IWSG and A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur

It's IWSG time!  This group is definitely worth celebrating. Starting as the brainchild of the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh, this support group for writers has transformed from a monthly blog hop to a true platform, where many just as amazing writers gather and exchange thoughts, worries, ideas, support, encouragement, and more. We still meet the first Wednesday of every month, though, the group can be now found in many other settings. 

Special thanks goes to this month's co-hosts:

Victoria Marie Lees, Kim Lajevardi, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine!

I think this month's question hits the nail on the head:

How do you deal with distractions when you are writing? Do they derail you?

First, define distraction because life is the biggest 'distraction', especially this time of year when the work around house and farm kicks into high-gear. I think it's safe to say that this is the busiest time thanks to repairs after winter, getting everything growing, animal sales happen right now, and...and...and... But I consider that more of a time issue.

Now, if we're concentrating on 'distractions' as in I'm sitting and typing, I can usually shove anything aside and don't get distracted easily. I grew up with six younger siblings and foster kids in a three bedroom house in the city. So I've learned to block out the world.

If it's a family member (kids, husband), that's a different realm again. I can't ignore them (although it would be nice, sometimes). Thanks to my 'block out everything' ability, they do need to be loud and repetitive to get my attention. But after that...yeah, I'm derailed because that usually means my writing time is done.

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Today's read:

I read the blurb and immediately placed this one in my must-be-read pile. It's set in 1506 Joseon, Korea, and promises to weave in a tale of intrigue, survival and enemies-to-friends romance, while addressing the very difficult events of that time. I'm always in for a good historical work of fiction, especially when the author has already gotten much praise for their other works...which June Hur definitely has.

Ready to dive into the past and see how tense this one gets?

A CRANE AMONG WOLVES

by June Hur

Feiwel & Friends

Young Adult Historical

364 pages

COMING...

MAY 14th!!!

June Hur, bestselling author of The Red Palace, crafts a devastating and pulse-pounding tale that will feel all-too-relevant in today’s world, based on a true story from Korean history.

Hope is dangerous. Love is deadly.

1506, Joseon. The people suffer under the cruel reign of the tyrant King Yeonsan, powerless to stop him from commandeering their land for his recreational use, banning and burning books, and kidnapping and horrifically abusing women and girls as his personal playthings.

Seventeen-year-old Iseul has lived a sheltered, privileged life despite the kingdom’s turmoil. When her older sister, Suyeon, becomes the king’s latest prey, Iseul leaves the relative safety of her village, traveling through forbidden territory to reach the capital in hopes of stealing her sister back. But she soon discovers the king’s power is absolute, and to challenge his rule is to court certain death.

Prince Daehyun has lived his whole life in the terrifying shadow of his despicable half-brother, the king. Forced to watch King Yeonsan flaunt his predation through executions and rampant abuse of the common folk, Daehyun aches to find a way to dethrone his half-brother once and for all. When staging a coup, failure is fatal, and he’ll need help to pull it off—but there’s no way to know who he can trust.

When Iseul's and Daehyun's fates collide, their contempt for each other is transcended only by their mutual hate for the king. Armed with Iseul’s family connections and Daehyun’s royal access, they reluctantly join forces to launch the riskiest gamble the kingdom has ever

Save her sister. Free the people. Destroy a tyrant.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

Every page propels the mystery and intrigue forward to create an exciting adventure with more than a few dark undertones.

Iseul is determined to save her older sister after the king nabbed her from the village and dragged her to the capital to join his ever-growing circle of concubines. The entire kingdom suffers under the tyrant's cruel rule, one which has left Iseul parentless after the king's last 'purge' on his government officials. With no money and no allies, the task is dangerous and impossible, but even if it means her death, Iseul won't let her sister suffer. When she's set face-to-face with a series of murders which is threatening the king, she realizes that finding the criminal might be the only chance she has to save her sister. But that brings her to the prince, and he will either be her undoing, her greatest ally, or both.

When I picked this up, I was expecting an historical read...which this is but not with as many details as I expected. Instead, the setting radiates through the little things, which demonstrate the aspects of the daily life, ideologies, and cultures around 1506. This was a tumultuous time in Korean history, where the king lost his mind in greed and power. The author doesn't numb the cruelty, which also means there are more than a few triggers in this read. Still, it doesn't settle into the gore of details, but rather, lets the situations hit with the seriousness and emotions they deserve. 

