Jessica Haight's Blog, page 150

The DMS Wants to Know!

I ♥ Lucy  Monday's Riddle  reminded us about the adorable familiar faces of our beloved pets. Lizzy's review of the mysterious middle grade novel Alligators Overhead by C. Lee Mckenzie took us on a wild ride into a magical swamp, and on Top of the Heap , we shared our ideal familiars with you. Friday, we were excited to learn a little more about Lisa Graff and the story behind her unique story, The Thing About Georgie. Today, we want to hear from you!


The DMS wants to know: What type of pets do you have? If you could choose a familiar, what would it be? 

We told you ours! Now let's hear yours : ) 



Lucy was found under a truck wheel in a grocery store parking lot when she was 8 weeks old. She was taken in by loving hands, and has basically won kitty lotto : ) 
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Author Interview with Lisa Graff

The DMS was lucky enough to interview  Lisa Graff , author of the middle grade novel  The Thing About Georgie.  Lizzy recently reviewed this unique 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, Lisa! 


What inspired you to write The Thing About Georgie?
Quite simply, I wanted to write about someone who was different—very different, in an obvious physical way. I wanted to explore the idea of what it might be like to go through life with a difference that you couldn’t hide, whether you wanted to or not: What assumptions people would make about you because of your differences? How would that lead you to think about yourself? When people learn that I’ve written a book about a child with dwarfism, they are often surprised to learn that I am not myself a dwarf (I’m actually very tall!). But I never found it difficult to connect to Georgie as a character, because I think we all have things that make us feel different or isolated, whether or not these are things that other people can see.
How long did it take you to write The Thing About Georgie?
I wrote the first draft of the novel when I was in graduate school (I received my MFA in Creative Writing for Children at the New School in Manhattan in 2005), and that probably took me about six months. Then I did a lot of revisions, some on my own and some with the help of my editor, which took me an additional year or so to complete.
What are some of your favorite books from childhood? Were there any specific authors who inspired you?
I absolutely adored The Baby-Sitters Club books by Ann Martin . I owned about 50 of them, and had each one practically memorized (Team Kristy!). I also loved all Roald Dahl’s books, particularly Matilda and The Twits . Beverly Cleary was another favorite author of mine. In sixth grade I read Emily’s Runaway Imagination for a book report and loved it so much that my essay ended up only slightly shorter than the book itself. We had to read the book reports aloud, and mine went on for so long that finally the teacher had to cut me off six pages before the end, just so everybody could go to recess.
Where did you come up with the characters Georgie and Jeanie the Meanie?
I’m not sure where they came from originally, but I do remember that I had the idea for these two characters before I had any sort of story to fit them into. I liked the idea of two kids, one with the nickname Jeanie the Meanie and the other named George Washington (in the final book, Georgie’s middle name is Washington), who had been given labels that didn’t quite fit them, and who had to find a way to grow beyond that.
 If you could befriend a character from any of your books, who would you befriend? Why?
This is such a great question! I think I might have to pick Jeanie the Meanie, actually, because despite some less-than-friendly tendencies, she is fiercely loyal, and will always stand up for the people she cares about.

Where do you like to write? Do you have any writing rituals?
I have a little green desk in my home office where I do most of my writing. If I’m feeling stir-crazy, though, I’ll head to my local coffee shop and pound out a few pages there, just for a change of scenery.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?
I’ll say Scotland—I love the drizzly gray weather, and the lush green landscape. (I can move every single one of my friends and family members to live nearby, right?)
Where can we purchase your books?
They’re easily available online, from Amazon or Powells or your favorite online bookseller. There’s a good list of purchasing links on my website. Or you can always head to your local independent bookstore , where they’ll be able to help you find several other wonderful books to enjoy!
Author Website ☟


Read the Reviews!

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Top of the Heap!

Monday's Riddle let the cat out of the bag, and we opened up the topic of our beloved beastly familiars. Lizzy reviewed the mysterious middle grade novel, Alligators Overhead by C. Lee Mckenzie , asking the question, can a familiar be something other than a cat? And, of course, the answer is yes! The options are boundless, and we are excited to tell you about our ideal pets. Friday, we will be chatting with Lisa Graff , author of The Thing About Georgie , so stick around- it's going to be great!

This week's top of the heap: Best Familiars : )  

Fairday: Definitely a dragon. I absolutely love the movie  How to Train Your Dragon. Hiccup's unique story is fascinating and it was great to see how he used his natural ability to train a feared dragon known as a Night Fury. Toothless turns out to be quite a character. Together, they form a bond that not only saves a village, but brings two very different worlds together.


Seriously, what could be cooler than having a dragon for a pet?  ~ F

A tribute to Toothless on You Tube!

Lizzy: There are so many wonderful familiars out there-beings that really connect to humans. It was tough to pick my favorite, but I am going to have to go with Hedwig, Harry Potter's snowy owl.  Hedwig was such a great companion to Harry and kept him company at the dreaded Dursley’s. Harry was also able to use her to communicate messages to Sirius Black and others in times of need. They had such a strong relationship, and Hedwig could tell when Harry needed her. That’s what friends are for! ~ L


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Alligators Overhead!

Pete wakes up on the first day of spring vacation feeling a bit apprehensive about the phone call his aunt is going to get from his principal. At the same time he can’t help but feel bored with the town he lives in. Pete hasn’t lived in the town for very long, only since his parents died. There isn’t much to do and there are a lot of places that are off limits, like the Ornofree Swamp next to his house that is filled with alligators. He only has one friend, Weasel, but they have been getting into too much trouble lately. His aunt has threatened to send him to military school if he doesn’t start behaving. After answering a mysterious phone call, Pete decides it is time for a bike ride. He has to do something to get the creepy voice out of his head. Only his ride doesn’t turn out the way he expects. He finds a mysterious mansion right next to his aunt’s house! At first he thinks he made the house appear, because lately when he thinks something- it happens, whether he wants it to or not. As he looks at the old house he recognizes it from a dream. Once the rest of the town hears about it they begin to speculate about how a house that disappeared 100 years ago is back all of a sudden. Will Pete listen to his aunt and stay out of the house no matter what? What does the old mansion have to do with the Ornofree Swamp? Just what exactly is the strange voice that Pete keeps hearing in his head? Can a familiar be anything other than a cat? You will be on the edge of your seat as Pete takes you on ride you will not forget!

Alligators Overhead by C. Lee McKenzie is a mysterious adventure that will keep you guessing. Pete may like to get into trouble, but he is a typical 12 year-old with a best friend who tries to keep him doing the right thing. Poor Weasel! He gets a little frustrated trying to keep them both from getting into serious trouble. I think kids between the ages of 8 and 14 will love this book if they like old houses, witches, animals, and nature. Pete is a good main character because his desire to do the wrong thing often leads him into a situation that is entertaining for the reader. I think Pete has a good heart, but his life hasn’t been easy so far. Now that he has learned a bit more about his past and his present he will be growing up a little faster, whether he wants to or not. I liked that the book had fantasy and mystery mixed together because it kept the possibility open that anything could happen. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading others by this author.Has anyone else read Alligators Overhead? Or another book by C. Lee McKenzie?

Happy Reading!
~LFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Monday's Riddle! Say Hello to My Little Friend...

Great guessing everyone! Patty, you nailed it : ) We are on the topic of pets- those familiar, loyal faces we can tell anything to. This riddle was especially fun for me, as both of these poems are from my writing archives; ode to a cat named Monty and a dog named Jack. Wednesday, Lizzy will be reviewing an excellent book that will re-connect you with the animal inside, and Friday we will be chatting with Lisa Graff , author of the middle grade novel, The Thing About Georgie. It will be fun to learn more about our furry- and not so furry!- friends all this week. So, be sure to check back!
King Monty 
I stalk through the house without a care. I stare you down, then puff up my hair. I am the king of the manor, and I flaunt that around. I sleep in a bed, not on the ground. I eat from a dish that only serves fish, and I climb on top of whatever I wish. I like to complain when dinner is late, and my servants are punished by my nonchalant state. I am smug and revered in this tidy home. The chump that lives with me gets only a bone.


Jack the Avenger
I am the chump that gets the bone, and I mess up the house when left all alone. I can play outside and get snacks when I want- all it takes is a tilt or some silly stunt. I'm not as lofty as my uppity partner, but just as smart- if not smarter! For, it is I who can run outside of the house, while he's left inside entertaining a mouse. So, laugh all you want, chump I may be- Hey! there's a squirrel in that tree!

Who are they? Answer: Pets


Jack : ) 


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Monday's Riddle! Familiar Voices...

Here's the riddle for all of you puzzle solvers out there! Can you guess the theme this week? Listen to these familiar voices to get a clue : ) ~ F

I stalk through the house without a care. I stare you down, then puff up my hair. I am the king of the manor, and I flaunt that around. I sleep in a bed, not on the ground. I eat from a dish that only serves fish, and I climb on top of whatever I wish. I like to complain when dinner is late, and my servants are punished by my nonchalant state. I am smug and revered in this tidy home. The chump that lives with me gets only a bone.



I am the chump that gets the bone, and I mess up the house when left all alone. I can play outside and get snacks when I want- all it takes is a tilt or some silly stunt. I'm not as lofty as my uppity partner, but just as smart- if not smarter! For, it is I who can run outside of the house, while he's left inside entertaining a mouse. So, laugh all you want, chump I may be- Hey! there's a squirrel in that tree!

Who are they? 

I gave you a hint ; )FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The DMS Wants to Know!

This week has been quite an education! Monday's Riddle opened up the subject of teachers, and Lizzy transported us back into the classroom with her review of the middle grade novel, Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea. On Top of the Heap , we enjoyed sharing our thoughts about a couple of teachers who we felt deserved to be mentioned. And Friday, Sarah Weeks, author of the delicious novel PIE stopped by to tell us a little more about her story. Plus, the Last Days of Freedom Book Giveaway Hop will be running until Wednesday, August 22nd. We are giving away some great middle grade titles, so be sure to check it out. Today, we want to hear your thoughts about teachers and how they have impacted your life!

The DMS wants to know: Who do you think is a truly great teacher? What lessons did they teach you?

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


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Author Interview with Sarah Weeks

The DMS was lucky enough to interview  Sarah Weeks , author of the middle grade novel  PIE.  Lizzy recently reviewed this delicious 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 adieu... take it away, Sarah! 





What inspired you to write Pie?


The inspiration for PIE was twofold. I have always loved baking, and thought it would be fun to write about a baker, and I also wanted to write something about writing. The dedication of the book sums up my feelings pretty well: “To my faithful readers, because a book is like a pie.  The only thing more satisfying than cooking up the story is knowing that somebody might be out there eating it up with a spoon.” I grew up in the midwest, and my mother was a home ec major in college. We did a lot of sewing and cooking at my house.


How long did it take you to write Pie?
Start to finish I think it took about two years. I probably did four complete drafts of the book, and then a whole lot of tweaking. I don’t tend to outline my books, because it makes me feel penned in. I want the story to lead me somewhere, rather than deciding beforehand where I’m going to go with it. The downside of that is that it sometimes takes me a very long time to figure out what I’m trying to say. It wasn’t until I was close to finished with PIE that I realized what a major theme gratitude would play in the story.

What are some of your favorite books from childhood? Were there any specific authors who inspired you?
As a little, little girl I loved to be read to. My dad read to my sister every night, and my mom read to me. Big favorites were Harry the Dirty Dog , The Lovely Summer, and Charlotte’s Web . Later, I became an avid reader. I loved Nancy Drew , the Little House books, Freddy the Pig , My Side of the Mountain just to name a few. When I was in Junior High, which is what we called Middle School, I fell in love with books like To Kill a Mockingbird , and Lord of the Flies . That was right around the time I was first thinking about being a writer. I was never much of a fantasy buff, and I’m still not, which is why I’m surprised that one of the ideas I have been kicking around lately is kind of a sci-fi thing. Should be interesting.
Where did you come up with the characters Polly and Alice?

Some people believe that we are every character in our dreams, and every character in the books we write. Parts of Polly are based on my mother, and parts are based on me. Alice is a lot like me – feisty and interested in songwriting, but so is Nora Needleman, who’s kind of a brat. Charlie Erdling is the boy I would have had a crush on when I was Alice’s age. He’s a sweetie.


If you could befriend a character from any of your books, who would you befriend? Why?
Gosh, that’s a hard question.  I tend to like all of my characters, or most of them anyway. Bernie, from So B. It is someone I think would be interesting to spend time with, and like I said, I’m kind of sweet on Charlie Erdling. If I could spend an afternoon in the pie shop with Polly and Alice, that would be pretty cool. I guess this is a longwinded round about way of saying that I feel I befriend every character I write.  It’s part of bringing them to life and making them feel real. I explore their personalities, and their hearts and I seek out what’s good about them and forgive them for the ways in which they’re flawed.
Where do you like to write? Do you listen to music while you are writing?
No music. I like it to be really quiet. Even a drippy faucet, or a whiney neighbor can drive me crazy. Sometimes I write at my desk, sometimes I write with my laptop in my lap, sometimes I flop on the bed and write that way. I can’t write in public places, like coffee shops or libraries because I get distracted people watching. The most fruitful time of day for me is first thing in the morning. I get up around 5:30 and it’s SO peaceful. Sometimes I write all day, sometimes just for a few hours, when I’m really on a roll I don’t pay any attention to the time at all. That’s one of the best feelings in the world.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?
I actually love where I live. I have a house in the woods in the Catskills where I spend my summers. There’s a swimming pond, and a gazillion trees and the dog can run loose – though not quite as freely since she got quilled by a porcupine. The rest of the year, I live in the top half of an old Victorian house in Nyack. I love to have my family around – my fiancée Jim and my sons Nat and Gabe. I do a lot of traveling during the school year, visiting schools and speaking at conferences. I’m met some wonderful people and have been to some beautiful places, but my favorite place to be is H O M E.
We have to ask... What is your favorite pie to make? Favorite to eat?
I like making apple pies. I love the smell of the spices, and the way the crust looks when you lay it over the mound of cut up apples. In terms of my favorite kind of pie to eat, it’s easier to tell you what kind of pie I DON’T eat. Banana cream and pecan. Ugh.
Where can we purchase your books?
On my website there is a BOOKS page with links to places to purchase my books.  I am a HUGE fan of independent bookstores, so that’s the first place I always people.

Amazon ☞ Barnes and Noble 


Sarah Weeks & Stephanie Robinson We were able to chat with Sarah Weeks at the 2011 Connecticut Book Fair . It was great to meet her in person, and listening to her stories about all of the kids that she's met in her travels was fascinating!

Connect with Sarah Weeks!
Author Website ☞ Blog ☟



Read the reviews!


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Last Days of Freedom Book Giveaway Hop!

Thanks to I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and The Elliot Review  for hosting the Last Days of Freedom Book Giveaway Hop.  Fairday's Blog!  is featuring a fabulous prize pack, including: a new paperback edition of The Sisters Grimm by Michael Buckley , a new paperback edition of The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davis , and a signed, hardcover edition of The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow by J. Haight & S. Robinson .

The Last Days of Freedom Book Giveaway Hop will run from August 17th- August 22nd - so, join in the fun! This is a great hop, and there are lots of wonderful blogs participating, giving away all sorts of great books and other fabulous prizes. Be sure to visit the hopping blogs! ( click here for the list ) 

Enter to win:1) Follow Fairday's Blog!
2) Leave a comment: What do you have planned for your last days of summer freedom?
3) Fill out the Rafflecopter form below
The Sisters Grimm by Michael BuckleyThe Fairy Tale Detectives begins with two sisters, Sabrina and Daphne, moving in with their long, lost grandmother, Relda Grimm. Their grandmother has always been a bit of a mystery to them and they aren’t moving in with her under the best of terms. Their parents are missing and now Sabrina and Daphne are in upstate New York eating green meatballs... Read the rest !



Evan and Jessie Treski have always gotten along pretty well for siblings who are only a year apart. They understand each other and appreciate their differences. When Jessie finds out she is going to skip a grade and will now be not only in Evan’s grade, but also in his class things change. Evan is angry about the latest developments, especially because it points out how smart his sister is and makes him feel inferior. With one week to go until school starts they decide to have a contest to see who can sell the most lemonade... Read the rest !







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 online
Read the reviews for The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow




Thanks for popping by! 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. I enjoy doing this post because I love the google hunt for the perfect image to accompany the topic of discussion.

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! We'd love to hear yours!

Book Review Index
Submission Guidelines for a Review/Interview on Fairday's Blog! 





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FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Top of the Heap!

"A great teacher leads without having to prove it. " 

Monday's Riddle sparked the topic of education, opening up our theme of teachers this week. Lizzy reviewed Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea, which tells the story of an incredible teacher and his unique class. Friday, we will be hosting an interview with, Sarah Weeks, author of the delicious middle grade novel, Pie . It will be great to learn a little bit more about the story behind her story, so be sure to check back!

Teachers play such an important role in our lives- whether we consider them to be good, bad, or great. There are some teachers that I can remember not liking very much, and then looking back and realizing how much they actually taught me- though it may have not been the lesson that they were intending. Today, we want to shout out to a couple of incredible teachers, who changed the course of their students lives.

This week's top of the heap: Great teachers! 

Fairday: I think Professor McGonagall from the Harry Potter series is a great teacher. She is stern, but fair- and funny at times. Right away, Harry and Ron can tell that she is strict, but also that she is an ally. Minerva McGonagall can whip a class into shape, teach a fascinating lesson- I would absolutely be over the moon to take her transfiguration class- and set her students on the path to their goals. One of my favorite scenes is in The Order of the Phoenix , when she sits down with Harry to discuss his future career as an Auror. Umbridge is just brutal about Harry's decision to pursue this path, and she puts up block after block to try to thwart his dream, proclaiming that he will never work for the Ministry. I always get the chills when I read this part: 
Professor Umbridge stood up. She was so short that this did not make a great deal of difference, but her fussy, simpering demeanor had given place to a hard fury that made her broad, flabby face look oddly sinister.      "Potter has no chance whatsoever of becoming an Auror!"     Professor McGonagall got to her feet too, and in her case this was a much more impressive move. She towered over Professor Umbridge.     "Potter," she said in ringing tones, "I will assist you to become an Auror if it is the last thing I do! If I have to coach you nightly I will make sure you achieve the required results!"
So, here's to Professor McGonagall and her constant dedication to her students, no matter what the obstacle- and I seriously cannot even think of a bigger or more obnoxious obstacle than Professor Umbridge! ~ F
Helen Keller & Anne Sullivan 1898 Lizzy: There are so many amazing teachers in the world. Even making a difference in the life of one student will have far reaching consequences. One of the teachers that I am most impressed with is Anne Sullivan, Helen Keller's teacher. Anne didn't have an easy life. Her parents died when she was young and she had nowhere to go. Going blind certainly didn't make things easier. When she went to be the governess for Helen Keller, life changed. Working with Helen was extremely challenging. Helen had been born with sight, but then went blind at the age of two and also became closed off to the world. Through determination and unique teaching techniques, Anne helped bring the outside world to Helen and did whatever she could to help her learn. I loved hearing about how she spelled w-a-t-e-r on one of Helen's palms while she poured water on the other to help her with the association. Anne tried approaches that didn't work, but she wouldn't stop. Instead she would alter her teaching style. Taking little steps, she helped Helen to learn more words and eventually go on to graduate from college. Helen Keller was a scholar, public speaker, and author. The two kept up a friendship throughout their lives. Not only did Anne Sullivan help Helen Keller to experience the world around her and develop her voice, she is an inspiration to teachers everywhere.
Helen Keller and Mark Twain in 1903
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED