June McCrary Jacobs's Blog: ~ Author June McCrary Jacobs ~, page 84
July 21, 2019
~ MMGM ART BIOGRAPHY TWO BROTHERS, FOUR HANDS ~
~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY ARTISTS BIOGRAPHY ~
-- 'TWO BROTHERS, FOUR HANDS:
THE ARTISTS ALBERTO AND DIEGO
GIACOMETTI' --
AUTHORS JAN GREENBERG -and-SANDRA JORDANILLUSTRATOR HADLEY HOOPER
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS
ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:
The inspiring true story of the Giacometti brothers, one an artist, the other a daredevil, both devoted to their craft . . . but even more devoted to each other.
Everyone who knew them agreed. Alberto was the genius of the family. His younger brother Diego was his opposite--he didn't care much for books or schoolwork, and he had no idea what he would be when he grew up. But despite their differences, the two brothers shared an intense bond.
Alberto Giacometti became one of the iconic artists of the twentieth century, whose tall, spindly sculptures grace the collections of museums around the world. Diego was always at his side, helping and encouraging, and in his spare time creating remarkable pieces of furniture, works of sculpture in their own right.
The poignant story of brothers and sculptors Alberto and Diego Giacometti is skillfully brought to life in the hands of multiple Sibert Honor authors Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan, and the spectacular artwork of Hadley Hooper.
This lavishly illustrated 64-page book includes extensive back matter, complete with a timeline, source notes, photographs, and an essay on how to look at a Giacometti sculpture.
MY THOUGHTS:I'm going to be transparent here -- I had never heard of the artists Alberto and/or Diego Giacometti before I picked up this book off of the 'new non-fiction book' shelf at the local public library. But, as you may have noticed recently, I can't resist a good biography about the arts.
These interesting brothers were born thirteen months apart in 1901 and 1902 in Switzerland. Their father, Giovanni Giacometti, was a talented painter in his own right. When the boys were young, he gave them pencils and paper.
Right away Alberto showed promise as an artist. He was interested in drawing and reading and was a quiet, serious child. Diego was a complete opposite. He loved being out exploring nature, and climbing the hillsides. He was known as a dare-devil. The two brothers were extremely close, and Diego idolizes Alberto. In fact, Diego does his brother's chores so Alberto can do what Alberto likes to do.
The book follows their lives as individuals and as brothers from childhood until death. It includes some traumatic events such as the invasion of Paris during the summer of 1940 by the German troops, poverty, food insecurity and hunger, and frustration/depression about rejection of their creations from the public and gallery owners.
The authors have not sugar-coated the situations in which the Giacometti brothers find themselves. Devotion, loyalty, teamwork, and perseverance are the major themes of this book which is filled with a multitude of 'teachable moments' for children and adults alike.
The back matter includes an Analysis of one of Alberto's most famous works of art, a sculpture entitled Walking Man; a Timeline;
a photo gallery of pieces of art made by the father and the brothers, respectively; Notes on the Text; and a Bibliography.
**Highly-recommended to fans of art history, Surrealism, modern art, twentieth-century history, European history, family sagas, and World War II history.**
→➤ My favorite fact shared in the book is that Bruno Giacometti, Diego and Alberto's younger brother, was a famous Swiss architect who lived to be 105 years old!
*******************************
Learn about more great middle-grade reads by visiting Greg Pattridge's 'Always in the Middle' blog to find the links to other blog posts celebrating Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday!
# # # # #
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS
ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:
The inspiring true story of the Giacometti brothers, one an artist, the other a daredevil, both devoted to their craft . . . but even more devoted to each other.
Everyone who knew them agreed. Alberto was the genius of the family. His younger brother Diego was his opposite--he didn't care much for books or schoolwork, and he had no idea what he would be when he grew up. But despite their differences, the two brothers shared an intense bond.
Alberto Giacometti became one of the iconic artists of the twentieth century, whose tall, spindly sculptures grace the collections of museums around the world. Diego was always at his side, helping and encouraging, and in his spare time creating remarkable pieces of furniture, works of sculpture in their own right.
The poignant story of brothers and sculptors Alberto and Diego Giacometti is skillfully brought to life in the hands of multiple Sibert Honor authors Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan, and the spectacular artwork of Hadley Hooper.
This lavishly illustrated 64-page book includes extensive back matter, complete with a timeline, source notes, photographs, and an essay on how to look at a Giacometti sculpture.
MY THOUGHTS:I'm going to be transparent here -- I had never heard of the artists Alberto and/or Diego Giacometti before I picked up this book off of the 'new non-fiction book' shelf at the local public library. But, as you may have noticed recently, I can't resist a good biography about the arts.
These interesting brothers were born thirteen months apart in 1901 and 1902 in Switzerland. Their father, Giovanni Giacometti, was a talented painter in his own right. When the boys were young, he gave them pencils and paper.
Right away Alberto showed promise as an artist. He was interested in drawing and reading and was a quiet, serious child. Diego was a complete opposite. He loved being out exploring nature, and climbing the hillsides. He was known as a dare-devil. The two brothers were extremely close, and Diego idolizes Alberto. In fact, Diego does his brother's chores so Alberto can do what Alberto likes to do.
The book follows their lives as individuals and as brothers from childhood until death. It includes some traumatic events such as the invasion of Paris during the summer of 1940 by the German troops, poverty, food insecurity and hunger, and frustration/depression about rejection of their creations from the public and gallery owners.
The authors have not sugar-coated the situations in which the Giacometti brothers find themselves. Devotion, loyalty, teamwork, and perseverance are the major themes of this book which is filled with a multitude of 'teachable moments' for children and adults alike.
The back matter includes an Analysis of one of Alberto's most famous works of art, a sculpture entitled Walking Man; a Timeline;
a photo gallery of pieces of art made by the father and the brothers, respectively; Notes on the Text; and a Bibliography.
**Highly-recommended to fans of art history, Surrealism, modern art, twentieth-century history, European history, family sagas, and World War II history.**
→➤ My favorite fact shared in the book is that Bruno Giacometti, Diego and Alberto's younger brother, was a famous Swiss architect who lived to be 105 years old!
*******************************
Learn about more great middle-grade reads by visiting Greg Pattridge's 'Always in the Middle' blog to find the links to other blog posts celebrating Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday!
# # # # #
July 18, 2019
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE UNDERESTIMATING MISS CECILIA ~
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~
~BLOG BLITZ~
-- 'UNDERESTIMATING MISS CECILIA' --
AUTHOR CAROLYN MILLER
~Post Includes: Book Spotlight & Author Bio~
Welcome to the Blitz for 'Underestimating Miss Cecilia' by Carolyn Miller with JustRead Publicity Tours!
July 15, 2019
July 14, 2019
~ MMGM DEGAS PAINTER OF BALLERINAS ~
~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY ARTIST FEATURE ~
-- 'DEGAS: PAINTER OF BALLERINAS' --
AUTHOR SUSAN GOLDMAN RUBIN
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS
ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:
Through Edgar Degas's beloved paintings, drawings, and sculptures, Susan Goldman Rubin conveys the wonder and excitement of the ballet world.
Degas is one of the most celebrated painters of the impressionist movement, and his ballerina paintings are among the most favorite of his fans. In his artwork, Degas captures every moment, from the relentless hours of practice to the glamour of appearing on stage, revealing a dancer’s journey from novice to prima ballerina. Observing young students, Degas drew their poses again and again, determined to achieve perfection. The book includes a brief biography of his entire life, endnotes, bibliography, where to see his paintings, and an index.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from Goodreads}:
Susan Goldman Rubin is the author of more than forty-five books for young people, including Andy Warhol: Pop Art Painter; The Yellow House: Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin Side by Side; and Edward Hopper: Painter of Light and Shadow. A long-time instructor in the UCLA Extension Writers Program, Susan Goldman Rubin lives in Malibu, California.
MY THOUGHTS:
When I saw this book on the non-fiction 'new book' shelf in the children's section at the local public library I knew I wanted to read it and feature it here on my blog. In this case, you can judge a book by its cover; this cover is exquisite.
Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas's career ran from 1852 to 1912. He was born in Paris in 1834 and died there in 1917. He was labeled an 'Impressionist' but preferred to be called a 'Realist'. He created over one thousand dance pictures, which totals more than half of his works.
As the author deftly recounts Edgar Degas's life, journey as an artist, and artwork, I came to appreciate his work even more than I always have. Degas has always been one of my favorite artists, and learning more about his outlook on ballet and his appreciation for the dedication and hard work of the girls and young women who practice this form of dance helped me to see his unique perspective and how he transferred it from his vision to paper.
"Drawing," Degas once said, "is not what one sees, but what one can make others see." {page 40}
I learned that his mix of art materials is just one of the elements which makes Degas's art unique. On some of the pieces, he used pen and ink, tempera paint, oil paint, watercolor paint, pastels and various combinations of these medium.
Each layout features one of Degas's paintings, facts about his life, and a sidebar with facts about the featured painting such as its title, circa date, brief description/back story, and materials used.
Some time is spent on his technique. For instance, he liked to sketch the dancers in action in their ballet studio and in his art studio. He sometimes used colored paper and white pencil and charcoal to create his sketches. An explanation is given about how he transferred his sketches to canvas by drawing a grid on the sketch and then copying the image grid by grid onto his canvas.
'Degas was a perfectionist.' {page 23}
As he aged, his vision became weak. To accommodate for his disability, he wore glasses with tinted lenses, used a magnifying glass to examine his sketches, and used charcoal and black crayon instead of pencil because the bolder lines they made were easier for him to see.
When Degas could not see well enough to paint or draw, he sculpted ballet dancers in various ballet poses using clay and wax. Photos of a few of these sculptures are included in the book. His last dance drawings were done when he was in his late sixties. The subject matter was Russian dancers.
He was almost blind by the end of his life , and he was bedridden for the last year of his life.
His tombstone reads, "He loved drawing very much." {page 49}
The thorough and interesting back matter of this book includes a formal biography about the life of Degas from birth until death, a Glossary, a list of Ballet Terms, a guide of Where to See Artworks by Edgar Degas, a Bibliography, and a List of Illustrations.
Highly recommended to learns of all ages who are fans of art history, influential artists, ballet, European history, and art techniques.
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:
Through Edgar Degas's beloved paintings, drawings, and sculptures, Susan Goldman Rubin conveys the wonder and excitement of the ballet world.
Degas is one of the most celebrated painters of the impressionist movement, and his ballerina paintings are among the most favorite of his fans. In his artwork, Degas captures every moment, from the relentless hours of practice to the glamour of appearing on stage, revealing a dancer’s journey from novice to prima ballerina. Observing young students, Degas drew their poses again and again, determined to achieve perfection. The book includes a brief biography of his entire life, endnotes, bibliography, where to see his paintings, and an index.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from Goodreads}:
Susan Goldman Rubin is the author of more than forty-five books for young people, including Andy Warhol: Pop Art Painter; The Yellow House: Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin Side by Side; and Edward Hopper: Painter of Light and Shadow. A long-time instructor in the UCLA Extension Writers Program, Susan Goldman Rubin lives in Malibu, California.
MY THOUGHTS:
When I saw this book on the non-fiction 'new book' shelf in the children's section at the local public library I knew I wanted to read it and feature it here on my blog. In this case, you can judge a book by its cover; this cover is exquisite.
Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas's career ran from 1852 to 1912. He was born in Paris in 1834 and died there in 1917. He was labeled an 'Impressionist' but preferred to be called a 'Realist'. He created over one thousand dance pictures, which totals more than half of his works.
As the author deftly recounts Edgar Degas's life, journey as an artist, and artwork, I came to appreciate his work even more than I always have. Degas has always been one of my favorite artists, and learning more about his outlook on ballet and his appreciation for the dedication and hard work of the girls and young women who practice this form of dance helped me to see his unique perspective and how he transferred it from his vision to paper.
"Drawing," Degas once said, "is not what one sees, but what one can make others see." {page 40}
I learned that his mix of art materials is just one of the elements which makes Degas's art unique. On some of the pieces, he used pen and ink, tempera paint, oil paint, watercolor paint, pastels and various combinations of these medium.
Each layout features one of Degas's paintings, facts about his life, and a sidebar with facts about the featured painting such as its title, circa date, brief description/back story, and materials used.
Some time is spent on his technique. For instance, he liked to sketch the dancers in action in their ballet studio and in his art studio. He sometimes used colored paper and white pencil and charcoal to create his sketches. An explanation is given about how he transferred his sketches to canvas by drawing a grid on the sketch and then copying the image grid by grid onto his canvas.
'Degas was a perfectionist.' {page 23}
As he aged, his vision became weak. To accommodate for his disability, he wore glasses with tinted lenses, used a magnifying glass to examine his sketches, and used charcoal and black crayon instead of pencil because the bolder lines they made were easier for him to see.
When Degas could not see well enough to paint or draw, he sculpted ballet dancers in various ballet poses using clay and wax. Photos of a few of these sculptures are included in the book. His last dance drawings were done when he was in his late sixties. The subject matter was Russian dancers.
He was almost blind by the end of his life , and he was bedridden for the last year of his life.
His tombstone reads, "He loved drawing very much." {page 49}
The thorough and interesting back matter of this book includes a formal biography about the life of Degas from birth until death, a Glossary, a list of Ballet Terms, a guide of Where to See Artworks by Edgar Degas, a Bibliography, and a List of Illustrations.
Highly recommended to learns of all ages who are fans of art history, influential artists, ballet, European history, and art techniques.
July 8, 2019
~ BLOG TOUR STOP KING OF MALORN ~
~ BLOG TOUR STOP ~
-- 'KING OF MALORN' --
-A Clean Indie Young Adult Novel-
AUTHOR ANNIE DOUGLASS LIMA
~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Author Bio,
Unique Guest Post Shared by the Author &
Giveaway~
Hello, and thanks for letting me visit your blog today! I’m here to share some little-known facts about my new book, King of Malorn.
First, a few details about the book. Here’s the back-cover description:
Life as the king’s younger sister should be exciting.
Not for Princess Kalendria. She’s sick of the dissent and of constantly having her family undermined by those who think they could rule Malorn better than King Korram.
Hoping to lighten the mood in the palace, Kalendria plans a ball to celebrate her seventeenth birthday. It doesn’t hurt that their handsome Alasian ally King Jaymin has promised to attend, and she’s been waiting for him to notice her for as long as she can remember.
But unfriendly forces have their own party plans. When Kalendria, Korram, and Jaymin barely survive an assassination attempt, their only recourse is to flee into the wilderness. Tracked by unknown assassins, they must figure out whom they can trust and who is behind the plot. Can Kalendria help her brother reclaim his throne – oh, and catch Jaymin’s attention while she’s at it – before they are all killed and war destroys both kingdoms?
And now for a few details about the series it's in. (Click on the links to see each book on Amazon.)
NOTE: This book is clean in content and language. There is some fighting, but according to the author there is no graphic violence.
King of Malorn is book 5 in the Annals of Alasia. But don't worry if you haven't read the others; it will still make sense on its own. Each of the first four books can stand on its own as well. They each deal with events surrounding the same major political incident: the invasion of the kingdom of Alasia by the neighboring kingdom of Malorn.
Prince of Alasia begins on the night of the Invasion and describes what happens to twelve-year-old Prince Jaymin after he is forced to flee for his life.
In the Enemy’s Service features a girl as the protagonist and tells the story of those who were not able to escape from the Alasian palace when the enemy invaded.
Prince of Malorn begins several months earlier and focuses on the Malornian perspective of the events leading up to the Invasion.
I also have a short ebook of “interviews” that I conducted with the characters in the other three books. Annals of Alasia: The Collected Interviews is not available on Amazon, but I send a free copy to anyone who signs up for my mailing list (to receive updates when I release new books or occasionally offer them for free). Sign up in the Rafflecopter contest form below.
GUEST POST SHARED BY THE AUTHOR:
And now for some behind-the-scenes facts about King of Malorn:
1.) King of Malorn will be the tenth novel I’ve published, but only the second one I actually wrote. I started drafting it after Prince of Alasia to show where the characters would be five years later, but at the time I couldn’t figure out where the story needed to go or how everything should connect. So I shelved my King of Malorn draft and went on to other books. I decided to write ones that take place at the same time as Prince of Alasia to give other characters’ perspectives on the same events. Over the seven years that it took me to write and publish the rest of the Annals of Alasia (and a few more that aren’t part of that series), I kept coming back to King of Malorn. The more I knew about what happened five years ago, the more I could do with its plotline. The two princes (now kings of their respective kingdoms) became two of the main characters, but I made sure all the heroes – and villains – of the first four books found a place between its pages.
2.) There is a character in King of Malorn who I based off of someone in one of my favorite movies, The Scarlet Pimpernel. I can’t say much more than that without giving away a spoiler, but if you’ve watched the movie, you’ll definitely recognize the character by the time you’re done with the book.
3.) I learned what a gunwale actually is (and how to pronounce it correctly!) while looking up a few details to help me write the scene where Kalendria and the others cross the Grenn River in an overloaded rowboat. (Actually, they start off in the boat, but the boat doesn’t quite make it all the way ….)
4.) One of my characters, Anya (the star of In the Enemy's Service), is an apprentice at a fine clothing store and is learning to make lace. There are a couple of brief conversations in the story where she talks with other characters about the details in a piece of lace that's part of a scarlet silk tunic. Two lines of dialogue took me about two hours of research into lace-making methods and terminology. (Of course, neither of the other characters has any idea that the painstaking designs she has worked into the lace are actually a code that Anya helped to design, and that the message spelled out in it could change the future of the kingdom … if she can convince the right person to unknowingly wear the message at the right time.)
5.) A few of my characters’ names originated as suggestions from my Facebook friends. Naming minor characters isn’t my forte, so sometimes I’ll ask for ideas on social media. A lot of my friends enjoy helping me come up with details like that for my books, and some get really into it! In this case, I needed names for some soldiers who only get mentioned once or twice. Ricker, Vann, and Saldon are now officially privates in the Malornian army.
July 7, 2019
~ MMGM 100 WAYS TO BE THANKFUL ~
~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE
MONDAY NON-FICTION FEATURE ~
-- '100 WAYS TO BE THANKFUL' --
AUTHOR LISA M. GERRY
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:
Discover 100 creative ways to express gratitude for all that's good in your life with this powerful little book, packed with positive thoughts, practical ideas, and take-action prompts.
Rejoice in snow days! Make time for belly laughs! Pause to marvel at the wonders of nature! In today's hectic, fast-paced, overscheduled world, so many of us -- including kids! -- try to do it all. This book offers up unique ways to slow down, be mindful, and appreciate life's little gifts. The pages are filled with inspiration and motivation on how to be appreciative and pass along kindness. Interviews with National Geographic explorers offer examples of ways to give back. Uplifting quotes and ideas are sure to motivate readers to do more and be more mindful every day, so we all come away with a renewed sense that life is pretty great!
MY THOUGHTS:
I found the ideas in this book to be meaningful, powerful, and inspiring! I think this book has value for children of all ages and for teens and adults, as well.
This book is part of the fabulous National Geographic Kids collection, so you know you can expect to see beautiful images of animals in nature, animals in action, and humans in various settings.
There are one hundred ideas, or prompts, listed about ways to be thankful. Each idea has close-up, colorful photos, information/ideas, and sidebars. My favorite sidebars were the ones titled, 'Appreciation Station'. These shared about a real-life person or historical event relating to the particular idea. I feel the inclusion of this information makes the ideas more tangible to readers by providing proof that the particular idea has been successfully put into practice in the past.
All of the ideas are valuable, but the following are a few that caught my eye as a former educator and as a woman living in a busy, sometimes chaotic world.
#3 -- Use your imagination;
#6 -- Do what you can to make the world a better place;
#9 -- Take stock of what you do have;
#12 -- Be aware of your impact on the planet;
#15 -- Take pleasure in little things;
#21 -- Curb the complaining;
#24. -- Turn up the music;
#25. -- Be still;
#28. -- Follow your curiosity;
#49. -- Get out into nature;
#55. -- PLAY;
#60. -- Be a bookworm! {
June 30, 2019
~ MMGM NEIL ARMSTRONG'S WIND TUNNEL DREAM ~
~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY S.T.E.A.M. BIOGRAPHY FEATURE ~
-- 'NEIL ARMSTRONG'S WIND TUNNEL DREAM' --
AUTHOR RINDA BEACHILLUSTRATOR COLE ROBERTS~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Author &Illustrator Bios, My Thoughts & Giveaway~
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Most people know that Neil Alden Armstrong was the first man to set foot on the moon, but very few know how it all started . . . with a dream to build his own wind tunnel.
Read how Neil’s love of planes took him from the Cleveland air races at age two to the Wright Brothers’ wind tunnel at age sixteen. Discover how Neil made his wind tunnel dream come true.
Read the back matter to find the facts behind this story. Continue on to build your own wind tunnel and conduct your own experiments so you can study the wind, just like Neil did.
FIND THE BOOK AT:
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rinda never planned to write. She was a second-grade teacher who read and told stories, till the night a bat visited her. The bat inspired her to write. She learned how to edit, thanks to SCBWI, writing classes, and critique partners. Rinda substitute teaches to stay connected to today’s kids. She uses her knowledge and imagination to write stories for them. Her website features a weekly blog and book review for kids. She is also the owner of Beach Girl Press.
CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR:
Website: http://www.rindabeach.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rinda.beach
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeachRinda
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rindajbeach/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rindabeach/
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:
Cole Roberts is an Illustrator based in Nashville, Tennessee who loves creating artwork for children's publications. You can find more of his work by visiting www.coleswork.com
MY THOUGHTS:
I thought I knew a lot about Neil Armstrong from the other biographies I had read, movies I had seen, and the documentaries I had viewed -- but I didn't really know this brilliant American space pioneer at all until I read this biography by debut children's author, Rinda Beach!
The book opens with two-year-old Neil sitting on his father's shoulders at a 1932 airplane race in Cleveland, Ohio. That was the moment when Neil Armstrong's fascination with flying began, and his fascination never diminished.
In the summer before his senior year in high school Neil began designing his final project for his upcoming high school physics class. It was a wind tunnel. The book documents Neil's journey throughout the summer and the next school year as he works on designing, testing, adjusting, and fine-tuning his wind tunnel.
There is a lot of humorous dialogue between Neil and his younger brother, Dean, and their mother as Neil blows fuse after fuse in the Armstrong house while testing various versions of his wind tunnel. The witty banter and quick-pacing of this book were two things I really enjoyed as a reader.
At age eighteen, Neil became a Navy fighter pilot for the U.S. Navy. He flew seventy-eight missions in Korea during the Korean War. In 1952 he resigned from active duty, but remained in the Navy Reserves. He eventually graduated from Purdue University in 1955, earning his degree in aeronautical engineering.
In 1962, he was chosen for as a pilot engineer for NASA's space program. In March, 1966, Neil Armstrong was assigned to the Gemini 8 mission. Their objective was to orbit Earth for seventy-five hours. Eleven hours into the mission, the ship was spinning out of control. Able to keep his wits about him in this extremely stressful situation, Neil figured out how to get the ship back under control and returned to Earth safely.
In December, 1968, Neil Armstrong was named the Apollo 11 mission commander. He would be the first man to walk on the moon on July 20, 1969. The author includes many interesting facts about this mission.
The back matter in this book is extensive and is equally as interesting as the text. The author includes a detailed Author's Note and a section entitled, 'What's True', that gives a chapter-by-chapter rundown of each point in the text based on fact.
Ms. Beach includes instructions and photographs for 'How to Build a Tunnel for Wind, Primary Version'. Instructions and photographs for 'How to Build a Wind Tunnel, Advanced Version' follows. This version shows the author's wind tunnel. Lastly, is a section titled, 'Let's Use Your Wind Tunnel' wherein the author encourages students to make a prediction and record results for their own wind tunnels.
The back matter ends with a detailed Bibliography and list of Other Resources along with Acknowledgments and About the Author pages.
Highly-recommended for teachers; libraries; fans of US history, famous Americans, NASA and space history, engineering, S.T.E.A.M. education, biographies, twentieth century history, and astronomy.
I was granted access to a digital copy of this book for my own use. I was not compensated in any way for posting my thoughts here or on any other site.
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS ABOUT THE BOOK:
Most people know that Neil Alden Armstrong was the first man to set foot on the moon, but very few know how it all started . . . with a dream to build his own wind tunnel.
Read how Neil’s love of planes took him from the Cleveland air races at age two to the Wright Brothers’ wind tunnel at age sixteen. Discover how Neil made his wind tunnel dream come true.
Read the back matter to find the facts behind this story. Continue on to build your own wind tunnel and conduct your own experiments so you can study the wind, just like Neil did.
FIND THE BOOK AT:
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rinda never planned to write. She was a second-grade teacher who read and told stories, till the night a bat visited her. The bat inspired her to write. She learned how to edit, thanks to SCBWI, writing classes, and critique partners. Rinda substitute teaches to stay connected to today’s kids. She uses her knowledge and imagination to write stories for them. Her website features a weekly blog and book review for kids. She is also the owner of Beach Girl Press.
CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR:
Website: http://www.rindabeach.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rinda.beach
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeachRinda
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rindajbeach/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rindabeach/
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:
Cole Roberts is an Illustrator based in Nashville, Tennessee who loves creating artwork for children's publications. You can find more of his work by visiting www.coleswork.com
MY THOUGHTS:
I thought I knew a lot about Neil Armstrong from the other biographies I had read, movies I had seen, and the documentaries I had viewed -- but I didn't really know this brilliant American space pioneer at all until I read this biography by debut children's author, Rinda Beach!
The book opens with two-year-old Neil sitting on his father's shoulders at a 1932 airplane race in Cleveland, Ohio. That was the moment when Neil Armstrong's fascination with flying began, and his fascination never diminished.
In the summer before his senior year in high school Neil began designing his final project for his upcoming high school physics class. It was a wind tunnel. The book documents Neil's journey throughout the summer and the next school year as he works on designing, testing, adjusting, and fine-tuning his wind tunnel.
There is a lot of humorous dialogue between Neil and his younger brother, Dean, and their mother as Neil blows fuse after fuse in the Armstrong house while testing various versions of his wind tunnel. The witty banter and quick-pacing of this book were two things I really enjoyed as a reader.
At age eighteen, Neil became a Navy fighter pilot for the U.S. Navy. He flew seventy-eight missions in Korea during the Korean War. In 1952 he resigned from active duty, but remained in the Navy Reserves. He eventually graduated from Purdue University in 1955, earning his degree in aeronautical engineering.
In 1962, he was chosen for as a pilot engineer for NASA's space program. In March, 1966, Neil Armstrong was assigned to the Gemini 8 mission. Their objective was to orbit Earth for seventy-five hours. Eleven hours into the mission, the ship was spinning out of control. Able to keep his wits about him in this extremely stressful situation, Neil figured out how to get the ship back under control and returned to Earth safely.
In December, 1968, Neil Armstrong was named the Apollo 11 mission commander. He would be the first man to walk on the moon on July 20, 1969. The author includes many interesting facts about this mission.
The back matter in this book is extensive and is equally as interesting as the text. The author includes a detailed Author's Note and a section entitled, 'What's True', that gives a chapter-by-chapter rundown of each point in the text based on fact.
Ms. Beach includes instructions and photographs for 'How to Build a Tunnel for Wind, Primary Version'. Instructions and photographs for 'How to Build a Wind Tunnel, Advanced Version' follows. This version shows the author's wind tunnel. Lastly, is a section titled, 'Let's Use Your Wind Tunnel' wherein the author encourages students to make a prediction and record results for their own wind tunnels.
The back matter ends with a detailed Bibliography and list of Other Resources along with Acknowledgments and About the Author pages.
Highly-recommended for teachers; libraries; fans of US history, famous Americans, NASA and space history, engineering, S.T.E.A.M. education, biographies, twentieth century history, and astronomy.
I was granted access to a digital copy of this book for my own use. I was not compensated in any way for posting my thoughts here or on any other site.
June 28, 2019
June 27, 2019
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE SUMMER BY THE TIDES ~
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~
-- 'SUMMER BY THE TIDES' --
AUTHOR DENISE HUNTER ~Post Includes: Book Spotlight,Author Bio & Unique Guest PostShared by the Author~ 
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Title: Summer by the Tides
Author: Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: May 21, 2019
Genre: Inspirational Women's Fiction/Romance
From the bestselling author of The Convenient Groom (now a beloved Hallmark Original movie) comes a heartfelt story of family secrets, forgiveness, and unexpected romance.
Following a painful betrayal, Maddy Monroe's love life is a wreck, and her restaurant career is in shambles. When her grandmother goes missing, she and her estranged sisters converge at the family beach house in Sea Haven, North Carolina. Being with uptight Nora and free-spirited Emma at the place where their family broke apart is a struggle, and undercurrents of jealousy and resentment threaten to pull the sisters under. In the midst of the storm, sparks begin to fly between Maddy and Gram's maddening neighbor, Connor Murphy.
As the sisters pack up the family belongings, memories of idyllic, slow-paced summers are resurrected. But long-buried secrets also come to light as Maddy discovers that all was not as it appeared that last summer in Sea Haven--nor today in the seemingly perfect lives of her sisters.
As family tensions rise and Connor causes tumult in Maddy's heart, the sisters must find a way to accept each other for the women they've become before the bitterness of the past destroys their hope for a future.
GUEST POST SHARED BY THE AUTHOR:
*Eight little-known facts about this book:
1. Summer by the Tides is a stand alone story. Simply pick up the novel and get swept away to a small coastal town in North Carolina. No catching up, no cliffhangers, no waiting for the sequel. Just a satisfying all-in-one read. In fact, if you’ve never read one of my novels, this is a great place to start.
2. Summer by the Tides is a beach read. It was named one of Southern Living‘s “25 Beach Reads Perfect for Summer”. This story has all the necessary ingredients for a summer escape: coastal setting, swoonworthy romance, and long-buried secrets. So whether you’re enjoying a warm, sunny vacation or just curling up on your sofa, this story is sure to get you in the mood for summer.
3. Summer by the Tides pairs a restaurateur with the owner of a marina. Connor has lost his beloved wife, and Maddy has recently weathered a bitter betrayal. But sometimes love strikes when you least expect it. And though sparks fly between the pair, they each need to decide if falling in love again is worth the potential heartbreak.
4. Summer by the Tides combines romance and woman’s fiction. NYT bestselling author Sherryl Woods said, “Hunter writes with a deep understanding of complex family dynamics. A perfect blend of romance and women's fiction." When you read Summer by the Tides, you’ll get the best of both worlds, all while immersing yourself in an environment filled with lapping water and salt-laden breezes.
5. Summer by the Tides explores the complex relationship of sisterhood. An event that happened twenty years ago splintered the Monroe family and caused a rift between the three sisters. This is a heartwarming tale that explores the devastating consequences of family secrets and the healing power of forgiveness.
6. The original idea for Summer by the Tides came from my agent. When we were brainstorming for my next novel my agent suggested a beach story with sisters, and I loved the idea. Before I knew it there was a painful past that led to a years-long estrangement, a current family crisis, and a handsome next-door neighbor.
7. The town is Seahaven was inspired by Southport, NC. If you’ve seen “Safe Haven”, you’ve seen Southport. My husband and I travelled to the town to research my novel, and we fell in love with the little harbor town. I hope to go back someday.
8. Summer by the Harbor went through six drafts. And that’s before it was even turned in. After that it went through an editor, a line editor, three more author drafts, and subsequent proof readers. If there are still mistakes hanging around, it wasn’t for lack of effort!
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Christian Book
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 25 books, including A December Bride and The Convenient Groom, which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She has won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader's Choice Award, The Carol Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist.
When Denise isn't orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are rapidly approaching an empty nest.
CONNECT WITH DENISE: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
# # # # #
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Title: Summer by the Tides
Author: Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: May 21, 2019
Genre: Inspirational Women's Fiction/Romance
From the bestselling author of The Convenient Groom (now a beloved Hallmark Original movie) comes a heartfelt story of family secrets, forgiveness, and unexpected romance.
Following a painful betrayal, Maddy Monroe's love life is a wreck, and her restaurant career is in shambles. When her grandmother goes missing, she and her estranged sisters converge at the family beach house in Sea Haven, North Carolina. Being with uptight Nora and free-spirited Emma at the place where their family broke apart is a struggle, and undercurrents of jealousy and resentment threaten to pull the sisters under. In the midst of the storm, sparks begin to fly between Maddy and Gram's maddening neighbor, Connor Murphy.
As the sisters pack up the family belongings, memories of idyllic, slow-paced summers are resurrected. But long-buried secrets also come to light as Maddy discovers that all was not as it appeared that last summer in Sea Haven--nor today in the seemingly perfect lives of her sisters.
As family tensions rise and Connor causes tumult in Maddy's heart, the sisters must find a way to accept each other for the women they've become before the bitterness of the past destroys their hope for a future.
GUEST POST SHARED BY THE AUTHOR:
*Eight little-known facts about this book:
1. Summer by the Tides is a stand alone story. Simply pick up the novel and get swept away to a small coastal town in North Carolina. No catching up, no cliffhangers, no waiting for the sequel. Just a satisfying all-in-one read. In fact, if you’ve never read one of my novels, this is a great place to start.
2. Summer by the Tides is a beach read. It was named one of Southern Living‘s “25 Beach Reads Perfect for Summer”. This story has all the necessary ingredients for a summer escape: coastal setting, swoonworthy romance, and long-buried secrets. So whether you’re enjoying a warm, sunny vacation or just curling up on your sofa, this story is sure to get you in the mood for summer.
3. Summer by the Tides pairs a restaurateur with the owner of a marina. Connor has lost his beloved wife, and Maddy has recently weathered a bitter betrayal. But sometimes love strikes when you least expect it. And though sparks fly between the pair, they each need to decide if falling in love again is worth the potential heartbreak.
4. Summer by the Tides combines romance and woman’s fiction. NYT bestselling author Sherryl Woods said, “Hunter writes with a deep understanding of complex family dynamics. A perfect blend of romance and women's fiction." When you read Summer by the Tides, you’ll get the best of both worlds, all while immersing yourself in an environment filled with lapping water and salt-laden breezes.
5. Summer by the Tides explores the complex relationship of sisterhood. An event that happened twenty years ago splintered the Monroe family and caused a rift between the three sisters. This is a heartwarming tale that explores the devastating consequences of family secrets and the healing power of forgiveness.
6. The original idea for Summer by the Tides came from my agent. When we were brainstorming for my next novel my agent suggested a beach story with sisters, and I loved the idea. Before I knew it there was a painful past that led to a years-long estrangement, a current family crisis, and a handsome next-door neighbor.
7. The town is Seahaven was inspired by Southport, NC. If you’ve seen “Safe Haven”, you’ve seen Southport. My husband and I travelled to the town to research my novel, and we fell in love with the little harbor town. I hope to go back someday.
8. Summer by the Harbor went through six drafts. And that’s before it was even turned in. After that it went through an editor, a line editor, three more author drafts, and subsequent proof readers. If there are still mistakes hanging around, it wasn’t for lack of effort!
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Christian Book
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 25 books, including A December Bride and The Convenient Groom, which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She has won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader's Choice Award, The Carol Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist.
When Denise isn't orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are rapidly approaching an empty nest.
CONNECT WITH DENISE: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
# # # # #
June 26, 2019
~ BLOG TOUR STOP CUPPA TROUBLE ~
~ BLOG TOUR STOP ~
-- 'A CUPPA TROUBLE' --
AUTHOR ANGELA RUTH STRONG~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, AuthorBio, Excerpt & Giveaway~
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for A Cuppa Trouble by Angela Ruth Strong, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: A Cuppa Trouble Series: The CafFUNated Mysteries #2 Author: Angela Ruth Strong Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink Release Date: July 1, 2019 Genre: Inspirational Cozy Mystery
Can a couple of baristas chase down a car thief without spilling a drop of their favorite drinks?
Plans for a Valentine's Day grand opening of a small town coffee shop go awry when the first customer is killed. Evidence points toward the victim being mixed up in a car theft ring, but shop owners Tandy and Marissa have reason to believe he was framed.
An assortment of suspects--from a pink-haired heir to Tandy's charming ex--all seem to know a little too much about grand theft auto.
Without approval from either their boyfriends or the gum-chewing FBI agent in charge, the shop owners go on stakeouts, plan stings, and pursue justice in a high-speed car chase. If they don't find the killer soon, it might be more than their love lives in trouble.
EXCERPT -- THE AUTHOR'S FAVORITE SCENE:
“You kidnapped my business partner.”
Vic crossed his arms. “You do business with car thieves?”
“What? No. She sells tea. As bad as that may be, it’s hardly criminal.”
Metal smashed, glass cracked, and a taillight burst from the corner of Vic's vehicle. An ugly brown boot took its place.
“Tandy?” The muffled voice sounded like Marissa’s, but that couldn’t be her foot in the ugly brown boot.
“Oh fantastic.” Vic pointed the direction of the mess. “I caught her trying to steal a Jeep, and I made a citizen’s arrest to help the police. I didn’t realize she’d damage my car.”
What had Vic expected? He certainly couldn’t expect Tandy to believe his excuse.
“She owns a Jeep. Maybe she got locked out and had to break in.” Tandy raised her voice so Marissa could hear.
“Marissa, did you lock your keys in the Jeep again?”
The boot disappeared, and part of Marissa’s face filled the hole. “No!” Her response came with enough force that Tandy was a little scared of releasing her from the trunk.
Tandy shook her head at Vic. “There has to be a logical explanation for why she was breaking into a Jeep. You should have at least asked her what was going on rather than resort to kidnapping. That’s not how you make a citizen’s arrest.”
“Police lock criminals in the back of their cars. I was doing the same.” Vic lifted a shoulder, as if no responsibility rested there. “As soon as I let her out, you’ll see that she wasn’t using a coat hanger to get into her own vehicle. She has what’s known as a Relay Attack Unit designed to unlock cars without a key. Only a car thief would own such a thing.”
Now he was overtly lying. And Tandy would be able to prove it. Good thing he’d broken up with her last year. Otherwise she’d be dating a liar.
Sheriff Griffin sauntered from the police department. “What’s going on here, Tandy?”
Marissa banged against the inside of the trunk in response. “Griffin, get me out of here!”
Griffin’s hand rose to his holster.
Vic sidestepped farther behind his car as if he might need to duck from bullets.
Griffin pointed with his free hand at Marissa’s face in the hole. “Is someone in your trunk, sir?” “It’s me. Marissa.”
Griffin’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Let her out right now.”
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book DepositoryABOUT THE AUTHOR
Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009 then quit writing romance when her husband left her. Ten years later, God has shown her the true meaning of love, and there's nothing else she'd rather write about. Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been optioned for film, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon best-sellers. She also writes non-fiction for SpiritLed Woman. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho, and she teaches as an expert online at WRITE THAT BOOK.
CONNECT WITH ANGELA: Website | Facebook | Twitter
TOUR GIVEAWAY(1) winner will receive a "Coffee is like Sherlock Holmes" mug, "Drink Coffee & Do Good" sign (painted with coffee by author's cover designer), $25 Starbucks Gift Card & "Drink Coffee, and Read Books & Be Happy" tote.
Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight June 24, 2019, and last through 11:59 PM EST on July 1, 2019. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
# # # # #
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for A Cuppa Trouble by Angela Ruth Strong, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: A Cuppa Trouble Series: The CafFUNated Mysteries #2 Author: Angela Ruth Strong Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink Release Date: July 1, 2019 Genre: Inspirational Cozy MysteryCan a couple of baristas chase down a car thief without spilling a drop of their favorite drinks?
Plans for a Valentine's Day grand opening of a small town coffee shop go awry when the first customer is killed. Evidence points toward the victim being mixed up in a car theft ring, but shop owners Tandy and Marissa have reason to believe he was framed.
An assortment of suspects--from a pink-haired heir to Tandy's charming ex--all seem to know a little too much about grand theft auto.
Without approval from either their boyfriends or the gum-chewing FBI agent in charge, the shop owners go on stakeouts, plan stings, and pursue justice in a high-speed car chase. If they don't find the killer soon, it might be more than their love lives in trouble.
EXCERPT -- THE AUTHOR'S FAVORITE SCENE:
“You kidnapped my business partner.”
Vic crossed his arms. “You do business with car thieves?”
“What? No. She sells tea. As bad as that may be, it’s hardly criminal.”
Metal smashed, glass cracked, and a taillight burst from the corner of Vic's vehicle. An ugly brown boot took its place.
“Tandy?” The muffled voice sounded like Marissa’s, but that couldn’t be her foot in the ugly brown boot.
“Oh fantastic.” Vic pointed the direction of the mess. “I caught her trying to steal a Jeep, and I made a citizen’s arrest to help the police. I didn’t realize she’d damage my car.”
What had Vic expected? He certainly couldn’t expect Tandy to believe his excuse.
“She owns a Jeep. Maybe she got locked out and had to break in.” Tandy raised her voice so Marissa could hear.
“Marissa, did you lock your keys in the Jeep again?”
The boot disappeared, and part of Marissa’s face filled the hole. “No!” Her response came with enough force that Tandy was a little scared of releasing her from the trunk.
Tandy shook her head at Vic. “There has to be a logical explanation for why she was breaking into a Jeep. You should have at least asked her what was going on rather than resort to kidnapping. That’s not how you make a citizen’s arrest.”
“Police lock criminals in the back of their cars. I was doing the same.” Vic lifted a shoulder, as if no responsibility rested there. “As soon as I let her out, you’ll see that she wasn’t using a coat hanger to get into her own vehicle. She has what’s known as a Relay Attack Unit designed to unlock cars without a key. Only a car thief would own such a thing.”
Now he was overtly lying. And Tandy would be able to prove it. Good thing he’d broken up with her last year. Otherwise she’d be dating a liar.
Sheriff Griffin sauntered from the police department. “What’s going on here, Tandy?”
Marissa banged against the inside of the trunk in response. “Griffin, get me out of here!”
Griffin’s hand rose to his holster.
Vic sidestepped farther behind his car as if he might need to duck from bullets.
Griffin pointed with his free hand at Marissa’s face in the hole. “Is someone in your trunk, sir?” “It’s me. Marissa.”
Griffin’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Let her out right now.”
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book DepositoryABOUT THE AUTHOR
Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009 then quit writing romance when her husband left her. Ten years later, God has shown her the true meaning of love, and there's nothing else she'd rather write about. Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been optioned for film, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon best-sellers. She also writes non-fiction for SpiritLed Woman. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho, and she teaches as an expert online at WRITE THAT BOOK.
CONNECT WITH ANGELA: Website | Facebook | Twitter
TOUR GIVEAWAY(1) winner will receive a "Coffee is like Sherlock Holmes" mug, "Drink Coffee & Do Good" sign (painted with coffee by author's cover designer), $25 Starbucks Gift Card & "Drink Coffee, and Read Books & Be Happy" tote.
Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight June 24, 2019, and last through 11:59 PM EST on July 1, 2019. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
# # # # #
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