Your First Day of Circus School by Tara Lazar

written by Tara Lazar

illustrated by Melissa Crowton

published by Tundra Books

In true Tara Lazar style, this circus story is a totally new spin on the first day of school. It is full of puns, heart and humor. A nervous child will see how this boy copes with all the feelings and questions the first day of school brings in such a fun setting.  As a child, I lived near the winter quarters of a circus. I loved being able to visit the animals, who I believed were my friends. As an adult, I see that they probably didn’t have the best life which is disheartening. Your First Day of Circus School brings me back to the magic of the circus animals and will be a welcome addition in schools and libraries everywhere! The illustrations are perfect.

Thank you NetGalley and Tundra Books for a digital copy to review. 

Children's Book Academy

My word for the 2019 is INTENTIONAL. I have a calendar year filled with goals and have been ticking them off!

One of my goals was to write my chapter book and my series premise, outlines, etc. I got it accomplished and it felt great! Then, I wanted to workshop it. That's when I found this amazing class. Well, actually, I've had them on my radar for a long time. It's hard to decide which class to take!

So, I'm taking my first Children's Book Academy class, and it's amazing! It's only day 5, and there's been so much information! I highly recommend any class through the Children's Book Academy. Everyone has been so kind and generous.

My weekend job is to read the first two chapters and the last chapter of many chapter books. OK! I'm off to read!!!

Beverly, Right Here by Kate DiCamillo

written by Kate DiCamillo

published by Candlewick

Beverly, Right Here is another wonderful middle grade story by Kate DiCamillo. I feel like Beverly was older than the characters were in the other two companion books. I liked that, though I’m not sure which age bracket to really put this in.  Beverly struck out on her own in search of her true self. She wanted to re-invent her life and leave her troubled family life behind. She winds up in a beach town and befriends an older woman in a trailer home. Having grown up in a Florida beach town myself, Kate’s attention to detail for this setting was spot on. It even brought back memories of my own. 

When I close Kate’s books, I always want to re-read them. Thank you NetGalley and Candlewick for a digital copy to review.

A Writing Essential

written by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi

I am thrilled that I found this book.  It's been an invaluable tool as I was getting to know my characters while planning for my chapter books. There's actually a series of them. I have had no hesitation purchasing other titles from this series as I've needed them. I think I have four now.

The Collection!

2019 A New Writing Year

I love the promise of a new year and all the dreams it has to offer. I truly love my writing journey. The beginning of the year offers many resources for writers. Here are my top 3 for January. I have my eye on more for February!


First, there is Tara Lazar's StoryStorm. Here we read a motivating post each day of the month of January. Generally, we learn ways to see the different ideas all around us from true-for-real authors! It's a great resource for writers or teachers of little writers! You can always access older posts under the StoryStorm tab.

Next is Julie Hedund's 12x12 Writing Challenge. It was initially set up to motivate writers to get that crappy first draft down on paper...one a month. But, it is SO much more. It is a community of kid lit writers who travel the ups and downs of this journey together. We are all at different places in our lives and our careers, but this is for anyone who wants to write picture books for kids.

Then there is the new and improved Aree Chung's StoryTeller Academy! This is the first year for the membership version. The classes that I took last year were phenomenal. This year offers those and a whole lot more! 

Happy Writing in 2019!