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Blog postIt's a book birthday!!
I'm thrilled to have my pal, Susan Hill Long, stop by to talk to
us about her new middle grade novel, JOSIE BLOOM AND THE EMERGENCY OF LIFE, which Kirkus calls "entertaining and emotionally resonant.
Publishers Weekly said, "Long nails the voice of a kid trying as hard as she can to tackle adult problems on her own when the adults in her life fall short."
What's the story about?
Josie Bloo1 year ago Read more -
Blog postToday I'm thrilled to have my friend, Bobbie Pyron, here to talk about her latest middle grade novel.
1. Tell us a little bit about your new novel, STAY.
STAY is the intertwined stories of Piper and her family, and a little dog named Baby, and his person, Jewel. Piper’s family has fallen on hard times and have just moved into a shelter for families experiencing homelessness. Piper misses her home and friends back in Louisiana and1 year ago Read more -
Blog postToday I'm celebrating a fabulous new picture book by Constance Lombardo: EVERYBODY SAYS MEOW, hitting bookstore shelves on November 5!And what a treat that Constance stopped by to answer some questions!
How does it feel to have your debut picture book coming out soon? It feels as wonderful as being in a room full of puppies! And kittens, of course. And they’re not even fighting, it’s just one big love-fest.
Describe the story of Everybody Says Meow in ten words or less.1 year ago Read more -
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Blog postToday I'm celebrating the summer publication of the paperback edition of Jo Hackl's terrific middle grade novel, Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe.
Set in an overgrown Southern ghost town, Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe takes readers on an adventure with 12-year-old Cricket, who sets out to survive on her own in the woods of an overgrown ghost town to try to solve a clue trail left by an eccentric artist, with a logic all his own, all
to try to find a secret room that may or2 years ago Read more -
Blog postI received a "Flat Avery" from a charming 3rd grader in Kansas.
She asked me to take Flat Avery along on some adventures with me.
Here is Avery with my dog, Rocket Here is Avery at a tea room in Asheville, NC
Avery at the airport
Avery on a flight to Houston, Texas, with meAvery flying to HoustonAvery at a hotel in HoustonAvery in the library of an elementary school in HoustonAvery in the libraryAvery helping me sign books in HoustonAvery with2 years ago Read more -
Blog postAuthor Cynthia Surrisi has hijacked my blog today and is forcing me to answer hard questions. Because she has promised me many fish tacos, penny candy, and trinkets, I am going along with this crazy scheme.
Cynthia, take it away.
Cynthia: Ah, such POWER!!! I am delighted to be commandeering Barbara’s blog for the issue leading up to the publication of her newest middle grade novel, Wonderland.
For those of you who are her fans and followers, I promise you will adore thi3 years ago Read more -
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Blog postIt's a Book Birthday!!
Today I'm celebrating the publication of
Mr. Puffball: Escape from Castaway Islandby Constance Lombardo
Being on Celebrity Birthday Cake Wars as El Gato was okay, but now Mr. Puffball is going on reality TV as himself!
He’ll finally earn the fame and fortune he’s dreamed of since kittenhood. But what happens when the fame wears off and the fortune is spent? What happens to a Hollywood3 years ago Read more -
Blog postGuess what today is?
A book birthday!!
The third Quinnie Boyd Mystery:
A SIDE OF SABOTAGE
by
Cynthia Surrisi
hits shelves today!!!
And now, for your viewing pleasure,the world premiere of the trailer
About the book:
For decades, Gusty's Café has been a beloved staple in Maiden Rock, Maine. Quinnie Boyd's dad runs the café, just like Quinnie's granddad before him. But the family business has new competit3 years ago Read more -
Blog postMy new book, WONDERLAND
Coming Fall 2018
Macmillan/FSG MAVIS JEETER is fearless and bold, but she has never lived in one place long enough to have a real best friend. Her flighty mother has uprooted them again to another new home and taken a job as a housekeeper for the Tully family. Mavis wants this home to be permanent—which means finding herself a best friend. ROSE TULLY is a worrier who feels like she doesn’t quite fit in with the other girls in her neighborhood.3 years ago Read more -
Blog postI recently spent two great days visiting schools in Madison Country North Carolina. WISH is on the North Carolina Elementary Battle of the Books list.
Getting ready to speak to students at Mars Hill Elementary
Being introduced at Mars Hill Elementary by Melanie Morgan, Library Director at Madison County Public Library
My greeters, tour guides and bodyguards at Brush Creek (l to r) Elizabeth, Bella, Jordan and Phoenix
A nice greeting from Brush Creek Elementa4 years ago Read more -
Blog postToday I have the great pleasure of having my friend and fab middle grade author, Cynthia Surrisi, here for a cover reveal.
I LOVE cover reveals!
Check it out, y'all!!
Isn't it great??
You can buy a copy of this beauty March 1, 2018.
Now let's hear from Cynthia:
Thanks for inviting me to reveal the cover of my new book here on your blog, Barbara!
It’s the third Quinnie Boyd Mystery, A SIDE OF SABOTAGE and even
more than the fir4 years ago Read more -
Blog postIt's no secret that my literary crush, my author idol, my all-time favorite I-want-to-be-her-when-I-grow up writer is Cynthia Rylant.
I gushed about my stalking here.
Eighteen years ago (1999), I sent her a letter to tell her how much she had influenced my writing.
That letter read, in part:
In my journey to becoming a children's writer, I've searched long and hard for my voice - the voice that will bring authenticity, heart, and soul to my wr4 years ago Read more -
Blog postWhat's more exciting than a new book??
I'm super stoked to show y'all the cover of the third Mr. Puffball book coming this spring:
Mr. Puffball: Escape from Castaway IslandbyConstance Lombardo
Ready? Ta da!!
Isn't it fantastic??
About the book:
Are you a Hollywood stunt cat?
Do you want fame and fortune?
Could you beat the current feline, Ninja Warrior, in the ultimate challenge of awesomeness?
"Yes, yes, a4 years ago Read more -
Blog postCheck out this amazing trailer for Wish
Made by the amazing Charlii
In Ashley Hayball's 4th grade class
at Amelia Earhart Elementary School
in Indio, CA
Thank you, Charlii!!!4 years ago Read more -
Blog postMajor thanks to the teachers and students of Malcom Bridge Elementary School in Bogart, Georgia
What a day I had!!
The evening before my visit, I had dinner with some of the teachers and the assistant principal. A good time was had by all.
The next morning, I was greeted by this great sign!
And in the library....this great sign!Check out this AMAZING gift they gave me!! A wish tree along with lots of wishes from students. Special thanks to 4th grade teacher Lee Roger4 years ago Read more -
Blog postLucky me!
I got to spend the day with students and teachers at Leicester Elementary School in Leicester, North Carolina - celebrating their One School One Book program.
The whole school had read
THE SMALL ADVENTURE OF POPEYE AND ELVIS.
How cool is that?
Here are some pics from that great day:
Presenting to some eager 3rd gradersBeing filmed by the local TV station
Huge thanks to librarian Caryn Levy for all of her hard work and warm hospitali4 years ago Read more -
Blog postI had an amazing author visit to Paris Elementary School in Taylors, South Carolina, today.
You know it's going to be a good day when you are greeted with this sign outside the school.
And another one inside the school!Students in Mrs. Boebel's class.With my new BFF, Mrs. Boebel
Students in Mrs. Boebel's class wrote and performed a skit of How to Steal a DogI love the set they made for their skit.
Khamari, Aydan, Reid and Cooper performed an original rap for me. I LOVED i4 years ago Read more -
Blog post"Dead matter" refers to all of the paper left over after a book has gone to press: the original manuscript with editor's and copy editor's comments, the various rounds of revised manuscripts, etc.
It's always fun to take a look at the minutiae involved in getting a manuscript into tip top shape. And, alas, I often realize some of the mistakes I make over and over again. Sheesh.
You can see some past Lessons from Dead Matter HERE.
I just got my de4 years ago Read more -
Blog postWeek 2 started with a bang at Matzke Elementary School, where I spent the day with librarian extraordinaire Karen Womack.
Karen Womack (left) and me
The students wrote wishes (inspired by my book WISH) and put them in the treasure chest:
Next stop: Hemmenway Elementary
I was honored to meet 4th grade teacher and fan Mrs. Marshall.
And 4th grade teacher and fan, Mrs. Parks.
The next day, I was picked up by librarian, Paula Baiamonte, to beg4 years ago Read more -
Blog postThe amazing Jennifer Lucas made these amazing videos (yes, I'm using the word "amazing" a lot).
Some more of the wishes:
Love this greeting from Robison Elementary
The wonderful Jenny Daniell (left)
Check out the cool way that Robison students clapped for me:
Here are the students at Andre Elementary telling me what their favorite book is (thank you, Shelli Mangum!!):
Yammering away to Hamilton stu4 years ago Read more -
Blog postI want to send the arc of Audacity Jones Steals the Show to the first commenter on my previous post - Danielle H - but I have no way to contact.
Will you email me thru my website?4 years ago Read more -
Blog postJust finished this beauty.
So much to love.
Audacity Jones Steals the Show by Kirby Larson
Two words: TOTAL PACKAGE
It has mystery and humor and adventure.
It has a cat and an elephant.
It has HOUDINI!!!
So many things to love about the writing.
I love how Kirby speaks to the reader so seamlessly, without pulling us out of the story. In fact, quite the opposite...she lets us in on the fun:
I know, dear reader, it causes you to shudder as it d4 years ago Read more -
Blog postToday I got to speak to students from ELEVEN schools in Surry County, North Carolina.
What a great day!
Greetings from Nowhere is on the Battle of the Books list for North Carolina...so these schools were rocking it!!!
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here ya go!
Thank you, Surry County Schools!
The Battle of the Books team at Rockford Elementary (Thank you for that great welcome sign!)
Rockford Elementary kids waiting fo4 years ago Read more -
Blog postHere are a few pics from my great visit to Creekside Elementary School in Winterville, North Carolina
The Battle of the Books team
4 years ago Read more -
Blog postWow! Amazing school visits in Winterville, North Carolina.
Here are some of the highlights:
Thank you to Creekside Elementary for this great welcome sign in the library. (Note: There were lots of pics taken here but I don't have them. Will post if I get them. Great school, though. Trust me.)
A nice greeting for Kim Norman and I from Ridgewood.
Check out all the snazzy outfits at the Battle of the Books luncheon
Battle of the Books4 years ago Read more
Eleven-year-old Charlie Reese has been making the same secret wish every day since fourth grade. She even has a list of all the ways there are to make the wish, such as cutting off the pointed end of a slice of pie and wishing on it as she takes the last bite. But when she is sent to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to live with family she barely knows, it seems unlikely that her wish will ever come true. That is until she meets
Wishbone, a skinny stray dog who captures her heart, and Howard, a neighbor boy who proves surprising in lots of ways. Suddenly Charlie is in serious danger of discovering that what she thought she wanted may not be what she needs at all.
From award-winning author Barbara O'Connor comes a middle-grade novel about a girl who, with the help of a true-blue friend, a big-hearted aunt and uncle, and the dog of her dreams, unexpectedly learns the true meaning of family in the least likely of places.
This title has Common Core connections.
Half of me was thinking, Georgina, don't do this. Stealing a dog is just plain wrong. The other half of me was thinking, Georgina, you're in a bad fix and you got to do whatever it takes to get yourself out of it.
Georgina Hayes is desperate. Ever since her father left and they were evicted from their apartment, her family has been living in their car. With her mama juggling two jobs and trying to make enough money to find a place to live, Georgina is stuck looking after her younger brother, Toby. And she has her heart set on improving their situation. When Georgina spots a missing-dog poster with a reward of five hundred dollars, the solution to all her problems suddenly seems within reach. All she has to do is "borrow" the right dog and its owners are sure to offer a reward. What happens next is the last thing she expected.
With unmistakable sympathy, Barbara O'Connor tells the story of a young girl struggling to see what's right when everything else seems wrong.
How to Steal a Dog is a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year. This title has Common Core connections.
Don't miss Barbara O'Connor's other middle-grade work—like Wish; How to Steal a Dog; Greetings from Nowhere; Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia; The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester; and more!
From Barbara O'Connor, the New York Times-bestselling author of Wish, comes a big-hearted story about the meaning of friendship, the challenges of growing up, and one lovable runaway dog.
Mavis Jeeter is fearless and bold, but she has never lived in one place long enough to have a real best friend. Her flighty mother has uprooted them again to another new home and taken a job as a housekeeper for the Tully family. Mavis wants this home to be permanent—which means finding herself a best friend.
Rose Tully is a worrier who feels like she doesn’t quite fit in with the other girls in her neighborhood. Her closest friend is Mr. Duffy, but he hasn’t been himself since his dog died. Rose may have to break a few of her mother’s many rules to help Mr. Duffy—and find someone who really understands her.
Henry has run away from home, but he craves kindness and comfort—and doesn’t know where to look for them.
When Mavis and Rose hatch a scheme to find Mr. Duffy a new dog, their lives and Henry’s intersect—and they all come to find friendship in places they never expected.
Aggie isn't expecting visitors at the Sleepy Time Motel in the Great Smoky Mountains. Since her husband died, she is all alone with her cat, Ugly, and keeping up with the bills and repairs has become next to impossible. The pool is empty, the garden is overgrown, and not a soul has come to stay in nearly three months. When she reluctantly places a For Sale ad in the newspaper, Aggie doesn't know that Kirby and his mom will need a room when their car breaks down on the way to Kirby's new reform school. Or that Loretta and her parents will arrive in her dad's plumbing company van on a trip meant to honor the memory of Loretta's birth mother. Or that Clyde Dover will answer the For Sale ad in such a hurry and move in with his daughter, Willow, looking for a brand-new life to replace the one that was fractured when Willow's mom left. Perhaps the biggest surprise of all is that Aggie and her guests find just the friends they need at the shabby motel in the middle of nowhere.
From an author long recognized for her true Southern voice and heartfelt characters, Greetings from Nowhere, with its four intertwining stories, brings Barbara O'Connor's work to a new level of sophistication.
This title has Common Core connections.
A heartfelt middle-grade novel from New York Times bestselling author Barbara O’Connor about a boy whose life is upended after the loss of his older brother—timeless, classic, and whimsical.
Walter Tipple is looking for adventure. He keeps having a dream that his big brother, Tank, appears before him and says, “Let’s you and me go see my world, little man.” But Tank went to the army and never came home, and Walter doesn’t know how to see the world without him.
Then he meets Posey, the brash new girl from next door, and an eccentric man named Banjo, who’s off on a bodacious adventure of his own. What follows is a summer of taking chances, becoming braver, and making friends—and maybe Walter can learn who he wants to be without the brother he always wanted to be like.
Halfway to Harmony is an utterly charming story about change and growing up.
Don't miss Barbara O'Connor's other middle-grade work—like Wish; Wonderland; How to Steal a Dog; Greetings from Nowhere; Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia; The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester; and more!
Learning to share love
Things at Jennalee's house are just plain crazy, which is why she loves her predictable days helping Uncle Beau (who isn't really her uncle) at his general store. But then Rupert Goody shows up, claiming to be Uncle Beau's son. Jennalee can't believe it, because Rupert is black and Uncle Beau is white. But Uncle Beau tells her it is true and incorporates Rupert into his life, ruining Jennalee's routine.
Although Rupert is slow, he is kind-hearted and tries hard to please. When more unforeseen events -- this time frightening ones -- further interrupt life at the store, Jennalee comes to see that Rupert Goody, odd though he may be, is certainly not the worst unexpected thing that could come along, and that he belongs with Uncle Beau as much as she does. With a vividly depicted setting, emotional truth, and a distinctly Southern voice, Barbara O'Connor shows that there is love enough to go around.
An amazing secret has tumbled off a freight train into Carter, Georgia, and Owen Jester is the only person who knows about it. If he can simply manage to evade his grandfather's snappish housekeeper, organize his two best friends, and keep his nosy neighbor, Viola, at bay, he just might be in for the summer of a lifetime. With her trademark wit and easy charm, Barbara O'Connor spins a fantastic fable of friends, enemies, and superbly slimy bullfrogs.
This title has Common Core connections.
Nothing ever happens in Fayette, South Carolina. That's what Popeye thinks, anyway. His whole life, everything has just been boring, boring, boring. But things start to look up when the Jewells' Holiday Rambler makes a wrong turn and gets stuck in the mud, trapping Elvis and his five rowdy siblings in Fayette for who knows how long. Popeye has never met anyone like Elvis Jewell. He's so good at swearing he makes Uncle Dooley look like a harp-strumming angel, and he says "So what?" like he really means it. Then something curious comes floating down the creek—a series of boats with secret messages—and it sends Popeye and Elvis into the big world on the hunt for a small adventure.
With a healthy helping of humor and the signature Southern charm that has captivated children and critics alike, Barbara O'Connor's newest tale is a heartwarming look at the joy that can come out of being a Royal Rule Breaker, and learning to find one's own adventures.
This title has Common Core connections.
Will a spelling bee be the answer to all of Bird's problems?
All her life, all Bird has ever wanted is to be noticed in her small town and to get to Disney World. As it turns out, Bird just might have a chance to realize at least one of her goals because of a state spelling bee, and she might get to make a friend along the way – a boy named Harlem Tate who has just moved to Freedom. Harlem seems like a kindred spirit – someone like Bird, whom people don't usually take the time to find the good in. (Unless it's someone like Miss Delphine, who always makes Bird feel special.) But as much as Bird tries to get his attention, Harlem is not easily won over. Then Harlem agrees to be her partner in the spelling bee, and if they study hard enough, the two might just win everything Bird's always wanted.
In Barbara O'Connor's funny new novel, a spunky young girl discovers that sometimes all it takes to feel famous is a little recognition from true friends.
Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia is a 2004 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year. This title has Common Core connections.
Summer days drift by slowly in Meadville, South Carolina--that is, until Sherman the one-legged pigeon flies into town and causes a ruckus. First Stella, who's been begging for a dog, spots him on top of a garage roof and decides she wants him for a pet. Then there's Ethel and Amos, an old couple who sees the pigeon in their barn keeping company with a little brown dog that barks all night. The pigeon lands smack in the middle of Mutt Raynard's head, but he's the town liar, so no one believes him. And when Stella's brother Levi and his scabby-kneed, germ-infested friends notice the pigeon, they join the chase, too. Meanwhile, across town, Mr. Mineo has one less homing pigeon than he used to...
Barbara O'Connor has delivered another ingeniously crafted story full of southern charm, kid-sized adventures, and quirky, unforgettable characters.
This title has Common Core connections.
Set in a trailer park called Paradise
"You're just wasting your God-given talents if you don't get yourself something besides a little ole harmonica to play." Wylene made it sound so easy. Martin had always like music -- liked to listen to it, liked to make up tunes in his head. But all he had to do was say the word "piano" to his father and all hell would break loose. His father thought music was for sissies, and was always mad at Martin for not being good at baseball. But with a lot of help from his friends Wylene and Sybil and his grandmother, Hazeline, Martin learns that, although he can't change his father, he can learn to stick up for himself. With humor, pathos, and a colorful cast of offbeat characters, Barbara O'Connor shows that there's room for genius wherever there's a place for compassion-- even in Paradise.
Who left the baby at the Rock of Ages Baptist Church?
Randall Mackey has a secret. He knows who left the baby on the steps of the Rock of Ages Baptist Church. But he can't tell anyone, not even his best friend, Jaybird. And he certainly can't let Jaybird's little sister, Althea, find out because she'd be sure to shout it from the rooftops. Randall can't tell because Queenie Avery was also there, and he wants to protect her. Poor old Queenie seems to be getting more and more forgetful these days. And now that she's begun to wander, folks in town want to send her away, which would break Mr. Avery's heart. While Randall's busy worrying about doing the right thing, everyone in town is discussing who should take care of baby Moses, and it isn't long before a feud breaks out. Randall has to come up with a plan that won't hurt those he most wants to help. And he's got to do it quickly before the situation gets completely out of control.
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