Sandy Brehl's Blog, page 10

Countdown: Three Days to Norway House Party!

Three days from now I will be at Norway House in Milwaukee (details here) to celebrate the “Book BIrthday” of Odin’s Promise. It’s available for sale now, even though the official publication date is May 17. That’s when I’ll be in Stoughton, Wisconsin, to sign books and celebrate during their annual Syttende Mai (Norwegian Constitution Day, May 17) festival. I expect to meet lots of people with an interest in Norway there, but I know very few folks in that part of the state. This local “birthday party” is an opportunity to share the fun with long time friends, other writers, former students and their families, neighbors, and anyone who has an interest in Norwegian history, World War Two, books, door prizes, and Norwegian culture (including sampling delicious food!). The public is invited, so come see this beautiful venue- I’d love  to see you there.

Lobby of Norway House in Milwaukee.

 

This will take place at Norway House, the home of Sons of Norway Fosselyngen Lodge #82. Those tasty delicacies I mentioned will be Norwegian specialty cookies baked by a true master baker, and even better friend, Nancy. She is also a longtime member of Fosselyngen Lodge, along with her husband, Milt. Somehow, in the midst of all her baking, family responsibilities, and living a busy life, she managed to answer a few questions for me. During these “countdown days” I’ll share some of her answers here.

 

Sons of Norway is social/fraternal organization (Yes-there was a time when women were not allowed full membership), but it is NOT limited to those with Norwegian heritage. I discovered this while exploring their website and wondered about their mission statement:

“The mission of Sons of Norway is to promote, preserve, and cherish a lasting appreciation

of the heritage and culture of Norway and other Nordic countries

while growing soundly as a fraternal benefit society

and offering maximum benefits to its members.”

SB: Nancy, what are some specific ways this is accomplished? Which of these hold a special place in your heart?

Nancy: The Sons of Norway (SofN)was started as an insurance company to serve Norwegians who had come to this country in about 1903. Lodges began forming shortly after. It was for men only until some of the lodges formed women’s lodges and they eventually combined into one lodge such as our Fosselyngen. The lodges are social groups with an emphasis on our Norwegian culture and heritage. Sons of Norway is a very good insurance company and many of our members purchase insurance and investments from SofN.

As members of SofN, we are offered the opportunity to research our family tree; develop skills in Norwegian arts such as needlework and cooking; and learn the Norwegian language. Pins are awarded as participants achieve each level of competence. I have enjoyed most sharing my love for cooking and baking. Growing up in a Norwegian community provided a natural transition to sharing with many new-found friends in the Lodge.

Thanks, Nancy. I’ll share other Q/A responses in coming days, but for now I hope anyone who attends give some thought to the organization you described. My limited interactions with members at events makes it clear that Milwaukee’s Fosselyngen Lodge members are a welcoming and supportive group who remind me of the people I met in Norway, in that they make strangers feel right at home.

* * * *

Beginning today a bog tour of various reviewers will feature their thoughts about Odin’s Promise and some guest posts or interviews with me. I’ll provide links here as they become available along with Nancy’s notes. Many include giveaway raffles for a copy of the book. Two are live today:

April 21 –             Erik at THIS KID REVIEWS BOOKS  or copy and paste this link: http://thiskidreviewsbooks.com/2014/04/21/blog-tour-odins-promise-by-sandy-brehl/

April 21-             Suzanne Warr’s TALES OF THE RAVEN blog, or copy and paste this link:

http://suzannewarr.com/archives/2728  

Thank you to Erik and Suzanne for such glowing reviews to help welcome Mari and Odin to the world!

Also scheduled:

April 24-             Guest post/Rochelle Melander ‘s http://www.writenowcoach.com

April 28            Suzanne Warr interview at http://suzannewarr.com/ (follow up to April 21 review)

April 29            Alex Bough at http://thechildrenswar.blogspot.com

April 30            Margo Tanenbaum at www.fourthmusketeer.blogspot.com (interview)

May 1-              Heidi Grange at            http://geolibrarian.blogspot.com

Book Birthday: Door Prize Preview!

It’s exciting to hear from so many friends who hope to attend the book  birthday party for Odin’s Promise on April 24, 2014 at Norway House. (details here) My hard working, enthusiastic, classy friend Barbara has made huge contributions to the prep work for this party. Now she’s packaged up the door prizes to make sure they are even more appealing. This isn’t a raffle, just a chance for everyone who attends to enter for the prize of their choice and a chance to have their name drawn.

 

Party Door Prizes

 

Check out the details below:

The Kitchen Package

“The Kitchen Package ” includes:
Towel/hot pad set
Chocolate-raspberry jam  and crackers
Scandinavian Sweet Treats cookbook
Sandbakkel Tins
Expert-made Norwegian Cookies

Book Package One

“Book Package One” includes:
Odin’s Promise
Snow Treasure, by Marie McSwigan
$10 Barnes and Noble gift card
Norwegian artist notecards

Book Package Two

“Book Package Two” includes:
Odin’s Promise
Shadow on the Mountain, by Margi Preuss
Klipfish Code, by  Mary Casanova
Norwegian art notecards
Metal clip frame

“Kid Packages” (2 chances) include:
Odin’s Promise
Zip-it pencil case
Art pencils
Norway flag keychain
Friendship neck cord

So, here’s hoping you’ll make it to the party. It’s an even bigger hope that you, too, have the kind of friends in your lives who step forward to share their incredible talents when needed, as well as mirroring your enthusiasm and joys.  Thank you to Barbara for her party organizing, to Nancy for her master baking skills, and to so many others who I’ll mention in days to come.

Reviewers: The Ones Who Matter Most

Nothing has humbled me more than the responses of the first school readers of Odin’s Promise  this week. I’ve played it back in my mind so often that I’m sure I’ll never forget them or our time together. (Maybe I should use that strategy when trying to recall where I parked in the lot or left my keys, but somehow the emotional component just doesn’t measure up.)

I even have proof of their enthusiasm in the copies of the reviews they presented to me at the end of our meeting. With their permission, I’ll share them here, transcribed just as they were written. They thrill me in their words of praise for the story and characters, of course. But, as a teacher, I’m equally excited about the quality of their writing. Their teacher explained how reviews are structured, urged them to read a few others, and left it to them to write. These are clearly the voices of younger readers, but the writing rises to a level worthy of any professional publication, I’m sure you’ll agree.

First, by Ryan:

Recently I finished the book Odin’s Promise by Sandy Brehl. It is a historical fiction novel about an 11 year old girl named Mari and her dog Odin. It is set during WWII in the small village of Ytre Arna. German soldiers have occupied Norway and Mari and her family are part of the resistance.

I thought this was an amazing book. I liked how the author developed the character of Mari. At the beginning of the book she relied on her family and friends for protection. Throughout the book, her family and Odin taught her to stand up for herself. I thought the glossary in the back of the book was very useful, also.

I would recommend this book to anyone 8 and older. I enjoyed it and hope everyone who reads it will too.

 

Next, by Emma:

Odin’s Promise is a historical fiction book by Sandy Brehl. The book took place during World War II, when the Germans occupied Norway. The main characters are a young girl and her faithful elkhound, Odin.

The book is touching, happy, sad, and even funny. I usually don’t read historical fiction, but this book was excellent. It made me feel many emotions – even triumph. I liked many, many things about Odin’s Promise. My favorites include the relationship between a person and their pet rather than a person and their family member/friend/parents, because sometimes people are more attached to an animal than another person. It also made me feel pride for Mari, the main character, because she works up the courage to become more independent.

In conclusion, I absolutely recommend that you read Odin’s Promise – nearly everything about it was excellent.

 

Now, from Elliot:

World War II was a horrible time, but in this historical fiction tale called Odin’s Promise by Sandy Brehl, a little girl named Mari discovers her inner-voice with the help of her faithful Norwegian Elkhound, Odin. Mari develops from a small girl that looks to her parents for protection, to a strong Norwegian fighting against the cruel reign of Hitler.

In this book, many exciting and terrifying events take place starting with a trip up the mountain for berries to discovering secret Norwegian resistances. With the help of her family, Mari finds courage and strength to face reality of this difficult time. Over the course of this fantastic novel, you will marvel at the friendship and bond between many of the characters especially Odin and Mari.

I can tell you firsthand you will love this book because the action, adventure, and fun. For all readers out there, I would recommend this book so you, too, can experience the bonds, changes in characters, and life lessons in Odin’s Promise!

 

And Megan says this:

The book Odin’s Promise by Sandy Brehl is about a young girl named Mari who lived in Norway during the time of World War II. She and her dog Odin go through many hardships in this historical fiction novel.

Odin’s Promise definitely goes into the category of one of my favorite books. It was one of the best books I’ve read in years. It made me laugh, smile, and cry. Relating to Mari and the other characters is incredibly easy. Readers will experience how it must have felt with the depression of war. I believe it’s the extraordinary detail, the exquisite storyline, and character development that made me feel this way.

Odin’s Promise is as well or better written than other famous books like Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling or Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan. I definitely think everyone should read this book. It’s wonderful!

 

And finally from Lily:

A little girl named Mari is picking berries on a mountain side with her dog Odin. Mari sees her neighbor Mr. Meier with two soldiers. He’s injured. When the two soldiers ask Mari if she knows him, she pretends not to know him. Why do you think she did that? What do you think happens next? Find out in the Historical Fiction book Odin’s Promise by Sandy Brehl. This book takes place in Norway during World War 2 and tells the story of Mari and her journey through a difficult time.

This book is very good. I give it 4 1/2 stars. The author paints a picture of what it’s like I Norway during German occupation. When reading this book, I experienced a wide range of emotion. I felt sad, happy and upset when reading it. I strongly recommend this book to discover how the promise relates to the story.

There you have it, The kind of praise a writer would only imagine  in a dream sequence, written by young readers who happen to be impressive writers themselves.

Ryan, Emma, Elliot, Megan and Lilly, the way you took Odin, Mari, and their story into your lives is a gift beyond measure. Thank you all, and thank you to Colleen Roth for wanting to share Odin’s Promise with you. I’ll spend every writing minute trying to live up to your high praise in all future work. Yours are the opinions that mean the most to me.

Quick note: ahead of schedule the book is now available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, although the last I checked IndieBound doesn’t yet have a link set up. You can use the “BUY THE BOOK” tab in the top menu bar to find active links, if interested.

Happy Hour: Time Spent with Readers

This afternoon I met with teacher Colleen Roth and five delightful readers. Months ago Colleen asked when she could share Odin’s Promise with a group of students. It was only natural to invite her to use advance reading copies with her group to pilot the use of my study guide. For the past few weeks Lily, Emma, Megan, Elliot, and Ryan have been reading Odin’s Promise with Mrs. Roth,  discussing the book, responding in notes and book talks, and making connections with their own lives. Colleen sent me brief updates as they went along to let me know they were enjoying it, which allowed me to uncross my fingers. (It’s hard to get any work done with fingers crossed!)

Writing is a solitary process, internal and reflective. Only later does it involve  critique partners and beta readers. Eventually a manuscript makes its way to an editor’s desk. That’s a lot of people to satisfy along the way to publication.

When it comes right down to it, though, there are only two people I write for:  myself and the reader.

This was the first true test of Odin’s Promise.

This afternoon I met with the group to share some background on the book and answer questions. I heard they were nervous about meeting me, but  they couldn’t possibly have been as nervous as I was! It turned out nerves were unnecessary on either side, since we seemed to hit it off from the start.

Writers do have interactions with readers, but not with all readers and not often face to face. Visiting with Lily, Emma, Megan, Elliot and Ryan, hearing their  interest and enthusiasm for the characters and story, is an experience I’ll never forget. They’ve given me permission to share the reviews they wrote, and I will do that here in the next few days. I’ll even post some photos of the originals with their signatures so you know I’m not making it all up!

I hope that Odin’s Promise finds many friends in schools in the years to come, but this was the first time through the doors. Being new in school can be difficult, especially when you’re from another time and place in history. Even though I’ve spent my life in schools, as a student and as teacher, this was my first trip through the doors as an author. I’m so grateful to these bright and eager school readers for the warm welcome they gave to Odin and and Mari  in the last few weeks, and to me today.   Then, just when I thought my grin couldn’t get any bigger, this happened:

I was floating by the time I left.

Tusen takk fra mitt hjerte:  A thousand thanks from my heart!

 

Meeting the Masters: Gold Medal Rosemalers

The hardest thing about viewing an exhibit of rosemaling artifacts, for me, is that each seems to outshine the next in my very unschooled estimation. I have fairly strong preferences in color combinations, style, and form for my home and clothing (tending toward the denim tones in that last category). When it comes to rosemaling pieces I admire and enjoy every possible combination of flowers and swirls, colors and contrasts.  I am “schooled” enough to know that the techniques, designs, and interpretation demonstrated are judged in categories and reflect everything from novice to gold medal masters of the art. Moving from one category to the next takes years of lessons, practice, competitions, and determination. It’s a good things people do it for the love of it.

This weekend’s event, the 44th Annual Rosemaling Show, was presented by the Norse Rosemaler’s Association at Norway House. I’ve shared photos of just a few of their jaw dropping examples here. On the left is a first place winner (blue ribbon). On the right is a collection of works by beginners, which are judged in their own category. I suppose even the unschooled can appreciate the difference, but I do’t envy the judges of of any category.

 

The skill needed to produce such beauty is beyond impressive, and I found each item to be a work of art in its own right.

Beginners entries- impressive, aren’t they?

Rosemaling grew out of a folk tradition in times when travel through Norway’s rugged, sprawling countryside presented even more challenges than it does today. As a result, there are regional patterns and styles in the art, easily recognized by trained artisans.

 

 

 

 

 

While there I was pleased to see several of the members wearing bunad which also reflects the traditions of various regions. As I snapped pictures I was given permission to include several members of the association. The pair on the left graciously  answered  a few questions about  themselves. Andrea L. Herkert, who recently earned her Gold Medal status as a rosemaling expert, is in the gold and white bunad. Nancy Schmidt is in the red with black apron.

 

 

 

 

 

Andrea reached that  esteemed status through mentoring by Nancy, a Vesterheim Gold Medalist. Nancy is considered a leader in the field, one of the few who is accomplished in multiple regional styles and also produces innovations in the art, taking it to new levels.

The morning was stormy and gray, but everyone at this event was wreathed in smiles. The authentic food offerings were a bonus, of course, and the warm reception by hostesses and spontaneous chats with visitors made the experience a rich and rewarding one. While snapping a shot at the beginners’ display someone passing by asked if I planned to make my own. Yikes! The closest I can come to that is to share a few more photos here.

I encourage you to check the links above to learn more about this nearly lost art. Much of what I learned  about the culture of the rosemaling community, their years of dedication, mutual support, and intense competitions, was acquired while reading Heritage of Darkness. It’s the third in the historic sites mystery series written by Wisconsin author Kathleen Ernst, and featuring fictional character Chloe Ellefson, a history and curation expert.If you are reading this early Sunday, make it a point to visit. At 1:00 there will also be a folk dancing demonstration. If you missed this glorious gathering, there’s always next year.

 

War, Prejudice, and Perspective: Hatred or Acceptance

Before I could get this posted, the news filled with reports of multiple Ukrainian takeovers outside Crimea. Russian fighter planes are buzzing US ships. The images, interviews, and use of force by pro-Russion Ukranians offer evidence that others who do not agreed are well-advised to hide their views. This is the stuff of jingo fever.

When World War I began one hundred years ago in 1914, it wasn’t called that, of course. In fact, the concept of a global  war engaging countries from both sides of the Atlantic was so outrageous it was commonly ( and ironically) called the Great War. Even after it ended, almost until the onset of World War II, it was called the Great War or the World War. Until then it was also called the war to end all wars, referring to its massive scope, loss of life, and horrendous practices like mustard gas and tench warfare.

As we know all too well, global wars were not ended. In the current political climate the opposite trend seems  true. My reflections here aren’t about the tendency for nations to ignore the lessons of the past. Sometimes they actually attempt to codify what they’ve learned, as this excerpt from Wikipedia notes:

After World War I, the Washington Arms Conference Treaty prohibited the use of asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases. It was signed by the United States, Britain, Japan, France, and Italy, but France objected to other provisions in the treaty and it never went into effect.
February 8, 1928: The Geneva Protocol enters into force, prohibiting the use of “asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, and of all analogous liquids, materials or devices” and “bacteriological methods of warfare”.

Granted, countries do ignore such standards, even when they have signed on to the agreements. But the ensuing international outrage has channels of recourse without resorting to armed attacks.

Instead I’m finding myself drawn to what seem to be inevitable patterns in human behavior. When the 9/11 attacks occurred in 2001, and in the many years since,  there has been sweeping (although not universal) prejudice and discrimination toward anyone perceived to be Muslim, Arabic, or in any way Middle Eastern in heritage. During the Viet Nam and Korean conflicts, anyone with Asian appearance could be subjected to open derision or subtle discrimination. This was an attitude easily adopted following the Japanese internment camps during the Second World War, a disgraceful blight on our nation’s past. After the First World War, German immigration was reduced to a trickle, and  those with German heritage were subject to scrutiny, with recent immigrants facing outright surveillance. During the Second World War  those with German heritage were keeping a very low profile in this country.

Few realize, though, that at the time of the First World War the United States had already experienced several decades of massive immigration, much of it from middle European countries. The craftsmanship and work ethic of German immigrants and others built our city halls and cathedrals, developed  breweries and bakeries, and farmed the land. Most German immigrants and their descendants were well-respected community members. German communities in urban American areas were so large and dense that many continued speaking German into the second or third generation.

Then the Great War began.

Just as in later years, anyone seen as German, by way of accent, surname, or admission, was considered the enemy by a large percentage of the American population. “Jingo Fever” overcame common sense, personal history, and plain facts to incite open hostility to the point of violence.

Jingo Fever, Crickhollow Books, 2011

Historical novels, especially those as well written and researched as JINGO FEVER, by Stephanie Golightly Lowden, are able to portray  phenomena and social patterns like these on intimate levels that move the reader back in time and place and into the lives of seemingly real people. The perspective of one hundred years is an advantage, offering an opportunity to examine human interactions at a personal level but through the eyes of characters. This opens the door to discussion of parallels in other conflicts and in current events.

I chose the title of this post to avoid outright pessimism in favor of choice. I believe in the potential for people, individually and in society, to grow and improve. It won’t happen without conscious effort, though. Do you recall that old song from South Pacific, YOU’VE GOT TO BE CAREFULLY TAUGHT? (Click on the title to hear  Barbra Streisand sing it in a medley with CHILDREN WILL LISTEN.)

What Stephanie’s book does so well is to weave a story in which young people are caught up in these social struggles at a critical time in history and in their personal development. They wrestle with the burden of sorting through whose “truth” is actually true, of sorting out which adults can be believed, and how much and why. They confront the decision between accepting the status quo or making better, wiser, stronger choices.

The paths we choose in life rarely end where we intend, and yet their direction can lead to dangerous territory. It’s a shorter distance than we realize from stereotyping to prejudice, from patriotism to jingoism, from protectionism to occupation to internment to genocide. When books like this are written, read, discussed, and shared, those initial choices can guide future leaders down brighter paths.

To learn more about the plans to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the start of the First World War, “Like” this FaceBook page and receive updates on events, historic photos, and memorials.

 

Norse Rosemaling Show: Don’t Miss It!

Last week I spent some time at Norway House finalizing arrangements for the Book Birthday Party on April 24.

This gorgeous venue opens its doors to many events, but none could possibly outshine the

44th Annual Roselmaling Show
scheduled for the coming weekend, April 12 and 13, 2014
Saturday: 10:00-4:00
Sunday: Noon-4:00
Sunday: 1:00- Folk Dancing
Norway House 7507 W. Oklahoma Ave.

Milwaukee, WI

Free to public

Hosted by the nonprofit organization, Norse Rosemalers’ Association, the weekend includes an ethnic food court, a silent auction, a raffle, rosemaling competition, demonstrations, and rosemaling supplies (patterns, paints, woodenware). Check out this interview from several years ago which includes loads of information and beautiful examples. The interview describes a show from the past, but applies to this year’s event as well.

That old saying about pictures being worth a thousand words couldn’t be more true than in this case. Just check out a few examples:

Making It Official: An Invitation to our Book Birthday Party!

This is the best TA-DA to date:
The official invitation to join us on Thursday, April 24
is now in circulation. Feel free to pass it on!

Hope to see you there!

 

Making sure you can see the details here:

 Where: Norway House
7507 W. Oklahoma Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53129
When: Thursday, April 24, 2014
6:00-8:00 PM
Author Presentation
Book sales & signing
 
Celebrate: Refreshments include authentic Norwegian sweets,
and CAKE! (It’s a birthday!) Cash bar available.
 
Onsite book sales- Martha Merrell’s Bookstore- 262-547-1060
Advance purchase & book reserves available: http://www.marthamerrellsbooks.com
Martha Merrell’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Martha...
 
Excerpt available at www.SandyBrehl.com
Questions? Sandy@sandybrehl.com