Elle Pierre's Blog, page 5

Book Review: “Rain Forest Relay (Race the Wild, #1)” by Kristin Earhart (Illustrated by Eda Kaban)

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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Writers, Don’t Write What They Tell You

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.

New Years' Update!

Hellooo, Goodreads!

WOW! It's been a few weeks since I've posted anything here. I was down with a cold for a week, recovering from it for another week, and before you knew it, Christmas passed and the New Year came rolling in! Finally I'm back and ready for action. I've got BIG PLANS for 2017! More book reviews, more illustrations, and more published works in production that I can't wait to share with you!

ALSO: Here's a press release that came out over New Years' weekend on Tip & Lulu's Media Blog! Check it out: http://laurenpierrearts.wixsite.com/t...


HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!! LET'S MAKE 2017 FANTASTIC!!

Lauren :)

Review of “I am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai (with Patricia McCormick)

I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World by Malala Yousafzai

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Notice: This review is for the Young Readers Edition.

“I am Malala” is the true story of a young Muslim girl who stood up for her right to education and nearly paid for it with her life. Malala is an amazing person, and her spunky personality shows in her words. I almost feel as if I had lived with her in Swat, just by reading about her past experiences. I’d love to meet her someday.

The Young Readers edition includes an Epilogue written by Malala in 2015, plus information about the Malala Fund, and a detailed timeline of historical events, from the birth of Pakistan in 1947, to when Malala received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 (and broke the record for being the youngest person to be awarded).

In a nutshell, this book is amazing. And it really happened. Read it.




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Review of “Awkward” by Svetlana Chmakova

Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Cardinal Rule #1 for Surviving School: Don’t get noticed by the mean kids.

Penelope “Peppi” Torres first day attending Berrybrook Middle School is not her best. Immediately she is singled out by the “mean kids,” after tripping in the halls and being called “nerder girlfriend” when Jamie Thompson, a quiet, friendly boy attempts to help her. How does she respond to this random act of kindness? By shoving her aide and running from the scene, leaving Jamie to stare in disbelief. As the weeks continued and Peppi begins to adjust, she still is guilt-ridden by her treatment of Jamie, and is too ashamed to even apologize. However, an unanticipated turn of events brings them together, and now Peppi is left with a bigger challenge: juggling her new friendship with Jamie, a member of the school’s science club, while staying loyal to her beloved art club, who are the sole adversaries of the science club. Talk about “awkward!”

I read this book over the course of an evening, and I thought it was great. It’s fun, funny, and a really cute concept. I enjoyed the diverse cast and the fact that the story revolves around believable “kid-drama”. Of course, the artwork was FANTASTIC. I loved all those zany facial expressions Peppi had. I appreciated the Afterword, which contained character designs, a letter from the author, and a behind-the-scene look at what goes into making a graphic novel (or comics in general). It’s a great resource for young and aspiring comic artists!

One part I didn’t understand was the side story about Maribella, a girl from the art club Peppi was temporarily friends with. I won’t spoil anything, but I thought it was an interesting topic to include, even though it was brief. Looking back, I figured the author needed a way to move the story along.

What I adored the most about this story was that it reinforced a positive message for readers throughout the story, which leads us to the third and final (and my favorite) rule for surviving middle school:

Cardinal Rule #3 for Surviving School: Build. Build things. Build friendships. Build yourself. Bit by little bit. It may feel like you’re not adding that much… But it will all add up to a lot.




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New Website Up and Running!

HEEEY EVERYONE!!

I just wanted to announce that my portfolio/author website is published and ready for viewers! Check it out: http://laurenpierrearts.wixsite.com/s... !

Book Review: "Double Fudge" by Judy Blume

Double Fudge by Judy Blume

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


I read this book when I was ten, and I remember being genuinely annoyed by it. Besides being another book about surly Peter and his hyperactive little brother Fudge, this book stereotypes homeschooling and homeschoolers. It's no wonder people have misconceptions of individuals who homeschool/are homeschooled! I think this book marks the first time I ever felt uncomfortable with the way I was being taught. You can tell the author didn't think about this aspect as she wrote her manuscript.

As a children's writer, I believe it is important to write stories that are genuine and will entertain and/or inspire all children, not just make one audience laugh (or confused by misinformation) and another audience look (and potentially feel) bad. Judy Blume failed to do that.



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Two Terrific Articles from Writeforkids.org!

Hey everyone! As I continue to find time to write another book review, take a look at these great articles from writeforkids.org!

Having trouble developing the backdrop for your latest children's story? May I turn your attention to this great article by Dr. Suzanna E. Henshon: http://writeforkids.org/2016/11/creat...

How to Read (and Think) Like a Kid (also by Suzanna Henshon): http://writeforkids.org/2016/08/read-...

EXTRA: Ever wondered what the difference is between a Traditional writer vs. an Independent one? Read this article, also featured on writeforkids.org, by Tracy Byran, author of the indie-picture book Put Away Your Phone!: http://writeforkids.org/2016/07/tradi...

Book Review: "Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry" by Mildred D. Taylor

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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Book Review: "The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate (Illustrations by Patricia Castelao)

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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