Posts Tagged “writing for children”

Notes of Hope when the world is too much

By Ann Angel on June 28, 2025 / For Teachers, For Writers, Teacher Tips, Writing

When it seems like the world is just too much for our kids, when we witness hurt, fear, loneliness, a middle schooler’s loss of family or friends, it’s time to spread some hope. This is exactly how Libby, who comes from a long line of bullies, fights her reputation after finding a stone painted with the words Create the world of your dreams, in Flight of the Puffin by Ann Braden. In searching for ways to create that world, Libby, a lonely and art driven middle schooler, sets off a chain reaction of notes of hope when she writes You are awesome on an index card and leaves it outside for someone else who might need a bolster to find.

My own decision to create Notes of Hope with my students came as a project at Mount Mary University to coincide a visit from Diana Chao, originator of Letters to Strangers, to speak about “the largest global youth-run nonprofit seeking to destigmatize mental illness and increase access to affordable, quality treatment, particularly for youth.”

Letters to Strangers, recognizing that it often takes one voice to raise us up, collaborates with student clubs on campuses to write anonymous, heartfelt letters to share vulnerabilities and offer support for others who fight through difficult times.

My class, a group of future teachers, social workers, art therapists, and communication majors, was studying Young Adult Literature. We focused that semester on the literature of mental health and hope. We created origami envelopes using craft cover stock and wrote and decorated notes with ribbons, drawings, and our messages. We wanted to spread the word that creating the world of your dreams, can happen one note of hope at a time. Our Notes of Hope were included as part of the centerpieces at the speakers’ lunch. But my students found the exercise so uplifting that they created over 100 notes and saved some for friends and family, and dropped many more throughout campus knowing the found notes would bolster someone’s day.

Notes of Hope created by students at Mount Mary University and St. Joan Antida High School in Milwaukee

I repeated this activity with a high school group at St. Joan Antida High School in Milwaukee, and again, the group experienced an amazing day of peaceful sharing as they designed their notes and wrote hopeful phrases. While I strongly encourage students to write their own words, they were allowed to share those of artists and authors. Although many students began with published words of wisdom, as they personalized their notes, they wrote their own words offering praise for strength and calm and supporting those who struggle with self- esteem and mental health issues. This is an activity that would surely be successful with all ages.

In preparing students for this activity, we read Braden’s novel and studied the work of Letters to Strangers. I also created a sample note with Emily Dickenson’s poem:

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –

That perches in the soul –

And sings the tune without the words –

And never stops – at all –

Notes of Hope isn’t the only effort to stamp out loneliness and bullying and hate. Author Braden developed the Local Love Brigade where Vermont residents send out postcards to support Vermonters experiencing hate. In an interview for the vt digger, Braden explained her motivation. “Love can be seen as a soft and gentle emotion, but it can also be fierce and strong and powerful. That’s really what we’re channeling here.”

I’d love to see what you and your students create to spread hope and create the world of your dreams. Drop me a line and I’ll post your photos. (aangel@aol.com).

Author Spotlight: Tom Phillips + a GIVEAWAY

By Sydney Dunlap on June 20, 2025 / Author Interviews

In today’s Author Spotlight, Sydney Dunlap chats with author Tom Phillips about his middle-grade novel, The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves 3: The Peruvian Express, an exciting mystery published by Pixel and Ink Press and described by School Library Journal as “perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket.”

Despite a lifelong struggle with dyslexia, Tom Phillips grew up with a passion for storytelling. He writes books that kids can enjoy on their own, but also read aloud and share, including the first book in the Curious League series, Egypt’s Fire. He’s had a long career as a writer and artist for clients such as HBO, Disney, and ABC. An armchair Sherlockian, Tom lives in Los Angeles with his lovely wife and his dog, Dr. Watson. Learn more and connect with Tom at https://www.tomphillipswriter.com/

All About the Book!

All aboard for a high-speed new case in the third installment of this middle grade mystery series for fans of A Series of Unfortunate Events and Enola Holmes.

Stranded on a mountain in Peru after the crash of a luxury airship, John Boarhog has only one mission on his mind: reuniting with his mentor and guardian, Inspector Toadius McGee. John’s convinced that if he makes his way to a plume of smoke in the distance, the great detective will be waiting. The only problem is there’s a whole rainforest between them.

After battling their way through the Amazon, John and his friends find a train—The Peruvian Express—and its glittering owner, Oro Del Rey, the Golden King, who offers them passage as they continue to search for their loved ones.

Soon John’s investigation goes off the rails when he’s asked to help to locate an infamous Object of Doom. But he’s not the only one on the hunt. . . .

The third book in The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves, The Peruvian Express is a hilarious, fast-paced mystery packed with action, wit, and another unforgettable adventure.

Scroll down for details about how enter a giveaway to win signed copies of all three of Tom’s books!

Interview with Tom Phillips!

Sydney: Welcome, Tom! Thank you so much for being a guest on the Mixed-up Files! I adore The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves series. And so do a lot of people, as you’ve had a book listed as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and you’ve also been nominated for a Beehive Award and a Mark Twain Award. Can you give our readers a little background on the series and the two books leading up to The Peruvian Express?

Tom: The first book is called Egypt’s Fire. It is the story of a boy named John Boarhog who lives in The Museum of Natural History in New York City. He gets framed for stealing a ruby and has to team up with a detective to clear his name and catch the real thief, a criminal mastermind known as the Mauve Moth. The second book is called S.O.S. It takes place on a cruise ship in the sky after John has solved his first case and is now a young detective. He is now super-popular and has to navigate being a kid and a detective. It’s about the hazards of social media and how to find real friends.

Inspiration

Sydney: Your characters are so spunky and interesting, and your stories combine fun and action with so much heart. What was the inspiration behind the series, and this book in particular?

Tom: I wanted to write about stories I would have read when I was that age. And I am dyslexic, so I’m a reluctant reader, and I wanted to write a book that kids who don’t like to read will love. I was the video editor at Reading Rainbow and something that LeVar Burton said was that if you get a self-selecting reader, you’ll have a reader for life, so I wanted to write a book that was fast and funny but still had heart and substance.

Praise

Sydney: The Peruvian Express received high praise from Kirkus: “While punctuating the narrative with nods to pop-culture icons from Agatha Christie to Indiana Jones, he also contrives to include suitable numbers of sudden threats, hair’s-breadth rescues, secret agendas and messages, betrayals, explosions, and feats of both courage and clever deduction.” How in the world do you come up with so many zany, exciting, page-turning ideas, and how do you keep track of it all while writing?

Tom: The best part of writing for kids is that your readers haven’t already read everything that’s out there. I’m interested in introducing kids to mysteries so they love very similar things to what I enjoy like Agatha Christie and Indiana Jones. The Peruvian Express has a lot of similar themes as The Orient Express. I want to get kids excited so they’ll go read more mysteries. I keep track of it with a board on my wall where I use the twelve points of the hero’s journey to plot. I meticulously put the puzzle together.

Details

Sydney: You describe the train so vividly, as well as the Peruvian setting. Did you have to do a lot of research to get the details so well? What in the story comes from personal experience? It all sounds so authentic.

Tom: I bought a book about a cruise ship that has a map of all the decks. I bought a book about The Orient Express that has a map of the layout of the train. I have not been to Peru, but I watch a lot of the Discovery Channel. I base it off truth and then put in my own fictional details.

Characters

Sydney: I’m a huge fan of your main character, John Boarhog, but you have a wonderful supporting cast of secondary characters too. Do you have a favorite secondary character? Who and why?

Tom: My favorite character to write is the Great Goatini. He’s funny. My favorite character outside of John in Shim-Sham The Monkey because he has the personality most similar to my own, so I can ask myself, what would I do?

Takeaways

Sydney: What do you hope readers take away from this story?

Tom: This book is about finding yourself and paving your own path. The 32 Rules for Detectives are what I want to tell boys so they can find their own truth. It’s our job as men to tell the younger generation that it’ s okay to be silly, it’s okay to laugh, it’s okay to dream, that happiness is a truth.

Words of Wisdom

Sydney: Do you have any advice for writers?

Tom: Three tips for writers:

Even if you’re a pantser, figure out what you want the book to be and then plot it.
Find your time to write and then write as much as you can at that time because once you get in the routine, your brain is ready for that routine and has less writer’s block.
If you can, when you write your first chapter, try to do it by hand on paper. If you have a pen or pencil in your hand it makes you think more about what words you want to write.

Sydney: What’s a current book that you have enjoyed recently?

Tom: I just read James Ponti’s Sherlock Society. I think he’s the funniest and best of us all.

Sydney: What is your favorite part about being an author?

Tom: The kids! I was just in Missouri at a school visit, and some of the kids had never seen an author before. I loved having a chance to connect with them, and see their eyes light up, and know that some of them may one day become writers.

Sydney: Can you give us some insights into what you’ll be working on next?

Tom: I’m working on a horror book series and a retelling of Oliver Twist.

And for the lightning round:

Coffee or tea?

Tea

Sunrise or sunset?

Sunset

Favorite place to travel:

Home to Colorado

Favorite dessert:

Key lime pie

Superpower:

I’d love to have technokinesis so I could communicate with machines.

Favorite music:

It’s very eclectic and depends on what I’m writing.

Favorite book from childhood:

The Mystery of the Stuttering Parrot by Robert Author

Thanks again, Tom! It was so much fun to learn about you, your writing journey, and your amazing novel! Learn more about Tom on his website and follow him on Instagram.

For a chance to win signed copies of the three Curious League books, comment on the blog! (Giveaway ends June 27, 2025 MIDNIGHT EST.) U.S. only, please.

STEM Tuesday– Cephalopods — Book List

By STEM Tuesday on June 3, 2025 / Cephalopods/Mollusks, STEM Tuesday

Octopuses, squids, cuttlefish, and chambered nautiluses all belong to a special group of mollusks called “cephalopods,” which literally means “head-footed.” These sea creatures have long captivated scientists, inspiring some surprising inventions and discoveries throughout history. This month’s book list celebrates the wild and wonderful world of these incredible animals!

The Lady and the Octopus: How Jeanne Villepreux-Power Invented Aquariums and Revolutionized Marine Biology by Danna Staaf

Version 1.0.0This biography of Jeanne Villepreux-Power dives deeply into both the historical context that shaped Jeanne and the scientific questions that captivated her. Jeanne’s passion for observing animals in their natural habitat, at odds with the conventions of her time, led to her invention of the glass aquarium, which she used to make many important discoveries about marine life. Jeanne’s contagious enthusiasm for cephalopods jumps off the page in this multifaceted portrait of a scientific pioneer, written by marine biologist Danna Staaf.

Obsessive about Octopuses by Owen Davey

Filled with incredible illustrations and fascinating factoids, Owen Davey introduces readers to the “weird and wonderful” world of octopuses. This browsable book features some of the lesser known species, like the wonderpus octopus and the flapjack octopus, and even gives out awards to the most sociable, most nimble, and most fashionable octopuses in the ocean.

Ink! 100 FUN Facts about Octopuses, Squid, and More by Stephanie Warren Drimmer

You can’t go wrong with National Geographic. This very visual book introduces readers to a variety of squids including cuttlefish that camouflage themselves and octopuses that outsmart their predators. The text is written by experts with first hand experience and includes many fun facts. It’s both educational and entertaining.

The Octopus Scientists written by Sy Montgomery, with photographs by Keith Ellenbogen

This book whisks young readers off to Moorea, Tahiti where they take front seat with scientists who devote their lives studying octopuses and their superpower abilities. The pictures are remarkable and engaging, and the writing is equally captivating.

Search for a Giant Squid written by Amy Seto Forrester, illustrated by Andy Chou Musser

This enthralling choose-your-own-adventure book places readers right inside a submersible to search for the elusive giant squid. Readers will learn about both ocean life and submarine technology as they make decisions about where to explore and how to overcome the obstacles they encounter along the way. And if they don’t find the giant squid on their first try, they can always start over for a whole new adventure!

Amazing Octopus: Creature from another World written by Michael Stavaric, illustrated by Michele Ganswer

This book takes a unique approach. It explores and views octopuses as otherworldly, almost as aliens. The text and original, black and white illustrations really capture the magic and mystery of these creatures. It introduces this topic by first talking about the evolution of all sea creatures, to provide context.

What Do We Know About the Kraken? by Ben Hubbard

This book explores the kraken, a legendary sea monster of enormous size, a mix between a squid and octopus. It’s part of the “What do we Know ABout” series that takes a look at popular monsters from folklore. The kraken was spoken and written about for centuries, and readers can find out what sea creatures may have inspired these myths.

The Incredible Octopus: Meet the Eight-Armed Wonder of the Sea by Erin Spencer

This book combines fantastic photographs with in-depth facts about octopuses. It shows what life is like for these magical creatures, how their suction cups work, how they use their nine brains, what they eat, and what adaptation skills they have. It also features real stories about octopuses that escaped from their tanks.

Giant Squid: Searching for a Sea Monster by Mary M. Cerullo and Clyde F. E. Roper

Part science textbook, part detective story, this Smithsonian book recounts biologist Clyde Roper’s search for a real-life sea monster. Readers will enjoy unearthing clues about the giant squid as they follow along with Roper’s ocean adventures. Cerullo’s text is full of facts and accompanied by a variety of eye-catching images, including both black-and-white illustrations and up-close photographs.

Octopus Ocean: Geniuses of the Deep by Mark Leiren-Young

This recently released book is part of the Orca Wild series, which provides in-depth looks at fascinating creatures from across the planet. Leiren-Young shares his own octopus encounters as he uncovers what makes these animals so unique. This playful book covers octopus history, physiology, habitats, habits, and threats to their survival.

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This month’s STEM Tuesday book list was prepared by:

Author Lydia Lukidis

Lydia Lukidis is an award-winning author of 60+ trade and educational books for children. Her titles include UP, UP HIGH: The Secret Poetry of Earth’s Atmosphere (Capstone, 2025), DANCING THROUGH SPACE: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights (Albert Whitman, 2024), and DEEP, DEEP, DOWN: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench (Capstone, 2023) which was a Crystal Kite winner for the Canada and North America division, Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Honor, a Cybils Award nominee, and winner of the Dogwood Readers Award. A science enthusiast from a young age, Lydia now incorporates her studies in science and her everlasting curiosity into her books. Another passion of hers is fostering a love for children’s literacy through the writing workshops she regularly offers in elementary schools across Quebec with the Culture in the Schools program. For more information, please visit www.lydialukidis.com.

Callie Dean is a researcher, writer, and musician living in Shreveport, LA. Her first picture book, Marvelous Mistakes: Accidents That Made History, will be published in 2026. For more information, please visit https://calliebdean.com.

Posts Tagged “writing for children”

Notes of Hope when the world is too much

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