Fourth Grade Journey

A Fourth Grade Teacher's Journey Through the World of Books

Monday, January 6, 2020

An Inside Look #121 (Author INTERVIEW)


An Inside Look with Melissa Savage
(Author of Nessie Quest)

*The first season of interviews ran from June of 2016 to March of 2017.  

*Season #two ran during the summer of 2017.  

*Season #three ran during the school year of 2017-2018.  

*The fourth season ran during the summer/fall of 2018.


*Season #five ran during the 2018/2019 school year. 

*During summer 2019, the sixth season ran.  

*The seventh season of interviews ran during the fall of 2019.  

*I'm excited to be back for season #EIGHT with brand new interviews/authors.  


*It has been such an honor to connect with authors and "chat" about their novel, characters, and thoughts about the story.

*This is the FIRST interview in which I'm calling Season #EIGHT.  

*Thank you to Melissa Savage for being the One-Hundred Twenty-First author that I've had the pleasure of interviewing.  I truly appreciate it.  

*Here are links to the One Hundred Twenty interviews…
SEASON #ONE (2016-2017)

























SEASON #FOUR (Summer 2018)






















SEASON #FIVE (2018/2019)










Interview #81 with Tony Abbott (Author of The Great Jeff)

Interview #82 with Susan Ross (Author of Searching for Lottie)

Interview #83 with Gillian McDunn (Author of Caterpillar Summer)

Interview #84 with Rebecca Ansari (Author of The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly)

Interview #85 with Ali Standish (Author of August Isle)

Interview #86 with Shaun David Hutchinson (Author of The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried)

Interview #87 with Greg Howard (Author of The Whispers)

Interview #88 with Lynda Mullaly Hunt (Author of Shouting at the Rain)

Interview #89 with Lynda Mullaly Hunt (Author of One for the Murphys)

Interview #90 with Laurie Morrison (Author of Up for Air)

Interview #91 with Jody J. Little (Author of Mostly the Honest Truth)



SEASON #SIX (Summer 2019)

Interview #92 with John David Anderson (Author of Finding Orion)

Interview #93 with Lisa Thompson (Author of The Light Jar)

Interview #94 with Keith Calabrese (Author of A Drop of Hope)

Interview #95 with Alicia D. Williams (Author of Genesis Begins Again)

Interview #96 with Kim Ventrella (Author of Bone Hollow)

Interview #97 with Natalie Lloyd (Author of Over the Moon)

Interview #98 with Cynthia Lord (Author of Because of the Rabbit)

Interview #99 with Tina Athaide (Author of Orange for the Sunsets)

Interview #100 with Elly Swartz (Author of Give and Take)

Interview #101 with Amy Rebecca Tan (Author of A Kind of Paradise)

Interview #102 with Varsha Bajaj (Author of Count Me In)

Interview #103 with Laura Resau (Author of Tree of Dreams)



SEASON #SEVEN (Fall 2019)

Interview #104 with Laurel Snyder (Author of My Jasper June)

Interview #105 with Lisa Bunker (Author of Zenobia July)

Interview #106 with Jasmine Warga (Author of Other Words for Home)

Interview #107 with Barbara Dee (Author of Maybe He Just Likes You)

Interview #108 with Graham Salisbury (Author of Banjo)

Interview #109 with Donna Gephart (Author of The Paris Project)

Interview #110 with Jake Burt (Author of The Tornado)

Interview #111 with Jess Redman (Author of The Miraculous)

Interview #112 with Karen Strong (Author of Just South of Home)

Interview #113 with Nicole Melleby (Author of Hurricane Season)

Interview #114 with J.J. and Chris Grabenstein (Authors of Shine)

Interview #115 with Susan Vaught (Author of Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalyse)

Interview #116 with Chris Baron (Author of All of Me)

Interview #117 with Meredith Russo (Author of Birthday)

Interview #118 with Abdi Nazemian (Author of Like a Love Story)

Interview #119 with Sarah Baughman (Author of The Light in the Lake)

Interview #120 with Stacy McAnulty (Author of The World Ends in April)
*Here is my review of Nessie Quest...

Nessie Quest Book Review



Nessie Quest

by Melissa Savage

(January 14, 2020)





How did you come to know Ada Ru?
First and foremost, her name. I discovered this quite by accident. A friend of mine has a granddaughter named Ada Ru and as soon as I heard it, I loved it and wanted to use it for my next character. I asked permission and they generously obliged. Secondly, I have been spending more and more time conducting writing workshops for kids and we talk a lot about story, character development, plot and voice. I’ve met so many young writers and they are my inspiration for making Ada Ru a writer like so many of the students I meet.
What do you think is Ada Ru's most admirable quality?
I love that Ada Ru doesn’t see Hammy Bean as his disability. She saw him as a bit of a Nessie know-it-all of course, but she never judged him for his disability or ever treated him differently because he couldn’t see. I think he appreciated that about her as well.
Is there anything you wish she would have changed or done differently in her story?
I always wish I had more time with my stories. I’m never ready to be done with them. There is always more editing or adding or changing with every story I write. One thing I had wanted to add more about is the use of echo location and how it pertains to navigation.
What do you think Ada can offer to other children that are experiencing similar situations to what she went through?
Do not judge a book (or jelly bean) by its cover. Always page through the table of contents and see all the amazing things inside before coming to the conclusion that the book may not be right for you.
How did you research Ada Ru and the circumstances she found herself?
My mother has been blind since I was very young. Once I happened to over hear her telling someone that she hears the walls and I asked her what she meant by that. She explained that the air changes when the walls change which is basically echo location. I knew right then and there that I found my supporting character for my next story. My mom and others within the blind community assisted me in making Hammy Beans story as genuine as possible. I relied heavily on their input because this is an experience I can only tell from their point of view. I hope I did them proud. As far as the town of Fort Augustus, I spent time there while I was researching the Loch Ness Monster portion of the story. It’s a beautiful small town set right next to the Loch Ness. I met wonderful people, I ate haggis and blood pudding. And it’s true . . . there is every shade of green imaginable. I’ve never seen such beautiful greens in all my life until I visited Scotland.
Do you and Ada share any similarities?
Absolutely. Everywhere I go, I’m looking for my next story, as well as my supporting characters. And I too think Scotland is way better than Disneyland.
What was the hardest scene to write about her?
The most difficult scenes involved Hammy Bean Tibby. It was very important to me that Hammy Bean was portrayed correctly, so I spent a lot of time with the blind community and the professionals who support them to get the details right. I truly hope I did because I adore that character and all he is.
Who do you think was her biggest supporter and why?
I think her Mom and Dad are her biggest supporters because they truly love her and want what’s best for her, even when they disagree with her. But I also think that Ada Ru and Hammy Bean formed a very important friendship during her summer in Fort Augustus. I believe that it was a friendship that would last a lifetime. Just like Tobin and Lemonade.
Why do you think young people, like Ada-Hammy Bean-Dax, who are so completely different from each other; are able  to form a close-knit friendship with love, support, and lots of fun?
I believe it’s the differences that make us much more connected in story and in life. I would be bored if everyone I knew was just like me. My favorite thing about the world is all there is to know and learn that I have yet to discover. I love traveling and learning about new cultures and languages and customs. Without our differences, life would be so mundane and boring. Ada Ru compares life to Jelly Belly jelly beans and in the beginning will only eat the popcorn flavored ones. She doesn’t like to try new things. For me, I could never live on just one flavor of jelly bean.
What do you think Adu Ru is doing as the present time?
I believe that Ada Ru went back to her home on Tennison, but as a very different person with a broader perspective of the world around her. I think learning and traveling does that. It teaches us all the beautiful and amazing differences in our world. I would hope that she brought that knowledge home and shared it with others. I think that when we learn new things, it changes us for the better and expands our horizons. I also believe that the friendship that was forged between Ada Ru, Hammy Bean and Dax would continue through emails, text messages and Skype calls. And I hope for their sake that they can meet again for another summer of adventure in Fort Augustus.
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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (1/6/20)



Thanks to Jen and Kellee for hosting this idea on their site.  Here is a link to the site...
                

Books I Read this Past Week...


The Dearly Beloved
by Cara Wall

*Novel Published for Adults (5 STARS out of 5 Stars)








A High Five for Glenn Burke by Phil Bildner

*Middle-Grade Novel (5 STARS out of 5 Stars)












Books I Will (continue to) Read this Week...


Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay

*My Young-Adult Novel








The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

*My Novel Published for Adults (Audio)

Nothing More Dangerous by Allen Eskens

*My Novel Published for Adults

A Home for Goddesses and Dogs by Leslie Connor

*My Middle-Grade Novel




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Sunday, January 5, 2020

A High Five for Glenn Burke by Phil Bildner

How I Heard About It:
*I was lucky to receive an ARC of Phil's upcoming novel from the author/publisher.  I will be sharing this title with my #bookexpedition group on Twitter.  I love Phil's writing and stories so I was extremely excited to read.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
1.  *You could say this is a story about two baseball players.  The first being real-life Glenn Burke who played baseball "back in the day".  The second being fictional character Silas, a sixth grade boy who lives for baseball.

2.  *Silas gives a presentation in his sixth-grade ELA class about Glenn Burke.  He shares how Glenn was the first to use the "High-Five".  During his presentation, he gives an overview of Burke's life, but leaves out an important aspect of who Burke was.

3.  *Silas has left this "information" out intentionally.  He isn't ready to share Burke and/or himself.

4.  *After confiding a secret to his best friend Zoey, Silas feels like a weight has been lifted.

5.  *With this weight comes hardships, difficulties, and decisions that Silas must face before truly moving forward.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
1.  *I started the book late last night and finished it up while watching the Vikings/Saints Sunday afternoon game.  I could NOT put it down.

2.  *I'm such a fan of Phil's books and was beyond thrilled to read this advanced copy.  Bildner did NOT disappoint.

3.  *To be honest, I'm not a big baseball fan, but I was intrigued by Burke and Silas' experiences within the sport of baseball.

4.  *There was a scene between Silas and his coach, who is an incredible character, where I had tears in my eyes and could feel this emotional scene.

5.  *Phil Bildner did a tremendous job of creating an important "real-life" story that young readers will be able to relate to and appreciate.


Who Should Read It:
*This is one of those novels that could literally save a reader's life.  I know Phil has said/written this is his most personal stories to date.  As I read, I could feel that.  All readers will gain so much from reading about Silas and his journey.  The book is perfect for readers in grades five and six, along with the middle-school grades.  Adult fans of middle-grade stories, MUST put this title on their TBR list.  Happy Reading!


Rating:   5 STARS out of 5 Stars
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The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall

How I Heard About It:
*While browsing GoodReads I came across this title.  Several of my GoodReads "friends" had read the book and gave it FIVE stars.  I was in the market for an adult novel so I ordered it on Amazon.  I started before the Christmas holiday, got busy, but then was able to finish right after the New Year.  


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
1.  *Two couples, two marriages, two ministers, one church.

2.  *Charles and Lily met during college.  Charles is going to be a minister.  Lilly doesn't believe in God.

3.  *James and Nan also met during their young-adult life.  James is from a broken family.  Nan is from southern high society.

4.  *James and Charles are both hired by a church in the Greenwich Village area in the early 1960's.  The congregation hopes these two men can bring the church back to what it once was.

5.  *The two men form a bond, both personally and professionally; but the same can't be said of their two wives.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
1.  *Because of my work with the Charlotte Huck Book Awards Committee, I don't always have the time I would like to devote to novels published for adults.  One goal I have for 2020 is to get back to more adult stories.  I'm happy I began the year with Cara Wall's novel.

2.  *The first section of the book introduced the four characters, their backgrounds, and how they met.  I enjoyed how different each of them were.

3.  *The next section brought the two couples together where the men began to "minister" at the church.  This reading was interesting because the men bonded while the two wives did quite the opposite.

4.  *In my opinion, Nan and Lilli brought the "angst" to the plot and stirred the "pot".

5.  *Toward the end of the story, one couple is dealt a really bad "hand" and my emotions were torn apart.


Who Should Read It:
*I would like to believe that all adult readers would find this a satisfying read.  Even though there is a heavy emphasis on God and religion, I don't think it matters where the reads "stands" on the spectrum of believing or not.  The writing is beautiful.  The characters are thoughtful.  The emotion is real.  Happy Reading!


Rating:   4 STARS out of 5 Stars



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Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Wonder Wednesday #299 (2019 Favorites)

Wonder Wednesday - Favorite BOOKS

 *The year 2019 has come to an end.  A time to look back and a time to look ahead.  

*I have such fond memories of ALL the books I was able to read, enjoy, and appreciate over the last 365 days.  

 *There are so many to choose from, but I'm going to try to pick my favorite in a variety of categories.

 *Happy New Year and as always Happy READING...
Favorite 2019 Picture Book


Favorite 2019 Middle-Grade Novel


Favorite 2019 Young-Adult Novel


Favorite 2019 Novel Published for Adults


Favorite 2019 Memoir Published for Adults
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Seven Clues to Home by Gae Polisner and Nora Raleigh Baskin

How I Heard About It:
*I have had the honor of meeting both of these wonderful authors/people and was thrilled when I scored an ARC during #NCTE19 in Baltimore.  I had actually received an early "manuscript" version of the story quite awhile ago.  The reading was great fun because I got to see the changes they made and the elements they kept the same.  Over the years, I have enjoyed the writing of both authors and was excited to see what they created together.  
What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
1.  *Lukas and Joy became best friends while in second grade.  They have remained extremely close since that time.


2.  *Joy is about to celebrate her 13th birthday, but is having a hard time dealing with the "day" because of an event that took place a year earlier.

3.  *One year ago, Lukas created a special birthday scavenger hunt for Joy's birthday.  He was never able to deliver the clues.  A year later, Joy finds the first "clue".

4.  *This clue leads Joy on the birthday scavenger hunt, throughout their town, that she was suppose to complete a year earlier.

5.  *We get to know both Joy and Lukas with flashbacks of their friendship ranging from their second grade year to Joy's 13th birthday.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
1.  *I was excited to read this version of their story.  The reading was such a fun and enjoyable experience since I had seen a very early draft of their collaboration.

2.  *Joy and Lukas' friendship was real, special, and one that all young people should get to experience in their lifetime.

3.  *As a reader, I enjoyed the structure of the story.  Each alternating chapter was told from the viewpoint of Lukas or Joy.  Having both perspectives, brought both stories together to form one solid picture of their experience.

4.  *Each of these characters had such a special spot in their heart for their friend and this "feeling" jumped off the page and into my own heart.

5.  *Not only did I come to appreciate the relationship between Joy and Lukas, but I also thought the people that surrounded these two young friends were a tremendous support system for each.


Who Should Read It:
*This special story could be read by any young reader.  Even though the two characters are thirteen, I think children younger and older would enjoy the story and what the two characters experienced.  Readers looking for a story about friendship, loss, and moving forward, should look no further.  This is the book for them.  Happy Reading!


Rating:   5 STARS out of 5 Stars
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The Queen Bee and Me by Gillian McDunn

How I Heard About It:
*This title came to me via my #bookexpedition Twitter group.  I had read Gillian's first novel Caterpillar Summer.  I enjoyed that story and was excited to read her second work of fiction.  
What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
1.  *Meet Meg.  A young girl who loves science, has a hard time sticking up for herself, and has a fear of bees.

2.  *Meet Beatrix.  A young girl who loves dance, has a hard time NOT being in charge, and can "freeze" you out like no other.


3.  *Meet Hazel.  A young girl who loves science, is a beekeeper, and the new girl in school.

4.  *These three girls will navigate old and new friendships as they navigate the hallways of their middle-school.

5.  *This is an engaging, emotional, and fast-paced story that will keep the reader captivated from start to finish.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
1.  *I brought this novel with me on our winter road trip to Colorado and boy am I glad I did.

2.  *From the moment I began to the moment I closed the book for the final time, I was completely enthralled with the story that Gillian created.

3.  *The dynamics of these three girls was a story that has been told in the past, but McDunn wove a unique, fresh, and emotional tale.

4.  *There were several moments while reading that my heart actually hurt because of what was happening between the three of them.  I had to remind myself this was a story of fiction.

5.  *I'm a sucker for a story with a life-lesson and this particular plot contained several; ranging from friendship, identity, standing up for what you believe in, and being your authentic self.


Who Should Read It:
*There is so much a young reader will gain from reading this novel.  I would recommend it for readers in grades four, five, and six.  The book would be perfect for the middle-school student because that is the age/grade of the three girls.  If you know of a young girl who is experiencing issues with peer relationships, this is definitely a book you could give them.  Happy Reading!


Rating:   5 STARS out of 5 Stars
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