Jessica Haight's Blog, page 130

Answer to Monday's Riddle! Message Received!

Excellent job guessing Riddlers! You are all correct! This week we will be keeping a look out for a message in a bottle. Lizzy's review will wash up on Wednesday, and Thursday, we will open up our thoughts to you on Top of the Heap . Friday, Natalie Standiford will be drifting by to tell us more about the story behind her story The Secret Tree , and Saturday, we always love to hear from you on The DMS Wants to Know . Happy reading everyone! See you all around the book block ; ) ~ F

The Fairy Tale Book Giveaway Hop is happening on Fairday's Blog! Stop by the post and enter for your chance to win a copy of the classic American fairy tale The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, plus a signed hardcover of the mysterious, new middle grade novel The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow by J. Haight & S. Robinson .

Carried away, then swept to shore- I add my news to the tell of the lore. I am the key to a mystery if I should be found; perhaps in the sand or stuck in the ground. But, I am a lifeline when lost out at sea, for there's a hole in my belly for you to fill me. Drop me a note, send out a rhyme- those that read it will be known in time. When you tell another in this certain way, you ensure a good story another fine day. 

What am I? Answer: Message in a Bottle! 



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

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

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Fairy Tale Giveaway Hop!

Thanks to I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, The Book Rat, and A Backwards Story for hosting the  Fairy Tale  Giveaway Hop! Fairday's Blog is giving away a paperback edition of The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum , plus a signed hardcover edition of the spooky, new middle grade adventure, The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow  by J. Haight & S. Robinson . 

The Fairy Tale Giveaway Hop will run from March 26th-April 2nd, so, join in the fun! This is a legendary hop, and there are lots of enchanting blogs participating, giving away all sorts of books and other fabulous prizes.  

Open to US and International : ) 

☞ Be sure to visit the hopping blogs! 
( click here for the list )


Enter to win:1) Follow Fairday's Blog!2) Leave a comment and let us know: 
What would you ask the Wizard of Oz for? 3) Fill out the Rafflecopter form below



The Wizard of Oz  by L. Frank BaumOne of the true classics of American literature, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has stirred the imagination of young and old alike for over four generations. Originally published in 1900, it was the first truly American fairy tale, as Baum crafted a wonderful out of such familiar items as a cornfield scarecrow, a mechanical woodman, and a humbug wizard who used old-fashioned hokum to express that universal theme, "There's no place like home." read more...




The Begonia House keeps its secrets. Everyone knows that. Everyone, that is, except for clever eleven-year-old Fairday Morrow, whose family has just moved in. Being the Senior Investigator in the Detective Mystery Squad, more commonly known as the DMS, she’s ready to uncover the mysteries hidden within the strange manor. As the investigation gears up and the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place, the DMS enters into a world where anything is possible, and the danger is most definitely real. Follow along with Fairday and her friends, as spooky meets lovely in this twisting tale of dark secrets and hidden pasts. ☞ Read the reviews




Thanks for popping over! We hope that you will stay and visit with us for a while. Below, you will find an overview of the topics that we discuss on Fairday's Blog! They range from riddles, to reviews, to just things that we like to shout out about : )
What Fairday's Blog! is all about...
Fairday's Riddles are posted on Mondays- they can be written about anything and everything, all at the same time!
Lizzy's Book Reviews are posted on Wednesdays. Lizzy has read just about every middle grade novel out there, and she loves to share her thoughts and, of course, her opinions.
The Top of the Heap  is a post we put up on Thursdays. We thought it would be fun once a week to put up two things that we appreciate and have been thinking about during the week.
Author Interviews are posted on Fridays. The DMS seeks out the best middle grade authors today and brings them here to chat about their stories. 
Margo's Musings  Fridays are sometimes shared with Margo, Fairday's little sister. This post focuses on reviewing children's book authors, which we follow up with an  Author Interview .
The DMS Wants to Know  was a post we came up with for Saturdays because when we get together to hang out on the weekend, we always chat about different situations and ideas that are floating around in our brains and we like to listen to what other people think about them- some of the comments we've gotten have been absolutely fascinating!
*NEW! Character Book Club: Join us to listen what your favorite characters have to say. Sign up for our monthly newsletter and find out when the next Character Book Club will be meeting!
☞ Subscribe to  DMS Monthly News & Highlights
☞ Preview March Newsletter 

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

Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 
Available in all e-book formats
A FREE GIFT FOR YOU! Coupon Code: LU48S
Expires: April 2, 2013


a Rafflecopter giveawayFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Monday's Riddle! Words Adrift...

