Jessica Haight's Blog, page 35

Riddle Answer: Dig Those Bones!

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! This week we're rolling it back to the age of the dinosaur. Tune in Friday to find out how the answer ties into the children's picture book my little sister, Margo , wants me to tell you about. Stay tuned! See you all around the book block. ; ) ~ F

I cluck around, as you can see. Most likely dinner I shall be. I never keep what is mine, you snatch it up every time. If you knew where I came from, to coop me up would not be fun. Once upon history, my relations would have eaten thee. Erect back legs and teeth to bite, they were full of strength and might. I'm not so big anymore; back then I was a dinosaur. 

Fill in the blank: Answer: Dinosaur




Fairday's Riddles: Volume I  Make time to riddle and rhyme!
62 original riddles and illustrations Available in all e-book formats FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Fairday's Riddle: Nostalgic Peeps...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? Evolution is fascinating, and this is a great example of how life changes in time. ; ) ~ F

I cluck around, as you can see. Most likely dinner I shall be. I never keep what is mine, you snatch it up every time. If you knew where I came from, to coop me up would not be fun. Once upon history, my relations would have eaten thee. Erect back legs and teeth to bite, they were full of strength and might. I'm not so big anymore; back then I was a _______. 

Fill in the blank. Stop by Wednesday for the answer.

I gave you a clue!

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Upside-Down Magic!

Nory’s Horrace magic doesn’t seem to work the way she would like it to- it’s wonky. Being able to turn into an animal should be easy, especially the small black kitten she needs to change into for the Big Test at Sage Academy. Every time she tries, she turns into the wrong animal- or rather a combination of animals, like a bat and a cat. Worst of all, she gets lost in the mind of the creature and ends up embarrassing herself. It only makes things harder that her father is the headmaster of the academy. When Nory fails the Big Test she is heartbroken, but when an aunt she doesn’t know comes to take her away, Nory’s heart sinks even more. Her dad doesn’t want her to stay at his house with her wonky magic. Now she won’t get to see her brother and sister. Plus, they won’t even answer her phone calls. At her new school, there’s a class for kids who have upside-down magic. Their magic does the opposite of what it’s supposed to do. The kids in class seem nice, but Nory thinks they are a little strange. She and another student, Elliot, who turns things to ice instead setting them on fire, decide they don’t belong there and devise a plan to get into the “normal” magic classes. Will Elliot and Nory be able to tame their magic? Is it possible to take the test again and get out of the class they're in? Will Nory talk to her family again? Why is her dad so disappointed in her? Read this fast-paced story and find out!  

I had fun reading Upside-Down Magic by Sarah Mlynowski! It was a book filled with unique characters, and I was easily able to read it in one day. I felt bad for Nory and her friends that they had trouble controlling their powers, also that they were often surprised by the outcome of their attempts. I imagine it'd be tough to lose control and have your magic surprise you all the time. It was fascinating to see what happened in the upside-down class. I thought their teacher was nice, and I liked how she pointed out what made them even more important was that their skills were different. Being able to do things that others can’t comes in handy! My favorite part was probably the end, but I don’t want to give anything away. I would recommend this book to kids (and adults) in second grade and up who enjoy stories with magic and characters that have a lot to learn. I know it will be exciting to read the rest of the books in the series!

Has anyone else read Upside-Down Magic?Or have you read another book by Sarah Mlynowski? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading! ~L

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Monday's Riddle: When Is Up Down?

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! This week, we'll flip for Lizzy's review . Tune in Friday to find out how the answer ties into the story. See you all around the book block. ; ) ~ F

If this is that, it's flipped around. Spacey sky now stony ground. When what was seen appears in view it will look completely new. Uncertain in real form, one way or the other depends on the norm.

What am I referring to? Answer: Upside Down!




Fairday's Riddles: Volume I  Make time to riddle and rhyme!

62 original riddles and illustrations
Available in all e-book formats
TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS! ENTER THE BOOK GIVEAWAY FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN 1 OF 5 LIBRARY BOUND COPIES OF THE SECRET FILES OF FAIRDAY MORROW.  VISIT THE POST TO FIND OUT HOW TO WIN FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

It's Good To Be Library Bound!

"The novel builds to an exciting climax that takes magic in stride and suggests that further mysteries await the DMS trio."-Publishers Weekly 

"This paranormal mystery will be of interest to young readers looking for something spooky but not violent or scary."  -Booklist

"[The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow] moves briskly and includes magic, action, and suspense."  -SLJ

The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow
Publish date: 12/1/15
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Illustrator: Roman Muradov
Ages: 9-12
Grade Level: 4-7
Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book
Limited Edition Library Bound

Eleven-year-old Fairday Morrow is less than thrilled that her family is moving thousands of miles from civilization to the quiet country town of Ashpot, Connecticut, where she’s absolutely certain she’ll die of boredom. 
As if leaving Manhattan and her best friend, Lizzy, the only other member of the elite Detective Mystery Squad, weren’t bad enough, Fairday is stuck living in the infamous Begonia House, a creepy old Victorian with dark passageways, a gigantic dead willow tree, and a mysterious past. 
Before she can even unpack, strange music coming from behind a padlocked door leads Fairday up a spiral staircase and into a secret room, where she finds an ancient mirror, a brass key, and a curious portrait of a red-haired lady. 
These seemingly unrelated items prove to be the first in a series of clues that takes Fairday, the visiting Lizzy, and their new squad member, Marcus, on an amazing adventure.

Can the members of the Detective Mystery Squad piece together the puzzle before it’s too late? Or will whatever’s causing trouble find Fairday and her friends first?


“Remember, young lady, you have to think beyond what you know to be real. You have to see with your mind as well as your eyes.” The old man pulled his glasses down to the end of his nose and looked at her. “Be careful, Miss Morrow. Please be very careful.” 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS Jessica Haight & Stephanie Robinson
Jessica Haight and Stephanie Robinson are co-authors of the Fairday Morrow series. They met freshman year of high school in English class, where they discovered they liked the same books. Their friendship grew, and over the years they went on to work as servers together, go to the same college for a short time, and they even became roommates for a while. Many books were discussed, but none were ever written. Now, after the release of their first middle grade novel, The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow, Stephanie and Jess are continuing to build suspense in book 2: Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library. 
If you're interested in engaging readers with tips on crafting stories, host an event with Stephanie and Jess. The authors discuss their journey collaborating on a mystery series in a Google Slides presentation or conduct writing workshops to inspire creative thinking. The workshops focus on using visualization to inspire writing; older students get to be the editor.

Monday's Riddle: Flipped!

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? Another take on perspectives. ; ) ~ F

If this is that, it's flipped around. Spacey sky now stony ground. When what was seen appears in view it will look completely new. Uncertain in real form, one way or the other depends on the norm.

What am I referring to? Stop by Wednesday for the answer!

I gave you a clue!


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Margo's Musings: Can You Spin A Name?

We’ve been doing a fairy tale unit at school and working on writing our own versions. After my teacher read, Frankly, I'd Rather Spin Myself a New Name! The Story of Rumpelstiltskin as Told by Rumpelstiltskin by Jessica Gunderson. I knew I had to share it with my little sister, Margo. I was right, she loved it! 
This book is a twist on the traditional version of Rumpelstiltskin, because it's told from Rumpelstiltskin’s perspective. I know a lot of people feel bad for the maiden who has to spin straw into gold and can’t do it, but I have always felt a little sorry for Rumpelstiltskin, so hearing his take on the tale made me feel justified. As he tells the story, he makes lots of side comments to the reader. These cracked us up as we read.
Margo and I loved this book! The illustrations are bright and colorful. Looking at the character's expressions was our favorite part! Both the maiden and Rumpelstiltskin make some faces that had us is hysterics.
There are lots of books in this series- so I look forward to reading more of them with Margo. Not only are they entertaining, but they help us remember that there are two sides to every story.

Has anyone else read, Frankly, I'd Rather Spin Myself a New Name! The Story of Rumpelstiltskin as Told by Rumpelstiltskin? Or have you read another book by Jessica Gunderson? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
~ FFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Monday's Riddle: Tricky Gold!

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! This week we're turning straw into gold. Margo has a children's picture book to share that will keep you spinning, so stay tuned! See you all around the book block. ; ) ~ F

A child is my desire, hands to clean and stoke the fire. I peer into shadow light and hear a woman's woeful plight. Skip a jig on little legs! I've found a basket with some eggs! She can't do what's she's told, but the king insists he wants his gold. Should she fail, end is near. For a trade, I'll spare her tear.  I'll dance right in and spin the stuff, then take what's mine soon enough. 

Can you guess my name? Answer: Rumpelstiltskin!




Fairday's Riddles: Volume I  Make time to riddle and rhyme!
62 original riddles and illustrations
Available in all e-book formats FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Monday's Riddle: Spinning Tales...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? A tricky character! ~ F

A child is my desire, hands to clean and stoke the fire. I peer into shadow light and hear a woman's woeful plight. Skip a jig on little legs! I've found a basket with some eggs! She can't do what's she's told, but the king insists he wants his gold. Should she fail, end is near. For a trade, I'll spare her tear.  I'll dance right in and spin the stuff, then take what's mine soon enough. 


Can you guess my name? Stop by Wednesday for the answer.

I gave you two clues!

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

What Happens When You Drink the Moon?

“Just because you don't see something doesn't mean it isn't there. Some of the most wonderful things in the world are invisible. Trusting in invisible things makes them more powerful and wondrous.”  ~Kelly Barnhill, The Girl Who Drank the Moon



Every year the Elders of the Protectorate bring a baby to be sacrificed to the witch in the woods. They leave the baby to die in a clearing and the Protectorate is safe for another year. Little do they know that the witch, Xan, is actually kind and doesn’t require or want any sacrifices. She is actually confused when she finds the first baby, but she takes care of it and brings it to a village through the woods. 

There Xan makes sure to find a happy family for the baby. This is repeated year after year, until Xan picked up one of the babies and accidentally lets it drink moonlight. That kind of magic could be tricky for a regular family to deal with and the baby is just so sweet. Xan decides to bring her home to raise her, and names the little one Luna. It is soon clear that Luna has magic that can’t be controlled because she doesn’t understand the way life works yet. Xan does what she has to in order to protect Luna from herself and together they live a happy life at their home in the bog, with their swamp monster, and a very tiny dragon. But in the Protectorate there is someone who has always been haunted by the sacrifices and vows to put an end to the witch. Is there really an evil force preying on the village?  Will Luna ever learn to control her magic? What really happened to all those babies? You’ll have to soak in the pages of this story to find out!

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill is the first book I’ve read by the author, and it won’t be the last! I was curious about it since I first saw it and I’m so glad I didn’t wait any longer. I adored the characters and they each added so much to the story. I was very intrigued by the world that was described- half bog and half woods. The book has a lot of messages for readers, about the things we don’t say, love, acceptance, and doing what is right. This seemed like a modern day fairy tale to me and it is a story that will appeal to readers in fourth grade and up who enjoy magic and books that take place in other worlds. The writing is beautiful. A book filled with all kinds of emotions- it is one that will make you think.




Has anyone else read The Girl Who Drank the Moon? Or have you read another book by Kelly Barnhill? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~ LFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED