Jessica Haight's Blog, page 139

Top of the Heap!

The answer to Monday's Riddle was inspirational, and Lizzy's review of Takeoffs and Landings by Margaret Peterson Haddix sparked our thoughts and shifted our perspective. Friday, we are looking forward to a visit from children's author, Leslea Newman . Recently, we reviewed her fun story The Boy Who Cried Fabulous on Margo's Musings . The Drawing Contest is happening all month long, so if you find yourself inspired, pick up a pencil and draw a scene from The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow . Send us your artwork, and enter for your chance to win a fabulous book prize pack- contest ends January 2nd! Saturday, The DMS Wants to Know about your new thoughts and ideas. Wishing everyone a very merry day chock full of inspiration!

This week's top of the heap: Feeling inspired! 




Jess: Here are 3 things I want to remember to do every day...

Give the people around me the space to be themselves.Listen to the world openly. Stay in the moment.
Sometimes, just giving your full attention to someone can be the greatest gift that you can give, or receive! ~ J




 Stephanie: Here are some goals I have to try to spread more happiness this year...

·  Smile at the people I encounter.
·  Compliment each of my students on at least one thing a day.
·  Do at least of 52 random acts of kindness- one or more a week.
Sometimes, just spreading kindness can make someone else’s day and it will make your day brighter, too! ~S


 




FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Will it be a Smooth Landing?

This touching story is told through the eyes of Chuck, Lori and “Mom”.  The family lives in a very small town in Ohio. When they were little, Lori and Chuck’s dad died, and they moved to their grandparents’ farm with their mom and their three younger brothers and sisters. Lori and Chuck were best friends when they were younger, but as they have gotten older they have grown apart. Lori is a year younger than Chuck, but she is popular and involved in all kinds of social clubs. Being cool is very important to her. Chuck is overweight and an outcast. Kids make fun of him and his sister doesn’t do anything to help the situation. Lori and Chuck’s mom is a motivational speaker. Her job causes her to travel a lot, which makes Lori resentful. Lori and Chuck are invited along on their mom’s next motivational speaking tour, so that they can see more of the world and learn about their mom’s job. Will Lori and Chuck be able to get back their old friendship? Can they be inspired to be a family again? Just what is it their mom does as a motivational speaker? Reading this realistic fictional book will make you think about your own life and the choices you are making! Plus, you will want to know what happens to Lori, Chuck, and their mom.
Takeoffs and Landingsby Margaret Peterson Haddix will appeal to kids from fifth grade through middle school. The characters are easy to relate to and the relationships portrayed in the book are believable. I think this book would be especially helpful for kids that have lost a parent or loved one. I found the story to be touching and eye-opening. I especially liked how the various takeoffs and landings throughout the story helped Lori, Chuck, and their mom to grow and reflect on their lives. The story has some sadness, but throughout it we are reminded that, although life has its ups and downs, it is important to appreciate each other, our differences, and to stand united with our family. We can’t lose sight of what it important.

Has anyone else read Takeoffs and Landings? Or have you read another book by Margaret Peterson Haddix? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~LFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Monday's Riddle! A Spark of Inspiration!

Great guessing Riddlers! This week will be inspirational! Lizzy's review is sure to spark our thoughts, and Thursday, we look forward to spreading some cheer on Top of the Heap . Friday, children's author, Leslea Newman, will be stopping by. We recently reviewed her book The Boy Who Cried Fabulous on Margo's Musings , and we look forward to learning more about the story behind her story. The Drawing Contest is happening all month long, so be sure to stop by and enter for your chance to win a fabulous book prize pack. Also, don't forget that the End of the World Giveaway Hop is running until December 21st- another chance to win some great books! So, lots going on this month! Saturday, we look forward to hearing your inspirational thoughts on The DMS Wants to Know . See you all around the book block ; ) ~ F

Stop. Look around. What inspires you in this moment? 

Sparkly Holiday Decor!
I'm a simple spark, and your head is clear. Now, there's space to think, feel, and hear. I am very bright when shown as is, and I seize the moment for all who live. I show you a way and get things going- paving the path as you stand there knowing. I am something great when you're living the dream, stitching my thread into the flow of life's seam. If you feel struck, and then inside do glow- what it is that I am, surly you'll know.

What am I? Answer: Inspiration! FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Monday's Riddle! A Common Thread

Hello Riddlers! Here's this week's puzzle. Can you guess the theme? A light bulb just went off inside my head ; ) ~ F

I'm a simple spark, and your head is clear. Now, there's space to think, feel, and hear. I am very bright when shown as is, and I seize the moment for all who live. I show you a way and get things going- paving the path as you stand there knowing. I am something great when you're living the dream, stitching my thread into the flow of life's seam. If you feel struck, and then inside do glow- what it is that I am, surly you'll know.

What am I?

I gave you a clue! 



FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The DMS Wants to Know!

With everything going on so close to home this weekend we postponed The DMS Wants to Know for a day while we took time to grieve for the innocent lives that were lost.  Our hearts go out to the families, teachers, and students in Newtown, CT.
  Monday's Riddle made us think about the forces of good vs. evil, and Lizzy's review of Jack Templar Monster Hunter by Jeff Gunhustook us right into the battle between monsters and monster hunters. For Top of the Heap we told you about our favorite battle between The Order of the Phoenix and The Death Eaters.  Friday was exciting with our author interview and giveaway with Jeff Gunhus. Don't forget that the Drawing Contest is happening all month long, so be sure to enter for your chance to win a fabulous book prize pack.  Also, The End of the World Giveaway Hop will run from December 14th-21st, so, join in the fun and enter for your chance to win a copy of Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, and a signed, hardcover edition of the middle grade novel, The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow by J. Haight & S. Robinson . Two great books to have with you if you find yourself lost!  Today we want to hear from you!
The DMS wants to know:  What is your favorite battle between good and evil?

We told you ours. Now, tell us yours!FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Author Interview with Jeff Gunhus

The DMS was lucky enough to interview Jeff Gunhus , author of the middle grade novel Jack Templar Monster Hunter . Lizzy reviewed this exciting new story, 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, Jeff!


What inspired you to write Jack Templar: Monster Hunter?I'm the father of five with four boys and one girl. Even though we made books a big part of our family, my oldest son, Jack, was a reluctant reader. He was intelligent and quick, but just didn't take to reading like his younger brother (the other kids were 3 and under at the time.) So, I decided we would wake up an hour early for school and he would read out loud to me. The first week was tough, but after that, we both looked forward to the morning reading. After a Harry Potter and a Percy Jackson book, I felt his attention waning again, so I decided to create a story for him to read where he was the main character. Soon, Jack and my younger son, Will, (who wanted in on the action) were beta-reading chapters hours after I wrote them. The themes of Jack Templar were the same as conversations I have with all my kids. There is good and evil in the world, right and wrong, and the hardest and most important job we have to is be brave enough to stand up and be counted in the face of adversary. The monsters are just metaphors for all the challenges that kids (and adults!) face every day. The fight scenes are just way cooler.
How long did it take you to write Jack Templar: Monster Hunter?
It was about three months. Having your kids bang on you when you take a day or two off because they want to see what happens next is a great motivator. Rewriting and editing was another two months.
What are some of your favorite books from childhood? Were there any specific authors who inspired you?
I grew up overseas in Greece. Cyprus and Saudi Arabia where I went to British schools. My first series addictions were The Famous Five and The Secret Seven by Enid Blyton , followed by Willard Price's Adventure books and The Weirdstone of Brisingamen . Then J.R.R Tolkein came along, followed by C.S. Lewis. Middle Earth and Narnia were amazing new worlds and I've been trying to get back there in some form or another in all my writing.  Frank Herbert's Dune series blew me away.
Where did you come up with the characters Jack and Ren Lucre?

Jack is modeled after my son. Besides sharing the name, they have similar character traits. Smart, loyal and a great sense of humor. Also, I wanted to parallel the self-discovery that is such an integral part of the early teenage years. Jack's journey from average Joe to monster hunter at the center of a an ancient blood-feud seemed a good way to explore this. While my kids aren't finding out that everything they thought they knew about the world is wrong, I remember that it can sometimes feel that way when you're younger. The books are just an easy way to have those conversations with my kids. As for Ren Lucre, I'm always drawn to villains who appear at first glance to be one-dimensional but who surprise you in their complexity. In this first book, we catch only small allusions of Ren Lucre's backstory, but his hatred of Jack's bloodline (and all the Templars) will be revealed in books to come. While we never agree with his methods, I think we will understand the hate that consumes him and perhaps why he feels justified in his actions. The best villains make you catch yourself agreeing with their point of view before you remember the actions they are taking are unconscionable. Ren Lucre becomes that (and much more) in the books ahead.
If you could befriend a character from any of your books, who would you befriend? Why?
I like Eva a lot. I have one daughter and I wrote Eva thinking about how I hope she might turn out. Not necessarily as a one-armed monster hunter, but a strong, brave, critical thinker who, as a young woman, is willing to lead, even in a male-dominated world like that of the hunters. What I don't wish on my daughter is the burning hatred and sadness that drives Eva toward her goal of revenge for her family's death. Still, even though Eva is a complicated character with conflicting motivations, I love her actions-not-words mentality...and the fact that her actions are really fun to watch.
Where do you like to write? Do you listen to music while you are writing?
I'm a coffee shop guy. On a cold day, you can find me tucked away, ear buds in, typing away. I always listen to music when I write. All film scores of my favorite movies. When I really want the extra help, I'll line up tracks that match the tone of the scenes I'm writing. Many an action scene in my books have been written to the Gladiator soundtrack.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?
Fortunately, right where I'm at. I love the area we're in, the easy access to so many great cities and outdoor activities and the amazing circle of friends we have. As far as a moving for a month or two, I'd love to return to Paris or Florence for an extended stay. I've been fortunate enough to stay for a while in both cities in a small, local villas that gave a fleeting sense of what it was like to be a local. Loved every minute of it. But my family would have to be with me and I think after a month we'd all vote to go home.
What monster or creature intrigues you the most?
The demons. In the world of Jack Templar, demons can possess the form of any living thing. Without giving away too much of what happens in future books, demons have a more complicated backstory than you might imagine. As the books go on, delineating between good and evil becomes harder. The demon Lord will present Jack with one his greatest challenges.
Where can we purchase your books?
Jack Templar Monster Hunter can be purchased through all online retailers in both paperback and ebook.

Amazon  ☞  Barnes and Noble

Connect with this author:
Author Website  ☞ Facebook ☞ Twitter
Tour hashtag: #jacktemplar
Twitter Party: 
Friday, Dec. 21 6 pm - 8 pm EST
 ✭ Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a great prize pack! Enter to win!
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  FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

End of the World Giveaway Hop!

Thanks to  I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and My Life with Books for hosting the End of the World Giveaway Hop!  Fairday's Blog!  is giving away a copy of Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling , and a signed, hardcover edition of the middle grade novel, The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow  by J. Haight & S. Robinson . Two great books to have with you if you find yourself lost!

The End of the World Giveaway Hop will run from December 14th-21st, so, join in the fun! This is a huge hop, and there are lots of delightful 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 book would you want to have if you found yourself stranded?3) Fill out the Rafflecopter form below 

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 : )


Read the reviews!


* DMS pick for a book to take with you! 



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 first seven chapters 

☞ Read the reviews!
☞ DMS Home Site 



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.

Margo's Musings  Fridays belong to Margo, Fairday's little sister. This post focuses on reviewing local 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!


a Rafflecopter giveawayFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Top of the Heap!