Hello Riddlers! Can you guess the theme this week? I always enjoy the mystery this particular thing brings to the scene. ; ) ~ F

Carried away, then swept to shore- I add my news to the tell of the lore. I am the key to a mystery if I should be found; perhaps in the sand or stuck in the ground. But, I am a lifeline when lost out at sea, for there's a hole in my belly for you to fill me. Drop me a note, send out a rhyme- those that read it will be known in time. When you tell another in this certain way, you ensure a good story another fine day. 

What am I?  

I gave you a clue!




FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle put the idea of fundraising into our heads, and Marcus's review of Nate Rocks the School by Karen Pokras Toz was excellent. Thursday on  Top of the Heap , we enjoyed sharing two fun ways to raise money with you, and Friday, it was great to find out what the Nate Rockledge from the Nate Rock series thinks about things in our first official meeting of the Character Book Club. Today, we want to hear your thoughts!

The DMS wants to know: 
What is a unique fundraising idea that you know about? 

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

Nate Rocks Fairday's Blog!

Welcome to the first meeting of theCharacter Book Club!
Fairday Morrow ☞ Lizzy Mackerville ☞ Marcus Brocket
The DMS sits down with Nate Rockledge 
from the Nate Rocks Series by Karen Pokras Toz

Roundtable Feature:
Nate Rocks the School by Karen Pokras Toz We are so excited to announce the first official meeting of the Character Book Club! In attendance today are the current members of the Detective Mystery Squad, more commonly known as the DMS. Fairday, Lizzy, and Marcus are joined by none other than the Nate Rockledge from the Nate Rocks Series. We are happy for the chance to get to learn him a little more about him and find out what he thinks about things- and if his mom's cooking is really as bad as he claims. : ) 
So, without further ado, let the meeting commence...

Lizzy: If you could follow along with any character from a story, who would it be and why?  
Nate: Well...you all are pretty cool actually. I wouldn’t mind being a part of the DMS (hint hint). Oh and thanks for having me here today. I’m not kidding when I say I’m a big fan of yours, Lizzie - Fairday & Marcus, too. You all seriously rock! Ok – so back to the question. My mom bought me this book called Tales of A Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume a few months ago. I think I’d be pretty good friends with Peter Hatcher. He’s only in 4th grade, but he seems like a pretty cool kid.
Fairday: What inspires your drawings? 

Nate: That’s a great question, Fairday – but see the thing is, I never know what’s going to inspire my drawings. It’s usually something that’s happening around me at that very moment. It’s hard to explain, but I’ll see or hear something, and then the next thing I know, I’m drawing an adventure! I have to be careful though, because sometimes I’m supposed to be doing something else – like schoolwork and stuff.
Marcus: What is your favorite thing to draw? 




Nate: Anything with a lot of action gets my attention. Like racecars – that was super fun to draw!



 
Lizzy: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?
Nate: Hmmm. I think it would be cool to live in outer space or in Florida near Disney World or the space museum. Really anywhere would be cool as long as I could bring along Tommy and leave Abby and Lisa home!
Lizzy: If you had a chance to sit down and chat with a celebrity, who would you pick? 
Nate: Oh, Lizzy - of course I’d pick Captain Asteroid! What? You’ve never heard of him? He’s only the coolest superhero around. Oh and I’d also like to meet all the Phillies. They’re my favorite baseball team.
Fairday: What is your favorite color? What about smell? 
Nate: Red is my favorite – the color of the Phillies, of course! Smell? I don’t know – I guess anything that Mom isn’t cooking would smell good to me! (You don’t think she is going to read this do you?)
Sunday Morning Surprise
Marcus: What is the grossest thing that you have ever had to touch? 
Nate: Have I mentioned Mom’s cooking? I try not to touch it at all costs. It’s toxic.
Marcus: If you could send your sister Abby to another planet, would you do it?

Nate: Uh ... duh! Can we please??? I like how you think, Marcus!


Fairday: If you could transform into something else, what would you want to be?
Nate: Well, it would be kind of cool to be Nate Rocks in real life, instead of just Nathan Rockledge. Although being Nathan Rockledge is pretty cool, too. But think of all I could do to keep those annoying girls, Abby and Lisa away from me if I were Nate Rocks all the time! 

Anyway – this is has been funner than fun! Thanks so much for interviewing me! Listen, I have an idea: There’s this other character that my author Karen Toz writes about – her name is Millie and she has her own blog just like you guys do! Now I’ll have to talk to her, but so far she’s been pretty nice. I’ll bet she’d love to have you three on her blog and then we can interview you! Don’t worry – I’ll make sure Abby stays far away. Either way – this has really rocked. THANKS!!!
Nathan! I heard that! Yeah, it’s me Abby. You’re not going to just sit there and believe everything my birdbrain little brother is telling you, are you? Pul-lease! Everyone knows he lives in a fantasy world. If you ask me, I’m the one you should be interviewing. I’m older, wiser, and well – let’s be honest shall we? I’m much cooler – just saying...  I seriously don’t understand why he gets to be the star of these books. My life is way more exciting. I am a teenager after all. I get to pretty much do whatever I want – well except when Mom and Dad drag me along to all of Nathan’s baby stuff at school. UGH! Life would have been so much better as an only child. Anyway, if you’re not interested in what I have to say – I’m outta here. I’ve got important things to do you know! 

Okay Nate, last question. And, if you get it right, you know what happens!

DMS: What goes on four legs, then on two, and at last on three? 
Nate: Hey – I know this one because I read your super cool book!!! Wait you don’t want me saying it out loud do you? I’ll whisper it to you ... Does this mean I get to be in the DMS??? I’m so excited – woohoo – what’s our next mission? Where should we meet? When do we start? YIPEE!!!
The Character Book Club is introducing the first official... Fan Art Challenge!
We would love to see where your imagination takes you. Send us a drawing of your favorite scene from the Nate Rocks Series, and you will be entered to win a signed copy of  Nate Rocks the School. 
The winning illustration will be chosen by a panel of judges and displayed at the next Character Book Club meeting, which will be announced in our April newsletter, so be sure to sign up! 

☞ Subscribe to  DMS Monthly News & Highlights
☞ Preview March Newsletter
Send your illustration to: Email: haightjess@gmail.com Snail Mail:The DMS6 Butternut LaneNew Fairfield, CT 068112
Fairday's drawing of a scene from  Nate Rocks the School .

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Top of the Heap

Monday's Riddle started us thinking about fundraising, and Marcus reviewed the amazing new middle grade book Nate Rocks the School by Karen Pokras Toz.  Stop by Friday for an interview with Nate! Saturday, we look forward to hearing from you on The DMS Wants to Know . Today, we want to take a moment to spotlight two excellent fundraising ideas!



This week's top of the heap: Out of this world fund raising ideas!

Fairday: Pancake Breakfast!  My school did this and I thought it was amazing. The breakfast was a chance to get the family, school, and community together for a meal! It was not only a great way to make money, but it was also a chance for everyone to take a little time to talk and fit in the most important meal of the day. Pancakes don’t cost a lot to make, and people volunteered to serve food or cook. At my school the kids helped to serve, and then had a chance to sit down with their family and friends. Of course, my dad made his famous blueberry pancakes and everyone got to start their day off with his fabulous cooking! In the busy world we live in it is important to take time to enjoy the company of friends and family. What better way than to raise money and spirits at the same time! ~F


Lizzie: Game Night!  I love to play board games and see if I am up for the challenge. We had a game night for families at our school and we raised a ton of money. It was so much fun to walk into the gym and see games set up all over the place. I played a few different games and beat the pants off my brother, Mark, at checkers. It was awesome! The laughter could be heard down the hall, as families talked and played together. I hope we have another one this year to raise money!  ~L

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Nate Rocks the School!

Can you handle it? Nate Rockledge can. No matter the situation, his imagination has the power to whisk him away and clue him in on some excellent ideas. And, with the 5th grade class trip to New York City coming up, he needs plenty of them, because it is uncertain that there will be enough money to fund the trip. With his best friend, Tommy, by his side, there's nothing that they can't accomplish, as long as his annoying older sister, Abby, and that rotten Lisa Crane stay out of the way. After a few flopped attempts, Nate and Tommy are even more determined to raise the money that is needed to go to New York, and the ideas begin to take shape. Nate's pencil transports him into some dangerous situations on paper, giving him the angles he needs to see the real picture. Will Nate and Tommy find a way to raise the funds to go to NYC? Will everyone end up in the hospital from Nate's mom's cooking? What ideas will they come up with for successful fundraising projects? You will have to read this awesome book to find out!

Nate Rocks the School by Karen Pokras Toz is a cool story. I think Nate is someone I would definitely be friends with, and I had fun following along with him as he tried to figure out ways to make money. This series is one of my favorites out there today. I would recommend this book to kids ages 9 and up. It's a great story with lots of creativity, and a few twists and turns that will make you laugh out loud and keep you on the edge of your seat. Check it out if you want to read something excellent!

Has anyone else read Nate Rocks the School or any other books by Karen Pokras Toz? What did you think? ~ M

*We will be chatting with Nate Rockledge Friday, March 22nd, and we plan to find out what he thinks about things and if his mom's cooking is really as bad as he says it is : ) ~ DMS

Check out the tour!
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Monday's Riddle! Fun-Raising : )

Great guessing Riddlers! Yes, this week we are in for a little creative fundraising. Marcus will be chiming in to tell us all about it on Wednesday, and Thursday, we have some great ideas to share with you on Top of the Heap. Friday, we will be chatting with a few pretty cool characters, so be sure to stop by! The Lucky Leprechaun Book Giveaway Hop is happening on Fairday's Blog! Enter for your chance to win a copy of Hatchet by Gary Paulsen , plus a signed hardcover of the mysterious new middle grade novel The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrrow by J. Haight & S. Robinson- giveaway runs until March, 22nd. Saturday, we always love to hear from you on The DMS Wants to Know. Happy reading people! See you all around the book block ; ) ~ F

To get the green for the cause, raise it up, but obey the laws. Reach out to those who are in sight and tell them truly of your plight. For, only then shall you know if there's enough to start the show. A good deed here; a job well done- when in need, plan another one. At some point, you'll have your way, the sum in time will make the day . 

What am I referring to? Answer: Fundraising




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

Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 
Available in all e-book formats
Download for only .99¢ on SmashwordsFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Monday's Riddle! Get the Green!

Hello Riddlers! Can you guess the theme? My dad's Irish soda bread was a big hit at a bake sale over the weekend ; ) ~ F

To get the green for the cause, raise it up, but obey the laws. Reach out to those who are in sight and tell them truly of your plight. For, only then shall you know if there's enough to start the show. A good deed here; a job well done- when in need, plan another one. At some point, you'll have your way, the sum in time will make the day . 

What am I referring to? 

I gave you a clue!



FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle brought the theme for the week down to Earth, and Lizzy's review of The Fellowship for Alien Detection by Kevin Emersontook us out of this world. Thursday on Top of the Heap , we told you about two characters from outer space who captured our hearts, and Friday, we were excited for the chance to chat with Kevin Emerson , and learn a little more about the story behind his new book, The Fellowship for Alien Detection. Stop by the post , and enter for your chance to win a copy of this new middle grade book, - giveaway runs until Sunday, March 17th. We are also participating in the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop! Fairday's Blog is giving away a paperback edition of Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, plus a signed hardcover edition of the spooky, new middle grade adventure, The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow by J. Haight & S. Robinson.  The Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hope runs until March 22nd.
Today, we want to hear from you!The DMS wants to know:  If you could travel to an alien civilization, where would you like to go? Or do you have a favorite alien that you would like to travel with into unknown worlds? 



FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED