Jessica Haight's Blog, page 151

Because of Mr. Terupt

The fifth graders at Snow Hill School are getting ready for the school year to start. This year, they have a brand new teacher named Mr. Terupt. This makes Peter excited because he is looking forward to getting away with all kinds of crazy pranks. Jessica feels a little less worried about her move, knowing she isn’t the only one new to the school. Alexia just hopes Mr. Terupt is cool; she really has so much more to worry about, like becoming friends with the new girl and starting some girl wars. Danielle is happy to see that their teacher is nice and fair. Luke loves to learn and he can’t stand the way Peter causes so much trouble in class, so he is relieved to see that his teacher seems like he will keep the class clown under control. Anna is quiet and has gone for so long without friends that all she really wants is a friend and for her teacher to not make her stand out. Jeffrey just plain hates school and knows this year will be awful. None of the kids in Mr. Terupt’s class have ever had a teacher like him. He is nice, witty, and full of enthusiasm. He doesn’t let kids get away with much, but likes to laugh and reprimand kids in a way that isn’t embarrassing. Best of all, he plans excellent projects and gets the kids in class working and having fun. There are some bumps in the road, but for the most part things seem to be going well, until the accident happens. Will everyone survive? Who is to blame for it? How will everyone change? You won’t want to miss this book, and you will be holding your breath, anxiously waiting to find out how everything turns out. 

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea really touched me and made me think about teachers and the impact they have on their students. Every teacher is a little bit different and they bring out a variety of characteristics in their students. The story is told from multiple perspectives, which adds to the depth of the story and helps to generate a good connection with the kids in the class. When I had the chance to see each situation from a different point of view it made me realize that so often we misjudge something because we think we know what is going on, but are missing important pieces of the puzzle. The story flowed nicely and the pacing was perfect. I liked their teacher Mr. Terupt, and I know it would be a blast to be in his class. I would certainly recommend this book to kids in fourth through eighth grade. Even better- a sequel is coming out soon. I can’t wait! This is a book that should not be missed! 
Has anyone else read Because of Mr. Terupt?  Or read another book by Rob Buyea?
Happy Reading!
~LFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Monday's Riddle! A Lesson to Learn...

Great guessing everyone! Yes, this week we will be on the subject of teachers, showing them some much deserved appreciation before the bell rings on the summer : ) ~ F

At my cue, the chatter stops. Eyes look forward as I set my props. Ideas unwind as we explore some clue- listen and talk, discuss something new. The day flies by as we whip through the chapter; space age science or the bones of a raptor. There's so much to do and almost no time, but when I manage it well, those faces will shine. Their heads will be full of the whole of the world, the lost and the found, the dramatic unfurl- I am the one who will lead the way, should they ever settle down at some point today. 

Who am I ? Answer: A Teacher ♥FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Monday's Riddle! A Day In the Life...

Here's this week's riddle! Good luck everyone! Can you guess the theme this week? Let's just say, it's going to be quite the education ; ) ~ F

At my cue, the chatter stops. Eyes look forward as I set my props. Ideas unwind as we explore some clue- listen and talk, discuss something new. The day flies by as we whip through the chapter; space age science or the bones of a raptor. There's so much to do and almost no time, but when I manage it well, those faces will shine. Their heads will be full of the whole of the world, the lost and the found, the dramatic unfurl- I am the one who will lead the way, should they ever settle down at some point today. 

Who am I ?  

I gave you a clue!


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Be Inspired Meme! Here's the Story...

Thanks to Claudine from Carry Us Off Books for tagging us in a fun Meme about The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow . This week, we have been on the topic of other people's stories, so it is fun to share a little about our book with you. Here's a bit of the story behind our story. ~ Jess & Stephanie

Preview the Book!

What is the name of your book?

The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow
Where did your idea for the book come from?
Jess: The story originated in a creepy house when I was just a kid. It all began at my grandparents’ house in Ridgefield, CT. Even my dad will swear that when we were in the house, you could hear someone walking around upstairs when everyone that was supposed to be there was downstairs. My grandfather used to tell me that it was Ruby Begonia in her high-heeled sneakers. I can remember sneaking around the house, trying to catch a glimpse of her. My own imagination glammed up the shoes and developed the story around her. Initially, I wrote a rhyming children’s poem entitled, Ruby Begonia and the High-Heeled Sneakers. That story continued to evolve, and I decided to turn it into a chapter book. I asked my best friend and book buddy, Stephanie, to co-author it with me, and the rest is history!
Stephanie: After Jess asked me to work with her on changing her poem into a story the ideas began emerging from all over the place. We would meet, talk, brainstorm, and dissect each other’s ideas. Each time one of us shared something we would spark new ideas in the other person. Some of the elements of Fairday’s story have appeared in my dreams and others that have happened in my everyday life. For a short period of time I lived in a house that dated back to the 1700s. It was a house filled with mystery, hidden passages, and local lore. It wasn’t just like the Begonia House, but it did give me a lot to think about and got my mind whirring!
In what genre would you classify your book?
This is tricky- it could fall under mystery or fantasy. 
Stephanie Robinson If you had to pick actors to play your characters in a movie rendition of your book, who would you choose?
This is a tough question! Possibly Susan Sarandon as Ruby Begonia : ) 
Give us a one-sentence synopsis of your book.
Fairday Morrow and the Detective Mystery Squad piece together odd clues that they find in a spooky, old manor known as the Begonia House.

Is your book already published/ represented?
Our book isn’t published yet. We decided to pursue the traditional route for publishing The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow. Although we both love writing, we work other jobs to pay our bills. We understand that self-publishing and marketing for yourself is a full-time job and, at the moment, we don’t feel we have the time to devote to publishing ourselves. We are lucky enough to be working with a wonderful agent, Rachael Dugas from Talcott Notch Literary and hopefully we will find an editor to publish our book. We are keeping our fingers crossed!
How long did it take you to write your book?
It took us about 9 months to write the book, and we spent time editing along the way. Before the book was completed, parts of it were read to two 5th grade classrooms and they provided feedback which we used to make changes to the story. Once the book was done we spent more time revising.  We have probably edited and revised the story over 100 times to get to the version we are at now.
What other books within your genre would you compare it to? Or, readers of which books would enjoy yours?
The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrrow is Coraline meets Nancy Drew. Kids that like a story with fantasy elements and mystery intertwined will enjoy our book.  Other books to compare it to would be The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DeTerlizzi and The Books of Elsewhere by Jacqueline West.
Jessica Haight Which authors inspired you to write this book?
Jess: I loved the Ramona series by Beverly Cleary- and Ellen Tibets was one of my absolute favorite stories. I also really enjoyed fairy tales, preferably Grimms. And, oddly enough, books about space and astronomy.
Stephanie: I started out in first grade as a struggling reader. I couldn’t wait to read, and once I got the hang of it I couldn’t get enough! I devoured books growing up and would find an author I liked and read everything I could by them. The authors that stand out the most to me are Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, and Roald Dahl. I loved fairy tales and Shel Silverstein poems. I read every Nancy Drew book and the Little House series. I wanted to be Nancy and Half-Pint!
Tell us anything that may pique our interest in your book:



FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The DMS Wants to Know!

This week has been a journey into the most interesting stories of them all- our own. Monday's Riddle was a sign post to our inner consciousness, that silent place where we listen to ourselves think. The inspirational story of Hana's Suitcase by Karen Levine reenforced how inevitably connected we all are, and how learning about each other leads to a higher understanding of us all- even when the key is something as ordinary as a young girl's empty suitcase. On Top of the Heap we shared our thoughts about life lessons that have had an impact on us through listening to the extraordinary experiences of other people. And Friday, we learned a little bit more about Michelle Isenhoff, author of the middle grade novel Beneath the Slashings. Today, we want to hear from you! 
The DMS wants to know: What's the story in your suitcase? What are some of life's lessons that have had an impact on who you are? 
We told you ours, now let's hear yours!FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Author Interview with Michelle Isenhoff

The DMS was lucky enough to interview  Michelle Isenhoff , author of the middle grade novel Beneath the Slashings, the third book in The Divided Decade Trilogy. Lizzy recently reviewed this historically engaging novel, 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, Michelle! 


What inspired you to write Beneath the Slashings?


It all began with a family vacation, actually. When my husband and I planned a trip to Gettysburg, I did a lot of research on the Civil War before leaving. My book, The Candle Star, was inspired by a true story I came across of a Detroit man who hid runaway slaves in his barn while housing slave catchers in his hotel during the years just prior to the war. Being a teacher, I soon realized that one story barely scratched the surface of this era, so I expanded it into a trilogy of stand-alone stories that explore three different aspects of the Civil War.  The second book, Broken Ladders, takes place on an unmanned northern farm in the middle of the war. Beneath the Slashings is the final installment, set in one of the many lumber camps that cropped up just after the war to aid in the nation’s rebuilding.

How long did it take you to write Beneath the Slashings?
Two years.  I did nearly all of the research in three months or so, immediately after finishing book two.  Then I wrote the first fifty pages and got stuck, stuck, stuck. I was simply burned out on the trilogy.  During the remainder of that year, I started (and finished!) a different, unrelated novel. Coming fresh to Slashings more than a year later, I rewrote all fifty pages and cruised to the end during the next six months. Wrapping up the series was a great feeling!
Are any of your characters based on people you know?
Not “based on,” no, but I include elements of my friends and family in my characters all the time.  I’ve found it’s much more freeing and less offensive to keep my characters unidentifiable. However, I always discover a whole lot of myself in my main characters. In this case, I wanted to avoid that. I wanted a character very unlike me. That was a challenge! I had to continually ask myself what Grace would do, not what I would do. In the end, I still identified some of my own traits in her, such as her love of books and a strong attachment to family.
What are some of your favorite books from childhood? Were there any specific authors who inspired you?
Oh, I could go on and on!  Just a few childhood favorites would include anything by Beverly Cleary , the Black Stallion series by Walter Farley , and Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books. I also distinctly remember reading Bambi in fourth grade and being shocked that I liked it more than the movie. Teen and adult favorites would include Avi , particularly his True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, the All Creatures series by James Heriot , anything by Gary D. Schmidt , Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings , and the  Harry Potter books .
If you could live during any time period in history, when would it be? Why?
I get lost in any historical research I do and find myself wishing I could visit, but I think my favorite era would have been Colonial and early America, the days of homesteading and pushing west from the populated Atlantic coast. I’m drawn to the simplicity of life back then, the self-reliance. I know the work was hard, the medical care non-existent, the mortality rates high, but I could have taken a shine to living off my own land and doing without all of today’s media.
If you could befriend a character from any of your books, who would you befriend? Why?
I think I’d like to get to know Malachi, the young black boy in The Candle Star. He was a surprise, sort of stole the show away from Emily, my main character. I admire his determination, his confidence, his convictions. He’s exactly the sort of person who would make a great friend, the sort of friend Emily needed.
It would be entertaining to meet old Mrs. Parsons, too, from The Quill Pen, but I’m not sure I’d actually like her. 
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?
I’m happy right where I’m at, but I could be convinced to accept a cabin somewhere in the Appalachian mountains, or perhaps in the Yellowstone River Valley—but then I’d probably need a plane, too.

Where can we purchase your books?
My books are available in digital and paperback editions and can be found on Amazon and on Smashwords . But probably the easiest way to locate them is them is to visit the “books” page of either my blog or my website. Clicking on any cover image will give you all the information you need, including a variety of “where to find it” links.

Author Website ☞ Blog ☞  Facebook ☞ Twitter ☟





    Read the Reviews! 

** Copies of Beneath the Slashings will be on sale for .99 ¢ for the month of August! Check out the blog tour! **

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Top of the Heap!

We are all a grand collection of life, yet to be revealed.
Monday's Riddle  shined the light on our conscious awareness, pointing us to our own true stories. Fairday reviewed Hana's Suitcase by Karen Levine , which told the tale of a young girl from Czechoslovakia, who was lost to the world, and then brought back to life again by a group of people looking into her empty suitcase. Friday, we will be hosting an interview with Michelle Isenhoff , author of the middle grade historical fiction novel, Beneath the Slashings . It will be great to learn a little more about her story, so be sure to check back!

It's hard not to see the common thread of life's lessons. They are forever revealed along our collective timeline. We thought it would be interesting to point out a little history that has taught us something that impacts our own lives. Lessons that need no definition, they are actually an agreed upon feeling that every person can understand.

This week's top of the heap: Great connections that lead to life's lessons : ) 


Fairday: I think we can all agree that it's nice to be free, and so I have to go with a life lesson reinforced by the famous ship, La Amistad. Just like Hana's suitcase, the Freedom Schooner Amistad is a replica of the original, built to remind us of the atrocities of slavery. We can all relate to why the slaves overthrew their captors and demanded to be set free. Who wouldn't? How can you ever own a person? A human being is no thing. Today, the message of freedom continues to spread around the world, enriching our minds and setting our paths in order. Being myself is inevitable, and life is free- shouldn't we all be? ~ F




Lizzy: I have been thinking about this for a while now, and it's been very interesting to see where my thoughts have taken me. One lesson everyone can agree upon is how important it is to be safe. The story of the Titanic reinforces this message, and today people are more aware of collective measures to protect themselves in a positive way. Through the objects left behind, and the stories from the people who survived the tragedy, the scene of that fateful event is clear. Once we learn about each other, our humanness comes more clearly into focus. For me, it's tremendously hard to imagine that there weren't enough life boats on board just because it didn't look appealing, and that some people, because of their class status, weren't  allowed to try to save themselves. Today, ships are safer- people are safer, and that is commonly accepted because it just makes sense. The media spreads the news, bringing an understanding of why events happen, how they affect us, and what we can do to make life better for everyone- because, inside, we are all the same, and life is precious- regardless of ascetics. ~ L  



FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

What's the story in Your Suitcase?

Really, it's a very ordinary looking suitcase. A little tattered around the edges, but in good condition. 



It's 1939,  and young Hana Brady from Nove, Mesto Czechoslovakia could never have known that her suitcase would make its way into the life of Fumiko Ishioka, director of the Toyko Holocaust Education Resource Center over sixty years later.

Hana's days are spent with her family, ice skating and playing with her big brother, George. She is very athletic and has lots of friends at her school. Her parents run a local store, and the kids help out with the family business. Life is sane, normal, just fine. Hana's family is Jewish. There are a few other Jewish families around, but not very many. No one ever thought anything of it, including Hana. Then, one day, everything changed. The Nazi movement found its way into her small town and turned her world up-side-down.

In 2000, her suitcase arrives at a Holocaust museum in Japan, empty. Written on the front is just a bit about a person called Hana Brady, who was born May 16, 1931. Printed underneath this information is the word Waisenkind, German for orphan. Fumiko and the children at the museum want to know more about this mysterious, empty baggage. Who was Hana Brady? What was her story? They diligently go to work; contacting everyone and anyone who could tell them more about a girl during World War II named Hana Brady. Fumiko remains patient and positive, digging through the vast chasm of endless names of people who passed through the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps. In a moment of luck, Fumiko finds a clue that will lead her closer to Hana's small voice, which has been lost for so long among the shadows.

Hana's Suitcase by Karen Levine is a wonderfully inspirational book. I found it interesting how Hana's story was told through the landmarks that she touched in her life. I would recommend this book to all readers- it will make you think about how amazingly connected we all are, and how each of us carries our own hidden story, packed away in an empty suitcase, tagged with a label.

Happy Reading! ~ FFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Monday's Riddle: Tell Me, It's You.

This week's riddle was a tricky one! Great job guessing everyone! For the next few days, we will be chatting about each other's life stories, and the person on the inside who remembers them all. Lizzy and I were able to get together over the weekend, and my mom snapped this shot of us talking about the book that became the inspiration for our theme. She recommended it, so she wanted to get a picture of us discussing it : ) We are excited to tell you about this timeless tale of a lost girl whose legacy was found inside an empty suitcase. Lizzy and I talked about this book for quite a while, and then we ended up on the subject of our own stories; asking ourselves, just who do we think we are? It's fascinating when you get in touch with the silent you on the inside, the one who is always listening to what you think. After all, you are the space in which your life unfolds, and the only person who can truly know your story is you!  ~ F
You are a timeless future and past, born into a life where no thing can last. Given a name, then set on your feet, you silently watch yourself walk down the street. Then, there are others who pass by your road, they also watch your tale unfold. Connected are we, that share this wide place. Our lives live on through humanities face. What's in a world made of circles and scenes? Is there some point at the top of this wondrous dream? What landmarks are there to set us straight, and lead us to love rather than hate? We've said it before, what's written is read- when you share your world, you open your head. 


Who are you? Answer: Your Conscious Self  FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Monday's Riddle! Given a Landmark...

Time again for Monday's Riddle. A bit cryptic- but I know you guys love a challenge. Can you guess the theme this week... I'm listening ; ) ~ F


You are a timeless future and past, born into a life where no thing can last. Given a name, then set on your feet, you silently watch yourself walk down the street. Then, there are others who pass by your road, they also watch your tale unfold. Connected are we, that share this wide place. Our lives live on through humanities face. What's in a world made of circles and scenes? Is there some point at the top of this wondrous dream? What landmarks are there to set us straight, and lead us to love rather than hate? We've said it before, what's written is read- when you share your world, you open your head. 

Who are you? 

I dropped a few hints...


My Diary 
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED