Jessica Haight's Blog, page 148

Monday's Riddle! It's a Blogfest!

We're up to something a little different this week! Alex Cavanaugh is hosting the Genre Blogfest today, and we have decided that it would be fun to mix in our theme with this idea. SO... this is our tribute to our favorite genre, and the story that sets the bar as high as it can go...

Click here for the list of all the fun blogs participating in the Genre Blogfest!



Genre Favorite: FantasyBook: The Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K Rowling (Book 3 in the Harry Potter Series)
Lizzy and I both agree that The Prisoner of Azkaban is one of the most magical books that we have ever read. It was the spark that set the whole series on fire! We were captivated by The Sorcerer's Stone , and loved the adventure in The Chamber of Secrets , BUT, The Prisoner of Azkaban was the book that unlocked the door to the magical world of Harry Potter, introducing new twists and turns and setting the stage for one of the most epic tales ever told- and we ate every bit of it up!
Monday's Riddle! Can you guess the theme? Why is The Prisoner of Azkaban such a timeless tale? Stick with us all this week, and we'll clue you in ; ) ~ F
On this line, you shall slide- should you need some time to bide. If you want to see what's not, try me on and take a shot. I can send you forward or bring you back; show you what it is you lack. I'm something small- a device at best, but indispensable when you're on a quest. Take a spin and you will see all there is or will ever be. How will you know where you land? Three turns is plenty under slight of hand.
What am I?  
I already gave you a clue! 

Here's a little mood music, which we also proclaim as a genre favorite! It would be on the  the enchanted realm hits station : ) It really does capture the magic!  * How interesting would it be if this type of music was the background theme to your day! 


Here's the trailer for The Prisoner of Azkaban.  Ah, this story is just chock full of magic! Enjoy : )   FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle clued you in on this week's theme beyond a shadow of a doubt. Lizzy then took us on an exciting journey into the Shadowrealm with her review of The Alchemyst by Michael Scott . Thursday, we shared with you a few interesting shadows that we discovered on Top of the Heap . And, Friday, we were lucky enough to chat with Rob Buyea , author of the inspirational middle grade novel, Because of Mr. Terupt . Today, we want to hear from you!
The DMS wants to know: Who is your favorite shady character from a story? 
We'll tell you ours, if you tell us yours! 
Illustration by Derrick Chow/ Ruby Begonia

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Author Interview with Rob Buyea

The DMS was lucky enough to interview  Rob Buyea , author of the middle grade novel Because of Mr. Terupt. Lizzy recently reviewed this inspiring book, 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, Rob! 


What inspired you to write Because of Mr. Terupt?


My former third and fourth grade students. I had some incredible young writers in my classrooms. I wanted to help them grow as writers and encourage their love for writing, and so I decided the best way I could do that was to become a writer first. And so I began.           
How long did it take you to write Because of Mr. Terupt?
Six years. In the midst of writing this story, several other big events took place in my life. We moved from Connecticut to Massachusetts and I went from teaching third grade to high school biology. My third daughter was born, joining our three-year-old and sixteen-month-old. Things were busy. (They still are!) 
What are some of your favorite books from childhood? Were there any specific authors who inspired you?
I wasn’t a reader. I always did very well in school, but I was all about sports. The only book I remember from my childhood is My Side of the Mountain . I grew up in the country and fantasized about being able to do what Sam Gribley did. I have loads of favorite books and authors now.    
Where did you come up with the character Mr. Terupt?
Bits and pieces of me and my imagination. I had a lot of classroom experiences that helped me.      
If you could befriend a character from any of your books, who would you befriend? Why?
I know I’d have fun with Peter. We’d end up in all kinds of mischief. And I could talk to Jessica about books all day long. But of all my characters, Danielle’s grandmother is the one I’d want to meet. My grandmother left a major impression on me. I miss her dearly. It was memories of her and the relationship we had that helped me create Danielle’s grandma. This character helped me spend time with my grandmother again.       

Where do you like to write? Do you listen to music while you are writing?
Where I write often depends on what I’m doing in my writing. If I’m on the computer, then I’m at my desk in my office, surrounded by books. No music. If I’m working on paper then I might still be at my desk, or in a book store or coffee shop. I almost always have coffee with me when I’m writing. If I need to look at several pages at once then I might spread out on the floor or go to the science lab and spread out all over one of those big tables. I like a bright and warm atmosphere.      
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?
I’ve traveled, but not enough to answer this question. There’s so much I haven’t seen. But if you really want an answer, then I’ll say Disney World. I’ve loved every trip I’ve taken there and I know my children would be happy -- and continue to come back and visit me even when I’m old.   
Do you have a favorite teacher? If so, who is it and what did they teach you?

I’ve had many. I can’t pick one. But I will say the sport of wrestling is what prepared me for writing. 

Where can we purchase your books?

My preference would be with your local independent bookseller .  

Author Website ☞ Amazon ☞ Barnes and Noble ☟




Read the reviews! 









 Coming in October! FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Top of the Heap!

Monday's Riddle  emerged from out of the shadows, clueing us in on the theme this week. Lizzy took us on a fun adventure into the Shadowrealm with her review of The Alchemyst by Michael Scott . And, Friday we will be chatting with Rob Buyea , author of the inspirational middle grade novel, Because of Mr. Terupt. Today, we are excited to share what we found in the shade of some interesting shadows!

This week's top of the heap: A moment of light dancing with dark  ☯



A shadow is an area where direct light from a light source cannot reach due to obstruction by an object.
Fairday & Lizzy: We both feel that this definition is lackluster. After all, what is a shadow? What is the essence of your shadow? You can't feel it, touch it, smell it, even get any closer to it than you already are, but you can make it do anything- as long as you're willing to do it as well, that is. The magic of dark and light mixing together creates mysterious worlds of strange, moving images- shifting and elongating in transitioning light. What happens in that silent, dark world that mirrors our own colorful splash of existence? Anything is possible. Imagine this, what would be more bizarre than your shadow suddenly doing something unexpected? ☺ (Fear not the unexpected!) ~ F & L


Peter Pan catching his shadow : ) 


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Flamel's Secret...

When Sophie and her twin brother, Josh, get summer jobs across the street from each other, they think that things are working out perfectly. Josh loves the bookstore, and Sophie adores the coffee shop. Everything is going great, until they witness something that changes their lives forever! From out of nowhere, strange beings pull up outside the bookstore. Sophie watches them on the street, and then suddenly smells sulfur in the air. Josh runs up the stairs in the shop when he hears a commotion, but he quickly feels like he needs to clear his eyes. His boss, Nicholas Fleming, is throwing colored mist at some strange man in the store. The man is Dr. John Dee, and he is after the Codex, an ancient book with many secrets. A major fight breaks out between the two and ends in an explosion. Books are everywhere, and Josh is on the floor with the Codex in his hands. John Dee grabs it from him and flees the store. Once he is gone Josh realizes that he has the last two pages of the book stuck in his hand. Knowing Dee will come back, Nicholas takes Josh and Sophie (who has come over to see if her brother is still alive after the explosion) away. This is when Mr. Fleming begins to tell Josh and Sophie who he really is, and it turns out that he's Nicholas Flamel, a 14th century alchemist! It takes some convincing, but when the twins are witness to more bizarre happenings they realize that he is telling them the truth. The only problem is that their lives are now in danger, and they will be dealing with magic like they have only read about in books. Will they be able to get away from John Dee? How will Josh and Sophie adjust to the magical world that they are thrown into? Is it possible for their lives to ever return to normal? When they enter the Shadowrealm, will either of them ever be the same? Read this page turner to find out what happens next. This is just the beginning of an unpredictable adventure!

The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott has a lot of magic and fantasy elements that will appeal to anyone in fifth grade and up. The reading level may be a little high for some ten year olds, but if they enjoy fantasy, then this is a book they are sure to enjoy. Reading it with a teacher or parents would be exciting because the story contains characters that have shown up in mythology and other tales throughout the ages. It was fascinating to see the way the story came together.  I thought that the twins, Josh and Sophie, were both very likeable. I like how they tried to take care of each other, and it was great to witness their special bond. I was fascinated by the Shadowrealm and had a clear image in my mind of the setting and its unique features. The story has lots of adventure and elements that will keep the movie in your mind playing for hours. This is the first in a series, and I look forward to reading the rest of them!

Has anyone else read The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel?  Or another book by Michael Scott?
Happy Reading!
~LFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Monday's Riddle! A Shadow's Tale...

You guys are getting way to good! Yes, we're going to be lurking in the shadows all week long. Lizzy has a shady tale to tell you about on Wednesday, and we are looking forward to putting together a fun Top of the Heap post on Thursday. Friday, we will be chatting with Rob Buyea about his inspirational middle grade novel, Because of Mr. Terupt, so be sure to check back! ~ F

Always there, right with you, reflecting back all you do. I am dark, though made of light, and almost always within your sight. I follow along while you run, and when you're quiet, we're both done. There are times when I will go, but not for long, as you well know. Once the sun pops out again, then I'll be your closest friend.


Who am I ?  Answer: Your shadow ☺ 
* I thought the hint was funny: who am I? (eye shadow- lol!) It was tough to come up with a clue for this one! FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Monday's Riddle! On the Dark Side...

Here's Monday's Riddle! Can you guess the theme this week? Depending on the time of day, the answer could be right next to you ; ) ~ F
Always there, right with you, reflecting back all you do. I am dark, though made of light, and almost always within your sight. I follow along while you run, and when you're quiet, we're both done. There are times when I will go, but not for long, as you well know. Once the sun pops out again, then I'll be your closest friend.
Who am I ?  
I already gave you a clue!  hint, hint : ) FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle opened up the topic of family this week, bringing us all a little closer. Wednesday, Lizzy reviewed Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm, taking us along on a fascinating journey with a young girl who has to learn to count on a family that wasn't expecting her. Thursday, on Top of the Heap , we told you about two of the best characters in our families, and Friday, we were lucky enough to chat with Elise Broach , author of the intriguing middle grade novel, Shakespeare's Secret . Today, we want to hear from you!

The DMS wants to know: Who is a real character in your family? 

We told you ours, now let's hear yours! 




FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Author Interview with Elise Broach

The DMS was lucky enough to interview  Elise Broach , author of the middle grade novel  Shakespeare's Secret.  Lizzy recently reviewed this intriguing book, 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, Elise! 



What inspired you to write Shakespeare’s Secret?

Shakespeare's Secret came about from a combination of ideas. I thought it would be fun to create a modern story that was loosely based on a Shakespeare play, much the way the movie Clueless is based on Jane Austen's Emma, but takes place in a modern Beverly Hills high school. The play Much Ado About Nothing is full of gossip, betrayal, and intrigue, so those themes seemed like a good fit for a modern middle school. I started with two characters named Hero and Beatrice (after the two main female characters in the play) and then created the missing diamond mystery for the plot, though questions of identity and popularity were always a big part of the story.

But the original manuscript actually had nothing in it about the Shakespeare authorship question, if you can believe that. When I was doing the revisions, I decided I wanted to connect the missing diamond to something Shakespearean, so I made it the critical clue to Shakespeare's true identity. I always loved studying that period of history (I lived in England when I was 12, 13, and 14) so it was fun to include that in a book, and I thought it deepened the questions of personal identity that were already so important to the story:  who we are, who we say we are, and who other people think we are.


How long did it take you to write Shakespeare’s Secret?

It took me about a year and a half to write the first draft of Shakespeare's Secret. I started it when my children were young; my daughter Grace was just a toddler, so I didn't really have much time to write. I made a commitment to myself (and my wonderful writing group) to write a chapter every three weeks, and that's what I did until the book was finished. I had never written a novel before, and the experience was such an important lesson for me in the value of breaking down a seemingly overwhelming project into small, easily completed chunks.
What are some of your favorite books from childhood? Were there any specific authors who inspired you?
Oh, this is too hard!  I have so many favorites. I read all the time as a child. I guess the books that stand out in my memory are Charlotte's Web , Stuart Little , A Little Princess, The Great Brain series , the Little House books , and the Albert Payson Terhune dog books . The two books I loved when I was a little older were Daphne Du Maurier's Frenchman's Creek and the Canadian adventure Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman .  As far as authors, E. B. White was a huge inspiration - as my readers can see in my third novel, Masterpiece.
Where did you come up with the characters Hero, Danny, and Mrs.Roth?
I wish I had a good answer to the question "How do you come up with your characters?" I think there are some parts of the writing process that come more easily to certain writers, and some parts that are really hard - and characters tend to be the easy part for me. I never base characters on anybody I know, and I never do those exercises that writing workshops recommend, like "What would be in your character's closet? What's her deepest secret? What does your character want most?" It's hard to explain, but my characters really just emerge in my imagination fully-formed. Hero's experience of moving around a lot is similar to my experience growing up, because my father worked for General Electric and my family moved every two or three years. But beyond that, her quirks and personality are her own.  
If you could befriend a character from any of your books, who would you befriend? Why?
Oh, let's see... maybe Lucy from my YA novel Desert Crossing . She's passionate and impulsive, so she keeps things interesting, and at least in that story, she could really use a friend.
Where do you like to write? Do you listen to music while you are writing?
One thing I've learned the longer I've been doing this is to write anywhere. I carry a notebook with me, in case of that wondrous event when I'm struck by an idea for a picture book or novel. I have a desk and computer set up at home, and I often work there, but I'm just as likely to work at one of the local libraries or in a nearby coffee shop. When I'm home, I don't listen to music while I work, but when I'm in a cafe, there's a lot of background noise - music, other people's conversations, street noise. It doesn't bother me.  Once I'm working, I tend to get lost in the world of the book.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?
I love the West, and I really miss it; I went to high school in northern California, and my parents still live there, and I miss the scale of the landscape... the mountains, the long views. But I have to say, I really love where I live now, in the woods of Connecticut. We are in a tiny town of only a few thousand people, with woods and creeks and farms in every direction, but we're still only an hour away from New York City, which is one of the most vibrant and interesting places on the planet.
What is your favorite of Shakespeare’s plays?
Of the tragedies, my favorite is Macbeth. I first read that when my family moved to England, and I really loved the language and the darkness of the plot. Of the comedies, Much Ado About Nothing and Twelfth Night are my favorites. They are very funny and have great romantic entanglements and confusions. 
Where can we purchase your books?
I hope you can find many of my books in your local bookstores ! They are also available online. 

Happy reading!

Amazon ☞ Barnes and Noble

Connect with Elise Broach: 
Author Website 




Read the Reviews! 
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Top of the Heap!

Monday's Riddle clued you in on the theme, and we're keeping it all in the family this week. Lizzy reviewed A Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm , telling us about a young girl's experiences with a family that wasn't expecting her. Friday, we will be chatting with Elise Broach , author of the intriguing middle grade novel Shakespeare's Secret . Today, we are excited to tell you a little about our family members!

This week's top of the heap: Fun Family members ☺


Lizzy: My family is full of all kinds of unique characters! One of the relatives I look forward to seeing the most is my Aunt Marian (we call her Forsey). Forsey makes sleepovers at her house so special. We start off with pink lemonade, which she always calls "pink champagne". We make a toast and chat for a while looking out over her backyard. Forsey is a "tell it like it is" sort of person, and it's always interesting to listen to her. She is an avid bird watcher, so she helps me identify the birds we see. I have learned so much from her! Her house is old, and she lets me explore the secret passageway between her room and mine. I like that she always wants to play board games with me, and we laugh and laugh for hours on end. Sleeping over Forsey's house is always an adventure! Here's a shot of us kicking our heels up with some "pink champagne": )  ~ L


Fairday: The person in my family that I want to tell you about is my grandmother, who I call Nana. She is my kindred spirit! Nana is an amazing artist, and one of my favorite things to do is to quietly draw with her. She is also very close to nature, and has taught me so much about plants and animals. She has a fascinating collection of fancy perfume bottles that sit in front of the bay window at her house. She always loves to tell me about how I used to move them around, setting them up as a "Royal Court" when I was little. I can't exactly remember the game, but I know it must have been a blast if I played it for as long as she says- lol! So, in honor of my Nana, I have included a couple of her paintings. * The green bottle was the queen at the royal court- I remember that much! ~ F






FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED