Jessica Haight's Blog, page 118

Monday's Riddle! Circling Cereals...

Hello Riddlers! Here's the puzzle today. Can you guess our theme this week? It would be amazing to see this.  ; ) ~ F

A mysterious picture revealed below takes form in the space of the seeds we grow. Seen from above by all of us, the artist, it's said, rides a cosmic bus. Patterns twist into the maize, seeming to appear from out of the haze. The work breaks the barrier of all known reason. What's left is the idea of an imaginative season. Who's the one that makes it all round? Who turns those circles without making a sound? Whoever they are, they've sneaky precision, stealth like a cat, and serious vision. In the dark of the night, with no one around, a strange masterpiece begins, stamped into ground. 

What am I referring to? 

I gave you a clue!



FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The DMS Wants to Know!

A glasssmith at work at The New York Renaissance FaireMonday's Riddle gave us the smithy code, and Lizzy's review of  Heirs of Prophecy  by Michael A. Rothman took us into another world with the Riverton family. Thursday on Top of the Heap , we showed you a day in life of a farrier, and Friday, Dan Gutman stopped by to tell us about his story The Million Dollar Shot. Today, we want to hear from you!

The DMS Wants to Know: 
What is a skilled trade or craft that you find fascinating? 

We told you ours. Now, let's hear yours! 


You can see glasssmiths (or they are also called gaffers- interesting!) glass blowing at The New York Renaissance Faire. It's seriously amazing. FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Author Interview with Dan Gutman

The DMS was lucky enough to interview  Dan Gutman . Lizzy recently reviewed his story The Million Dollar Shot, and it was great to share our thoughts about it and hear yours. We are excited to learn a little bit more about the story behind the story. So, without further ado... take it away, Dan! 

What inspired you to write The Million Dollar Shot?
I wanted to write a basketball book for a long time, but basketball is a very fast-moving sport and hard to write about. Then I was watching a game on TV one night and they had one of those contests in which they pull a fan out of the crowd and give him or her the chance to take one shot for a lot of money. I thought that would make a great idea for a basketball story.
How long did it take you to write The Million Dollar Shot?
About 5 months.
What are some of your favorite books from childhood? Were there any specific authors who inspired you?
I was not a big reader. Other than Dr. Seuss, I have no memory of reading books as a child. That's probably why I relate well to kids who don't like to read today.
Where did you come up with the characters Eddie and Annie?
My middle name is Edward, and I also am a very good shot but not very good at dribbling, passing, etc. So he is sort of based on me. I just made Annie up.


If you could befriend a character from any of your books, who would you befriend? Why?
Johnny Hangtime, from my book Johnny Hangtime. Because he is so cool!



Where do you like to write?
In my backyard.
Do you listen to music while you are writing?
No. I need silence.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?
New York City. Because I lived there for 10 years when I was younger, and loved it. There is always something going on.
You write books in a variety of different genres. Do you have one genre that you prefer? 
No. I like to write all different types of books.
We noticed that sports are a common thread between many of your books. What is your favorite sport to play or watch?
Watch: baseball. Play: Ping-Pong




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FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Top of the Heap!

Monday's Riddle was forged in mystery, and Lizzy's review of Heirs of Prophecy by Michael A. Rothman told us about a family learning to live by a smithy's code. Friday, Dan Gutman will be stopping by to chat with us about his story The Million Dollar Shot , and Saturday, we always like to hear your thoughts on The DMS Wants to Know . Today, we're being fitted for some lucky shoes...


This week's top of the heap: The art of blacksmithing!

Fairday & Lizzy: Here's a little about this industrious past time...

Definition of Blacksmith:
1) A person who makes horseshoes and shoes horses.
2) A person who forges objects of iron.

A Victorian Blacksmith's Shop
Blacksmiths had a place among the working classes, and worked with their hands and arms in a smithy. Blacksmiths are highly skilled artisans. A farrier specializes in making horseshoes and shoeing horses.

What an amazing industry to learn about! The work is hard, but the ingenuity of craftsmanship remains invaluable. It's a fascinating trade to learn about, plus, the farrier is usually the nicest person in the barn- they have a great sense of humor. ~ F & L 

This horse in Turkey was announced the most beautiful horse in the world- can you imagine the pressure of fitting this star with a pair of fancy horseshoes? 
Here's another beauty, just because I love horses : ) ~ FA day in the life of a farrier- great tutorial! 
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Why are the Rivertons in Trimoria?

The Riverton family is on vacation exploring a cave in Arizona when all of a sudden the whole family hears the walls start shaking and then the roof collapses. When they open their eyes they are no longer in a dark cave, but they are in a whole new land. As they try to walk towards where they guess civilization will be they come to the realization that Ryan and Aaron seem to have changed. Aaron is only twelve, but is able to move large rocks around without any problem, and fourteen-year-old Ryan seems to be harnessing electricity. When they stumble upon Throll, a ranger and the Protector General of Trimoria, he believes their story of coming from a different land and takes them home. There the Rivertons learn about the land that they are now a part of, and in the days that follow they begin to live in a lifestyle very different from their one back home. Mr. Riverton has always been obsessed with blacksmiths and even created his own “smithy” back home. Now he is going to be the new town blacksmith, and he could not be happier. As the family settles into their new life it turns out that Ryan and Aaron aren’t the only one with special powers, and before long it becomes clear that the Rivertons aren’t in the lands of Trimoria by accident. The land seems so old fashioned, but is also filled with magical creatures. The evil wizard, Azazel, rules the land through fear and punishment, and now he has a reason to send his guards to Throll’s house. What is Azazel after? What exactly can the Rivertons do with their special powers? Will it be possible for Azazel to be defeated? Are the Rivertons up to the task and why have they ended up in Trimoria? Read this fantastic fantasy to find out!

I just finished reading Heirs of Prophecy by Michael A. Rothman, and it's a wonderful fantasy adventure. I liked the Rivertons right away and thought their family dynamics seemed realistic. It would certainly be a lot easier being stranded in a strange land with your whole family! The pace of the story is excellent. The author created a magical new world with creatures that I could easily picture and a storyline that I thought about when I wasn’t reading. Whenever magic is involved- anything can happen! I loved learning about the characters’ special powers and watching them discover how to control these new gifts. It was great to see the way the Rivertons changed both together and independently in their new home. I liked the way they adjusted to living in a time period that seemed so old fashioned, but in a way they seemed less stressed and happier. I think that this book would be great for kids in grades 4-8. Anyone that likes a fantasy story will fall into the pages of this wonderful book and go on an adventure that will stay with them after they turn the last page. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Tools of the Prophecy because I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Has anyone else read Heirs of Prophecy by Michael A. Rothman? Or have you read another book by this author? We would love to hear your thoughts.
Happy Reading!

 ~LFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Monday's Riddle! The Smithy Code : )

Excellent guessing Riddlers! This week, we'll take a trip into the fiery art of blacksmithing. Lizzy's review will forge together a fascinating story, and Thursday on Top of the Heap , we'll let our thoughts on the topic take shape. Friday, Dan Gutman will be stopping by to tell us the story behind his story The Million Dollar Shot , and Saturday, we always enjoy hearing from you on The DMS Wants to know . See you all around the book block ; ) ~ F

I'm a person who likes it hot, changing things with what I've got. I can put an object into fire and manifest your heart's desire. Elements spin and swirl in heat, then they're sold on the street. Perhaps a shoe for your ride or something cast in iron side. Come see me, and I'll forge your request. On Mount Olympus, one god did it best. 

What am I? Answer: A Blacksmith 

Lucky Horseshoe!
Make time to riddle and rhyme!
62 original riddles and illustrations  

Fairday's Riddles: Volume I  Available in all e-book formatsDownload for only .99¢ on Smashwords

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Monday's Riddle! Forged in Flames!

Hello Riddlers! It's that time again. Can you guess the theme this week? It's getting hot in here. ; ) ~ F

I'm a person who likes it hot, changing things with what I've got. I can put an object into fire and manifest your heart's desire. Elements spin and swirl in heat, then they're sold on the street. Perhaps a shoe for your ride or something cast in iron side. Come see me, and I'll forge your request. On Mount Olympus, one god did it best. 

What am I? 

I gave you a clue!



FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle was a walk on the beach, and Lizzy's review of  Olive’s Ocean  by Kevin Henkes cast us into mysterious waters. Thursday on Top of the Heap we told you about a remote beach on a far away island, and Friday, Margo brought out The Real Mother Goose to share a few of her favorite rhymes. Today, we want to hear from you!

The DMS wants to know: 
If you could spend a day on any beach in the world, which one would you choose? 

We told you ours. Now, let's hear yours! FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Margo's Musings

Margo decided she wanted to have a little fun today with a classic. Here's a few of her favorite rhymes. Enjoy! Happy Friday : ) 


BOBBY SHAFTOE
Bobby Shaftoe's gone to sea,With silver buckles on his knee:He'll come back and marry me,    Pretty Bobby Shaftoe!Bobby Shaftoe's fat and fair,Combing down his yellow hair;He's my love for evermore,    Pretty Bobby Shaftoe.

COME OUT TO PLAY
Girls and boys, come out to play,The moon doth shine as bright as day;Leave your supper, and leave your sleep,And come with your playfellows into the street.Come with a whoop, come with a call,Come with a good will or not at all.Up the ladder and down the wall,A half-penny roll will serve us all.You find milk, and I'll find flour,And we'll have a pudding in half an hour.


TO MARKET
To market, to market, to buy a fat pig,Home again, home again, jiggety jig.To market, to market, to buy a fat hog,Home again, home again, jiggety jog.To market, to market, to buy a plum bun,Home again, home again, market is done.

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Top of the Heap!

Jack (aka Tooties) on Nauset Beach in Cape Cod Monday's Riddle brought us to the beach, and Lizzy's review of  Olive’s Ocean  by Kevin Henkes cast a line off shore and into the deep. Friday, Margo will be stopping by to share a story with us, and Saturday, we always enjoy hearing from you on The DMS Wants to Know .

Are your fingers itching to draw something fun? The summer drawing contest is happening on Fairday's Blog! Stop by the page for more details on how to enter this exciting fan art challenge! The winner will receive a signed, limited edition hardcover copy of The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow , plus a $25 gift card to Amazon.com . 

Today, it's all about the beach...

This week's top of the heap: Beach Getaway! 

Fairday & Lizzy: We are both completely fascinated by Tristan da Cuhna . Can you imagine what it would be like to live so far away, surrounded by the ocean? It must be very quiet and peaceful! We would love to take a wild trip to this remote island. Cast yourself off of the mainland, and settle onto this beach for a spell! ~ F & L

Tristan da Cunha, colloquially Tristan, is both a remote group of volcanic islands in the south Atlantic Ocean and the main island of that group.

Population: (2010) 264 
Area: 79.92 sq. miles 







FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED