For Kids

Getting Real with Middle Grade Boys

By on August 19, 2015   /   Book Lists, Fiction, For Kids, For Librarians, For Parents, For Teachers  

“Are you ever going to write books for boys?”
Never fails. Whenever I speak at schools, I get this question from boys in the audience–their assumption being that because I write ABOUT girls, I’m writing FOR girls.

Here’s how I answer:
First of all, anybody can read ANY book about ANY character. You don’t have to read only about characters who look like you. I bet the girls in the audience already know this. How many girls here have read a book (other than Harry Potter) with a male protagonist?
(*All the girls put up their hands.*)
Okay, how many of the boys here today have read a book with a female protagonist (other than The Hunger Games)?
(*No boys put up their hands. Or maybe one or two renegades.*)
Why are so many middle grade boys unwilling to read about girls, when middle grade girls willingly read about boys? It’s a question I think about often. Is it because girls are more mature, more tolerant, more people-oriented–or just resigned to living in a world that still very much caters to boy tastes? I wish I knew the answer, because there’s something wrong about the lack of equal time here. It’s hard to develop empathy if you never get into the heads of people different from you–and of course by “different” I’m thinking of race, ethnicity, culture as well as gender. And what better way for boys to understand girls than by reading a story told from a girl’s point of view?
Here’s the second part of my response:
Actually, I HAVE written books with boy protagonists. But when I showed the manuscripts to my then- editor, a prominent veteran in publishing, she told me: “You write realistic fiction. The problem is, middle grade boys don’t read realistic fiction. They do less pleasure-reading than girls overall, and when they choose a book for themselves, it’s usually sci fi, fantasy, adventure or nonfiction. Also, they don’t want to read books by women authors, which is why J. K. Rowling used initials instead of the name Joanna.”
I ask the boys in the audience if this is true. They always assure me they read books by women authors “all the time”–although (with exception of Suzanne Collins) they can’t think of any names offhand. And then they admit they typically do avoid realistic fiction, with the exception of Wimpy Kid. I glance at their teachers, who nod in agreement.
So here’s another question I ponder: why are girls more enthusiastic readers of realistic MG fiction than boys? Is it possible to overcome the anything-but-realism bias of so many boys–and even hook them on the genre?
With the help of book-loving friends–including teachers, librarians and other authors– I’ve compiled a list of some realistic MG fiction titles with potentially strong boy-appeal. Not surprisingly, they feature boy protagonists. Please suggest more titles in the comments below. Extra points for books written by women authors. Triple-extra-points for books with girl protagonists!

Angus, Sam–Soldier Dog
Clements, Andrew–Troublemaker
Curtis, Christopher Paul–The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963
Federle, Tim–Better Nate Than Ever
Gemeinhart, Dan–The Honest Truth
George, Jean Craighead*–My Side of the Mountain
Gephart, Donna*–How to Survive Middle School; Death by Toilet Paper
Greenwald, Tommy–Charlie Joe Jackson series
Hiaasen, Carl–Hoot; Flush, etc.
Hobbs, Will–Crossing the Wire; Downriver; Far North, etc.
Jung, Mike–Geeks, Girls and Secret Identities
Korman, Gordon–Sixth Grade Nickname Game; Swindle series; MacDonald Hall series; Schooled, etc.
Lupica, Mike–Game Changers series; The Underdog; Million-Dollar Throw, etc.
Morpurgo, Michael–War Horse; An Elephant in the Garden, etc.
Palacio, R.J.*–Wonder
Paulson, Gary–Hatchet; Road Trip
Rylander, Chris–The Fourth Stall
Sachar, Louis–Holes
Sonnenblick, Jordan–Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
Smith, Roland– Cryptid Hunters, etc.
Tarshis, Lauren*–I Survived series
Trueit, Trudy Strain*– Secrets of a Lab Rat series
Vail, Rachel* and Cordell, Matthew–Justin Case series
Vernick, Audrey*–Screaming at the Ump
Williams, Suzanne Morgan*–Bull Rider
*Women authors! Hey, waddaya know!
——-
Barbara Dee is the author of The Almost Perfect Guide to Imperfect Boys, Trauma Queen, This Is Me From Now On, Solving Zoe, and Just Another Day in my Insanely Real Life. Her next book, Truth or Dare, will be published by Aladdin/Simon & Schuster in Fall 2016.

Back to Top

Dog Days: A Canine Collection of Reading

By on August 17, 2015   /   Book Lists, Fiction, For Kids, For Librarians, For Parents, For Teachers, For Writers, Nonfiction  

There’s a reason these sultry days of July and August are called “dog days of summer,” but it has nothing to do with your canine companion.

The phrase gets its name from long ago when people associated the hot weather with the star Sirius, the brightest in the sky. Sirius is part of the Canis Major (Large Dog) constellation. And because of this, it became known as the Dog Star.

In late summer, in the Northern Hemisphere, Sirius rises and sets with the sun. As a result, early stargazers believed the star’s heat added to the heat of the sun, creating a stretch of stifling weather from July to August.

Turns out they were wrong. The heat is actually the result of the Earth’s tilt. Still, what better way to celebrate these dog days than to take a look at books about man’s (and woman’s) best friend.

Below are a few that have been published in the last five years. (Dates are for first year of publication.)

For a look at some older dog books, click on this classic MUF post: No Dead Dogs

9780062122209A Dog Called Homeless by Sarah Lean (2012)

Cally Fisher knows she can see her dead mother, but the only other living soul who does is a mysterious wolfhound who always seems to be there when her mom appears. How can Cally convince anyone that her mom is still with the family, or persuade her dad that the huge silver-gray dog belongs with them. With beautiful, spare writing and adorable animals, A Dog Called Homeless is perfect for readers of favorite middle-grade novels starring dogs, such as Because of Winn-Dixie and Shiloh.

9780544339125Dog Days: The Carver Chronicles, Book One by Karen English (2013)

It’s tough being the new kid at Carver Elementary. Gavin had lots of friends at his old school, but the kids here don’t even know that he’s pretty good at skateboarding, or how awesome he is at soccer. And when his classmate Richard comes over and the boys end up in trouble, not only does Gavin risk losing his one new friend, he has to take care of his great aunt Myrtle’s horrible little dog as punishment. To make matters worse, Gavin seems to have attracted the attention of the school bully. Will he be able to avoid getting pounded at the skate park? And how is he ever going to prove he’s cool with a yappy little Pomeranian wearing a pink bow at his side?

9780316043977Smells Like Dog by Suzanne Selfors (2011)

Homer Pudding, an ordinary farm boy, has big dreams of following in the footsteps of his famous treasure-hunting uncle. But when Uncle Drake mysteriously disappears, Homer inherits two things: a lazy, droopy dog with no sense of smell, and a mystery. Why would his uncle call this clumsy dog his “most treasured possession?” And why did he put a gold coin on the dog’s collar? Join Homer, his sister Gwendolyn, and Dog on an adventure that will test their wits and courage as they leave their peaceful farm and head into a world where ruthless treasure hunters hide around every corner. Where they discover that Dog has a hidden talent and that treasure might be closer than they ever imagined. This is the first in a series of books about Homer and Dog.

9780545639149Rescue on the Oregon Trail: Ranger in Time #1 by Kate Messner (2015)

Ranger has been trained as a search-and-rescue dog, but can’t officially pass the test because he’s always getting distracted by squirrels during exercises. One day, he finds a mysterious first-aid kit in the garden and is transported to the year 1850, where he meets a young boy named Sam Abbott. Sam’s family is migrating west on the Oregon Trail, and soon after Ranger arrives, he helps the boy save his little sister. Ranger thinks his job is done, but the Oregon Trail can be dangerous, and the Abbotts need Ranger’s help more than they realize! See also: Danger in Ancient in Rome: Ranger in Time #2, also by Kate Messner.

9780545554510Lucky Dog: Twelve Tales of Rescued Dogs (2014)

This collection is full of heartwarming and hilarious stories about the Pawley Rescue Center, where rescued dogs find their way into hearts and homes. You’ll meet Foxtrot, a feisty Pomeranian who can’t bear the thought of leaving her best friend. And Beatrice, whose bark is definitely worse than her bite. And then there’s Pumpkin, one of the 101 Chihuahuas who turn life at the center upside down. Lucky Dog features sweet and silly stories about playful pups and the kids who love them by some of your favorite authors: Randi Barrow, Marlane Kennedy, Elizabeth Cody Kimmel, Kirby Larson, C. Alexander London, Leslie Margolis, Jane B. Mason and Sarah Hines Stephens, Ellen Miles, Michael Northrop, Teddy Slater, Tui T. Sutherland, and Allan Woodrow.

9780545643313Woof (A Bowser and Birdie Novel) by Spencer Quinn (2015)

There is trouble brewing in the Louisiana swamp — Bowser can smell it. Bowser is a very handsome and only slightly slobbery dog, and he can smell lots of things. Like bacon. And rawhide chews! And the sweat on humans when they’re lying. Birdie Gaux, the girl Bowser lives with, also knows something is wrong. It’s not just that her grammy’s stuffed prize marlin has been stolen. It’s the weird rumor that the marlin is linked to a missing treasure. It’s the truck that seems to be following Birdie and the bad feeling on the back of her neck. When Birdie and Bowser start digging into the mystery, not even Bowser’s powerful sniffer can smell just how menacing the threat is. And when the danger comes straight for Birdie, Bowser knows it up to him to sic ’em.

9780545416382Duke by Kirby Larson (2013)

With World War II raging and his father fighting overseas in Europe, eleven-year-old Hobie Hanson is determined to do his part to help his family and his country, even if it means giving up his beloved German shepherd, Duke. Hoping to help end the war and bring his dad home faster, Hobie decides to donate Duke to Dogs for Defense, an organization that urges Americans to “loan” their pets to the military to act as sentries, mine sniffers, and patrol dogs. Hobie immediately regrets his decision and tries everything he can to get Duke back, even jeopardizing his friendship with the new boy at school. But when his father is taken prisoner by the Germans, Hobie realizes he must let Duke go and reach deep within himself to be brave. Will Hobie ever see Duke, or his father, again?

9781599906904Girl’s Best Friend (A Maggie Brooklyn Mystery) by Leslie Margolis (2010)

Dogs are disappearing in her neighborhood, and Maggie Brooklyn Sinclair knows all about it. After all, she has a semi-secret after-school gig as a professional (ok, amateur) dog-walker. Maggie hates to see a pup in trouble, so she’s even willing to help her ex-best friend Ivy recover her rescue-dog, Kermit. Kermit’s being held for ransom, and Maggie has noticed some suspicious behavior lately. But she never suspected her crush Milo could be involved.

9780374380083Boy’s Best Friend by Kate Banks and Rupert Sheldrake (2015)

Eleven-year-old George has a dog, Bart, who seems to know everything about him—from when he is feeling sad to when he will arrive home from school. George’s new neighbor and classmate, Lester, also has a dog, Bill Gates, and Lester thinks he is the smartest animal in the world. When their teacher assigns a school science project about animal behavior, George and Lester decide to conduct an experiment based on the world-famous Rupert Sheldrake’s experiments about dogs. George even has an email exchange with Dr. Sheldrake to help him with the project—and he and Lester soon find out that, through a few simple experiments, kids can make scientific discoveries, too. This middle-grade dogs story is inspired by Rupert Sheldrake’s bestselling adult book, Dogs that Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home.

9781419714818Dog Beach Unleashed: The Seagate Summers Book Two by Lisa Greenwald (2015)

Remy, Micayla, Bennett, and the C Twins are back on Seagate Island for another summer of beach traditions, new and old. A new tradition: keeping Remy’s dog-sitting business going. Remy loves seeing her dog friends (and her real friends, too), but the doldrums start to sink in when it turns into the rainiest summer on record, with evacuation constantly threatening to ruin the world’s most perfect vacation spot. Tempers are short and dogs are bored. What can one 12-year-old do to create summer magic when the summer doesn’t seem to be showing up? See also: Welcome to Dog Beach: The Seagate Summers Book One, also by Lisa Greenwald.

9780545416351Dash by Kirby Larson (2014)

Although Mitsi Kashino and her family are swept up in the wave of anti-Japanese sentiment following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mitsi never expects to lose her home—or her beloved dog, Dash. But, as World War II rages and people of Japanese descent are forced into incarceration camps, Mitsi is separated from Dash, her classmates, and life as she knows it. The camp is a crowded and unfamiliar place, whose dusty floors, seemingly endless lines, and barbed wire fences begin to unravel the strong Kashino family ties. With the help of a friendly neighbor back home, Mitsi remains connected to Dash in spite of the hard times, holding on to the hope that the war will end soon and life will return to normal. Though they’ve lost their home, will the Kashino family also lose their sense of family? And will Mitsi and Dash ever be reunited?

9780544088931Sniffer Dogs: How Dogs (and Their Noses) Save the World by Nancy F. Castaldo (2014)

Anyone who has ever spent time with a dog knows that dogs love sniffing! They sniff out hidden food, dirty socks, and the visitor who comes to the door.  But some dogs work with police officers, soldiers and even scientists to put their “sniffers” to work. Sniffer dogs make use of the amazing biology behind their noses to protect people from bombs, catch criminals smuggling drugs, or help researchers locate a hard to find snail in a forest.
In Sniffer Dogs you will meet many dogs and their handlers and learn all about their jobs. Some of these dogs are raised from birth to detect blood sugar levels in their owners.  Others are rescued from animal shelters and their boisterous personalities help make them excellent sniffer dogs. Featuring a balance between science and social science, Sniffer Dogs will appeal to dog lovers and science lovers alike.

Dorian Cirrone has written several books for children and teens. Her middle-grade novel, The First Last Day, which takes place on the New Jersey Shore, will be out in May 2016 from S&S/Aladdin. You can find her on Facebook and on Twitter as @DorianCirrone. She gives writing tips and does occasional giveaways on her blog at: http://doriancirrone.com/welcome/blog/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Top

“How to Make a Book” – Behind the Scenes (for kids, teachers, parents, and writers)

By on August 10, 2015   /   Author Interviews, Book Lists, For Kids, For Librarians, For Parents, For Teachers, For Writers, Giveaways, MUF Contributor Books, Writing  

HarperKids launched a terrific video series called How a Book is Made, including details on how a book is Revised, Edited, and Designed – from those elusive publishing insiders – meaning the author, the editor, the marketing director, the art department, etc. The actual editors and marketing folks at Harpercollins talk about their jobs and what they do (inside their offices in NYC so you can peek at the surroundings!)

I’m a writer with Harpercollins and Scholastic so over the years I’ve become fairly familiar with the hands-on process of manuscript production through revisions and copy-edits and proofreading typeset pages, but the rest of the in-house process is foreign to me. I found the Production video especially interesting to see the pieces of the book and how it all goes together. I’ve read about that process, but it was fun to actually *see* it.

The 7 videos are between 3-5 minutes apiece, so short, snappy, and fun! And they’re narrated by the amazing middle-grade author, Lauren Oliver, who wrote Leisl and Po, and The Spindlers, as well as many Young Adult novels.

These behind-the-scenes videos would be great for sharing the writing and publishing process with your kids as school begins in the next few weeks, or in your classroom if you’re a teacher to inspire your students in their own writing, or a homeschooling parent – I homeschooled for many years and getting my 3 sons to write was the most hair-pulling challenge I had! It would be easy to pull together lesson plans using these fascinating videos.

If you’re a writer or artist I think you’ll find these behind-the-scenes videos intriguing and informative as well so enjoy!

1. How a Book is Made: Developing Ideas w/ Lauren Oliver
2.Writing the Story w/ Lauren Oliver
3. Editing the Book w/Editorial Director Rosemary Brosnan
4. Creating the Art w/ Harper Art Director
5. Proofing the Story w/ Harper Managing Editor
6. Printing the Book, w/ Production Director
7. Reading the Book w/ Lauren Oliver

Please share your thoughts below, we’d love to hear if there’s anything else similar to this out in the world, or if you find them helpful to use with kids and writers of any age.

AND . . . because we love our readers here at Mixed-Up Files I’m giving away a hardcover copy of my recent middle-grade novel, THE TIME OF THE FIREFLIES to anyone who posts a comment, even if it’s just to enter the giveaway. 🙂 Cheers! ~Kimberley

Time of the Fireflies_Cover

Kimberley Griffiths Little’s seven MG novels with Knopf and Scholastic have won several awards and Forbidden, the first of a Young Adult trilogy recently published with Harpercollins was starred by Booklist and included in the Top 10 Historical novels of 2015.

Find Kimberley on Facebook. and Twitter @KimberleyGLittl. Teacher’s Guides, Mother/Daughter Book Club Guides, and fabulous book trailers filmed on location adorn Kimberley’s website.

 

 

Back to Top