Kate Messner's Blog, page 55

There's something about a science fair...

I love the elementary school science fair.  I have plans to sneak back in, even when my kids are grown, just for the pleasure of watching the baking-soda-and-vinegar volcanoes erupt.  There's something magical about science fair night...when everyone is herded outside for the messiest of the demonstrations, and the grownups are required to just stand around and watch helplessly while things explode.  I find it delightful.

There were volcanoes galore tonight, earthquake demonstrations, solar syste

THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z - ARC Contest Winner

Announced in a video blog so it's just like watching the lottery numbers drawn on live TV.  Sort of. 



Thanks again to all who entered - I loved reading your comments!

Shhhh.....

I am having a rather perfect morning.



Don't wake anyone else up just yet, okay?

Five Things on a Friday

1. Thank you so much to everyone who answered my plea for advice for a plunge-in sort of writer working on a project that demands an outline.  The fact that I can post a note asking for help here and have so many wise and wonderful writers respond with just the kinds of encouragement and ideas I needed...well, that's just awesome. Thank you.  And if anyone else is looking for advice about outlining, click here to get to the post - then skip my ramblings and proceed to the wise, wonderful comment

Do you believe in Champ?

Big news from Lake Champlain this week... Our local media has picked up the story of a Vermont man who videotaped a mysterious-looking something apparently swimming in the lake near Burlington over the weekend.  He shared the video to YouTube.  Is it a really big dog?  A deer? Could it be Champ, Lake Champlain's resident monster?


Still from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT49LQ...

People are naturally skeptical, and at least one scientist has suggested that it actually looks like a moose in dist

To outline or not to outline...?

Consider this a combination writing-process-post and request for help.  There's always a debate about whether it's better to plunge right into writing a new draft or to craft a meticulous outline first.  I know of hugely successful authors who do both, and I think a lot of it comes down to what works for the individual writer.  But what if you're a plunger...working on a project that wants an outline?

I've never really been an outline person.  More often than not, I start a new book with a bare-b

Summer Reading & Win Free Books

As a teacher, I'm often asked to recommend summer reading for kids.  I don't like one-size-fits-all summer reading lists, but I often provide "idea lists" -- with lots and lots of possibilities for lots of different kinds of readers.  Along those lines, I'm trying something new on my Twitter feed... Kate's Great Summer Reads will feature a book a day with thoughts on who might like it and a link to IndieBound.  Today's tweet:

Kate's Great Summer Read #1: For mystery-lovers ages 8-12, E.B. White R

What Kind of Tree Are You? Win an ARC of GIANNA Z!

My new middle grade novel, THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z, will be released from Walker Books for Young Readers September 1st, three months from today! 

To celebrate, I’m giving away an advance reader copy this week. To enter the drawing, I'm asking you to try out a fun game that Gianna and her best friend Zig play in the book.

Zig invents “The Tree Game” to help Gianna remember the different kinds of trees she’s supposed to be learning about for her monster school leaf collection project.  Here’

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Danielle Joseph

This post is part of a year-long series of blog interviews I'll be hosting with my fellow 2009 Debut Authors, called "How They Got Here."  

It should be an especially helpful series for teens who write, teachers, and anyone who wants to write for kids.  2009 debut authors will be dropping by to talk about how their writing in school shaped the authors they are today, what teachers can do to make a difference, how they revise, and how they found their agents and editors.  (You'll even be able to r

Three Cheers for Peru Intermediate Readers!

I spent part of Friday afternoon celebrating with Peru Intermediate School 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders to mark the end of their big reading incentive month.  While reading is always important, Peru decided to give it some extra attention in May by asking kids to set personal reading goals.  (I set one, too, and finished my 8th book just last night!)  And I wasn't alone in meeting my goal - check out all these successful readers!



I loved the way the school celebrated.  Since their theme for the mont