Jessica Haight's Blog, page 156

Top of the Heap!

We are coloring our imaginations with nature's magical seeds!  Monday's Riddle sprung forth the topic of gardens, and my mom, Pru, who is the zen master of gardening, was our guest reviewer. She had a wonderful time telling us all about her favorite book, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. And, today, we're keeping it growing, enjoying the simple and sunny!

This weeks top of the Heap: A shout out to fabulous garden bounty!


Fairday: The strawberry has always been a favorite of mine and here's why...

This is my dad's amazing concoction
Simply Sumptuous Strawberry Shortcake:


Find a bowl of some sort and walk out to Pru's gardenTry not to eat all of the fresh strawberries before getting back to the kitchen Marvel at the delectability of the red berries while rinsing them in the sinkThinly slice the juicy berries and then sprinkle on a little sugar Let them sit and soak in the love ♥Have bowl ready with a sliced shortcake biscuit, split in 1/2Pour a little drizzle of milk or cream over the dry biscuitSpoon amazing strawberry goop onto the soggy biscuit bottomAdd one scoop of all natural vanilla bean ice creamSpoon on some more awesome strawberry goopPut the top of the biscuit back onFinish with a dollop of whipped creamServe to smiling faces : ) **Delicious Shortcake Recipe by Patrick Morrow **Fabulous Summer Strawberries by Pru Morrow
It seriously doesn't get better than this! Thanks to my awesome parents for whipping up such summer fun! What's not to like about the strawberry? They are rosy, sweet, beautiful and pretty at the same time, and they grow like crazy when they are happy. Definitely one of life's marvels, and I love, love, love to eat them. Thank you mother nature! ~ F 





Lizzy: When I think of fruits and veggies I can’t help but picture juicy, red tomatoes.  Especially since scientists consider them a fruit, but most people consider them a vegetable! Crazy! Either way, they are my favorite. I love biting into one like it is an apple because, once I break the soft outer skin, the juice squirts into my mouth- never too sweet or too tart, but just perfect. Tomatoes also taste delicious when they are sliced next to mozzarella and basil and then drizzled with olive oil. Grill them, dice them into salsa, or chunk them for salad- there are so many possibilities! The fact that they come in all shapes and sizes makes them a perfect snack. Cherry tomatoes can be eaten in one bite, with or without dip!  Best of all, I can pluck them from my garden where their aroma is just so enticing!  YUM!  ~L



FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

What is the Secret Behind the Vines?

Hello readers of my daughter's blog! I am Fairday's mother, Pru. When she and Lizzy told me that the theme this week was going to be gardens, I just had to be a part of it. I asked her if I could review one of my very favorite stories and she agreed. So, here is my review of the wonderful book The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  ~ Pru Morrow

Mary Lennox has been raised in wealth, catered to by servants, and completely ignored by both her mother and father. When a cholera outbreak kills her parents, she is sent to live with her distant uncle, Archibald Craven. Having been given everything she wants, but no love, Mary is spoiled and obstinate. She hates the manor tucked way out in the Yorkshire moors and is bitter towards the people living in the house, including her strange cousin, Colin, who sits miserably in a wheelchair that he doesn't need. She is told to stay out of the way and keep quiet. The scene seems grim until she befriends a maidservant named Martha Sowerby, who tells her about the late Mrs. Craven and her private rose garden. She explains that Mrs. Craven died of an untimely accident and that Mr. Craven locked the garden up and buried the key. Mary is intrigued. Called out by the song of a robin and a crafty boy named Dickon, she sets out to uncover a lost paradise. Will Mary find Mrs. Craven's secret rose garden? Will the dismal spirit that has hung over the Craven household for so long finally dissipate into the fog?

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a very special story for me. My mother read me this book when I was just about Fairday's age and it has never left my heart. Watching as Mary transforms from an unhappy, sour child into a rosy-cheeked, young girl full of hopes and dreams fills me with tears every time I read the story. I would recommend this book to readers ages 8 and up. I think you will enjoy following along with Mary as her world is changed forever by the magic and mystery of a lady's secret and her beautiful, hidden garden.

Has anyone else read The Secret Garden or any other books by Frances Hodgson Burnett?

Happy reading! ~ P

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Monday's Riddle! Grow with Love!

My mom is an interior designer. But, in her heart, she's an exterior designer. She loves to tend to her garden and maintains a close, personal relationship with each and every flower and vegetable that she plants. I have even heard her chatting with them, speaking with praise and tenderness. Every summer our garden is amazing. She learned this from my grandmother, and it is something I am looking forward to doing myself one day. When I watch her work, it's like watching someone create a masterpiece. She meticulously manages the life within her sanctuary and the rest of us reap the benefits with wonderful produce and beautiful flowers throughout the entire summer. Towards the middle of August, she lets it all go and enjoys the fruits of her labor. Summertime is all about gardens and we're going to be planting the seeds of imagination this week! ~ F

Seeds of magic from under the earth will dance with brilliance from every new birth.  By the hand of a glove, I will grow with love. Tend to me, and give me my needs or I will be taken over by creeping vines and rude weeds. I will bring you flowers and feed you well, even please you with my fragrant smell. I reach for the sun when it's high in the sky. When fall comes to pass, I will say goodbye. But, as the circle turns, I will come again, giving you peace and a moment of zen.

What am I? Answer: A Garden



FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Monday's Riddle! Brilliance in Circles...

Here's Monday's Riddle! Can you guess the theme this week? : ) ~ F


Seeds of magic from under the earth will dance with brilliance from every new birth.  By the hand of a glove, I will grow with love. Tend to me, and give me my needs or I will be taken over by creeping vines and rude weeds. I will bring you flowers and feed you well, even please you with my fragrant smell. I reach for the sun when it's high in the sky. When fall comes to pass, I will say goodbye. But, as the circle turns, I will come again, giving you peace and a moment of zen.


What am I? 

Check back later if you need to get a clue!FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Drawing Contest Winner Announced!

Congratulations to our drawing contest winner, Julia!
Fairday in front of the mirror, Julia 5th grade student
**Drawing Contest Winner** Julia is a 5th grade student from Whitlin Middle School in Massachusetts. Her wonderfully detailed illustration truly captures the scene! Julia has won an author illustrated, hardcover edition of The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow , an authentic DMS notepad, and a bonus $25 gift card to Amazon.com .


We would like to thank all of the young artists who sent in their pictures for participating in this contest, and don't forget to keep an eye out for the next drawing contest... Happy Reading!


Honorable mentions : )

Hallie, 5th grade student James, 5th grade student Grace, 5th grade student Juliana, 5th grade student 
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The DMS Wants to Know!

What a spell-binding week we've had! Monday's riddle brewed up a bubbling cauldron with the topic of great witches from stories. Lizzy cast a spell on us with her review of    The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare , which showed us a more sinister side to swimming in the 1600's. And, on Top of the Heap we told you about our favorite witches. Today, we want to know about the witches that you find to be enchanting! 

The DMS wants to know: 
Which witch is your favorite? 

We told you ours, let's hear yours! FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Author Interview with Kate Klise

The DMS was lucky enough to interview  Kate Klise , author of the middle grade novel 43 Old Cemetery Road: Dying to Meet You. Lizzy recently reviewed this haunted mystery and introduced us to the disgruntled author, I.B. Grumply. 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, Kate! 


What inspired you to write Dying to Meet You (43 Old Cemetery Road, book one)?

I get a lot of ideas for my books from newspapers. Several years ago I read a newspaper article about a young couple in Kansas who bought a house from an elderly couple. The older folks were moving to a retirement home and couldn’t take their dog with them. So in the contract for their house, the old couple stipulated that whoever bought their house would also have to care for the dog. That’s the kind of story I love. I took that idea and substituted an eleven-year-old boy for the dog and added a ghost and a crabby writer.
How long did it take you to write Dying to Meet You?
I try to write my first drafts fast and messy, usually in about 30 or 45 days. I probably wrote Dying to Meet You in a month or so. But then I spent more than a year revising it. I bet I wrote 15 or 20 drafts of it before I was happy with it.

What are some of your favorite books from childhood? Were there any specific authors who inspired you?

I loved all of Roald Dahl’s books, especially Charlie and the Chocolate Factory . I also loved everything by E.B. White .

Where did you come up with the characters Seymour, I. B. Grumply, and Olive?


Sometimes I think every character I create is a different side of me. I can certainly be grumpy like Ignatius B. Grumply. I also like to think I’m young at heart, like Seymour. And I’m definitely sassy like Olive, though she’s a lot smarter than I am.


If you could befriend a character from any of your books, who would you befriend? Why?

Olive, definitely. I think she could give me some good advice about writing and life. She is 190 years old, as you’ll recall.

You write and your sister, Sarah, illustrates.  How do the two of you collaborate on books? 

I usually write several drafts of a manuscript before Sarah sees it. I write in plain old Microsoft Word. When I think the story is in fairly decent shape, I email it to Sarah in California, and she starts sketching the characters. We bounce it back and forth many times before we finish.

Mary Sarah KliseWhat is your favorite song?


“Wichita Lineman” by Jimmy Webb. It breaks my heart every time I hear it.  


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

I love where I live in southern Missouri. I have forty acres out in the middle of nowhere. It’s blissfully quiet. I love traveling just about anywhere, but I think I’m happiest when I’m home, looking at the big night sky in my little Ozark valley.

Where can we purchase your books?
I love independent bookstores and always suggest people start there. But if you can’t find my books at a small bookstore or a bigger bookseller like Barnes and Noble, try Amazon.


Author Website  ☞  Barnes and Noble  ☞  Amazon.com  ☞  Goodreads  ☟







Read the reviews! 






** For all of you YA readers out there, check out Kate’s newest book for you. It’s called In the Bag....



A European vacation. A luggage mix-up. A note from a secret admirer. . .  In the Bag is a smart and stylish story that explores the old-fashioned art of romance in a modern world, where falling in love can be as risky as checking a bag on an international flight. Buckle your seat belt—it's going to be a bumpy vacation! 
"A lively love story . . . (that) will keep readers happily engaged." -Publishers Weekly


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Top of the Heap!

We have been looking forward to this Top of the Heap post all week! We fired up the cauldron on Monday's Riddle , opening up the topic of witches. Lizzy reviewed The Witch of Blackbird Pond , taking us all for a dip in a place where swimming is considered to be somewhat more sinister than we could have ever imagined. And, (drum roll, please : ) we're bringing it home with a shout out to our favorite witches. So grab your broom and let's go!

This weeks top of the heap: Best witches

Fairday: I have to admit, I have been having a hard time choosing. There are so many awesome witches in stories- and I like almost all of them. So after mulling it over for a while and going over my list of fabulous witches: Samantha from Bewitched , Hermonie Granger, (Lizzy's pick is also one of my top witches : ), the white witch from Narnia, the three witches who become the one in Stardust, Being a Romantic in the Realm of Faerie , I can go on and on here- see what I mean. SO... I decided to compose a compilation of my favorite qualities in these crafty ladies and come up with my own witchy character. When I think of a witch, this is who she is in my mind...

Her name is Clementine Moffit and she is a natural witch. She mostly keeps to herself, but does hang out with a couple of other witches that she's known forever. When duty calls, she will wear her fancy, witchy clothes and cloak. But, most of the time, you will find her in jeans and a t-shirt. Her magic is very powerful; she can summon the wind and weather and speak to the animals. She has a broom, but for long distances, travels as a murder of crows. She is kind and likes to help people, but finds it annoying when they condemn her.

She first appeared to me in a story I started to write, and I've been hanging out with her ever since : ) ~ F

Here's a snippet about Clementine Moffit from my story: 

In one fell swoop, the crows lifted from the trees. They began to merge with one another, becoming a mass of swirling black feathers. As the cluster of winged birds moved closer to the ground, a figure began to take shape. The shadowy form of a woman emerged out of the melding murder of crows. The witch landed gracefully near the sleeping child. She was thin and dark, wearing a billowing gray cloak. Her vibrantly yellow eyes had an intensity that could shake even the most powerful of kings. She moved silently towards the boy, and he did not wake. Reaching down with slender arms, she lifted up his small body, then launched herself into the night sky. A thousand crows moved through the air, their wings pounding and rushing madly as they flew over the old graveyard on top of the hill.


Lizzy: There are so many witches out there with different qualities that I love to read about.  But my favorite has to be Mrs. Weasley from the Harry Potter series. I love her spunk and kindheartedness. She stands up for what she believes in and won't let anyone mess with anyone she considers family. Mrs. Weasley may look sweet, but she wields a wand with a lot of force. The scenes in The Deathly Hollows where she duels Bellatrix Lestrange is awesome! Mrs. Weasley is a force to be reckoned with for sure! I would have a blast going to the bungalow for one of her delicious home cooked meals where I could watch her interact with her children and husband, Arthur! You go, Molly Weasley! ~L
"Beds empty! No note! Car gone - could have crashed - out of my mind with worry - did you care? - never, as long as I've lived - you wait until your father gets home..."     -- Molly Weasley


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Is There Really a Witch of Blackbird Pond?

Imagine being on a boat and seeing a mother strike her child for losing her doll over the edge and into the water. Now picture yourself jumping into the water to retrieve that doll for the little girl. You would probably expect cheers and thanks.  Unfortunately for Kit Tyler the year is 1687, and the people who witnessed the rescue start to think that she might be a witch because it is unheard of to know how to swim. Kit is fleeing from her home in Barbados to Connecticut Colony where she plans to live with her aunt and uncle whom she has never met. When Kit shows up on their doorstep unexpectedly it is clear that they are not happy to have her there, but she has nowhere else to turn.  Her new life is much harder than she could have ever imagined! Her aunt, uncle, and cousins are Puritans and they follow their religion strictly. The work is harder than anything Kit has ever done and there are so many rules to follow. These changes, along with the drab colors that surround her, are making her depressed. Finally, an old Quaker woman named Hannah befriends Kit and helps to make life in this strange place a bit easier. Sometimes when she is with Hannah she gets to spend time with Nat, a sailor she met on her journey. Of course, one of the richest and most handsome men in town begins to show quite an interest in Kit, which also helps to make the days a bit more fun. Before long things take a turn for the worse and Kit is forbidden to continue seeing Hannah, who most of the people in town believe is a witch. Will Kit take the risk and continue visiting one of the only people she can relate to in this strange place? Will Hannah be the only one accused of witchcraft? Is there any way that Kit can fit into life in Connecticut Colony? You won’t be able to stop turning the pages so that you can find out sooner how it all works out!

I would definitely recommend The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare to anyone who enjoys historical fiction in grades five and up. This was a quick and interesting read. I found it fascinating to learn about what life was like in New England almost 350 years ago. I used to think it would have been fun to live during colonial times, but this book reminded me of how hard their lives were and how quick people were to accuse others of wrongdoings. I know I would have had a difficult time holding my tongue and it would have been scary to have been labeled a witch and have had to stand trial.  Kit is easy to relate to and you can’t help but hope for the best for her. I would definitely want to be friends with her because of her big heart, easy-going personality, and her desire to help the underdog. I could tell Kit was falling in love as the book progressed, even though she wasn’t sure herself. I was stressed out waiting to find out how it would all end! This book certainly makes history come to life and I hope to visit Wethersfield, Connecticut this summer to learn more!
Has anyone else read The Witch of Blackbird Pond? Or another book by Elizabeth George Speare?

Happy Reading!
~LFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Monday's Riddle! Bubble, Bubble...

Great guesses everyone- and yes, this week we are exploring the mystical world of witches! Lizzy is reviewing a spell-binding book on Wednesday and on Top of the Heap we're pulling all of the brooms out of the closet! ~ F

Delightfully wicked, I'm both good and bad. Unimaginably beautiful or horrid and mad. My powers are great, as surly you'll see, if you sit for a spell and listen to me. Take care while you're near, for I can be clever. I'll stir my brew and thwart your endeavor. But, I can also be gentle and help you along, lifting your spirit with my enchanted song. I add flavor to stories and a mix to the scene- even when I'm tinted a light shade of green.


What am I? Answer: A Witch





"I'll get you, my pretty!"  FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED