Book Lists

 

Want to know about funny? Ask Donna Gephart, she knows all about it. She’s been writing stories about funny characters for over 20 years. Her first book, As if Being 12 ¾ Isn’t Bad Enough, My Mother is Running for President, even won the Sid Fleischman Award!

Her latest book, Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen released yesterday and is already getting rave reviews.

     From Indie Bound:  Olivia Bean knows trivia. She watches Jeopardy! every night and usually beats at least one of the contestants. If she were better at geography, she would try out for the show’s kids’ week. Not only could she win bundles of money, she’d get to go to the taping in California, where her dad, who left two years ago and who Olivia misses like crazy, lives with his new family. One day Olivia’s friend-turned-nemesis, Tucker, offers to help her bulk up her geography knowledge. Before Olivia knows it, she’s getting help from all sorts of unexpected sources: her almost-stepdad, superannoying Neil; her genius little brother, Charlie; even her stressed-out mom. Soon she has breezed through the audition rounds and is headed for Hollywood! But will the one person she wants to impress more than anyone else show up to support her?

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, January 15, 2012: “This tale will have readers cheering for the resilient, resourceful Olivia.”

 

I had the pleasure of first meeting Donna in 2009 at the SCBWI Miami conference. I attended her workshop on “How to Create Quirky Characters”. For 90 wonderful minutes, Donna kept us in stitches. We laughed. We cried. We learned. She taught us how to find the quirkiness inside ourselves and put it into our characters.  I still have those fantastic notes and have referred to them many times while writing my own fiction.

So let’s meet this incredible author and teacher. First of all Donna,

Why did you decide to make this story for middle grade readers?

I love writing middle grade fiction.  It such a crazy time of ups and downs, both physically and emotionally for kids that age, so it’s an ideal landscape for dramatic (and funny) fiction.

 

What was your favorite part about writing this book?

Reading books of trivia was entertaining.  Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen has more than 100 bits of fun (and sometimes gross) trivia woven through the story.

It was also fun to learn about the behind-the-scenes workings of the TV quiz show Jeopardy! and write those tense, competitive scenes.

 

Your books seem to show kids that are longing to be popular, but yet their nerdiness or intelligence keeps them out of the group. Did you feel that way as a kid? Do you have any advice for kids who feel this way?

Of course I felt that way!  Didn’t every children’s book author feel that way?

There’s a moment in this book where Olivia’s little “bother” Charlie says, “It’s fun to be smart, Livi.”  And she wants here brother to hang onto that feeling because Olivia’s learned it’s not so much fun to be the smartest one in your class when you’re in middle school.  It can make you the target of unwanted attention.  Olivia always feels like an outcast . . . until, through Jeopardy!, she meets other kids who are smart like her.

My advice to young people who find great pleasure in things of the mind:  While it may not be popular in middle school to be smart, it provides a lifetime of joy and entertainment.  You will meet fascinating people and never be bored.

 

Do you have any interesting stories to share about how this book came about or things you encountered while writing it?

I had sent an advanced reader’s copy of Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen to Ken Jennings — Jeopardy! champ and author of the best-selling Maphead:  Charting the Wide, Weird World of Geography Wonks.  He’s such a funny, generous guy.  (If you like trivia, check out his Tuesday Trivia and read his blog; it’s highly entertaining.)  I was over-the-moon excited when Ken wrote a lovely blurb that appears on the back cover of Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen.

 

For those aspiring authors out there, can you give us an idea of your process? How long was it from the first glimmer of a story idea to your book launch day?

As usual, I had trouble coming up with my next book.  I kept trying new ideas that didn’t work out.  So, when I read about NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), I knew this was just the motivation I needed.

The title came to me during a writing/scribbling session at my local library two days before NaNoWriMo began.

The day before, I figured out that Olivia loved trivia . . . and someone who loved trivia might want to get on Kids’ Week on Jeopardy!

Then, by some miracle, I wrote Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen in 29 days.  I blogged daily about the experience here.

My agent, Tina Wexler at International Creative Management, reminds me to mention how long it took me to revise the book – months and months!  Even though I revised quite a bit during the month of writing, the book still needed much revision afterward.  Books are pesky like that!

I was thrilled to learn that the book sold about three months after I finished it.

Then, of course, it was two long years until the book launched.

 

Any piece of advice for writers wishing to create a quirky, funny character?

Look for the one thing that makes your character unusual and use that as your starting point to create a fully-developed character with complex relationships with friends, family, teachers, etc.  In each of my books, my characters had one thing that made him/her unique:

 

1. As If Being 12 ¾ Isn’t Bad Enough, My Mother is Running for President – Vanessa Rothrock is a klutzy, awkward spelling bee champ.  (She reads the dictionary for fun and loves playing Scrabble with her mother.)

 

2.  How to Survive Middle School  — David Greenberg fancies himself the next Jon Stewart as he creates funny YouTube videos, starring his hamster, Hammy and his hilarious 6-1/2 lists.

 

 

 

3.  Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen —  Olivia is a trivia whiz, like her father, who abandoned the family two years earlier.  She never misses an episode of Jeopardy!

“Find the quirk through observation, memory or imagination and you will have the foundation for a unique, memorable character.”

 

And there you have it. How to find your own quirkiness and use it to create a wonderful character. Thanks for stopping by, Donna. It’s been delightful!

To learn more about Donna and her books, be sure to visit her website.  And don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered to win an autographed copy of Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen!  The winner will be announced on Saturday, March 17th.

 

* * *

Jennifer Swanson is a self-professed science geek and knows all about carrying bits of trivia around in her head. At one time, she could recite the entire periodic table from memory. She would have been happy to help Olivia prep for her Jeopardy appearance.

There are so many middle-grade novels, it’s hard to know what to read next.  If I love a book, I usually rush to pick up future novels from that author.  But how do you find great new authors in the first place?

I often seek out books that friends rave about, plus anything that catches my eye on the Mixed-Up Files book lists (you can browse categories like reluctant readers, books for boys, fantasy/paranormal, etc. and if you scroll toward the bottom you’ll see all our past new release posts).

Since we love helping our readers discover great new books, I’m going to list some of my favorite middle-grade novels that came out in the past couple of years by new authors (or authors who are new to this genre).  Below each reason why the book is a favorite is a blurb from Indiebound.

 * Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier.  Keep your eyes open for an upcoming interview with Jonathan!  When I first heard the title of this book, an editor was talking about it in a crowded room.  I had her repeat it at least three times, thinking I heard her wrong.  Nope!  When I came home and Googled it, I discovered that my ears were correct.  After reading this fantastic book, I can’t imagine a better title for it.  The characters in this wacky adventure jump off the page, and the voice grabbed me right away—it’s so unique.  Check out this free first chapter, and you’ll see what I mean!

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes is the utterly beguiling tale of a ten-year-old blind orphan who has been schooled in a life of thievery. One fateful afternoon, he steals a box from a mysterious traveling haberdasher—a box that contains three pairs of magical eyes. When he tries the first pair, he is instantly transported to a hidden island where he is presented with a special quest: to travel to the dangerous Vanished Kingdom and rescue a people in need. Along with his loyal sidekick—a knight who has been turned into an unfortunate combination of horse and cat—and the magic eyes, he embarks on an unforgettable, swashbuckling adventure to discover his true destiny.

 

* My Very UnFairy Tale Life by Anna Staniszewski.  This is another one with a great voice that sucked me in the second I read the free first chapter online.  And if you love this unique action-packed novel as much as I do, we’ll all be adding My Way Too Fairy Tale Life to our must-read lists.  Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until this sequel is released in Spring, 2013.

“You know all those stories that claim fairies cry sparkle tears and elves travel by rainbow? They’re lies. All lies.” Twelve-year-old Jenny has spent the last two years as an adventurer helping magical kingdoms around the universe. But it’s a thankless job, leaving her no time for school or friends. She’d almost rather take a math test than rescue yet another magical creature! When Jenny is sent on yet another mission, she has a tough choice to make: quit and have her normal life back, or fulfill her promise and go into a battle she doesn’t think she can win.

 

Water Balloon by Audrey Vernick.  This has a wonderful voice that made me want to leap into Marley’s story.  Plus, I love writing and reading books that have adorable animals, spunky children, and cute crushes—and this book has the perfect mix of humor and heart.

Marley’s life is as precarious as an overfull water balloon—one false move and everything will burst. Her best friends are pulling away from her, and her parents, newly separated, have decided she should spend the summer with her dad in his new house, with a job she didn’t ask for and certainly doesn’t want. On the upside is a cute boy who loves dogs as much as Marley does . . . but young love has lots of opportunity for humiliation and misinterpreted signals. Luckily Marley is a girl who trusts her instincts and knows the truth when she sees it, making her an immensely appealing character and her story funny, heartfelt, and emotionally true.

 

How Lamar’s Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy by Crystal Allen. Like the others, the voice really jumped at me from the very first line.  This book had me cheering Lamar on through his heartbreaking yet humorous journey.

Thirteen-year-old Lamar Washington is the maddest, baddest, most spectacular bowler at Striker’s Bowling Paradise. But while Lamar’s a whiz at rolling strikes, he always strikes out with girls. And his brother, Xavier the Basketball Savior, is no help. Xavier earns trophy after trophy on the basketball court and soaks up Dad’s attention, leaving no room for Lamar’s problems.

Until bad boy Billy Jenks convinces Lamar that hustling at the alley will help him win his dream girl, plus earn him enough money to buy an expensive pro ball and impress celebrity bowler Bubba Sanders. But when Billy’s scheme goes awry, Lamar ends up ruining his brother’s shot at college and every relationship in his life. Can Lamar figure out how to mend his broken ties, no matter what the cost?

 

I asked my writing friends on Verla Kay’s Blueboards to share some of their favorite middle-grade novels.  They named so many books that I love, too—plus some that I can’t wait to add to my must-read list.

 

Marcia Hoehne first heard about these wonderful novels online.

The Aviary by Kathleen O’Dell has a historical, mystery, timeless feel.

Twelve-year-old Clara Dooley has spent her whole life in the Glendoveer mansion, where her mother is a servant to the kind and elderly matron of the house. Once old Mrs. Glendoveer passes away, Clara comes to learn many dark secrets about the family. The Glendoveers suffered a horrific tragedy: their children were kidnapped, then drowned. And their father George Glendoveer, a famous magician and illusionist, stood accused until his death. As Clara digs deeper and deeper into the terrifying events, the five birds in the aviary seem to be trying to tell her something. And Clara comes to wonder: what is their true identity? Clara sets out to solve a decades-old murder mystery—and in doing so, unlocks a secret in her own life, too.

 

May B by Caroline Starr Rose has historical, lovely language.

May is helping out on a neighbor’s Kansas prairie homestead—just until Christmas, says Pa. She wants to contribute, but it’s hard to be separated from her family by 15 long, unfamiliar miles. Then the unthinkable happens: May is abandoned. Trapped in a tiny snow-covered sod house, isolated from family and neighbors, May must prepare for the oncoming winter. While fighting to survive, May’s memories of her struggles with reading at school come back to haunt her. But she’s determined to find her way home again. Caroline Starr Rose’s fast-paced novel, written in beautiful and riveting verse, gives readers a strong new heroine to love.

 

Sparrow Road by Sheila O’Connor is about artists, mysterious, warmhearted, quirky characters that are likeable instead of merely weird.

It’s the summer before seventh grade, and twelve-year- old Raine O’Rourke’s mother suddenly takes a job hours from home at mysterious Sparrow Road- a creepy, dilapidated mansion that houses an eccentric group of artists. As Raine tries to make sense of her new surroundings, she forges friendships with a cast of quirky characters including the outrageous and funky Josie.  Together, Raine and Josie decide to solve the mysteries of Sparrow Road-from its haunting history as an orphanage to the secrets of its silent, brooding owner, Viktor. But it’s an unexpected secret from Raine’s own life that changes her forever.

 

Karen Schwartz loves The Boy Project by Kami Kinard because it’s both funny and tender.  It really captures that yearning for a boyfriend at the awkward age of seventh grade.

Wildly creative seventh grader Kara McAllister just had her best idea yet. She’s going to take notes on all of the boys in her grade (and a few elsewhere) in order to answer a seemingly simple question: How can she get a boyfriend?

But Kara’s project turns out to be a lot more complicated than she imagined. Soon there are secrets, lies, and an embarrassing incident in the boy’s bathroom. Plus, Kara has to deal with mean girls, her slightly spacey BFF, and some surprising uses for duct tape. Still, if Kara’s research leads her to the right boy, everything may just be worth it. . . .

 

Vonna Carter says that Circle of Secrets and the prequel/companion The Healing Spell by Kimberley Griffiths Little, both are beautiful, haunting and sweet with fantastic voice.  Here’s the blurb for The Healing Spell.

Twelve-year-old Livie is living with a secret and it’s crushing her. She knows she is responsible for her mother’s coma, but she can’t tell anyone. It’s up to her to find a way to wake her mamma up.

Stuck in the middle of three sisters, hiding a forbidden pet alligator, and afraid to disappoint her daddy, whom she loves more than anyone else, Livie struggles to find her place within her own family as she learns about the powers of faith and redemption. Livie’s powerful, emotional, and sometimes humorous story will stay with readers long after the last line is read.

 

Mike Jung and Natalie Lorenzi both raved about Nowhere Girl by A.J. Paquette.  Natalie loved the gorgeous language, exotic setting, and page-turning plot.

Luchi Ann only knows a few things about herself: she was born in a prison in Thailand. Her American mother was an inmate there. And now that her mother has died, Luchi must leave the only place she’s ever known and set out into the world. Neither at home as a Thai, because of her fair skin and blond hair, nor as a foreigner, because of her knowledge of Thai life and traditions, Luchi feels as though she belongs nowhere. But as she embarks on an amazing adventure-a journey spanning continents and customs, harrowing danger and exhilarating experiences-she will find the family, and the home, she’s always dreamed of. Weaving intricate elements of traditional Thailand into a modern-day fairy tale unique unto itself, Nowhere Girl is a beautifully rendered story of courage, resilience, and finding the one place where you truly belong.

 

Mike and Natalie also adore the books in the Underworld Chronicle series by Jennifer Nielsen–Elliot and The Goblin War, and Elliot and the Pixie Plot.  Natalie says it has a fabulous voice and a quick plot full of adventure.  It has lots of funny lines, and is sprinkled with illustrations that appeal to reluctant (and non-reluctant!) readers.  Here’s the blurb for Elliot and The Goblin War.

WARNING! As of today, there are only 7 CHILDREN who have ever read this book and lived to tell about it. 95 CHILDREN successfully read the first chapter, but upon beginning chapter 2, they started BLABBERING in some language known only as “flibberish.” 38 CHILDREN made it halfway through this wretched book before they began SUCKING THEIR THUMBS THROUGH THEIR NOSES.

If you’re VERY BRAVE, perhaps you are willing to TAKE YOUR CHANCES. Be sure that you have told your family who gets your favorite toys if you DO NOT SURVIVE this book. Read it now, IF YOU DARE. But don’t say you haven’t been warned, for this is the story that unfolds the MYSTERIES OF THE UNDERWORLD.

 

These are two novels that Mystery Robin raved about.

I’m thrilled to welcome prolific Taylor Morris, author of the five-book (so far–wow) Gorgeous series, and titles such as Total Knockout: Tale of an Ex-Class President and Class Favorite to the Mixed Up Files. To learn more about Taylor go to www.taylormorris.com. In this interview, Taylor speaks about her latest single title, BFF Breakup.

1) What compelled you to write a book about best friends who have split?

I realized, sadly, that adults aren’t immune to splitting with a best friend. For a long time I would have guessed that it was something that only happened in school, to tweens and teenagers, as if we adults are so mature that we could never fight, then greatly (greatly) dislike someone we used to call our best friend. So for any kids who read this, I’m sorry to report that you may not be free of these things once you leave school.

2) Do you feel as if there are any significant issues that you would face in middle school when you lost your best friend?

Being alone. Watching friends take sides. Then, through all that, still having to go to class with them, find someone to sit with at lunch, make weekend plans. As an adult we can more easily avoid certain people (unless we work with them) but when you’re in school you’re stuck seeing them every week day and there’s not a lot you can do about it. Aside from homeschooling, which I don’t know much about but sounds kind of boring.

3) Do you think that middle school is a time when best friends are more likely to break up? If so why?

I don’t necessarily thing they’re more likely to break up. I think in middle school you’re learning to stand your ground more, figuring out who you are and what you’re about and maybe for the first time you’re willing to even stand up to your own best friend. But fights with friends can really happen at any age. Haven’t you seen the Real Housewives franchise? Proof right there that there is no age limit on BFF breakups.

4) Did you learn anything about friendship as you were writing your novel?

One big thing I learned is that you’re responsible for how you treat other people, regardless of what’s happening in your life. If you’re having a bad day or going through something traumatic (like Madeline does) that doesn’t give you license to treat your friends poorly. Even if your life is rotten, you can’t be rotten to the people who most want to help you and expect them to take it. And if you do, you should know enough to apologize.

5) Is there anything that you would like to add about best friends and the pain of moving away from each other?

It never gets easier. Most of us, we love our best friends like we love our siblings. At times we do everything together, share our worst secrets with each other, our wildest, most outrageous dreams, things we would only write in our diaries. When something happens to make that one person your enemy, or someone you can’t trust, it’s devastating. They know everything about you and now they hate you, or suddenly you can’t trust them? That’s hard at any age. But if you’re always honest in your relationships—all of them, with boys, girls, parents—then you’re less likely to have an epic blowout fight. If you do have to face a breakup—if things just can’t be repaired and all trust is lost—at least remember what was good about that person. It’s unlikely they’re straight-up evil, even if you want to believe they are. Something drew you to them in the first place, so try not to vilify them. Most importantly, don’t go smack-talking about them afterward. It doesn’t do any good, makes a bad situation worse, and no one wins by doing it. Try to keep your trap shut.

Hillary Homzie still remembers what it was like to be called someone’s second best friend. Ouch. She likes to read and write about other people’s friendship problems. To learn more about Hillary and her books go to www.hillaryhomzie.com.