Jessica Haight's Blog, page 155

Monday's Riddle! A Common Bond...

Conversation in the Sun by Heidi Malott

Happy Monday all of you puzzle solvers out there! Get ready for some laughs this week. Lizzy and I have some really great stories to share about you.☺

Can you guess the theme?





Even apart, we're together; connected by a common tether. What's mine is yours, and what's yours is mine, even when it's so not fine. Told to share and get along, but we will fight in silence all day long. At times you're a pest, and so am I, but we challenge the other when we meet eye to eye. From the same brew, our bond rings true- it's always fun to be me when I'm with you. 


Who is you? :) 

I already gave you a clue!



FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The DMS Wants to Know!

Have you ever purchased something just because you thought it might have magical powers? This week, Monday's Riddle unmasked the discussion of all of the wondrous items of interest that pop up in the stories we love to read. Lizzy told us all about a page in a Grimm collection held in the New York Circulating Material Repository in her review of The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman . We shared with you the magical items we would like to try out on Top of the Heap. Kenechi Udogo , author of the new middle grade novel, The Other Slipper , came by to tell us a little more about the story behind her unique twist on the classic fairy tale, Cinderella. The Freedom to Read Giveaway Hop is also happening, so check it out and enter to win a signed, hardcover edition of The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow - and, if you enjoy magical objects, you are in for a real treat with this story! So, relax, close your eyes, and think about it...


The DMS wants to know:
If you could possess a magical item, what would it be? 




We told you ours. Let's hear yours!


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Author Interview with Kenechi Udogu

The DMS was lucky enough to interview  Kenechi Udogu , author of the middle grade novel The Other Slipper. Lizzy recently reviewed this twist on a classic fairy tale and It was fun 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, Kenechi! 


What inspired you to write The Other Slipper?


A few years ago I misread a café sign that said “The Other Side” for “The Other Slipper”. This got me wondering about Cinderella’s other slipper – the one the Prince didn’t pick up from the steps. What happened to it on that night? Did she take it home or lose it as well? As I didn’t know what the answer was, I decided to make up a story about it on my commute home. In my story, someone else found the slipper, which had its own spell and adventure wrapped around it. I was hooked on the idea. Of course, when I got home I realized that Cinderella kept the other slipper and used it to prove to the Prince that she was who she was.
How long did it take you to write The Other Slipper?

It took just over a year to complete the first draft, but that’s mostly because I work full time at my day job. The only opportunity I get to write is at night and weekends so most of my novels take pretty long to finish.
What are some of your favorite books from childhood? Were there any specific authors who inspired you?
I read a lot of books as a child but I have fond memories of Enid Blyton characters. She had a brilliant imagination – Famous Five, Malory Towers , The Magic Faraway Tree. Then as I got a little older, I graduated to high school romances like the Sweet Valley High Series , before plunging into slightly darker realms in Steven King’s world.
Where did you come up with the character, Jo?

Once I knew what I wanted to write about, I pictured the protagonist as a strong willed, sometimes obstinate but well meaning girl. I didn’t want her to be too vulnerable even though her mission would expose her to a lot of danger. Some readers seem to think Jo is a little too stubborn, but I reckon if I was forced into going on the same mission at her age (and with her limited exposure to the world), I would be equally suspicious of everyone I met. Her stubbornness worked out all right for her in the end.   

If you could befriend a character from any of your books, who would you befriend? Why?
I’m particularly fond of Locke from The Other Slipper and Mel from The Altercation of Vira. They both defy all logic to help their friends/companions. Mel literally crossed realms for someone he loved and Locke put himself in danger to protect two strangers. I’d love to have people like that looking out for me.
What is your favorite song?

I’m a bit of a music nut so it’s impossible to answer this because I’d say the first really good song that pops into my mind then realize it’s not actually my favorite song when I remember another great tune. It’ll probably be a rock song...Hmmm, can I pass on this one?


If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?

I really, really, really dislike cold weather so it would have to be somewhere hot and dry – preferably somewhere with room service.   
Where can we purchase your books ?


Lots of places. All my books are available as e-books at:

☞ Smashwords ☞  Barnes and Noble  ☞  Amazon.com  ☞ itunes ☞ Kobo ☟

Connect with this author on Facebook 


Read the reviews!  




Who else was at Prince Charming's Ball?

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Freedom to Read Giveaway Hop!

Thanks to I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and  Katie & Mundie Moms  for hosting the  Freedom to Read Hop .  Fairday's Blog!  is featuring a fun giveaway prize pack, including: a signed, hardcover edition of The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow by J. Haight & S. Robinson and a $10 Gift Card to  Amazon.com .




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 : ) 






The Freedom to Read Hop will run from June 29th- July 5th - 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: Where is your favorite place to cozy up with a book?
3) Fill out the Rafflecopter form below 





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

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! 



a Rafflecopter giveaway
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Top of the Heap!

Monday's riddle unveiled the theme this week, opening up the topic of magical items of interest. Lizzy told us all about a certain adventurous page in The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman . And today, we are very excited to give a shout out to our top picks for magical items from stories we love to read! 
This week's top of the heap: Best magical items 
Fairday: Oh my, there are just so many! I have given it quite a bit of thought, and it turns out that the one magical thing I would be completely thrilled to possess would be the seeing stone from The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Toni DeTerlizzi. I find rocks in general to carry a certain earthy mystique and I sort of collect them. I don't really know much about them scientifically, just the regular stuff, but I love to think about how they make me feel. I wrote one of the riddles about my rose quartz, which I feel is filled with good energy and looks spectacular placed next to a flickering candle. It definitely has a certain mystical element to it. However, if I could use it to see magical creatures strolling around in my backyard, that would be the tops : ) ~ F My fabulous rose quartz Lizzy: The prospect of being allowed to borrow (or own) a magical item from any story is so tempting. Of course, as I have learned from the tales I have read- it is important to pick wisely. Especially considering the types of magic out there! After much consideration, the item that I would want to try is the invisibility cloak from  Harry Potter. It would be so much fun to be undercover! I can think of all kinds of uses for the cloak, and it would certainly help me with solving mysteries. Even better is the fact that I can fit a friend or two under it with me. The cloak could be used to hide items too! Such possibilities! One thing is for sure- I would have to sneak up on my brother or Fairday just for a laugh :) ~ L


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Would You Dare to Borrow From the Grimm Collection?

Elizabeth has been having trouble making friends at her new school. When she decides to write a report on the history of the Brothers Grimm she finally has something to focus on besides her lack of friends or her evil stepmother. Not only does she do well on the project, but her teacher tells her that he has recommended her for a job as a page at the New York Circulating Material Repository. She has no idea what a page is or what the job involves, but she needs money and she agrees to give it a try. As Elizabeth starts her job, she learns from two of the pages, Marc and Anjali, that she is working at a special lending library where objects are borrowed instead of books. The objects she has to find and help people borrow vary from common items to rare historical objects. The old building is filled with all kinds of twists and turns that Elizabeth knows she will have fun exploring. Making the job even more enticing is what she hears about the special collection in the basement called the Grimm Collection. It is supposedly filled with magical items found in the stories the brothers told, and they can only be accessed by people with special borrowing privileges. Unfortunately, Elizabeth can’t help but become a little nervous when she hears that there have been some strange occurrences at the library. Should she believe what she is hearing about the page that disappeared and the large menacing bird within the stacks? What should Elizabeth do when she discovers that Marc has been secretly borrowing a pair of seven-league boots from the Grimm Collection? After she is told that objects are being stolen from the Grimm Collection, is it time to turn in her new friend? Just who can she trust? Elizabeth will take you on a dangerous ride as she tries to find out what is going on at the New York Circulating Material Repository!

I love fairy tales and was thrilled when I found a copy of The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman at the book fair at school. I was drawn to the cover because it looks magical and whimsical. The tree looks like it holds a lot of secrets! Not only was there suspense and action, but I learned a lot about the Brothers Grimm along the way. I want to learn more about them and where they got their ideas from! Being a page sounds like such a blast! I already visit the library every chance I get, but now I am even more curious about what could be hiding behind some of the walls. I think Elizabeth is someone that I would be friends with because she is kind towards others and will go out of her way to help the people around her. Also, she tries to follow the rules, but is willing to take risks to solve mysteries. I think this book is great for anyone in fifth grade and up because the main characters are in high school and there is a little romance sprinkled in with the fantastical adventure. You won’t want to stop turning the pages and I bet you will be thinking about the objects you would want to borrow from the Grimm Collection.

Has anyone else read The Grimm Legacy? Or have you read another book by Polly Shulman?
Happy Reading! ~LFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Monday's Riddle! And, the Object of Interest is...

Great guessing everyone! It was a tricky riddle- but this week will be really fun. There are just so many of them that I love to think about : ) ~ F

Perhaps ordinary, as some may see. Sometimes a boot or a willow tree; a shoe that flies, a mirror that lies, a cape on your back or a red velvet sack. I am that thing to seek from any good story, bestowing on you either hardship or glory. An object of want, a token of trouble- these things I am, but never a double. 
What am I? Answer: A Magical Object
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Monday's Riddle: Far from Ordinary...

This is a tricky one! Can you guess the theme this week? Good luck : ) ~ F
Perhaps ordinary, as some may see. Sometimes a boot or a willow tree; a shoe that flies, a mirror that lies, a cape on your back or a red velvet sack. I am that thing to seek from any good story, bestowing on you either hardship or glory. An object of want, a token of trouble- these things I am, but never a double. 

What am I? 
I gave you a clue!FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The DMS Wants to Know!

This week, we have been chatting it up about the wonders and magic of gardens. Monday's Riddle sprouted the seeds of our imagination, and we all grew a little with my mom's review of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett . Lizzy and I told you about two of our favorite natural snacks on Top of the Heap. My little sister, Margo, even got involved with her choice of the visually engaging children's book Grandma Says...Dream Green by Nancy-Jo Funaro. And, today, on this lovely (actually sparkling in New England) Saturday, we want to hear from all of you!

The DMS wants to know: What is your favorite thing about nature's amazing bounty?
(ie. gardening, shopping at a local, fresh market, picking flowers, spending time at the beach (for me- eating clams :) etc...)

We told you ours, now let's hear yours! 
Flower Garden by Diana Stevan




FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Margo's Musings: Grandma Says... Dream Green

Grandma Says...Dream Green by Nancy-Jo Funaro is Margo's pick today. She loved the gardening talk around the dinner table all week long and made it very clear that this was the book she wanted me to tell you about. Gardening is a big thing for my family in the summer. We love having fresh produce and beautiful flowers all season long. My grandmother and my mother both have very green thumbs, and Margo is bound to follow in their footsteps- though she has a special preference for all of the interesting bugs that go along with getting down into the dirt. ~ F

This particular children's book also interested me, as I enjoy thinking about colors and textures, and listening to my mom read this story to Margo was fascinating. The brilliant photography that accompanies the poem really creates a visual experience and makes it easy for a child to understand. Margo loved the pumpkins and, for some reason, completely cracked herself up over a picture of a squirrel eating a nut. Now, whenever we see a squirrel, she yells, "give em' a nut!" 

Grandma Says...Dream Green! From a very young age, children are introduced to the color, form, and beauty of our world. This book emphasizes the vision we have for our children through photographs and poems...read more. 
This is the caterpillar Margo and I found in the garden. Isn't he cool! 
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED