An Inside Look #9 (Counting Thyme by Melanie Conklin)

An Inside Look - With Melanie Conklin
Author of Counting Thyme


*Another summer Monday, means another "inside look" with an author.

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

*I have had such fun connecting with authors and "picking" their brains.



*Here are the links to my first eight interviews...

Interview #1 with Elly Swartz (Author of Finding Perfect)

Interview #2 with Jeff Zentner (Author of The Serpent King)

Interview #3 with Nora Raleigh Baskin (Author of Nine, Ten, A September 11 Story)

Interview #4 with Cammie McGovern (Author of Just My Luck)

Interview #5 with Kate Messner (Author of The Seventh Wish)

Interview #6 with Paul Griffin (Author of When Friendship Followed Me Home)

Interview #7 with K.A. Holt (Author of House Arrest)

Interview #8 with Abby Cooper (Author of Sticks and Stones)



*I received an ARC of this book during #NCTE15 here in Minneapolis.

*I read it over the winter months and absolutely loved it.

*Melanie and I got to know each other via Twitter conversations.

*We then met each other in person during #NerdCampMI this past July.

*This is a very special story and I look forward to using it during the coming school year with my fourth grade readers.

*Thanks to Melanie for giving us an "inside look" at her novel...

Counting Thyme by Melanie Conklin (Released April 12, 2016)

How did you come to know Thyme?  

Thyme and I met over Thanksgiving break, when I was home visiting in North Carolina. I was sitting on my mom’s couch, enjoying a couple hours of writing time while my kids played with their grandparents and I started writing a new story. It was about a girl whose family had just moved to New York City. She wasn’t happy about it. Then I thought of the rewards system her mom might use to make up for it, and the concept of “counting” time arose—that’s when I knew the character’s name was Thyme, too.

What do you think is Thyme's most admirable quality?

I admire Thyme’s tolerance for unfairness. I am terrible at accepting unfair situations. I have a temper. Thyme is far more patient and accommodating than I am.

Is there anything you wish Thyme would have changed or done differently in her story?

During the revision process, I often wondered if Thyme should be more honest about her feelings, especially with her parents. But then I remember how hard it was for me to tell my Mom about certain things—even good things—because it’s so hard to define yourself at age eleven. Sometimes, you need privacy. Other times, you need to share. I had to let Thyme do things on her own terms.

What do you think Thyme can offer to other children that are experiencing similar situations to what she went through?  

I hope that other children reading Thyme’s story see that the small stuff matters just as much as the big stuff. It’s easy for grownups to dismiss the importance of regular, every-day life in the face of disaster, but it is normal and human to care about every part of your life. All feelings are valid.

How did you research Thyme and the circumstances she found herself in?

Research was a very important part of writing Thyme’s story. I knew about neuroblastoma and antibody treatments from the families I knew in that situation, but in order to be true to their stories I spent countless hours reading research studies from hospitals and non-profits, blog posts from cancer patients and survivors, and memoire accounts of families around the world who had faced neuroblastoma.

Do you and Thyme share any similarities?  

Thyme and I both love pastries. Pastries are the key to my heart.

What was the hardest scene to write about Thyme?

 No spoilers, but the scene where Thyme and Val are reading a beloved picture book was very tough for me to write. Val’s questions are so earnest, and Thyme wants so badly to say the right thing—and that’s something I worry about a lot, in real life.

Who do you think was Thyme's biggest supporter and why?

In the book, Thyme’s biggest supporter is not who she expects it to be. In the world, COUNTING THYME was very fortunate to have early reads and support from Colby Sharp and Mr. Schu, as well as tremendous support from Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, a non profit that raises funds to fight pediatric cancer. 

Why do you think young people/children are sometimes able to handle difficult or challenging situations better than adults do?     

I think young people are resilient in the face of adversity because they are very good at doing something grownups sometimes forget to do: children live in the moment. They feel joy; they laugh. They allow themselves to access the full human experience, even when faced with difficult circumstances— that it’s okay to laugh even when you’re crying.

What do you think Elyse is doing as this present time?  

These days, I imagine Thyme as a teen living in the city, experiencing life fully and with great hope and joy. I am often asked if I will write a sequel, and while I don’t know the answer to that, I can say that Thyme and her family live on inside my heart.

Parole Thyme makes in the book    

Melanie Conklin Website

My Book Review

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (8/8/16)

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

                

 http://www.teachmentortexts.com/

Books I Read this Past Week… 

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

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

My Book Review







The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

*Young-Adult Novel (4 STARS out of 5 Stars)

My Book Review

Scar Island by Dan Gemeinhart

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

My Book Review

The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley by Shaun David Hutchinson

*Young-Adult Novel (5 Stars out of 5 Stars)

My Book Review

The Distance to Home by Jenn Bishop

*Middle-Grade Novel (4 Stars out of 5 Stars)

My Book Review

Summerlost by Ally Condie

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

My Book Review

Books I Will (continue to) Read this Week…    

Kids Deserve It by Todd Nesloney and Adam Welcome

*My Professional Reading

Boy's Life by Robert McCammon

*My Novel published for Adults

Every Child a Super Reader by Pam Allyn & Ernest Morrell

*My Professional Reading

Still Learning to Read
by Franki Sibberson & Karen Szymusiak

*My Professional Reading

Marcelo in the Read World by Francisco X Stork

*My Young-Adult Novel

Some Kind of Happiness by Claire Legrand

*My Middle-Grade Novel

Summerlost by Ally Condie

How I Heard About It:  After attending the Scholastic Reading Summit in Kentucky, I stopped by Anderson's Book Shop in Naperville as I made my way back home.  It was such a thrill to finally get inside of this famous bookstore.  I was lucky enough to have two great conversations with book sellers.  One specialized in middle-grade fiction.  This was a title she pulled from the shelf and I added it to my purchases.  

What It Is About:  It has been a year since Cedar, her younger brother Miles, and their mother experienced a great loss.  They have returned to Iron Creek a year later to spend the summer.  Their mother has purchased a home that the three of them will stay in during the summer and rent out during the school year.  Each of them is trying to deal with and move forward from the great tragedy of a year ago.  As Cedar is settling into her new environment, she notices a boy about her age that is on his bike daily.  Normally this wouldn't be a big deal, but it is the way he is dressed that catches her attention.  She learns that his name is Leo and he works at the local festival called "Summerlost" where staff perform old English plays.  Leo helps Cedar get a job and the two of them become inseparable.  Throughout the summer, various objects appear on Cedar's windowsill that represent her brother Ben.  She isn't sure who is delivering them, but hopes it might be the "ghost" of Ben.  Leo and Cedar also begin to give "unofficial" tours of several landmarks that represent a famous actress' life that ended too soon in this town.  These two young friends take several risks and begin to lie in order to achieve the goals they are trying to attain.  

What I Thought Of It:  I have been on such a great roll with my middle-grade novels.  I'm so glad the book seller in Naperville recommended this novel to me.  It was such a beautiful story.  I began reading it yesterday afternoon and finished it up today.  The words, sentences, and paragraphs flowed from page to page.  There were so many magical moments sprinkled throughout the story that I found myself smiling and my heart warming on many occasions.  Ally Condie included many "mini-plots" which all tied together to create a bigger meaningful story and message.  I also noticed that her chapters were shorter which more and more authors are beginning to do which is such a plus for some of our young readers.  

Who Should Read It:  Summerlost is definitely a story that should be shared with young readers.  When I finished the book this afternoon I knew that I would either use it as a read aloud or a possible selection for my "Breakfast with Books" book club.  I mentioned the shorter chapters that the author used and because of those I think readers in grades three, four, and five would be able to handle the book on their own quite easily.  Adult readers of middle-grade fiction should put this on their TBR list because it is such a strong and enjoyable story.  Happy Reading!  

Rating:  5 STARS out of 5 Stars

The Distance to Home by Jenn Bishop

How I Heard About It:  Many of my Twitter friends have been chatting about this novel for quite some time.  During one of my summer book orderings I added this title.  I was excited to read it and see what all the positive chatter was about.  

What It Is About:  The story is told in a wonderful format.  The chapters alternate between "this summer" and "last summer".  Many things have changed for Quinnen between the two summers.  During the first summer she was the star player on a baseball team and all of her focus went toward that sport.  She also idealized her older sister Haley.  Quinnen isn't thrilled when Haley meets a boy and begins to spend more and more time with him.  After the family suffers a loss they take in a player from a minor league team while they are playing in town.  Quinnen hopes this player can fill the void that has inflicted her family.  She befriends another player from this team and the two of them learn much from each other.  As much as Quinnen fights going back to her baseball team during the second summer, she knows that is where she is truly happy.  She just wants to find the happiness that she once had.  

What I Thought Of It:  Summer time was the best time to read this story since it took place over two different summers.  The focus is on a girl and her passion for baseball and that is also perfect timing to read the book.  The story gave me a couple of hours of enjoyment this afternoon.  This was such a sweet and touching story.  I enjoyed the alternating chapters between the two summers.  It was the perfect way to tell this story.  I'm not a huge baseball fan, but I enjoyed learning more about the sport by reading about the two baseball teams that were shared in the book.  

Who Should Read It:  This novel would be perfect for so many different readers.  I could see an athletic female loving it for the sports focus.  I could see a young female that has a sister enjoying it.  I could see a male reader getting into the story because of the baseball theme and the various male characters that are presented in the story.  The book would make for a strong class read aloud.  The reading level would be appropriate for students in grades three, four, and five.  Happy Reading!  

Rating:  4 STARS out of 5 Stars

The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley by Shaun David Hutchinson

How I Heard About It:  Earlier this year I read We Are The Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson and found it to be an excellent and thought-provoking read.  I had never read anything by this author, but after reading that novel, I looked into what else he wrote.  I found this title and downloaded it to my iPad via the 3M Cloud Library.  I started the book last night and finished this morning.  "Unputdownable" as they say!!! 

What It Is About:  Andrew Brawley lives in a hospital.  Well, he doesn't really live there, but is hiding out there.  His parents and younger sister were brought to the hospital after a terrible accident that Andrew blames himself for; and they never left.  He decided to remain in the hospital so that he can be "close" to his family.  Andrew learns how to blend in and become one with the surroundings of the hospital.  He gets a job in the cafeteria, hangs with the ICU staff, and becomes friends with two young people that are battling cancer on the Pediatric ward.  In order to escape from his own pain, he works on a graphic novel telling the story of a character with "super powers".  Andrew also tries to help all the power around him in the hospital.  When Rusty arrives after a burn accident, Andrew is drawn to him for a variety of reasons.  The more Andrew tries to run and hide from his past, the more it begins to catch up with him with consequences not only for himself, but for those he is trying to save. 

What I Thought Of It:  Somewhere I saw the world "Unputdownable" and that describes this novel perfectly.  After starting the book in the late afternoon yesterday, reading very late in to the night, and up early this morning; I finished it last this morning.  From the moment I started the book, I knew it was going to be one of those reads when you just can't stop.  This was such a captivating and gut-wrenching story.  There were so many complex and intricate moments woven throughout the story.  Some of it felt realistic fiction, some of felt fantasy, and some of it felt mystery.  The character of Andrew was like none I've ever read about.  The author did such a beautiful job of bring him to life and connecting him to the reader.  I had so many emotions while reading this story and I didn't want it to end.  I will for sure be reading more works by Shaun David Hutchinson. 

Who Should Read It:  I absolutely love to share book titles with my reading friends.  This is the newest title that I will be sharing with everyone.  This is the perfect novel for adult readers that enjoy young-adult fiction.  It is also the perfect novel for high-school readers.  They will be able to relate to so many of the characters in this story and what they are going through.  I highly recommend this book and know that you will enjoy it as much as I did.  Happy Reading! 


Rating:  5 STARS out of 5 Stars

Friend Friday #151 (The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah)

Hi!  I'm Heidi and I read the book called The Nightingale written by Kristin Hannah.


I think this book is intriguing because it tells the story of World War II through the eyes of two women who are sisters.  


My favorite part in the story is how it opened my eyes to what women left behind in war have to deal with because I had never thought of this perspective.   




The character that I liked best were the two sisters because it shows the strength they had to endure from very different circumstances.  


I think the author wrote this book because she wanted to share a World War II novel from a female perspective.  


I would recommend this book to my friends because it was historical fiction told from a woman's point of view and I know they would enjoy it as much as I did.  


Reading to me is an escape because it lets me visit or experience places I have never been.  


*I have worked with Heidi the last few years.  She is a special education teacher in my building.
*This past year we team taught during our math hour.  
*Even though we were teaching math, we often found ourselves talking about books.
*It was such fun to share titles and reading experiences with her.
*I have not read this particular novel, but it is on my TBR list.  

Scar Island by Dan Gemeinhart

How I Heard About It:  Two of my favorite middle-grade novels are The Honest Truth and Some Kind of Courage.  Both books brought me amazing enjoyment and also brought enjoyment to my students.  I've had a few interactions with Dan and he is an awesome guy.  I was thrilled to learn that he had a third novel coming out in January of 2017.  I was even more thrilled to receive an ARC of the book.  My afternoon was spent on my deck devouring the entire book.  

What It Is About:  Jonathan is a 12-year old boy who has committed a crime and is being sent to Slabhenge Reformatory School.  This school, "prison", is located out in the middle of a body of water and was formally an asylum for the criminally insane.  As Jonathan makes his way in a boat out to the island, the two crew members warn him about the place he is about to spend the next several months of his life.  When Jonathan arrives on the island he is introduced to the "Admiral" who runs the school.  Jonathan realizes quite quickly that is school is more of a prison than anything else.  The adults are big and scary.  The halls are dark and scary.  The atmosphere is intimidating and full of "residents" that don't want to be there.  After an accident involving the guards, the group of boys are left on their own.  Their first thought is to get off the island, but after some discussion, and force, they decide to spend a bit of time on their own on this island full of mystery and horror.  Jonathan tries to make the best of this situation while remaining "friends" with all the other guys.  He also finds some mysterious spaces and other "residents" that bring a lot of drama and life alternating events.  

What I Thought Of It:  Let's just say I received this ARC in the mail today, sat down on my deck with it, and finished it within a couple of hours.  Once I started I could not put it down.  Of Dan's three novels, this one is quite the page-turner.  From the moment Jonathan is on the boat to the island until the very last page, the story is full of action, mystery, and suspense.  The story line was so interesting and different from anything else I have read.  I have never read Lord of the Flies before, but there was a reference to that novel during the story and I think there may be some similarities to the two plots.  As a reader, I can always count on Dan to introduce a strong male character that has challenges and struggles to overcome.  He hit it out of the park with Jonathan and I found myself "rooting" for him the whole reading experience.  Everything about this story was top-notch and I know will be hours of enjoyment to so many readers!  

Who Should Read It:  I'm hoping to use this book for a future "Breakfast with Books" book club after its release in January.  I know my fourth grade readers will totally get into this story.  Readers that have read either of Dan's first two novels, will definitely want to read this third one.  It is just as good if not even better.  The book would make for a strong read aloud in grades four, five, and six.  It would also be a great fit for a strong independent reader in third grade, or readers in fourth through sixth grade.  I'm so excited to introduce this novel to my students.  I just wish I didn't have to wait until January.  Happy Reading!  

Rating:  5+ STARS out of 5 Stars