Lisa Orchard's Blog - Posts Tagged "tweens"

Hello Everyone! I hope all is well with you! I’m here today to answer some questions from Megan from http://readingawaythedays.blogspot.com/.
The questions that I’m answering today are: What is your first memory of reading as a child? Do you have memories of your parents reading bedtime stories to you? And, do you think it’s important to read bedtime stories to your children?

So here we go!

What is my first memory of reading as a child?

I would have to say it is the first time my mother brought home a Bobbsey Twins mystery for me. I was SO EXCITED! You see, it was the first gift that I can remember getting for no reason and I didn’t have to share it with my brother or sister. It was just for me!  It was also the first chapter book that she had ever bought for me and I was consumed by the story. I kept the bag that it came in and I would get on my bike and ride around the neighborhood with that bag clutched in my hand as I gripped the handlebars. It would sway in the breeze and I felt sooo grown up!  You see, I was pretending to ride my bike to the book store and buy the book on my own.  Yeah, I had a very active imagination (still do!). But from there, more books arrived and I would sneak out of my bed at night and hide in the upstairs bathroom and read by the night light.  The next series that I became interested in were the Trixie Belden series and Nancy Drew series. My life was complete as long as I had a book to read. 

Do you have memories of your parents reading bedtime stories to you?

I don’t have specific memories of them reading to me at bedtime but I’m sure they did, otherwise where would I have developed my love of reading? 

Do you think it’s important to read bedtime stories to your children?

Absolutely! I started reading to both boys when they were babies and they would love to cuddle with me while a read before their nap or bedtime. We’ve made it a habit to read together almost every night. However, it’s changed since they’ve started school and reading on their own. Now, they read to me and it’s so much fun seeing what their interests are and how they’re developing as readers.
I also feel very strongly that reading helps youngsters develop self-esteem and it’s instrumental in helping develop social and analytical skills. And it’s my firm belief that the more a child reads the better he/she will do academically.

So if you have a tween/teen who you'd like to develop an interest in reading. Check out my new Super Spies Mystery/Thriller Series! They'll keep the young reader on her toes! The Amazon links are below! :) Thanks for stopping by!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007...


http://www.amazon.com/Super-Spies-Sch...

Hello Everyone! I hope all is well with you! I’m here today to answer the second question for the Children’s Event that is being hosted by Megan at http://readingawaythedays.blogspot.com/.



So, here’s the question: What was your favorite book as a child and why?


This is a tough question because I don’t remember the title, only the series. I’m sure some of the more mature (wink) authors out there remember the Boxcar Children series?


I loved those books. I would go to the library and check them out and then race home so I could start reading them right away.


Looking back, I realize the reason I liked them so much was because they were stories about four siblings. I could relate to that because I was the oldest of four siblings. Two brothers and a sister just like the Box Car children. I loved their independence and camaraderie!


I loved how they worked together to make a home out of an abandoned boxcar. At that age, I thought it was so cool that they could function without adult supervision. :) I don’t remember the stories now, but I do remember that they always left me with a sense of my own abilities. They filled me with confidence. If the Box Car children could do it, I could too! :)

And I feel that’s what reading should do for kids, fill them with confidence and provide role models for them. :)

So there you have it! :) Thanks for stopping by and reading my post and let’s help support Megan in her quest to encourage children to read. :) Stop by her blog http://readingawaythedays.blogspot.com/ and leave a comment or enter one of her giveaways! :)

Hello Everyone! I hope all is well with you today! I’m still participating in Megan McDade’s Children’s Book Event. You can find it at her blog at http://readingawaythedays.blogspot.com/ . So take a moment and stop by and check out all the giveaways and fun stuff that’s going on over there. :)

The next question that I have to answer is: What was your favorite fairy tale or classic book and why?

Well…the answer to this question is a toss-up between “Cinderella” and “Snow White”. And the reason for this is very simple.

I enjoy stories where the underdog wins. :) In both of these fairy tales I identify with Cinderella and Snow White. Let’s analyze this a little bit. Both women are targeted by stronger females who are in a position of power. In Cinderella, she’s victimized by her evil stepmother, and in Snow White she’s persecuted by the wicked Queen.

I love it that these two innocent victims win in the end. They win by not being manipulative or conniving. I think that’s great! What a great example to set for our children. A person can win by just being themselves! What an awesome message!

So, there you have it. My answer to Megan’s question for this third week in September, so let’s help Megan in her quest to encourage children to read! Stop by her blog and enter one of her giveaways http://readingawaythedays.blogspot.com/

And if you have a tween/teen who you're trying to turn on to reading, check out The Super Spies series! I've been told that teens will turn off the TV to read these books! (wink) :)

Thanks for stopping by!

This is a review from Paperbacks and Frosting! Check it out! It made my day! :)

My review: After reading the first novel in the series I couldn’t wait for more! This book definitely didn’t disappoint. The action kicked in right away and had me on on the edge of my seat through the entire thing. There’s something about the way these books are written that has me biting my nails and feeling nervous for these girls in every situation they get themselves into. I just love the characters in these novels. They have this incredible way of finding their way into extremely dangerous situations, but they do it in such a way that is completely believable. They also each have distinct personalities that I really enjoy reading about. The storyline is very original and it is different from a lot of the books I read and I think that’s part of what made me enjoy this book and the previous one. They’re books that will keep you turning the pages and escaping reality for a couple hours. I read this novel in basically one sitting, I was that hooked! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for action and adventure! I would recommend this to young adults or adults wishing to relive their childhood a little bit while embarking on a literary adventure! I do think the writing has improved from the previous novel and that the action was even greater. This novel is definitely worth the read and I hope so see much more in the future!

Hello Everyone! I hope all is well with you and that you all had a very Merry Christmas. I know I did. I love to see my kids so excited about Santa and Christmas, they are at a fun age and I hope this period lasts for a little while longer. Soon they’ll learn who Santa really is and some of the magic of this holiday will be lost. But hopefully not for a little while yet. :)

As the year winds down and I get ready for the New Year, I’m filled with excitement! I’ve got quite a few projects I’m working on and I’m hoping these projects develop and grow in the direction I’m planning. :)
It’s exciting to start something from scratch and watch it take on a life of its own.

When I think of this New Year, questions come to mind. What do I want to accomplish this year? What kind of changes do I want to make as a parent? How do I want to grow in my writing?

Pondering these questions, I’ve come up with some New Year resolutions and their listed below.

1) I want to experience as much joy as possible. :)

I know everyone probably has this on their list, but the question is…how do you do that? Well…I’ve come up with a plan and I think it will work quite well for me. I’m going to practice letting things go. When something bothers me…I’m going to deal with it…make my peace with it and then let it go. By doing this I’m going to free up time to experience the things that I enjoy. :) It really is this simple…but I know it’s hard to do. This means I’ll have more time to do the things I love, like spending quality time with my family, writing, and hiking in the woods. :)


2) My next resolution is to continue improving my craft and get as many books out as I can! :)

3) I’m going to continue building a positive relationship with my kids and provide them all the tools they’ll need for a happy life. (I’m sure every parent is saying this) :)

4) I’m going to work on maintaining my health by eating right and exercising. :) This might mean I’ll have to cut back on the chocolate…a little…but only a little! :)



So there you have it, my resolutions for the New Year. :) I’m looking forward to 2013! How about you? What resolutions do you have? Take a moment and jot them down! I’d love to hear them!

The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer is a delightful YA mystery which has kept me entranced right from the very beginning. Yes, I know I hardly qualify as the target audience for this novel, but I forget my age when I read books. In many ways, The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer is like Harry Potter without wands.

The descriptions were perfect – not too much, but good enough to form a clear picture. I could see the ugly ‘face’ of the Cat Lady’s house, the willow with its drooping branches and the creek flowing nearby. The action moved smoothly on, increasing in pace again and again. Very good voice and clear narrative make this a clever choice for young readers.

Characterization was brilliant. I could picture Sarah and her younger sister – their voices distinct, despite their closeness – and Jackie, Sarah’s fashion-conscious friend. I’m not aware exactly how the details of their appearance came to settle in my brain, but I feel confident I could sketch them, if I could sketch at all. The ‘baddies’ were well described, too, and Sarah’s aunt and uncle were exactly what one would expect a protective aunt and uncle to be like.

I enjoyed the dialogues – clear, flowing, intelligent, and with a sprinkling of humour. This is the sort of book that would encourage any reluctant teen reader to pick up a book again. It’s engaging and fun. The protagonists don’t always follow the rules – what teen ever does? – but their moral compass is solid, and their intentions are always good. They are role models worth following, clever and resourceful, even when their knees shake in fright.

A delectable YA novel, full of fun and adventure, The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer fully deserves five shiny stars. Loved reading it. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Hello everyone! I hope all is well with you! To celebrate my new release of "The Super Spies and the Pied Piper" I'm having a sale on the first two books in the series! That's right "The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer" and "The Super Spies and the High School Bomber" are on sale for $.99! Below are the covers and blurbs! Check it out!

This book opens in a small town in Michigan where fifteen-year-old Sarah Cole is stuck spending the summer at her Aunt and Uncle’s with her sister, Lacey. She’s not happy with the situation until she befriends a girl named Jackie. The three girls stumble upon the ruthless murder of a reclusive neighborhood woman. One of the officers investigating the crime believes the girls are responsible for her death. Fearing that this officer will frame them for the murder, the girls organize their own detective squad. They become the Super Spies and start their own fact-finding mission. The Super Spies can’t understand why anyone would want to murder the “Cat Lady” until they start digging into her past and discover a horrible crime that happened thirty years ago. They uncover a connection between the two crimes and attempt to bring this information to the police, only to be reprimanded for meddling in the inquest. Not only are the girls upset by the admonition, but they also struggle with the fact that their exuberant investigating could provide a legal loophole allowing the killer to go free. To make matters worse, the police don’t even believe them. Frustrated by this turn of events, the Super Spies realize it’s up to them to snare the Cat Lady killer, or die trying…

This book opens in a small town in Michigan where Sarah and her sister Lacey are now living with their Aunt and Uncle. Still reeling from the fact her parents have disappeared, Sarah starts the school year with her new friend Jackie Jenkins. When Sarah learns the school has been bombed, she’s filled with dread. Uncle Walt is a teacher, and he was in the school when the bomb exploded. Taking matters into her own hands, Sarah decides to search for him. The rest of the Super Spies are right behind her. When a fireman chases them away from the school, Sarah becomes suspicious. She decides to investigate. The FBI arrives on the scene. Sarah realizes this bombing could have even bigger implications. Searching for the bombers, Sarah is introduced to the world of terrorism. She fears that the bombing and her parents’ disappearance are connected and terrorists are involved. To make matters worse, the bombers are determined to finish the job. Can the Super Spies find the bombers before it’s too late?

I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about a brand new site and give you a chance to win some great tween books!

I recently joined the Emblazon group. As Indie authors, we know the importance of group support. I have been learning all of this firsthand since joining. Let me share with you some details about our group.

Emblazon is a blog maintained and written by a collection of indie and traditionally published authors who care about producing high-quality stories for kids. We have a particular focus on ages 11 to 14. We call them Tweens.

The purpose of Emblazon is to celebrate tween literature. We want to draw attention to this fabulous genre, interact with other enthusiasts, whether child or adult, and encourage new writers.

Emblazon launches its first post on July 10. Please consider helping us spread the word by mentioning us on your blog today or later this week. You may cut and paste from this website and use our attached logo if you wish. All bloggers who participate are eligible to enter our $100 Amazon gift card drawing that will be held the following day.

Click the link to enter!

http://emblazoners.wordpresshttp://ww...

To thank all those bloggers who help us announce Emblazon‘s launch, we will be giving away a $100 Amazon gift card on July 11, 2013, as well as a smaller second place prize.

To enter the drawing, you must post about Emblazon on your blog on Wednesday, July 10, our official launch day. Then tweet your Emblazoners post to @CassidyJonesAdv and include the hashtag #Emblazoners. (Note: You will not be entered into the drawing without your blog post tweet that includes @CassidyJonesAdv and #Emblazoners.)

@CassidyJonesAdv will confirm you’ve been entered into the drawing by “favoriting” your tweet. If your tweet wasn’t “favorited,” tweet it again.

We appreciate your help getting the word out about our new website!}

You can also treat your readers to our upcoming Sizzling Freebies bash that will be hosted on Emblazon on August 1, during which a great selection of ebooks will be free for one day only.

We hope you’ll join us in kick-starting this fabulous new adventure!
Below is yet another way to win copies of some of our tween books!

Hello Everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’m writing a post for the Emblazoner Blog today and so I thought I would share my thoughts with everyone here as well. Today, I’m talking about writing for the tween market. Here’s the link if you’d like to check it out! http://emblazoners.com/writing-for-th...

First of all, I love this age group! When I look back on my life, I recall my tween years as some of my happiest memories. In fact, my friends and I formed our own detective squad and tried to solve a mystery in our small town. We never did, but let me tell you that was one of the best summers of my life. When I get together with those friends, we always bring up that summer and laugh about it.

When I look back on those years, I chuckle at my attitude. We thought we were invincible and we could accomplish anything! What a wonderful feeling to believe that there are no limitations or obstacles.

So, when I decided to write for this market I wanted to bring that same feeling to my readers. And being an avid mystery fan, it was a natural choice for me to write stories in that genre. However, I had to be careful because I wanted my characters to be good role models too. So, I made sure they didn’t condone or take part in any negative behavior like bullying or teasing. I had to do that and keep the story entertaining. No small task, that’s for sure!

While keeping my stories interesting, I also weave life lessons throughout the books; that way my readers can learn the lesson right along with the characters. Fiction can be a wonderful teacher, and sometimes it’s easier to learn a lesson from a book than it is to learn one from a parent. Sometimes, it’s easier on the parent too. :)

I’m always striving to teach with my stories and the other Emblazoner authors feel the same way. It’s so nice to work with a group of like-minded individuals. We all use different tools to tell our story. For example, some of us use humor, and some use fantasy or history. What’s nice about that is there’s something in our selection for every type of reader. So go ahead and check out our books, I’m sure you’ll find something for even the most reluctant reader! You can find our books here: http://emblazoners.com/our-books/

Thanks for reading my post and if you’d like to share some of your thoughts on writing for the tweens in your life, feel free. We’d love to hear from you!

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you! Guess what? I’m participating in another blog hop this week! That’s right! It’s the back to school blog hop! The members of the We ♥ Middle grade Books Facebook Group are hosting it and we’re giving away some awesome prizes! Books! That’s right! Books for your tweens and teens!

Here's the link to my Blog:

http://lisaorchard.wordpress.com/2013...



So please visit the other blogs and see what you can win! Here at my blog I’m giving away one full set of the Super Spies series (e-book copies) to one winner! And a ten dollar Amazon Gift Card to another. How do you enter to win? Very good question!

You can enter a variety of ways. You can like my Facebook author page and leave a quick comment letting me know you’re from the blog hop. The link is below:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-O...

You can also tweet about my books and leave the tweet in the comment section below: Here’s an example of a tweet you can use:

What would you do if you were 15 and accused of murder? http://www.amazon.com/Super-Spies-Lad...

Amazon bestseller and great #teen read! 4.5 stars!

You can also leave a comment telling me your favorite book you read during your middle school years.

And you can enter more than once! Good luck and don’t forget to check out the other blogs on the hop! They have prizes too!

Click the link below to check out the other participating blogs!

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Here are the three books in my Super Spies series!






Blog hop is open until midnight, September 15th! Winners will be announced on the 16th! Good luck everyone!