Jessica Haight's Blog, page 120

Top of the Heap!

The World's Lungs Monday's Riddle was an effort in conservation, and Lizzy's review of Hoot by Carl Hiaasen gave us an owl's eye view with a story about preservation. Friday, get ready, because the Character Book Club is meeting right here! The DMS will be interviewing Pete and Weasel from the new action- packed middle grade novel Alligators Overhead by C. Lee McKenzie . Saturday, we always enjoy hearing from you on The DMS Wants to Know . Today, we thought we would tell you about two conservation efforts we feel are very important to the well being of the world.

This week's top of the heap: Important Conservation Efforts ✌


Fairday: Considering life and all the amazing things hurling through space right now, I thought I would bring up the idea of conserving our stories. The preservation of our ideas; creativity, mysteries, knowledge, etc... all the parts of us that make us real remains vastly important. I think sharing our stories and passing them on is a wonderful form of conservation- the preservation of the idea of us all; where we come from, who we are, what we thought. So keep reading, keep writing, and keep looking for the magic of the day in your own space. Take a trip to a library; life's sanctuary for books ; ) ~ F

I found this online the other day and loved reading it- 


Artwork: Unknown artist

Swallowed Keys

We locked up our wisdom into our bones
And swallowed the keys
They sank in our rivers of blood
And we forgot the mapsBecause we had to forget the mysteriesTo keep them safe.We wove our hair into broomsAnd swept over our pathsAnd then burned the earth with our rageWe didn't teach our childrenIt was the only way to protect them,we thoughtBut in them we planted seeds, seeds and keysAnd told them stories and riddles and songsWith no roots, just tangled threadsThat would take years to unwindJust enough timeFor the rains to fall againand put out the firesFor the dams to breakFor the rivers to floodFor the pathsto be walked againFor the soil to breatheAnd as the old bones crumbleDeep beneath the rubbleWe find we've always had the keysOur stories and our mapsOur paths are revealed to someAnd the seeds grow againThe threads are unspun And woven again.
~ Amara Bronwyn


Lizzy: There are so many wonderful and amazing places being protected and conserved today. One of my favorite conserved places is national parks. I am thankful for the national parks and the land that was set aside for them. I know there have been many influential people who have helped secure the land for future generations, and Theodore Roosevelt was one president who helped establish 5 national parks and he created the United States Forest Service, which just about doubled the amount of protected forests. Altogether he secured and protected about 230,000,000 acres of land. Wow! I have been to a handful of national parks throughout the United States and each one takes my breath away. The vastness of the land, the colors, foliage, and animals are so rich and vibrant that I feel blessed that these parks will be available to me and to future generations for enjoyment. Visiting the national parks has allowed me to see land formations I have never seen anywhere else, as well as to observe animals in their natural habitat. Protecting nature is a gift that keeps on giving! ~ L


"There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the wilderness,that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy and its charm." ~ Theodore Roosevelt




FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Do You Give a Hoot?

Roy Eberhardt has just moved from Montana to a new town in Florida. Being the new kid isn’t easy, especially when the school bully, Dana, has it out for him. When Dana smashes Roy’s face up against the bus window, his world changes. He sees something that makes him curious, and he tries to figure out what happened when he saw a boy running barefoot out of the woods. After he meets Beatrice, a bully beater, he learns that not only is there someone who will stand up to bullies, but he learns about the tiny burrowing owl. Unfortunately, developers are coming in to build on some land and the burrowing owls will be buried alive. Roy isn’t the only one who isn’t happy with this development. Someone is spray painting graffiti and causing havoc on the construction site. Soon, Roy is walking the line between breaking the law and doing what he knows needs to be done to conserve the owls’ habitat. Who is vandalizing the construction site? Will the vandals get caught? Is there any way a group of kids can get a corporation to back down? Will the burrowing owls be saved? Come along on this environmental journey as Roy learns how our actions can have an impact!
I recommend this book to people from fourth grade through adulthood. Being kind to our planet has always been important to me. Roy is a kid that I could easily relate to because he has a great sense of humor, and I love his passion for wanting to conserve the habitat of the burrowing owl. I don’t like to see animals endangered, people littering, or nature being destroyed. The characters in the book are quirky and add a lot of interest to the story. I especially like when someone can put a bully in their place! This was a fast read and I wasn’t sure how everything was going to turn out in the end, which kept me turning the pages. This would be a wonderful book for kids to read with parents or teachers so that they could think of ways of helping our planet. I noticed that Carl Hiaasen has other books for kids that look like they deal with the environment too: Flush, Scat, and Chomp. I look forward to checking them out soon! Of course, I will also have to check out the movie Hoot, since I haven’t seen it. Don't miss this exciting adventure- you will be inspired to make a difference in the world.
Has anyone else read Hoot? Or have you read another book by Carl Hiaasen? We would love to hear your thoughts.
Happy reading! ~LFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Monday's Riddle! Harmony Delivered...

Excellent job guessing Riddlers! Greg answered correctly! The theme this week is conservation efforts. Lizzy's review will expand our horizons, and Thursday on Top of the Heap , we look forward to telling you about some of the amazing things happening all around our lovely planet. Friday, the next Character Book Club will be meeting right here, so be sure to check back. Saturday, we always love hearing from you on The DMS Wants to Know ! See you all around the book block ; ) ~ F

What would you be if not of this world? When the veil is lifted, the truth is unfurled. We are here, and so do stand. We make our mark upon the land. But, what of the ground, the sea, and the sky? Aren't they worthy of our vast, keen eye? Like sealing preserves in a jelly jar, we must dwell in the near and remember the far. Use the knowledge we all know, then set the stage for a stunning show. Earth dreams softly when you tend to her needs, not only your body, but your spirit she feeds. It takes dedication, work, and time- if you answer this riddle, an effort you'll define.

What am I referring to? Answer: Conservation 

Here's a link to Mother Earth News- a great resource for learning about the conservation of Earth : ) 






Next CBC meeting: The DMS hosts Pete and Weasel from the action packed middle grade story Alligators Overhead by C. Lee McKenzie- stop by Friday, July 19th to find out what these colorful characters have to say to each other! 






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


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FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Monday's Riddle! Sealing the Seeds

Hello Riddlers! Once again, it's Monday, and here's the puzzle. Can you guess the theme this week?

What would you be if not of this world? When the veil is lifted, the truth is unfurled. We are here, and so do stand. We make our mark upon the land. But, what of the ground, the sea, and the sky? Aren't they worthy of our vast, keen eye? Like sealing preserves in a jelly jar, we must dwell in the near and remember the far. Use the knowledge we all know, then set the stage for a stunning show. Earth dreams softly when you tend to her needs, not only your body, but your spirit she feeds. It takes dedication, work, and time- if you answer this riddle, an effort you'll define.

What am I referring to? 

I gave you a clue!






FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The DMS Wants to Know!

You took a chance on Monday's Riddle , and Lizzy's review of The Million Dollar Shot by Dan Gutman set the scene for a risky adventure. Thursday on Top of the Heap , we shouted out to those who rise to the occasion, and Friday, it was great to hear from Joan Hiatt Harlow and find out more about her stories  Thunder from the Sea and Joshua's Song . Today, we hope you'll take a chance and share your thoughts with us!

The DMS wants to know: 
What chance have you taken that's made a difference in your life?

We'll tell you ours, if you tell us yours!


Scene from Pan's Labyrinth  
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Author Interview with Joan Hiatt Harlow

The DMS was lucky enough to interview  Joan Hiatt Harlow . Lizzy recently reviewed her stories,  Thunder from the Sea and Joshua's Song , 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, Joan! 
What inspired you to write Thunder from the Sea?   
I love the culture, language, and history of Newfoundland, the island of my mother’s birth. And I love Newfoundland dogs! My earlier book, Star in the Storm was received so well, with several awards, and my fans asked for more dog stories. 
I discovered in my research that a strong earthquake happened back in 1929 off Newfoundland and caused a tsunami. The earthquake was felt as far south as South Carolina! So that earthquake and tsunami became a major part of my story. I remembered hearing true stories about orphans in Newfoundland and Labradors who were taken in by kind (and not-so-kind) families, so I used an orphan in my story as the main character. The Grenfell Mission in the Northern Peninsula was a famous orphanage for homeless children usually of fisher folk, many of who died of tuberculosis. (Surprisingly, after the book came out, I received e-mails and letters from people who had spent their childhood in that same orphanage.)
Although the subject of adoption was not my original purpose in writing the story, I have received appreciative letters from adoptive parents who have loved the expressions of unconditional love shown by Fiona and Enoch to Tom in this story. And of course, the unconditional love of the wonderful dog.
By the way and coincidentally, I have another Newfoundland orphan (and dog) in my book, Secret of the Night Ponies.  
Thunder from the Sea went on to win the Nutmeg Award (chosen by the Children of Connecticut.) It was also nominated for many other awards. 
How long did it take you to write Thunder from the Sea?  
It took me about a year to write the story – and about a year of research. 
You must do a lot of research for your historical fiction books. What was your research process like for Thunder from the Sea and Joshua’s Song? Was there any aspect of your research that was the most interesting? 
For Thunder from the Sea , my research included making inquiries at the Grenfell Mission archives and historical archives of Maritime Canada. I also added Newfoundland expressions and Newfoundland adaptations of ancient Celtic holidays. The many stories my mother had told me, helped so much in my creating a story with accurate events, language, and descriptions. 

For Joshua’s Song , my own school age memories of Boston – the newsboys, the smell of the molasses flood that permeated the North End—especially in the summer-- became the scene of the story. 


The old newspaper coverage of the disaster helped me to bring about “what actually happened” into my fictional characters. Some of the characters in my book were borrowed from history, such as President Kennedy’s grandfather, etc.
Where did you come up with the main characters: Tom and Joshua? Did you ever have a dog like Thunder or Sirius?   
The boys were pretty much my own creation, although they are so real to me that I think of them as “real people.” I also used bits of characters of actual boys I have known. 
No, I did not own a Newfoundland dog – but I did have a dog that I loved with all my heart and that is probably how the feelings of my characters are shown for their dogs.
Sirius was the name of a famous champion sire of the first registered Newfoundland Dogs. It is the name of the brightest star (next to the sun) in our hemisphere and that’s where I got the name for the dog in Star in the Storm.
JOSHUA by the way, is the name of my grandson. Just had to use it!
What are some of your favorite books from childhood? Were there any specific authors who inspired you? 
I cannot remember any particular author that I loved as a child – I loved all books and devoured them. When I was in elementary school I loved Nancy Drew, but I was also reading my mother’s “Book of the Month Club” Selections.  I would have the book opened and read before she did! I liked Greek Mythology and even Balzac (translations). And yes, Saturday mornings were spent on the porch, reading boxes of comic books, with my friends – all boys, by the way.  
One of the boys grew up to be a doctor. I used Dr. Sullivan in Thunder from the Sea and the other is an engineer (MIT graduate.)    I can’t say reading comic books spoiled our love of reading or our educations in any way!
If you could live during any time period in history, when would it be? 
I am very happy and thankful I lived in the generation into which I was born. Even though it has been a generation of wars, life is full of exciting discoveries. Earlier generations suffered greatly from plagues and poverty and ignorance.  
In my writing and research I am able to time travel to other eras. However, it’s nice to come back to this time period. 
I would like to live forever! In that way I would be able to see the outcome of everything.   
If you could befriend a character from any of your books, who would you befriend? Why?  
What an interesting question. This is the hardest of all to answer. I love my characters and to me they have lived and handled things quite well.  But Jake in Blown Away! will always be searching for answers, after losing his best friend.  He’s just beginning to sort things out, and could use a bit of affection, trust, and guidance.   Also, I would like to befriend Meg in Midnight Rider, a secondary character that I borrowed from history. Although we don’t know what happens to her in my book, I do know what really happened to the Meg I borrowed from history. 
Meg in my story Midnight Rider, whom Hannah befriended, was very much like the girl I came upon in my research who was befriended by General Gage and his wife.  As powerful as General Gage was in his day – the girl, Meg, was the one person that had the Gage’s completely perplexed and helpless.  So how could I not use her in my story?  Of course, the impish things she did in the book are totally fiction and from my imagination.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?   Why? 
I am very happy living right here in Venice, Florida. I sometimes miss New England – even the snow and storms.  But I do love the birds and flowers and sparkling seas that surround this state. 

I’ve seen many beautiful places, from New England to China, to Canada (including Newfoundland) to Mexico, etc. but where I’m living is “just right” for me.
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Read the reviews!






Read the reviews! 
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Top of the Heap!

Monday's Riddle encouraged us to take a chance, and Lizzy's review of The Million Dollar Shot by Dan Gutman was an open opportunity. Friday, Joan Hiatt Harlow will be stopping by to tell us the story behind her stories Thunder from the Sea and Joshua's Song, and Saturday, we always enjoy hearing from you on  The DMS Wants to Know ! Today, we thought we'd tell you about a few chance takers we think deserve a shout out. : )


This week's top of the heap: People who take chances! 

Lizzy: There are so many things that people take chances with that change their lives. I have always been fascinated with the solar system, stars, planets, and everything else in the never-ending sky. I would love to be an astronaut and explore other places, but I would be scared for sure. 

Neil Armstrong is someone who took a big risk, which ended up having major payoffs for him and the world. I can’t even imagine going in a space shuttle in the 1960s, knowing that what you are doing has only been done by a handful of people. He had a family and kids to worry about, but he was still brave. I am sure his experience in the armed services helped him have the courage to make such a difficult choice, but what a great decision he made!

Neil was a mission commander of the Apollo 11 moon landing. He not only took the risk to go up in space, but got out of the shuttle and walked on the moon! WOW! Risk after risk, but he took his chance and changed the vision of the world. He had done something people never thought possible. What an inspiration! It reminds me that taking risks helps us to achieve our dreams.

“That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” 
~ Neil Armstrong
Fairday: I'm not picking anyone specific- I would like to mention all the people who embrace their inner creativity- whatever the outlet may be- music, art, writing, juggling, cooking, sewing, dancing, etc., and take the chance to share it with the world, regardless of any criticism that they may receive in return. 


Finding joy in the space you're in right now requires taking a chance on yourself, and that's the bravest thing you can do! Here's a quote I read the other day that I loved...
"The caterpillar thought the world was over until it became a butterfly." 


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Can Eddie Sink it?

11 year old Eddie Ball and his mom live in a trailer park in Louisiana. Things have been rough since his dad died, and his mom works herself to the bone at the Finkle Food Factory trying to make ends meet. Eddie’s new best friend has a shaved head, is awesome at basketball, loves poetry, and happens to be a girl. Annie Stokely is someone Eddie can be himself around, she tests his basketball skills, and lives a couple trailers away. When Mr. Finkle offers a poetry contest for the best poem about a Finkle (think an even unhealthier Twinkie concoction) and the winner gets the chance to shoot a foul shot for a million dollars during the NBA finals, Eddie thinks he can’t enter because his mom works there. When his mom loses her job, he knows what he has to do. Of course, poetry is more Annie’s thing, and her poem is better than his. But, Annie doesn’t want to enter the contest. So, Eddie enters a poem and soon enough he finds out he has won the chance to win the million dollars. While Eddie makes about 50% of his shots, he is only going to get one chance, and he needs to step up his game. Mr. Stokely happens to be an excellent foul shot coach and works with Eddie to improve his chances. Unfortunately, there seems to be someone out to sabotage Eddie and they are doing everything they can think of to ensure that he will not make his shot and win the million dollars. Who is trying to ruin Eddie’s chances? Will he be able to concentrate and sink the ball when it counts? What will Eddie and his mom do if he doesn’t make the shot? Will Mr. Finkle really pay him a million dollars if he does make the shot? You must read this book to see what happens to Eddie, Mrs. Ball, Annie, and of course Mr. Finkle.

The Million Dollar Shot by Dan Gutman is a book that captured my interest right from the start. I loved this book and even laughed out loud at some of the scenes. It's such a fast paced book that I was able to read it in one sitting. Eddie has had a tough life, and I couldn’t help but root for him right from the start. He is someone that would be a good friend, and I especially like his determination. I also liked Annie and how she doesn’t care what other people think about her, she is who she is. This is a book that can be enjoyed by people from third grade and up. It kept my interest all the way up until the end, and after I finished reading it, I had to try the foul shot tips that Mr. Stokely teaches Eddie. You will want to try them too! It made me think about taking risks and how you can’t win if you don’t play or take the first step toward your goal. Taking a chance is scary, but if you don’t take the chance then you definitely aren’t going to succeed. Pick up this book and you will want a chance to change your life by taking a foul shot or a step in the right direction!

Has anyone else read The Million Dollar Shot? Or have you read another book by Dan Gutman? What did you think? 

Happy Reading! ~L


Catch the latest buzz making its way around the book block this summer!

Emblazon  is a blog written by a collection of indie authors who care about producing high quality stories for kids. We have a particular focus on ages 11 to 14. We call them Tweens. The purpose of Emblazon  is to celebrate tween literature. We want to draw attention to this fabulous genre, interact with other enthusiasts whether child or adult, and encourage new writers. 
Stop by the blog to check out this new world of stories and adventures : ) FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Monday's Riddle! Chances Are...

Excellent guessing Riddlers! Congratulations to Adriana, Terence, and Alex- you took a chance and guessed correctly. This week, we're taking our chances!  Lizzy's review will open our minds to new opportunities, and Thursday on Top of the Heap, we plan to roll the dice. Friday, we're excited for the chance to hear from Joan Hiatt Harlow and find out more about the story behind her stories Thunder from the Sea and Joshua's Song. Saturday, we are always happy to hear from you on The DMS Wants to Know .

Don't forget, today is the last day to stop by the Freedom to Read Giveaway Hop - enter for your chance to win a signed copy of Waiting for the Magic by Patricia MacLachlan , plus a signed hardcover of the new middle grade mystery The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow by J. Haight & S. Robinson.

So, step out into your space today, and take a chance! You never know what will happen. See you all around the book block ; ) ~ F

When you feel it in your bones, even knowing the unknowns, are you prepared to fly or fall? Will you grab the subject ball? Toss it out, and take a shot- you'll have some luck given all you've got. For, you can never guess what will be. You must do this first if you want to see. But, know it's true in this place; it's always you, and it's your space. So, when faced with a choice and adventure's elected, remember you're you! Fear not the unexpected. 

What must you do to see? Answer: Take a chance  



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! A Long Shot...

Hello Riddlers! We hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July weekend! Whew! It's good to be back- always lovely to take a break and have an adventure, but still nice to come home. Speaking of adventures, there wouldn't be any if we didn't do this once in a while. ; ) ~ F

When you feel it in your bones, even knowing the unknowns, are you prepared to fly or fall? Will you grab the subject ball? Toss it out, and take a shot- you'll have some luck given all you've got. For, you can never guess what will be. You must do this first if you want to see. But, know it's true in this place; it's always you, and it's your space. So, when faced with a choice and adventure's elected, remember you're you! Fear not the unexpected. 

What must you do to see? 

I gave you a clue!


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED