Reading Level

"Books are written on our level not grade level."
-Richard Peck*

Gorgeous letterpress bookplate
Created by Mac and Ninny

*via SCBWI Tumbler

Middle Grade Dreams 2015

Don't miss the buzz at SLJ's Teen Librarian Toolbox.

How is that middle grade novel coming?  Did you promise yourself this would be the year you'd write it? Have you plotted, researched, or drafted anything yet?

Deafening silence?

If you are serious about putting that book on paper, here are some resources to light the motivational fires.

CHAPTER BOOK CHALLENGE

March means another ChaBooCha is on its way. Join this dedicated group of authors who'll support you through 31 days of drafting your manuscript, start to finish. Writing tips, inspiration, and giveaways are the icing on top.
This year young authors can be eligible for giveaways by signing up for ChaBooCha Jr.

WRITING WORKSHOPS
If you live in the northeast United States, visit the historic Moland House for a day of writing and critiques with Debbie Dadey, Kay Winter, and Marie Lamba, at the Spring Into Writing Workshop.

You may know Nancy I. Sanders from her free online non-fiction tutorials. Nancy is a working author with useful tips on how to start a project and finish it, with the focus on making a living as a writer.
She has an audio workshop available, titled Writing A Middle Grade Novel in ONE Month.


READ READ READ
Nothing motivates me to sit and write like reading.
Win a copy of Jennifer Jacobson's Paper Things From The Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors, or enter the Tricia Springstubb's Moonpenny Island giveaway on The Write Stuff.
A Fantastical Librarian has generously gathered highly anticipated MG for 2015. Ask your local librarian for more suggestions or pick up one of my recent favorites.

Savvy, by Ingrid Law

Hope Was Here,
by Joan Bauer

Liar & Spy,
by Rebecca Stead

The Mouse With the
Question Mark Tail,
by Richard Peck

GETTING STARTED
Still don't know where to start?
Gather ideas with Gail Carson Levine's Writing Magic.
Use Shannon Abercrombie's 21 writing prompts from Start the Year Off Write.
Zero in on a killer plot with the Paper Lantern Lit video series.
Learn 4 keys to making the manuscript "un-put-down-able" on Writers Digest.
Revise your current work with Janice Hardy on Fiction University.


If you are more of a picture book person, don't miss last Wednesday's post, Picture Book Goals 2015.

How to Grow a Writer

“Because nobody but a reader ever became a writer.”

-Richard Peck

Art by Alberto C. Lavera
Courtesy GADEL

After Happily Ever After

“[A young adult novel] ends not with happily ever after, but at a new beginning, with the sense of a lot of life yet to be lived.”

-Richard Peck

ExLibris for D. Fangaresi

K is for Kelly Murphy

K is for Kelly Murphy*

Oops! "K" should have posted yesterday. So sorry.

I hope you can still enjoy this art spotlight a day late. Thanks for your patience.

I love to browse the library and bookstore shelves for hidden gems. I confess, I still prefer to judge a book by its cover. (I'm pretty good at judging by the spine too!) Anyway, One day about 8 years ago, I spotted this little beauty. Ooooo, how that cover made me grab it from the shelf and dive between the covers.

At the Sign of the Star,
by Katherine Sturtevant.
Cover by Kelly Murphy

I loved this book. Set in England in the late 1600's, this novel follows the bookish life of 12-year old Meg. She may be a bit of a feminist, but the characters, settings, and historical details made this an engaging read.


It turned out the cover was painted by Kelly Murphy. I didn't know her back then, but you'd be hard pressed not to know her now.  Below you'll find a few of her more heralded projects.

The Miniature World of
Marvin & James,
by Elise Broach 

The Mouse With
the Question Mark Tail,
by Richard Peck

Romping Monsters, Stomping Monsters,
by Jane Yolen

It is no surprise that Kelly's signature style has been honored by the Society of Illustrators, and that her books have garnered so much attention. Neither should it surprise you that she counts Edward Gorey and Shaun Tan among her heroes. Take a look at these fantastic pen and ink illustrations.

Kelly Murphy from Behind the Bookcase

 

Courtesy Kelly Murphy

You can hear more about Kelly's work on Mark Steensland's Behind the Bookcase.




You can find another interesting interview including her process at EMU's Debuts.

Of course, Kelly has her cuddly side too.

Mother's Day Card, by Kelly Murphy

Visit her at www.kelmurphy.com/

*Follow the A to Z Challenge.

A Story's Influence

“We write by the light of every story we have ever read. ”
-Richard Peck

Dr. Seuss Day

Read Across America celebrates Dr. Seuss's birthday and encourages literacy and love of books.  Read to your favorite someone today.

Here are some of my top picks for every age group:
Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss
Bear Snores On, by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
Six-Dinner Sid, by Inga Moore
Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, by Deborah Hopkinson and James Ransome
Judy Moody, by Megan McDonald and Peter Reynolds
The Ghost in the Noonday Sun, by Sid Fleischman
A Long Way From Chicago, by Richard Peck
The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper
Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley