Fourth Grade Journey

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

Monday, August 5, 2019

An Inside Look #98 (Author INTERVIEW)



Inside Look with Cynthia Lord
(Author of Because of the Rabbit)

*During the summer of 2016, I added this feature to the blog which was called "Season #ONE".  This first season ran from June of 2016 to March of 2017.  

*I started up the interviews again in June of 2017.  It was great to get back to Season #TWO.  This season ran throughout the summer.  

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

*The next season (season #FOUR) of interviews took place during the summer and fall of 2018.  With each interview I became more and more impressed with the authors I was having interactions with.  

*Season #FIVE ran during the 2018/2019 school year.  I took a little break during June of 2019.

*I'm thrilled to be back with season #SIX featuring all new books, authors, and conversations.  


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

*This is the SEVENTH interview of what I'm calling Season #SIX.

*Thank you to Cynthia Lord for being the Ninety-EIGHTH author that I've had the pleasure of interviewing.  I truly appreciate it.  


*Here are links to the first Ninety-Seven 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)



*Cynthia Lord was kind, gracious, and giving with her answers to the questions.  It is an honor to post her responses here on the blog. 

*Thank you Cynthia for writing this incredible and thought-provoking book.

*Here is my book review...

Over the Moon Book Review



Because of the Rabbit

by Cynthia Lord (March 26, 2019)



How did you come to know Emma?
Many of my novels begin with setting, and that was true for Because of the Rabbit. I love Maine’s Western Mountains. It’s a place of great natural beauty and wildlife. So I started by asking myself, “Who lives here?



What do you think is Emma's most admirable quality?
She is brave. One way she shows that is being willing to admit when she has made a mistake. That takes a lot of courage.



Is there anything you wish Emma would have changed or done differently in her story?
As a person, I would want Emma to be completely comfortable in her own skin, but as a writer, I know that every character has to have some flaws. Those flaws are what make the character relatable and give the character room to grow and change. If the character starts off perfect, there’s no room for growth—the character doesn’t need to change, and neither does the reader.



What do you think Emma can offer to other children that are experiencing similar situations to what she went through?
I would hope Emma could give kids an understanding that they are not alone when they have mixed feelings about trying new experiences. I also hope that she would give them some courage to take a risk and grow in their friendships, like Emma does.



How did you research Emma and the circumstances she found herself in?
I homeschooled my children for many years. We began homeschooling when my autistic son’s sound sensitivities made a traditional school building painful for him. My son was homeschooled, at least part-time, for his whole school career. My daughter was homeschooled from the end of third grade through eighth grade. She and I had many wonderful conversations about the transition from homeschooling to public school for this book.  Also I have three pet rabbits of my own, and we foster rabbits for an animal rescue. So over the past five years, we’ve had 27 foster bunnies. Even though I knew a lot about rabbits from those real-life experiences, I did need to research the facts that are included in the book.

Do you and Emma share any similarities?
We both live in Maine and love animals. We both struggle sometimes to be brave, but always learn that we’re braver than we think.

What was the hardest scene to write about Emma?
The hardest scene was when Emma denies Jack to the girls she’s trying to befriend. It’s one of those moments where a main character falls short of what you’d want them to do. Those moments are important in a book to build conflict, but they’re never easy to read—or to write.

Who do you think was Emma's biggest supporter and why?
I think it’s Jack, because he is willing to forgive her.

Why do you think humans, especially children, have such a special connection with animals?
Unlike people, animals never pretend to be happy or sad when they are not.  When you understand their ways of communicating, it’s refreshingly simple. If we’re kind and respectful, pets come to trust us and love us for who we are inside.  Also with children, they are so often on the receiving end of nurturing—and pets provide the chance to be the giver.

What do you think Emma is doing as this present time?
I think she had a great school year and is now happy to be home for the summer with her family and her pet bunny, Lapi. She made new friends this year and is anxious to invite them over. The next big step for her will be middle school, so I think she’s again feeling that mix of Scared and Excited, but Excited is way ahead in that race.
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An Inside Look #97 ( Author INTERVIEW)


Inside Look with Natalie Lloyd
(Author of Over the Moon)

*During the summer of 2016, I added this feature to the blog which was called "Season #ONE".  This first season ran from June of 2016 to March of 2017.  

*I started up the interviews again in June of 2017.  It was great to get back to Season #TWO.  This season ran throughout the summer.  

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

*The next season (season #FOUR) of interviews took place during the summer and fall of 2018.  With each interview I became more and more impressed with the authors I was having interactions with.  

*Season #FIVE ran during the 2018/2019 school year.  I took a little break during June of 2019.

*I'm thrilled to be back with season #SIX featuring all new books, authors, and conversations.  


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

*This is the SIXTH interview of what I'm calling Season #SIX.

*Thank you to Natalie Lloyd for being the Ninety-Seventh author that I've had the pleasure of interviewing.  I truly appreciate it.  


*Here are links to the first Ninety-Six 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)



*Natalie Lloyd was kind, gracious, and giving with her answers to the questions.  It is an honor to post her responses here on the blog. 

*Thank you Natalie for writing this incredible and thought-provoking book.

*Here is my book review...

Over the Moon Book Review



Over the Moon

by Natalie Lloyd (March 26, 2019)


How did you come to know Mallie?  
I’d been collecting threads of ideas that would eventually weave together to become OVER THE MOON for a long time. A reader at a school visit had asked me to write about horses (that sounded fun). I wanted to write about flying horses (so I could pretend I was on them). I wanted to write a world that was firmly fantasy, but had a distinct Appalachian feel to it. All of that was whirling in the blender of my mind and then finally, finally, I saw Mallie. That’s when a story excites me — when I can finally see the main character. The first scene I imagined is the one where she’s in the dark woods alone … and a monster is stalking her. Her heart is locked in this place between wonder and total fear, and I loved that clash of emotions. The scene starts with terror and ends with hope, and all the while Mallie is learning how to be brave even when she doesn’t *feel* brave. That’s when I connected with her. I can relate to that, and I know young readers can, too. That’s when I knew I had to write her story.


What do you think is Mallie's most admirable quality?
For me, it’s her love for her family — her little brother, in particular. My brother is five years younger than me, and we grew up very close. He’s still one of my very best friends. (He lives in Denver now, hence the name of Mallie’s little brother.) There are so many qualities I love about Mallie, but the lengths she will go to in order to protect her family — that’s one of my favorite thing about her. I see that same loyalty and love in young readers.


Is there anything you wish Mallie would have changed or done differently in her story?
Not at this point. While I’m writing a story, there’s always a point when I feel like I’m wrestling with the character a little —when I want them to go down a certain path and they just won’t. Or it just doesn’t make sense. In the end, I like that the story never works out exactly the way I think it will. I like that it always changes from what I think will happen. That’s what makes it fun to write. Also, Mallie is a girl with grit. She’s very passionate and brave. But she’s learning to use those qualities and develop them - she’s learning to speak up and ask questions. Sometimes I want to give a character the best of every quality right at the start, but what makes a story fun is seeing Mallie continue to grow in those areas.


What do you think Mallie can offer to other children that are experiencing similar situations to what she went through? 
There are a couple of ways Mallie can encourage readers, I believe. The first is by reminding them that there is always something good past “the Dust.” The Dust covering Mallie’s world leaves people sad: it changed their way of life, it took the light away. For me, the way the Dust made the people in Coal Top feel mirrors how anxiety makes me feel.I think young (and young at heart) readers who have struggled with anxiety as well will get that. And I hope they remember there are still good days ahead. If we lean into people we love and keep pushing past whatever “dust” we face, I think there’s light to be found. I also think Mallie speaks to bravery. There are monsters in our world, too — fears we all have to learn to face and fight. And I hope Mallie encourages young readers to never, ever stop asking questions, especially of people in leadership positions.


How did you research Mallie and the circumstances she found herself in?
While Mallie’s world is definitely fantasy, I think her home resembles the sadness felt in some mining communities over the years. I grew up in Appalachia and still live here, and I’m enamored by the magic and wonder in this culture. But there is sorrow, too. There’s a sad (but beautiful) ballad written by songwriter Darrel Scott called ‘You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive,” reflecting the sorrow in one particular community. That song was floating through my mind a lot when I was writing. I also studied horses, watched them play, read about them, and talked to people who love horses - which was so fun. They’re amazing animals. Mallie’s horse flies, so I could make up some rules, but I wanted her experience to still ring true. (FYI: I’ve still never ridden a horse!)
Do you and Mallie share any similarities?  
We do! Besides the fact that we love our families (and animals) dearly, we’re also learning to navigate the world with a body that’s differently abled. 

Mallie’s left arm ends at the elbow, which doesn’t prevent her from doing anything (including racing flying horses). But it’s a noticeable difference from most people. So people sometimes stare at her arm, or they doubt her abilities. Mallie has adapted to her world totally, but she’s used to people doubting her just because her body looks different. 

I was born with a brittle bone disease that kept me in a wheelchair (or using a walker) through elementary and middle school. (In fact, I’m recovering from a broken leg right now, and hopping around on a walker.) When I was younger, I remember people staring, or people asking questions. I remember my parents making it clear to me pretty early on that there were some things I couldn’t do. (I couldn’t play contact sports, for example. Which was always fine with me since I’m not into sports anyway.) But they also told me to focus instead on the many, MANY things that I could do, to lean into that, and enjoy it. I think that gave me a real sense of autonomy even early on, learning my own limits and knowing my body and what I was capable of doing. It helped me realize how strong my body was in its own way. I think Mallie is learning about her body, too. She’s realizing how strong she is in all kinds of ways.
What was the hardest scene to write about Mallie?
It’s hard for me to write about a character being bullied. I remember what that feels like. I think we experience it as adults, too. Anybody who takes part in any social media has probably (or will) come in contact with some invisible internet troll. And I know I have to *feel* a scene to write it, which can be hard. I have to remind myself that every time Mallie felt defeated by jerks in her world, that it would only make her stronger in the end.


Who do you think was Mallie's biggest supporter and why?
So this is where Mallie and I differ. At her age, my biggest supporters in every endeavor were my parents. But Mallie’s parents, even though they love her unconditionally, are more concerned with protecting her. And it’s understandable when you consider this world they live in. They don’t want her taking any risk. I think she finds support in her best friend, Adam, and also in an eccentric, elderly lady — Granny Mab — who is a mentor for her in lots of ways. (And who happens to be one of my favorite characters in the story.)


Why do you think some young people, like Mallie, sometimes have more strength and courage to accomplish their goals than some adults?
That’s a great question. I think young people are incredibly resilient, with hearts that naturally bend toward hope. I think cynicism can sprout up like weeds as we get older. But young readers don’t seem as cynical to me. They just seem wide open to the good in the world. What I love about writing for a middle grade audience - and writing about people that age - is that their hearts and imaginations are still wide open. And maybe when you see the world the way young readers do - with an open heart, imagination, and a desire to make everybody feel like they belong - nothing feels impossible. I’m excited for the world they’re making.


What do you think Mallie is doing as this present time?  
This might be a little spoilery for anyone who hasn’t finished the book: I think Mallie is with Leo, her horse. I think she’s exploring places in her world she didn’t even know existed. And I think she’s always on the hunt for a villain who got away … making sure he doesn’t come to power anywhere else. Or maybe she’s flying through the stars right now, and the light is flowing through her fingers in ribbons of light. 
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What Are You Reading? (8/5/19)



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...


 Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker

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

 My Book Review



The Miraculous by Jess Redman

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

 My Book Review

 Banjo by Graham Salisbury

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

 My Book Review




Books I Will (continue to) Read this Week…


Sorry For Your Loss by Jessie Ann Foley

*My Young-Adult Novel









Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan

*My Novel Published for Adults









The Mother-In-Law by Sally Hepworth

*My Novel Published for Adults  







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Saturday, August 3, 2019

The Miraculous by Jess Redman

How I Heard About It:  After reading RAVE reviews of this new middle-grade novel, I ordered myself a copy and began reading as soon as it was delivered to my doorstep yesterday.  I finished the story this morning.  I literally could NOT put the book down once I started.  


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:  
1.  *Wunder believes in miracles.  So much so he calls himself a "miracologist".  

 2.  *He has spent his first eleven years recording all sorts of miracles in his special notebook that his parents purchased for him.

3.  *His belief in miracles comes to an end when his family is faced with a horrific tragedy which leaves his father, mother, and himself grieving an incredible loss.  

 4.  *When Faye, a classmate, comes into Wunder's life, the two of them learn that each is dealing with a loss.  As they begin to spend time together, the two children encounter a new "lady" in town.  

 5.  *The new resident sends Wunder and Faye on several adventures throughout the town while helping them find the answers they are desperately looking for.  


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
1.  *As I mentioned, I began the book yesterday afternoon and finished early this morning.  I could NOT put the novel down and was intrigued by the story.  

 2.  *The writing was beautiful, sensitive, and full of imagery.  

 3.  *Wunder was one of the most heart warming and endearing characters I've had the pleasure of "meeting" in a middle-grade story.  

 4.  *I loved the relationship the writer created between "miracles" and the people that have "passed" to another world.  So many important life-lessons were woven around this theme.  

 5.  *There were so tough topics presented within the pages, but Jess Redman was thoughtful, gracious, and authentic while writing about Wunder and his experiences.  


Who Should Read It:    I would say that EVERYONE should read this story.  It will not disappoint.  Individual readers in grades four, five, and six would be a perfect audience.  Of course the book could also be shared with middle-school readers.  In my opinion, the story would be a strong and important class read aloud.  I'm looking forward to sharing the novel with my fourth graders during the 2019/20 school year.  Happy Reading!  


Rating:   5+ STARS out of 5 Stars!




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Friday, August 2, 2019

Banjo by Graham Salisbury

How I Heard About It:  I was lucky to receive this ARC from a publisher representative from Penguin Random House.  She sent me a small collection of middle-grade novels that will be coming out in the next few months.  


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:  
1.  *Danny and his dog Banjo have a special relationship that every boy should experience in his life.  

 2.  *When a neighbor man accuses Banjo of chasing his livestock, Danny's life is turned upside down.  
3.  *Danny's father forces him to make an incredible decision regarding Banjo and his future.  

 4.  *In a nearby town, Meg is a young girl who absolutely loves animals and taking care of them.  She is quite surprised when she comes across a stray dog.

 5.  *Danny and Meg live parallel lives and one small dog brings them together.  


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
1.  *As a reader, it is always so exciting to begin a new story that I know nothing about.

 2.  *I was drawn into Danny, Meg, and Banjo's lives immediately.  I also learned a lot about ranching, livestock, and rodeos.  

 3.  *With every dog story comes the worry on whether the dog will live or die.  That worry was here, but shed in such a different life than most "dog" stories.

 4.  *Recently I've been reading many middle-grade novels with a female protagonist so it was refreshing to see a boy at the center of the story who was not only strong, but sensitive and empathic. 

 5.  *It may be a recent "trend", but I appreciate the short chapters and the "hook" at the end of each one.  This format grabs the young reader and keeps them engaged in the story.  


Who Should Read It:    I would love to see this novel used in second through sixth grade classrooms.  The story definitely has something to offer to all of these readers.  I can't wait to use the novel either as a class read aloud and/or a "Breakfast with Books" book club selection.  Happy Reading!  


Rating:   5 STARS out of 5 Stars!
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