Monday's Riddle brought out the forces of good and evil, and Lizzy's review of Jack Templar Monster Hunter by Jeff Gunhus took us right into the epic battle. Don't forget that the Drawing Contest is happening all month long, so be sure to enter for your chance to win a fabulous book prize pack. Friday, Jeff Gunhus will be stopping by to chat with us, and we are excited to learn more about the story behind his story. Saturday, we can't wait to hear from you on The DMS Wants to Know !

Lizzy and I are both in agreement on this topic...

This week's top of the heap: Order of the Phoenix vs. Death Eaters 


The Order of the Phoenix
Death Eaters

Spoiler alert if you haven't seen this movie!
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Is Jack the Chosen One?

Jack can’t remember his parents. They died when he was little, and he was raised by his Aunt Sophie. Jack is almost fourteen, and he wakes up the day before his birthday feeling like a new person. He can’t believe how strong he feels and soon finds out that he can run faster, too. On the way to school, he encounters a few odd characters, and the day only continues to get more bizarre. After receiving a suspension from his principal, Jack heads home worried that his aunt will be disappointed in him. On his way he meets Eva, a stranger who tells him that he is a monster hunter, the chosen one from a long line of monster hunters. Not only that, but there are monsters gathering nearby, waiting for him to turn fourteen, the age when they are free to kill him. It seems the Lord of the Creach (Lord of the Monsters) has a personal problem with Jack and wants him destroyed. When Jack thinks Eva’s life is in danger he tries to save her. Unfortunately, this changes everything. Will Jack be able to save Eva? What does he unleash when he tries to kill the beasts? Is Jack really the chosen one? Who is the Lord of the Creach and why is he after Jack? The forces of good and evil are stacked against each other, and you will want to find out who prevails! 

I recommend Jack Templar: Monster Hunter to anyone 10 and up. Monster hunting can get a little violent and younger children may be a little nervous! Plus, Jack is turning fourteen and children under the age of ten may not enjoy hearing about his crush on Cindy Adams. The author also warns kids not to read this book if they are afraid of monsters! I liked the wonderful descriptions and I feel that I know Jack, Eva, and the other characters and places described in the book. Jack seems like a good guy, and I appreciate the fact that he isn’t perfect and doesn’t always make the best decisions. The action starts right from the first chapter and doesn’t let up until the book ends. This is the first book in a series, and I look forward to reading the rest of them. The good news is the author doesn’t leave the book off with a cliffhanger! Fans of The Percy Jackson series will want to get to know Jack!Has anyone else read Jack Templar Monster Hunter by Jeff Gunhus? What did you think?

Happy Reading! ~LFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Monday's Riddle! An Epic Battle...

Great guessing Riddlers! This was a tricky one! Wednesday, the epic battle will rage on with Lizzy's review, and Thursday, we will shine a light into the dark on Top of the Heap . Friday, be prepared for something exciting, and Saturday, we can't wait to hear from you on The DMS Wants to Know . The Drawing Contest is also happening this month. So, be sure to stop by and enter for your chance to win a fabulous prize pack. See you all around the book block ; ) ~ F

One and the other- what could they be? Without them, there would be nothing to see. Something right fights with what's wrong, pulling the strings forever along. A label of tides is a mark to be told, piecing together those stories of old. Timelessly spaced from an end to an end- seen black or white, as foe or friend. This theme shall continue as we pass through our space- flashing by pictures, showing our face. Sometimes lovely, but also bad- one makes you happy, and the other is mad. 

Oh, what is it that dwells inside of us all? What makes us reach heights, or sink, and then fall? A ying and a yang, a dark and a light- a purposeful blend mixes truthful insight. So tell me now, what do you think? Is it from the same fountain we drink? For, when we stir the scene and brew emotion, we set the stage forward, churning in motion. 

What are we?Answer: Good vs. Evil!



FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED