Sandy Deutscher Green's Blog, page 2
November 4, 2023
WHISPERING THROUGH WATER: Two Reviews of Rebecca Wheeler’s Debut Young Adult Novel
**The following repost is from Carol Baldwin’s wonderful blog where she discusses all things literary! Thank you, Carol, for letting me share both your and Mara Scudder’s great reviews of WHISPERING THROUGH WATER Rebecca Wheeler!
In this blog post, I’m trying something new. Teen reviewer Mara Scudder and I both read Rebecca Wheeler‘s book, Whispering Through Water (Monarch Educational Services, 2023) and we each wanted to share our thoughts about it. Today you get a teen’s and a senior’s take on a book that is obviously for all ages!
MARA‘S REVIEW
Whispering Through Water is a YA summer romance wrapped up in a mystery. The protagonist, Gwyneth Madison, is a high school senior with her eyes set on a college in the far-away city of Boston. Desperate to escape her monotonous small-town life, Gwyn would risk almost anything to get to art school. Her wealthy Aunt Delia, who once promised to pay for her college, is disappointed in her decision and determined to keep her from attending school out of state. When Gwyn finds a mysteriously personal letter addressed to her aunt, she decides to investigate.
The mystery sends her on a series of hunts as she digs through family secrets to discover what really motivates her seemingly pedantic and entitled aunt. Along the way, she meets and falls in love with Isaac, a college sophomore, and grows to understand that there is much more to her family history than she ever thought.
The character arcs throughout this work were well done. Few characters were two-dimensional or static, and many relationships changed and evolved over the course of the novel. These dynamics brought a deeper level of meaning to the themes drawn throughout the book and overall turned the book from a rather dull summer romance into an exploration of what makes a family and what it is worth.
The mystery was also well-written, with the leap from an average high school senior to a teenage detective an understandable one. None of her adventures seemed unattainable or particularly incredible, which made for a more realistic mystery. Her drive to get to the bottom of the family mystery was also understandable, and aside from the romance (which was rushed along a bit too quickly), the plot was well-paced. The character arcs, mystery, and plot were all very well done. Overall, it made for a pleasant read with tangible characters, strong values, and meaningful themes.
As some of you know, Rebecca is my new partner for the Talking Story newsletter. We’ve gotten to know each other since working together. But as I was reading her manuscript, I kept texting her: “You’re not going to believe the similarities between your book and Half-Truths!” In both our books older female foils hold the purse strings to the college education that the protagonists want. Each girl must tolerate tables with fine china, clothes that don’t fit their style or taste, and a special luncheon. But most of all–there are family secrets that both teens decide must be brought to light–with serious consequences for the older women. Our stories are separated in time by about 40 years, but both our protagonists learn the difficulties involved in speaking the truth–especially with people they love.
I particularly enjoyed how authentically vulnerable the characters were portrayed. They made mistakes and sought forgiveness. Even the sweet romance includes conflict as Gwyn and her boyfriend realize that relationships have ups and downs.
Here are some of my favorite lines from the book:
When Gwyn first confides in Isaac about her struggles with her aunt, she says:
“It’s like in my mind, I feel as if I’m dreaming for her to understand what I want, what I need, but then when the words leave my mouth, I feel as if–“I paused to gather my thoughts–“as if I’m just whispering through water.” (p. 79)
In a very touching moment, Isaac’s mother, Brenda, becomes Gwyn’s confidant. After Gwyn shares what she has discovered, Brenda says,
“Even the deepest hidden secrets find their way to the surface.” (p. 167)
In a soul-revealing conversation when they talk about the child Aunt Delia was forced to abandon, Aunt Delia says:
“They told me I would forget about him. They promised I would…They were the ones who lied, Gwyn. Because I could never forget.” (p. 180)
One of the first times I heard about objective correlatives was from Christine Kohler. I still have our email correspondence about it from seven years ago. When I read this last conversation with Aunt Delia, I thought about how Rebecca skillfully showed Gwyn’s emotions.
My gaze followed a ladybug as she pulled herself over the window ledge and disappeared. A sudden feeling of peace passed through me.
“So, you’re letting me go,” I said softly.
“Yes, dear. I’m letting you go.”
Gorgeously written, this story will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it.
GIVEAWAYIf you are interested in winning this book, please leave a comment with your email address (on Carol’s blog). If you prefer, you can email Carol.
October 14, 2023
THE MEMORY QUILT by Lori Keating: A Picture Book Review by Guest Blogger, Georgie Bartlett!*
Today I am happy to bring you a forthcoming book from Monarch Educational Services. Lori Keating’s debut picture book, THE MEMORY QUILT sensitively deals with a child’s grief. But I want Georgie to tell you about it, not me.
REVIEWThe Memory Quilt is a meaningful, beautifully written picture book by Lori Keating, and Illustrated by the talented Alyssa Grizenko. This book focuses on the compassionate Grace, and her desire to gift something special to her neighbors, the parents of her late best friend.
Grace loved her neighbor Jason. He was like a big brother to her, and they made many fun memories together.
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They were best friends, but after Jason’s sudden passing, Grace and his parents miss him terribly. Grace sees that Mr. and Mrs. Davidson haven’t smiled and laughed like they used to since their son’s death. She wishes she could think of something very special to do for the Davidsons to make them feel better—and to honor Jason. She has a few ideas and is considering getting them a beautiful bouquet of flowers or making them a card. Nothing seems quite right, though. One day at school, during show and tell, a classmate proudly displays a memory quilt her grandmother made for her out of her old baby clothes. Grace suddenly has an idea.
‘That’s it! I will make them a memory quilt using Jason’s clothes,’ Grace decides. There’s only one problem. Grace doesn’t know how to make a quilt.
She tells her mom her idea, and they decide to get out the old sewing machine. With mom’s help, the quilt is soon finished. Grace packages it up and gives it to the Davidsons. They are so grateful, and thank her for this special gift. She knows they will love and cherish it just like she did her friend.
“Grace knows it isn’t perfect, but her heart is in it. So are all the memories captured in every stitch. But Grace can’t say all that with the lump in her throat. She feels her friendship like a comforting embrace, radiating warmth like the sun.”
A SPECIAL BOOK FOR CHILDRENThere are so many admirable qualities about The Memory Quilt. I especially enjoyed the friendship of Grace and Jason, and how compassionate Grace was towards his parents after his passing. It is a gentle and thought-provoking picture book for kids that tackles tough subject matter with respect and sensitivity. It also boasts beautiful illustrations that engage young readers and capture the sense of love and kindness in Lori Keating’s words perfectly. I thought the pacing was perfect for a younger audience and would hold their attention. The ending was delightful and heartwarming.
Grace is a great role model for readers! Every one of the characters in this book had realistic struggles and emotions. Children who may have been in a similar situation will relate to Grace’s sorrow and find solace in the pages. Grace grieves for her friend and remembers many special moments she spent with Jason and his parents. Much can be learned from this wholesome, unique picture book, and it’s sure to touch readers’ hearts.
GIVEAWAYIf you are interested in winning this book, please leave a comment with your email address (on Carol’s blog). If you prefer, you can email Carol. Since the book is coming out on January 9, the winner will receive her copy after that date. The giveaway ends on October 18. REMEMBER! Pre-orders help authors.
Since the book is coming out on January 9, the winner will receive her copy after that date. The giveaway ends on October 18. REMEMBER! Pre-orders help authors.
September 27, 2023
THE IMPOSSIBLE GIRL: A Middle-Grade Fantasy reviewed by Guest Blogger, Georgie Bartlett!*
The Impossible Girl (Monarch Books, 2022) by Ashley White is a beautifully written middle-grade novel. Fans of Harry Potter and Narnia will adore this magical story about a young girl who accidentally finds her way into the whimsical world of Xarcadia.
REVIEWAva Marie Jones is what the citizens of Xarcadia call a Lost One, meaning her parents sent her out at birth into the mortal realm, where she was adopted by an uncharitable family. One stormy night, Ava decides she must get away, and flees to the comfort of her familiar haven: the Cathedral Tree. Ava climbs into the tree, when, unexpectedly, the old, tangled roots beneath her give way and she plummets down into darkness. She soon finds out that she has just landed in Xarcadia, a society filled with supernatural beings. There is so much mystery surrounding Ava’s birth and powers, that the entirety of Xarcadia is in an uproar over her sudden arrival.
On top of the exhausting, constant speculation of the public and struggling to comprehend the inexplicable occurrences of the day, Ava finds out that her new school, Linhollow Academy, will be hosting an annual event called the Lost One’s Ball. Here she will have the opportunity to meet her birth parents for the first time in thirteen years. But, on the night of the ball, when a tragedy occurs, Ava must decide if she should investigate, or focus on her studies and her school’s upcoming annual Assembly Games.
The friend group in this book was made up of extraordinary characters who were fun to read about. Characters are such an important part of a novel, and I can honestly say that everyone in this fantasy is wonderfully portrayed. Ava is so considerate; it is refreshing to see. Not since I read The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, have I found a middle-grade fantasy novel with such a lovable cast of characters.
Ava makes a good role model for young readers ages ten and older and a relatable one for teens. I believe this will be a book that will spark a love for reading, as well as a fun adventure for anyone who loves middle-grade books.
Ashley White made Xarcadia feel real. This clean middle-grade book with friendship, and magic, has unique takes on the classic fantasy elements we know and love. For example, I loved reading and learning about the beautiful mythological creatures—especially the Kelpies. “For within the lake were large, bronze boats attached to the backs of horse-like creatures. The creatures had the appearance of Clydesdales—if Clydesdales were fifty feet tall and had silver, scale-like skin that shimmered like diamonds in the sunlight.” These creatures were incredibly interesting and mystical, and the world-building was spectacular.
The book starts out with a prologue that grabs your attention from the very start and keeps it until the epic climax. In the end, there were twists and turns, which made it an exciting conclusion to an excellent story. It would be a wonderful choice for a book club, and so fun for a discussion. I kept wanting to find out what was going to happen to Ava, and I highly recommend this book for all middle-grade fans. Going on this thrilling adventure with Ava was such a pleasure, and I hope others will enjoy reading it as much as I did.
Click here to read a sample.
For another excellent review by teen reader, Georgie Bartlett, click here.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Georgie Bartlett is a teen living in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina with her family and two mischievous rescue dogs. She enjoys writing, crocheting, journaling, gardening, playing the drums, and above all, reading.
September 25, 2023
DISCONNECTED by Riley Cross: A Book Review by Guest Blogger, Georgie Bartlett*
Please welcome a new teen blogger, Georgie Bartlett. You can read about her below her review.
REVIEWI thoroughly enjoyed Disconnected (Monarch: 2023) for a myriad of reasons, one of them being that it was an interesting and thought-provoking story from start to finish. Riley Cross has a way of making you feel as if you are really in Unity, Chiara’s controlled and restricted world.
The main character, Chiara, was born a third-generation Anomaly, meaning she was the result of her parents falling in love rather than a perfect genetic match chosen by Auto. Inside Unity are those deemed worthy of citizenship, and outside of the circular walls of this futuristic civilization live the Streamless, the social outcasts. Unity’s inhabitants have been taught that the Streamless are mindless and incapable of functioning; just one of the many lies they have been fed since birth. The all-powerful artificial intelligence, Auto, controls the virtual world (the DataStream), and essentially rules over the citizens of Unity.
When her mother and father die under mysterious circumstances, Chiara is orphaned and put under the care of her enigmatic Grandfather. When he also dies mysteriously and Chiara’s memory is wiped, she begins her mission to collect the shattered fragments of her mind, uncover the truth, and ignore the awful headaches, nightmares, and visions plaguing her. She also needs to escape Unity. In doing this, she has to decide whether or not she can leave her childhood best friend, Silas, possibly forever.
Something that really stuck with me throughout the book was the phrase “Always with you,” which Chiara’s Grandfather tells her. I loved that he always had something to steady her. You can actually learn a lot from Grandfather and Auto about the plethora of dangers attached to AI and the gradual development of technology, and I positively love a fiction book that can teach me something. It had me thinking, could our society get to this point eventually?
The characters in Disconnected felt so real, sometimes I forgot they were fictional, which is certainly a distinguishing characteristic of good writing. Among the main characters, there were arguments, conflicts, and heartbreak, but they all manage to put everything aside and come together in the end. I related to Chiara’s struggle with staying true to herself in an abrasive society.
I am still thinking about this story, which is always a good sign when it comes to a novel. I adored how the evil of Auto was combated by books and the Forbidden Library which were all preserved in Chiara’s mind. She actually quotes Robert Frost at one point, and I have to say, that only helped to raise this book in my estimation. He is by far my favorite poet, and this book is by far one of my favorites I’ve read this year.
I don’t often read Sci-Fi, but Disconnected had me engaged from the start. The plot always kept moving, keeping me interested and wanting to read more. I recommend this to anyone with a penchant for Science Fiction. This book is an entirely clean read, which is one of the many things I appreciated about it. It does contain some graphic imagery surrounding Grandfather’s death, so I would recommend this book for readers ages 13 and up. If you want a novel that’s suspenseful and captivating, then Disconnected is a wonderful book to add to your TBR. I believe you will love it!
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Georgie Bartlett is a teen living in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina with her family and two mischievous rescue dogs. She enjoys writing, crocheting, journaling, gardening, playing the drums, and above all, reading.
August 9, 2023
My New Middle Grade Fantasy
from Monarch Publishing!Ghost Writers: The Haunting of Lake Lucy
A Horror in Verse
What if your new pen pal has a grave problem?
Thirteen-year-old Jayce is terrified of pitch-black, enclosed spaces since he fell asleep in his grandma’s attic as a little kid. So when he dreams of a dark and ghost-filled house as soon as his family rents a place at Lake Lucy for the summer, he’s determined to stop the nightmares.
Jayce is convinced the same ghost in his dreams occupies the creepy house next door. Writing a letter to the ghost and asking what it wants seems a good compromise to visiting the eyesore in person.
When the ghost replies, Jayce must dive into his fear of the dark so he can fulfill her cryptic demands. If he can’t figure out what she wants him to do, he’ll remain haunted forever, not only by the ghost, but by the guilt of his failure to prevent a lonely boy from making a terrible mistake.
Written in a free form style, GHOST WRITERS: THE HAUNTING OF LAKE LUCY is filled with haiku, acrostic, narrative, erasure, and reverse poems, and is suitable for readers ages eight and up.
A New Middle Grade Fantasy
from Monarch Publishing !Ghost Writers: The Haunting of Lake Lucy
A Novel in Verse
What if your new penpal has a grave problem?
Thirteen-year-old Jayce is terrified of pitch-black, enclosed spaces since he fell asleep in his grandma’s attic as a little kid. So when he dreams of a dark and ghost-filled house as soon as his family rents a place at Lake Lucy for the summer, he’s determined to stop the nightmares.
Jayce is convinced the same ghost in his dreams occupies the creepy house next door. Writing a letter to the ghost and asking what it wants seems a good compromise to visiting the eyesore in person.
When the ghost replies, Jayce must pull himself together and fulfill her cryptic demands. If he can’t figure out what she wants him to do, he’ll remain haunted forever, not only by the ghost, but by neglecting to stop a lonely boy from making a terrible mistake.
Written in a free form style, GHOST WRITERS: THE HAUNTING OF LAKE LUCY is filled with haiku, acrostic, narrative, erasure, and reverse poems, and is suitable for readers ages eight and up.
February 28, 2022
From Chicken to Cheesecake: A Poetic Journey Through Dinner
86 Logic publishes fiction, poetry, interviews, and visual art from people who previously or currently work in the restaurant and hospitality industry. For seven years, I worked behind the scenes from the assistant manager to the food and beverage cashiers, to income controller, and finally as a food and beverage controller.
I was delighted to find a literary journal who honored that work by limiting submissions to those of us in that business. I was further delighted to have my poem accepted by the editors, Zach Whitman, Mike Ferrin, and Kate Meadows.
If you had worked in the hospitality venue at some point, here’s a link to their submissions page: https://86logic.com/pages/submit
If you’d like to read the most current issue as a sampling of what they like, please consider pre-ordering Issue 6 here: http://linktr.ee/86Logic
Thank you! And bon appétit!
June 3, 2019
Lot for Sale. No Pigs Chapbook Available from BatCat Press!
Curious about how the relationships among you and your neighbors, strangers in the neighborhood, friends, and family affect your life? You think they don’t? Read on.
My chapbook – Lot for Sale. No Pigs – is intended for readers interested about what goes on in other peoples lives. How alike, weird, or likely weird are we?
Lot for Sale. No Pigs was produced in cooperation with Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in Midland, Pennsylvania. The printing was handset and then hand-fed on an American Printing Machines press. Lots of hand-work and care went into each copy, and I’m very pleased and grateful to Deanna Baringer, Bailey, and the other student editors for choosing my work and showcasing it in such a creative manner.
The book can be purchased from BatCat Press.
October 19, 2017
Celebrating Perseverance in the Writing Community
[image error]Today I am happy to be part of Writers Persevere!, an event that authors Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi are running for the next few days to celebrate their release of their newest book, The Emotional Wound Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Psychological Trauma. This book looks at the difficult experiences embedded in our character’s backstory which will shape their motivation and behavior afterward.
Because Angela and Becca have spent the last year exploring painful human struggles, they wanted to highlight a very important aspect of overcoming difficult circumstances: it can make us stronger. I promised to let Angela hijack my blog today, so please read on!
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Hi everyone! When you set out to find examples of inner strength, you don’t have to go very far. Right here in the writing community we see it every day. Writers more than anyone understand the swirl of emotions as we work toward publication. We dream of making it and seeing our books in the hands of readers…yet doubt and frustration can be a constant companion. For us, there is a lot to learn, much to steel our nerves for, and unfortunately, a host of real-world problems that can try to derail us. And, even as we slowly move forward and grow, we can sometimes feel like impostors. This is a tough road.
But the fact that writers face this battle, day after day, and KEEP GOING…this should be celebrated! We need to be reminded that we are much stronger than we sometimes believe. We dream, create, and force ourselves to keep striving. Through the ups and downs, we persevere!
Have you encountered something on the writing road that made you question yourself? Have you faced an obstacle that required a force of will to get past?
If so, we want to hear about it! Join Becca and me at Writers Helping Writers from October 25-27th, where we are celebrating writers and their stories of perseverance. Stop in, and tell us about a challenge or struggle your faced, or if you like, join this event by writing a post on your own blog and share it using the hashtag #writerspersevere. Let’s fill social media with your strength and let other writers know that it’s okay to question and have doubts but we shouldn’t let that stop us.
[image error]GIVEAWAY ALERT!
We also have a prize vault filled with items that can give your writing career a boost, so stop by Writers Helping Writers. I would love for one of you to win something that will help you get closer to your goal!
If you struggle, remember to reach out to others. We are in this together, and by supporting one another, we cross the finish line together (and then keep going!).
Happy writing!
Angela & Becca
Filed under: Authors, Photos, Writing Tagged: author interviews, contest, Writers Helping Writers, writerspersevere, writing, writing contest, writing techniques, writing tools
September 23, 2017
No Oil Apple Cake Recipe
[image error] Now that Fall has officially arrived, here’s the official fall apple cake recipe!
This sweet and moist apple cake recipe requires zero oil or butter.
APPLE HARVEST CAKE
4 cups apples
4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. baking powder
2 cups flour
1 cup chopped nuts
Dice apples and mix with sugar. Let stand one hour. Add remaining ingredients. Bake in a tube pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray at 325 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Cool in pan ten minutes and remove to wire rack to finish cooling.
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Filed under: Baking, Food, Recipes Tagged: Apple Harvest Cake, apples, cake recipe
