Kurtis Scaletta's Blog, page 14

Double Header of New Topps League Books

Just in time for baseball season, two more Topps League books hit the shelves today! Chad is in his second season as bat boy with the Pine City Porcupines, and (as usual) doing his best to help the players with “magic cards” from his vast collection. In Book 5 he tries to find the right card to help the easily steamed manager from getting ejected, but catcher-comedian Wayne Zane’s suggestion, “Billy Smiles,” just makes things worse. A later attempt at mending the feud between the manager and umpire is even worse, making the famously cool-headed umpire blow his top. In Book 6, Chad tries to help a new player keep a hot streak alive, give an injured player a second chance, and break in an overly eager new bat boy. This has been an insanely fun series to write, and these books are no exception. Hope you enjoy them too!

        

Spruced Up

Thanks to supergenius Jodi Chromey for helping me give my website the fresh new look it sorely needed. I really dig the new home page (that’s all Jodi’s handiwork). Updates on my books and events are now under “Latest News” (as they were on previous incarnations of the website), and everything else is where it’s always been. If you’re an email subscriber please click on over to www.kurtisscaletta.com and check it out.

My stupid blog entry…

I recently guest blogged over at Geoff Herbach’s “I’m With Stupid” blog over here. Herbach is the author of Stupid Fast, Nothing Special, and the pending Stupid Fast sequel, I’m with Stupid. He’s a Minnesotan I’ve only seen in person once and that was in Chicago — go figure. Find out more about his excellent books over here.

 

Teenage Wasteland & Two Classes

I wrote about books & boys over at The Writer’s Block, the Loft Literary Center’s blog. Please check it out!

Since I have your attention, please see my two classes coming in winter/spring:

Beyond Farts and Firetrucks: Writing Books For and About Boys (online class, begins January 28). Here I am taking about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2XBWKjSYtw

Chapter Book Basics (face-to-face, April 13)

 

The Winter of the Robots

This cover is so stunning that I honestly teared up when I first saw it. The artist is Tim Jessell, and you can see more of his work here: http://www.timjessell.com

I now also have a page for The Winter of the Robots, which you can find under My Books above. I will post more info to that page as it becomes available (e.g., where to buy it, what reviewers said about it, etc.)

What is this book about? It’s about some kids who build robots and eat a lot of cheeseburgers. Their robots fight each other, but even though they are rivals they have to team up and build a big robot to fight an even bigger monster robot. It is set in my own neighborhood.

Writing for and about boys… online class

Time is running out to sign up for my online class:

Beyond Farts and Firetrucks: Writing Books For and About Boys

10/01/12–11/11/12 | Reg $255.00 | Loft Literary Center Members $229.50

In this class, we will consider what strategies we can use to engage the elusive boy reader. We will begin by discussing the strategies that get many boys to pick up a book in the first place, such as humor, action, and high-interest topics. We will then delve deeper into what makes a book memorable and important, a “home run” book that turns a kid onto reading for life. Readings and discussions will primarily cover chapter books and middle grade books, with a few research-based articles on literacy to guide us. In preparation for this class, you may want to read Hatchet by Gary Paulsen and The Midnight Fox by Betsy Byars.

If you’re interested, please sign up here. Thanks!

Upcoming event: Writers United for All Families

I have an upcoming event in support of Minnesotans United for All Families, which you can read more about and register for here. If you live in the Twin Cities, I hope you can join an amazing group of writers to help support all families in Minnesota.

I rarely take a political stance on this website, but really, I would rather this not be political at all. I would prefer my friends and their families not be marginalized, and their rights not be put up to a vote. But they are, so all I can do is hope cooler heads and warmer hearts in Minnesota will prevail. Please consider joining me in opposing the amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Minnesota.

Here again is the link to register.

Free books! Two offers!

1. If you are a teacher of grades 5 through 8, and would like to share Mamba Point with your class, please drop me a line (use the Contact Me form above). I will get every kid in your class a copy of the book (up to 25 students) and do a free Skype visit (face-to-face visits possible in the Twin Cities). Only one class will receive this package, so please make your case! I am particularly interested in reaching out to teachers who have one or more students from Liberia, or students who have Liberian parents. I would also love to hear from teachers who are including the book in a bigger unit about Africa. And, of course, teachers in Massachusetts and South Carolina, the states with Mamba Point on this year’s reading list, are welcome to throw their hats in the ring. The offer is valid until Sept 2 or until I find a suitable classroom teacher.

2. If you are a book blogger specializing in middle-grade, chapter books, and/or boy-friendly books and would like complimentary copies of the first four Topps League books, please drop me a line (use the Contact Me form above). I would be happy to get you a set. Please include a link to your blog if you want to take me up on this offer, but no bloggers will be unreasonably denied. I do expect a review, if I send you books, but there is no expectation of a positive review: say what you think, and no hard feelings. This offer is valid until October 1. Four sets are available.

Hope to hear from you!

 

Reviews of Jinxed! + an event

A couple of reviews of Jinxed! have come out that I want to share… here’s a bit from Booklist…

Scaletta offers much play-by-play commentary, a revealing behind-the-scenes view of the players, and plenty of opportunities for Chad to save the day using information found in his large baseball card collection. Similar to the many titles by the late Matt Christopher, this makes a good choice for those not quite ready for Dan Gutman’s Baseball Card Adventures. To be appended with stats, a glossary, and trading cards.— Kay Weisman

Here’s a nice quote from Tulsa Book Examiner…

This book is adorable. It would be a great read for fathers and sons, or even fathers and daughters, if she’s into baseball. With fun illustrations and some great life lessons for kids, this is a book series that the whole can get behind.

By the way, in just ten days I’ll be returning to Dorset, Minnesota for the festival of authors and illustrators at Sister Wolf books… here’s more information!

It’s Official!

The folks at Guinness World Records have certified that the kids at Chaska Middle School East own the world record for relay reading. Thanks, Chaska MSE, for choosing my book, for including me in the reading, and for all your hard work and awesomeness.