Michele Jakubowski's Blog

Poppy on Parade

This made my whole day! Avonlea from Katy, Texas, dressed as Perfectly Poppy for her school's book character parade. She looked amazing!

Busy (But Fun!) Week

It's hard to believe that it will be just a week ago tomorrow that I was at the Ohioana Book Festival. I had a great time and enjoyed meeting and chatting with other book lovers.

On Monday and Tuesday I spent the afternoons visiting classes at Emerson Elementary School in Westerville, OH and on Wednesday I spoke at their Family Book Night. What a fabulous school!

I'll be busy again this weekend pouring candles for a craft show on May 7th. It's a good thing I like to stay busy!

Ohioana Book Festival!

Just a quick post to let you know that I will be at the Ohioana Book Festival tomorrow from 10 - 4:30. I will also be in the Kid's Room at 1:30. Please stop by and say hello!

Spring Already?!

I can't believe we are halfway through March and my last post was pre-Christmas! Yikes! I am happy to report that all four Sleuths of Somerville books and all four Ashley Small and Ashlee Tall books have been revised and are now being prepped for their August 2016 releases!  I'm hoping to post some sneak peaks soon!

I've been busy visiting schools and am looking forward to the 2016 Ohioana Book Festival next month.

I've also been keeping up with my reading and was stoked when I saw this as I walked into my local library tonight:

Happy Holidays!

I can not believe Christmas is next week! We don't even have our tree up yet! I've been so busy working on book four in the Ashley Small and Ashlee Tall series as well as pouring lots and lots of candles. 

I did manage to get out and visit Carlisle Elementary School in Delaware, Ohio, last week. I had such a blast! The students and staff were amazing, especially their rock star librarian (and my sweater twin) Carrie Abrahazi. I've been so busy writing, it felt great to get out of the house and meet with some readers!

A few days after the visit I received the most fabulous email that helped me to get into the Christmas spirit:

Hi Michele - my son Jack attends Carlisle Elementary in Delaware. You visited the school last week and Jack hasn't stopped talking about you. He read his entire book yesterday after school and quickly added the other two Sidney & Sydney books to his Christmas list. Today was their secret Santa shopping adventure and I told him he could pick ten people to buy presents for and he put you on his list...so cute of him!!!

Happy Holidays!

#aasl15

This year the American Association of School Librarians' conference was held in my hometown - Columbus, Ohio.! I was thrilled to be a part of some of the activities.

On Wednesday, I took part in the Dinner with an Ohio School Librarian & Ohio Author event. I was STOKED to learn that my restaurant would be Bareburger, one of my absolute favs! I had a delicious meal with some fabulous librarians, including one who had traveled all the way from Alaksa (Hi, Karla!). My co-host was Cheryl Cartwright, an amazing librarian from Upper Arlington, Ohio. 

On Friday, I signed copies of Sidney & Sydney book three, Big Dog Decisions at the Capstone booth. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the great people I got to meet.  Thanks to everyone who stopped by!

I don't know where the conference is next year, but if it's as much fun as the one this year, I'm there!

Back to School

At the start of the school year, I received the nicest message from the grandmother of a reader:

Each day after school my granddaughter and I play the best and worst of her school day. Today her best was "I got the library book I wanted," as she proudly held up SIDNEY & SYDNEY Third Grade Mix-Up. We read 4 chapters immediately... Thanks for sharing your gift of writing with my granddaughter and so many other children who love your books!

First of all, I like to play the same game with my kids (although at 13 and 15, the answer I usually get for best part of the day is, "School ended"...). Secondly, how cool is it that I was a part of someone's best part of their day?!?

I corresponded with Nancy, the grandmother of 14 I found out, and she sent along these adorable pictures of Laney Jane with her new book. 

I can honestly say that hearing from readers is one of the best parts of writing! Thank you!

Back At It

After turning in the third Sleuths of Somerville book to my editor, I took a quick trip to Chicago with the family. We had a blast (my beloved Cubs won!) and now I'm  back at it, working on book four in the SOS series and book one in the Ashley Small and Ashley Tall series. 

At least I've got good company while I write. 

One Tired Dog

Lots of fun things have been happening around here!  As I was wrapping up book three in the Sleuths of Somerville series this past week, my publisher contacted me about working on a new series, Ashley Small and Ashley Tall. I loved the concept (two BFFs who could not be any more different) so I immediately said, "YES!"  Then I took a look at the deadlines on my calendar and I had to take a few deep breaths to calm myself down. Needless to say, I'm going to be very busy for the next few months but there isn't much I enjoy more than writing so I am also super excited!

As I have mentioned before, I do my best thinking when I am out walking my dog, Ginger. Today I needed to think through book four in the SOS series and story lines for the first two AS-AT books. I put on my walking shoes, grabbed Ginger's leash, and two miles later I was ready to start writing while Ginger was ready for a long nap!

Let's go!

Ginger barely made it a foot inside the house before plopping down on the floor!

BIG News!

Guess what got nominated for a 2015 Buckeye Children's and Teen Book Award??