Kathrine Applegate
Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson
A Snicker of Magic, by Natalie Lloyd
Freaky Fast Frankie Joe, by Lutricia Clifton
Summer on the Short Bus, by Bethany Crandell
The Odds of Getting Even Shelia Turnage
When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead
Rules, by Cynthia Lord
The Wednesday Wars, by Gary Schmidt
Okay or Now, by Gary Schmidt
The Tiger Rising, by Kate DiCamillo
Flora and Ulysses, by Kate DiCamillo
The Year of Billy Miller, by Kevin Henkes
Clemintine and the Spring Trip, by Sara Pennypacker
Amelia Bedelia Means Business, by Herman Parish
Anastasia at this Address, by Lois Lowry
UnGifted, by Gordan Korman
An Abundance of Katherines, by John Green
Fault in the Stars, by John Green
Looking for Alaska, by John Green
No More Dead Dogs, by Gordon Korman
Million Dollar Throw, by Mike Lupica
Every Soul a Star, by Wendy Maas
The Year the Swallows Came Early,
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life, by Wendy Maas
The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate
The Surprise ATtack of Jabba the Puppett, An Orgami Yoda Book, by Tom Angleberger
Anastasia Krupnick, by Lois Lowery
Mallory on the Move, by Laurie Friedman
Something Stinks, by Gail Hedrick
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, by Tom Angleberger
Darth Paper Strikes Back: An Origami Yoda Boo,k by Tom Angleberger
Dork Diaries - Volume 4, by Rachel Renee Russell
Hooey Higgins and the Shark, by Steve Voake
Golda Joyce Psychic Investigator, by Jennifer Allison
The Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane, by Kate DiCampo
The Absolute Value of Mike, by Kathryn Erskine
Lawn Boy, by Gary Paulsen
Lawn Boy Returns, by Gary Paulsen
The Bippolo Seed and other Lost Stories, by Dr. Seuss'
How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy by Crystal Allen
SpaceHeadz, by Jon Scieszka
Schooled, by Gordon Korman
Katie Woo books, by Fran Manushkin
Jack on Tracks Four Seasons of Fifth Grade, by Jack Santos
Boys Vs Girls Accidentally, by Lisa Yee
Jazz Pizazz and the Silver Threads, by Mary Quattlebaum (love that last name)
Thomas' Snowsuit, by Robert Munsch
Nate the Great on the Owl Express, by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
Lemonade Wars, by Jacqueline Davies & Lemonade Crimes
Dead End in Novelt, by Jack Gantos
Stupid Fast, by Geoff Herbach
Eggs, Jerry Spinelli
Alvin Ho, by Lenore Look
Clementine Series, by Sara Pennypacker
Favorite Writing Craft Books
Save the Cat! (all three ) by Blade Snyder Wired For Story Writing the Breakout Novel
Second Sight by Cheryl Klein Word Painting Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook
Picture Writing by Anastasia Suen Spunk and Bite Ka-Boom, A Dictionary of Comic Book Words...
Got High Concept by Lori Wilde Writing Irrestible Kids Lit Creating Short Fiction, Damon Knight
Writing Irresistible Kidlit by Mary Kole Writing Right! Writing for Children and Teenagers
Others
Six Years, Harlen Coben
The Sky is Everywhere, by Jandy Nelson Dead Man Floating, and Blind Faith by Sandy Tilley
The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson Proof of Love by Arabella Stokes
Blood Gold Abduction by Veronica Mixon
I love free verse novels for middle grade and young adult.
Some of my favorite free verse novel authors: Kelly Bingham, Cordelia Jenson, Sharon Creech, Katherine Applegate, Margarita Engle, Lisa Schroeder, Virginia Euwer Wolff, Helen Frost, Sarah Crossan, Jason Reynolds, Kwame Alexander, Jeannine Atkins. . .
Another fabulous Middle Grade by my wonderful friend, the late Gail Shepherd -- The True History of Lyndie B. Hawkins.
An amazing middle grade series by another friend Nancy Springer: The Enola Holmes Mysteries, the first released as a major motion picture on Netflix.
More of my favorites, mostly Middle Grade, Some YA, Some Picture Books:
Hope Was Here, by Joan Bauer
Calvin, by Martine Leavitt
Crenshaw, by Kathrine Applegate
Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson
A Snicker of Magic, by Natalie Lloyd
Freaky Fast Frankie Joe, by Lutricia Clifton
Summer on the Short Bus, by Bethany Crandell
The Odds of Getting Even Shelia Turnage
When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead
Rules, by Cynthia Lord
The Wednesday Wars, by Gary Schmidt
Okay or Now, by Gary Schmidt
The Tiger Rising, by Kate DiCamillo
Flora and Ulysses, by Kate DiCamillo
The Year of Billy Miller, by Kevin Henkes
Clemintine and the Spring Trip, by Sara Pennypacker
Amelia Bedelia Means Business, by Herman Parish
Anastasia at this Address, by Lois Lowry
UnGifted, by Gordan Korman
An Abundance of Katherines, by John Green
Fault in the Stars, by John Green
Looking for Alaska, by John Green
No More Dead Dogs, by Gordon Korman
Million Dollar Throw, by Mike Lupica
Every Soul a Star, by Wendy Maas
The Year the Swallows Came Early,
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life, by Wendy Maas
The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate
The Surprise ATtack of Jabba the Puppett, An Orgami Yoda Book, by Tom Angleberger
Anastasia Krupnick, by Lois Lowery
Mallory on the Move, by Laurie Friedman
Something Stinks, by Gail Hedrick
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, by Tom Angleberger
Darth Paper Strikes Back: An Origami Yoda Boo,k by Tom Angleberger
Dork Diaries - Volume 4, by Rachel Renee Russell
Hooey Higgins and the Shark, by Steve Voake
Golda Joyce Psychic Investigator, by Jennifer Allison
The Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane, by Kate DiCampo
The Absolute Value of Mike, by Kathryn Erskine
Lawn Boy, by Gary Paulsen
Lawn Boy Returns, by Gary Paulsen
The Bippolo Seed and other Lost Stories, by Dr. Seuss'
How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy by Crystal Allen
SpaceHeadz, by Jon Scieszka
Schooled, by Gordon Korman
Katie Woo books, by Fran Manushkin
Jack on Tracks Four Seasons of Fifth Grade, by Jack Santos
Boys Vs Girls Accidentally, by Lisa Yee
Jazz Pizazz and the Silver Threads, by Mary Quattlebaum (love that last name)
Thomas' Snowsuit, by Robert Munsch
Nate the Great on the Owl Express, by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
Lemonade Wars, by Jacqueline Davies & Lemonade Crimes
Dead End in Novelt, by Jack Gantos
Stupid Fast, by Geoff Herbach
Eggs, Jerry Spinelli
Alvin Ho, by Lenore Look
Clementine Series, by Sara Pennypacker
Favorite Writing Craft Books
Save the Cat! (all three ) by Blade Snyder Wired For Story Writing the Breakout Novel
Second Sight by Cheryl Klein Word Painting Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook
Picture Writing by Anastasia Suen Spunk and Bite Ka-Boom, A Dictionary of Comic Book Words...
Got High Concept by Lori Wilde Writing Irrestible Kids Lit Creating Short Fiction, Damon Knight
Writing Irresistible Kidlit by Mary Kole Writing Right! Writing for Children and Teenagers
Others
Six Years, Harlen Coben
The Sky is Everywhere, by Jandy Nelson Dead Man Floating, and Blind Faith by Sandy Tilley
The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson Proof of Love by Arabella Stokes
Blood Gold Abduction by Veronica Mixon
Seven Secrets About Me (now not so secret)
1. Small rodents freak me out. Mice, rats, moles, gerbils, hamster. Although, I'm okay with hedgehogs.
2. My favorite holiday is April Fool’s day and serendipitously my son was born on April 1st.
3. I'm a football fanatic. College and Pro. Though I've only attended one preseason Saints game.
4. I love libraries, old, new and the Children's section is still my favorite place.
5. My go to recipe is White Bean Chicken Chili found on the back of the McCormicks spice packet.
6. I'm a closet knitter, meaning I don't knit for my family, only for charities like Warm Up America.
7. I'm a scotch/whiskey drinker and my favorite is an Irish Whiskey called Writers Tears.
2. My favorite holiday is April Fool’s day and serendipitously my son was born on April 1st.
3. I'm a football fanatic. College and Pro. Though I've only attended one preseason Saints game.
4. I love libraries, old, new and the Children's section is still my favorite place.
5. My go to recipe is White Bean Chicken Chili found on the back of the McCormicks spice packet.
6. I'm a closet knitter, meaning I don't knit for my family, only for charities like Warm Up America.
7. I'm a scotch/whiskey drinker and my favorite is an Irish Whiskey called Writers Tears.
