Elle Pierre's Blog - Posts Tagged "blog-post"

Tip & Lulu: A tale of two friends by Lauren Isabelle Pierre

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Dear Reader,

After spending almost a year writing and illustrating a simple story with an important message, it gives me great joy (and relief!) to finally be able to share the fruits of my labor with the rest of the world!

Today, more than ever, young children need affirming and uplifting reading material that will touch them and teach them. Tip & Lulu: A tale of two friends strives to do just that.

The story begins when Lulu, a playful leopard cub, discovers how difficult it is to find playmates because she is a predator. Things really get interesting when she stumbles upon Tip, a shy meerkat pup in need of a true friend.

The book’s poetic prose combined with vibrant illustrations promises to keep children engaged from beginning to end. And its wonderful themes of compassion, acceptance, and friendship will surely stay with them as they grow up.

It is my hope that children will be inspired by Tip and Lulu’s story to always search beyond the exterior when choosing the company they keep, and to always have the courage to do what is right… even when it’s hard.

Happy reading!
Lauren Isabelle Pierre



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Pax by Sara Pennypacker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Set in a unnamed country, Pax by Sara Pennypacker is about a young boy named Peter who, after having to abandon his pet fox Pax in the woods because his father had been enlisted for war, runs away from his grandfather’s house (where he was staying while his father was away) to find his lost friend. I personally thought it was a compelling read. It incorporates the moral/emotional costs of war, fighting to follow the right example when the wrong one has been shown to you, and standing for what you believe in in such a way that is intelligent and though-provoking. A perfect coming-of-age story for boys, and an excellent read for anyone else.

Edit (10/10/2016): I just thought I’d extend my analysis of the book. Even though I believe it was good book, I have to add that it’s also a very tragic story. The author weaves her words well, but I think it's still a heavy read for a younger reader to go at alone. There are several instances of death in the story, and a graphic depiction of how another fox character lost their parents. If you have a sensitive reader, be sure to review this book and determine its content first before handing it over to your child.




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The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


You wouldn’t think the greatest adventure could take place behind a glass wall. But you are mistaken.

The One and Only Ivan is a terrific middle-grade fantasy by Katherine Applegate, based on a true story of a silverback gorilla held captive in a Washington state shopping mall.

I LOVED The One and Only Ivan. The characters are all well-rounded and lively (I can see this book becoming a movie!), and the story in itself is inspiring. Patricia Castelao supplied just enough illustrations to fuel readers’ imaginations after the initial ignition of the author’s words. I was lucky enough to receive a copy that included Ms. Applegate’s Newbery Medal Speech, which made the book that much more personal to me.

This is not your usual “talking-animal book” in which humans are demonized to being the heartless, wicked, bad guys that don’t belong on earth; it strives to show the best and the worst in people, and encourages us to be the best. And that’s what makes this book great.
Another thing I adored about the book is the format: the chapters are written as if somebody gave Ivan his own typewriter! I thought it was a cute touch.

Aside from its occasional nods to evolution (I mean, it's a book about a primate, what do you want?), The One and Only Ivan is a wonderful book that I believe is a classic in the making!




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Audrey Bunny by Angie Smith

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Audrey Bunny is a sweetly written tale with beautifully crafted illustrations (I highly recommend checking out Breezy Brookshire's website). I personally enjoyed the book, though I’ll admit that the overall theme of the story (“love the way you are”) was a bit overdone, the way Audrey is constantly trying to shield her “imperfection” from the kind girl who purchased her at various points throughout the book. There is a certain story element near the end that I also found confusing. At one point, the little girl whispers to Audrey that she loves her “more than she will ever know” and tears up a little. WHY? What is the significance of the toy that made this little girl so emotional? Did something happen to this little girl? It’s never explained. Overall, I like that its message is backed by Faith-based values, and I believe it’s a good read, regardless. I recommend this book to readers ages 4-10.



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It's Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going! by Chelsea Clinton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Though I haven't read this book in it's entirety, I have to say I was impressed with the information it provided. This book is a great read for kids (and adults) who want help make the world a better place get inspired and do their part. Chelsea Clinton often uses her own personal experiences, as well as experiences of those she's known or heard of, throughout the book which gives it a personal feel, as if she's standing there talking to you. The information is to-date and the chapters are written in such a way that makes this book as engaging as a work of fiction. I would recommend this book to readers 10+.

So what are you waiting for? Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going!



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Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This is the fourth installment in a series featuring the Logan family.


“There are things you can't back down on, things you gotta take a stand on. But it's up to you to decide what them things are. You have to demand respect in this world, ain't nobody just gonna hand it to you. How you carry yourself, what you stand for--that's how you gain respect. But, little one, ain't nobody's respect worth more than your own.”

How relevant these words are today!

I’ll confess: I don’t read a lot of historical fiction. This book was recently added to our bookshelf by my mom, and I’m so glad she brought it home. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is a life-changing read. I had a general knowledge of life in America for African-Americans during the late 19th and early 20th centuries (Civil War, Segregation, Civil Rights Movement, Lynching, etc.), but this book really puts it into perspective the dynamics between “blacks” and “whites” during this period in a way I’ve never experienced in any history lesson. Cassie Logan and her family are unique, each with believable personalities and quirks. There is a sense of pride and strength to each of them that I admired, from Big Ma to Little Man. The supporting characters are equally developed. I actually liked how the characters spoke in a Southern dialect. It’s a slow rise to the story’s climax, but it’s worth the ride as during such we get to know the members of the cast.

“One word can sometimes be sharper than a thousand swords.”

How true this is for little Cassie, our narrator and heroine. At age nine, she has her first public encounter with racism and her “place” in society. She definitely grows from it… though I’m not exactly sure if it’s in the right direction. I found her method of revenge on Lillian Jean, a prissy Southerner who embarrassed her in town to be the wrong message for other children. Another thing that bugged me was the… *ahem*, “disciplinary tactics” of the parents and teachers. But I suppose that was the culture back then (and maybe in some households today… yikes).

By chapter eleven the story becomes extremely tense; readers will get a front-row seat at the horrific practices that were done to neighbors by their own neighbors, just because of the color of their skin.

The book’s ending is a cliffhanger, kind of sad, but if you enjoyed reading it, it’ll make you crave the next installment of the Logan family’s adventures. Everyone needs to read this book. Now more than ever.




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I was inspired to write this after reading this wonderful article from Writeforkids.org: http://writeforkids.org/2017/01/matte... and I thought I’d try to expand upon it using personal experience. I figure I should write a little more than just book reviews…

When I was thirteen or fourteen years old, my favorite book series were the Dork Diaries by Rachel Renée Russell. A New York Times bestseller, Dork Diaries revolves around the zany misadventures of 14-year-old Nikki Maxwell, an unpopular girl attending a swanky private school, due to an arrangement her father made after getting hired as the school’s exterminator. It has all the perks of a middle-grade diary series: a quirky protagonist, “humor,” eccentric characters, and zany plotlines. Today, there are about a dozen books in the series, a huge fan base, and a spin-off for boys, I do believe. I guess you can say that Ms. Russel is an “accomplished writer.”

But what defines accomplishment? What or who should we measure our work against?

The answer is this: No one, except for ourselves.

As writers, we possess a unique gift: We have the ability to share our thoughts coherently, in a way that’s entertaining and educational, and that will impact those who read what we wrote, whether it be through a novel or short story, an essay… or a blog post. It’s frustrating when we don’t get the results that we hoped for, and for some, it’s downright depressing when we see how others are “succeeding” in the field (and we “aren’t”). But again, I must ask: What is “success”?

Thinking back to Dork Diaries, one thing I have always remembered from the first book, was the dedication given: the author credited her agent with giving her the idea for the series after sending in a “rambling 50 pages about a quirky girl and her fairy godmother.” But in a story where a teenage girl writes to her diary about how she could achieve “jumping out of a five-story building without going SPLAT on the pavement” (I found this while peeking inside of a recent volume of the series), I have to wonder, would the “rambling 50 pages” have been a better story? For readers? For the world?

No, this is not an attack piece on Dork Diaries or Rachel Renée Russell (though I was disturbed by what was mentioned above). The point I would like to make is this: Success depends on what matters to you most. Do you want to make lots of money? Appear on Good Morning, America? Be so popular you can’t leave your house? Write what “sells” because in the end, if it doesn’t sell, then don’t bother publishing it, right? Just let it go! Burn it! Take it off the market altogether, or edit it so much that it’s unrecognizable to you.

OR...

Is it more important that your words have changed the life of an elder, an adult, or a child for the better? Is your story something you love with all of your heart and want to share with others? Is it better to have a strong message, as opposed to a strong paycheck? This doesn’t mean you don’t seek feedback from others or hire an editor. And if something in your story needs tweaking, by all means, TWEAK IT. But, as we enter the third week of the New Year, I encourage every author (traditional and independent) or aspiring writer who reads this to write. Not what the New York Times Bestsellers’ List has been telling you, but what your heart tells you.

Write, because your story is NEEDED.
Write, because your message is TRUE.
YOU WILL find your place in the writing community.
YOU WILL impact people for the better. But first…

You have to try. And it starts with a good story.

Rain Forest Relay by Kristin Earhart

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


(NOTE: This is the first in a series of 6 completed books. I encourage you to try the whole series!)


Are you ready to run the WILDEST race of your life?


Readers will be blown away by this engaging title, as they join Team Red in their race around the natural world for a chance at winning a grand prize of one million dollars! Our adventure begins in the heart of South America-- the Amazon Rainforest, home to lush scenery and vibrant wildlife. Get ready for zip-lining, kayaking past rapids, wild encounters… and a little foul play from another team!


This book is both exciting and educational. Each chapter ends with a “Creature Feature,” 2-3 pages of insightful facts that spotlight a specific animal found within that section of the book. Other chapters include information on the Amazon Rainforest, Endangered Species and their habitats, as well as quick look into the history of the area’s ancient people. I found the members of the Red Team to be endearing; they could easily be related to by children. And, as a bonus, readers will get a chance to read ahead some sample pages of the second installment, Great Reef Games, to keep their anticipation high. A perfect book for young animal lovers and “adventurers to-be.”




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Goodness me! It’s been far too long since my last blogpost. I haven’t felt in the mood for reviewing, plus I haven’t been able to get my hands on any new books (despite my New Year Resolution). Anyway, I’ve found that I really enjoyed writing my article on success as writer (found here: https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...), and I’ve been stirred to write yet another one! May it provoke thought...

So, what is escapism? Well, according to Wikipedia, escapism “is the avoidance of unpleasant, boring, arduous, scary, or banal aspects of daily life.” Basically, it’s a coping mechanism/boredom buster people use to endure the craziness found in this world. In the modern age, there are dozens of ways to step out of reality: video games, virtual worlds, cosplaying/roleplaying, books, movies, tv shows, music, and even… here it comes… social networks (shocker!). The list goes on.

Now, a healthy dose of escapism is good I think, but when you begin to neglect the real world… it kind of becomes a problem. With the seemingly constant negativity that appears to emanate from the earth by human hands (and mouths and minds), it can be easy to say “this world sucks, no use paying attention to it,” and tune it all out. But, that’s not the best practice, nor is adding to the problem.

But, what all this have to do with writing? I was just getting to that.

Have you ever read a book where a character’s profound musing spoke to you? Or how about a movie with a positive theme? When the credits started to roll, did you walk out of the theater with a bit more confidence or a new look at how to handle the real world?

Writers possess the ability to embed virtue into their fiction works whether through screenwriting, creative writing, even self-help or opinion pieces (like this one…?). For example, a fantastic adventure novel can be woven with themes of courage, teamwork, and tolerance, which for a reader, could benefit them as they struggle with these traits in a real life situation.

This is obviously a known fact, but I just wanted to emphasize the importance of bringing people up and together (especially these days), by giving them good, positive media to "escape" to, with the hope that they come back with solutions to our real-world problems, and have the courage to make changes. Don’t just write for entertainment; write for enrichment of the mind and heart of your readers.

This was such a beautiful poem... I wanted to share it on my blog! Enjoy!

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
   Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
   And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!
   And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
   Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
   Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
   Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
   And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
   Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world’s broad field of battle,
   In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
   Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!
   Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act,— act in the living Present!
   Heart within, and God o’erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us
   We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
   Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
   Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
   Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,
   With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
   Learn to labor and to wait.

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Copied from https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem....