Thursday, August 09, 2012

End of Summer Wrap-Up

The end of summer vacation is approaching rapidly, and as many of you know, I will have a new job this year at Payson Jr. High. I'm moving out of my English classroom and into the school library. I can't tell you how excited I am to make this move. I have lots of ideas about contests, activities, and ways to let you know what new books have been added to the library collection.

But new books at school aren't the only books I'm excited about. I just published one of my own novels, A Note Worth Taking. My writing friends and many of my former students have been begging me for this to happen for some time now, and it's finally become a reality.

Here's a glimpse into what you'll find in the story:

The end of eighth grade should be an exciting and happy time for Laura. But when her best friend gives her a note saying their friendship is over, Laura can=t figure out what hit her. Still reeling, Laura goes to science class only to find out she needs a partner for the school science fair. Vickie, who has always been her project partner before now, chooses a popular girl who hangs out with Laura=s worst enemy. Laura realizes she can only get over the loss of an old friend by making new ones. When Kim asks Laura to be her partner, she accepts. In addition, Laura spends more time with a band buddy who shares her love of music. Even as Laura tries to heal from the pain of lost friendship, she keeps an eye on Vickie and her new friends, hoping to see a turn in the tide of popularity, and wondering if this is a friendship worth saving.

A Note Worth Taking is available on Kindle for only $2.99. Don't forget, you can download a FREE Kindle app for your cell phone, iPad, or computer if you don't have a Kindle device. 

 

Wednesday, August 01, 2012

Infinity Ring: A Mutiny in Time by James Dashner

A perfect fit for your middle grade reader. The first book in the Infinity Ring series by James Dashner is a little bit 39 Clues and a lot 13th Reality. As a fan of that series, also by Dashner, I was pleased to find not only more characters experiencing the idea of time travel though quantum physics, but also the return of Dashner's endearing sense of humor, something that is lacking in the intense action of The Maze Runner series. A Mutiny in Time will not be available until August 28th, but be sure to add it to your must-read list, especially if you are a middle grade teacher or librarian. Book 2--Divide and Conquer by Carrie Ryan--following in November.