It's a darker read, which even goes beyond the cruelty of the king and heads into a string of murders and mystery. There's quite a bit of intrigue thrown in, which when mixed with the planning of a coup, creates a heavy weave that thickens and thickens. There's a lot to work through, and that in just this one novel. It creates a quick-paced read with little time to take a breath before the next twist arrives. The general world building does slide back in terms of scenery and surroundings, and this will be an easier read for those who have already sunk into Asian culture before. But it's a tale, which grabs and stays tense the entire way through.

On the character end, the author has placed the leads in two, very different realms before bringing them together. The tale switches back and forth between Iseul and Daehyun, and they don't meet until several chapters in. This gives the reader time to get a feel for both personalities as well as gain the needed foundation of life inside and outside of the palace. When the two meet, it's not insta-attraction by any means. Romance isn't high on the list when lives are at stake on so many levels. It was refreshing to see the main issues remain in control over the romance in a YA read. This strong flow of plot did mean less on character depth and reflection, but that also makes it a lighter read...if it can be called that.

While this didn't have as much of the historical flair as I expected, it is an exciting read. The intrigue, mystery, and dangerous situations drive each moment forward and add many tense moments. The characters are determined and easy to root for as they try their best to turn everything around. Add the powerful ending, and it's well-worth a read for those who enjoy darker adventures set in historical times.

And here she is...

June Hur is a bestselling and Edgar Award-winning author of YA historicals, including The Silence of Bones, The Forest of Stolen Girls, The Red Palace, and A Crane Among Wolves. Born in South Korea, June spent her formative years in the USA, Canada, and South Korea before studying History and Literature at the University of Toronto, and working at the city’s public library. Her work has been featured in Forbes, NPR, The New York Times, CBC, and KBS. June resides in Toronto with her family and can be spotted writing in coffee shops.

IWSG and Happy Book Birthday, Forsynthia: Rise of the Cupcakes by Rachel Dinunzio!

It's time for March's IWSG! This amazing group of writers started with Alex J. Cavanaugh and has flourished and blossomed to an inspiring group. It involves so much more than just this monthly hop, too. Special thanks goes to this month's co-hosts: Kristina Kelly, Miffie Seideman, Jean Davis, and Liza @ Middle Passages!

This snuck up on me...again. I seem to have issues keeping track of my days as they flutter on by. Today, I'm sticking to the month's question because it is an interesting one, which I'm not sure a person can even answer yet, since the future holds tons more in this direction.

Have you "played" with AI to write those nasty synopses, or do you refuse to go that route? How do you feel about AI's impact on creative writing?

I have not and, at this time, won't. I'm sure it has it's uses in this area for extra hints and brain-idea-launchers, but I'll admit that I don't know enough about it to really use it yet. I mean, I'm still struggling with our dinosaur internet out here, which has an impressive .85 mg download and .2 mg upload speed. The struggles of living very rural and in a valley without clear sky view.

As a reviewer, I've already been receiving picture books created with AI assistance, and they're pretty easy to spot. So far, anyway. The writing misses that extra spark, which only a writer can bring. It's hard to explain, but AI generated feels...um...flat-ish? Follows a 'good' format but is just that. Generic. That unexpected human touch isn't there, although I can't really put that into words, either. Let's just say that it's not hard to notice it when you read several hundred books a year. As for the illustrative end...well, don't even get me started. Yeah, I have a huge opinion on computer generated illustrations for picture books just because those authors, who use them, often believe just slapping a picture down is all kids need...which might be true to a certain extent but...ugh! I just want to scream "It's a picture book, for crying out loud! Effort, people. Effort."

Anyway, what are your views on the AI end and writing?

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It's time for another book birthday! Today's heads in the graphic novel direction and is the first in a new series aimed at chapter book readers. It appears to head into a fantastical, science fiction direction with tons of humor and a dash of cuteness. 

FORSYNTHIA:

RISE OF THE CUPCAKES

by Rachel Dinunzio

Paw Prints

Chapter Book Fantasy  /  Graphic Novel

144 pages

ages 7 to 9

In Rise of the Cupcakes , the first installment in a brand new funny and fun-loving early reader graphic novel series, author-illustrator Rachel DiNunzio introduces us to Forsynthia, a young dragon, and her family, and puts them in all sorts of adventures that blend science, fantasy, mystery, and fun. Forsynthia and her little sister Daisy bake their Mom (a scientist for the Secret Magical Bureau) cupcakes for her birthday. But they all get more than they bargained for when a cupcake merges with the magical artifact Mom has been studying and a villainous mega-cupcake forms, multiplies, and then attempts to take over their town of New Harmony! Will Forsynthia and family capture Megacupcake, save mayor Loren, put stop to the chaos, and save the day? 

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON    /    KOBO

MY TIDBITS

Secret science meets magic and dragons in a sweet and quirky explosion of cupcakes and world domination.

Forsynthia enjoys the new home with her mom and sister, especially when her mom's lab from the Secret Magical Bureau is finally delivered. Now, she can watch her mom (and sometimes help out a tiny-little bit) as she researches top-secret magical artifacts. But when one of the latest magical devices accidentally meets the birthday cupcakes met for Forsynthia's little sister, evil cupcakes try to take over the entire town!

Readers who love humor and adventure with a spark of imagination are going to enjoy this one. It packs tons of quirky twists and shoots off into non-serious fun, and that while trying to save the world. Forsynthia is a sweet, young dragon, who gets along with her younger sister and mother very well. There aren't any negatives whatsoever in this direction, which offers a snuggly, family warmth the entire way through. But then, with evil cupcakes on a rampage, unexpected heroes like Forsynthia need this solid basis because they have enough to do with trying to save the town.

The illustrations are bright and bold, and remain on the simpler end, while still delivering the emotions, tension, humor, and a touch of cuteness. They fit well to the age group with imaginative characters and positive color tones. The text is bold and placed on the background to meld with each scene. It pushes reading skills more than I expected but is playful enough not to scare off more reluctant readers. It's cute, adventurous, definitely quirky, and promises tons of adventure to come.

IWSG and Library read... Batter Royale by Leisl Adams

It's IWSG time! For those of you who don't know what that means, the IWSG is a writers' group (founded by the amazing Alex J Cavanaugh), which meets the first Wednesday of every month. Writers, authors, and friends exchange thoughts, offer encouragement, get tips, and give advice. There's so much more to this group, too, since it has blossomed and bloomed over the years. 

This month, I'd especially like to thank the co-hosts: Janet Alcorn, SE White, Victoria Marie Lees, and Cathrina Constantine!

There is a monthly question, but I'm going to hit something a little more personal on my writing journey, today...something which has been making writing very difficult for me the last years (and I don't mean time, although that's a huge issue).

I've been struggling with the overwhelming number of books on the market—present and past—and fight whispers which question the value of writing.  So many tales are thrown into the sea of words to simply drown among them. 

Around the same time I was editing Music Boxes with my publisher, I volunteered at the bi-annual (now tri-annual) used book sale to raise funds for the local library. While this was a fun experience, which I did for several years, it also overwhelmed. While our town has around 5000 residents, the amount of books at this sale is insane. We had 50 or more tables stacked as full as we could get them and boxes stacked underneath too. Even then, we didn't come close to having enough room to put out all the used books we'd get in. That was with us sorting through and tossing many away. (We definitely live in a town of book lovers.) Afterwards, a truck load was taken to the recycling center.

But seeing these mountains and mountains of unloved books wormed into me in an unexpected way and has made me wonder if writing isn't a waste of time. I'm not talking about becoming a successful author or basking in a huge income or anything like that. My thoughts circle around whether or not the time writing should be used in a different way (make the world a better place direction)...whether or not its a pursuit of self-indulgence...whether those words mean anything, really.

Sounds a bit depressing and heavy, but these aren't overwhelming thoughts, either. Just enough to make writing difficult. I am aware that writing has and will continue to change the world, and even if one person is influenced by or connects with words in a way which helps them, all was worth it. Still, this little monster has spiked in deep with barbed thorns and is causing all sorts of issues. Especially since he teams up with my very vicious inner-editor ghoul.

Of course, none of these writing monsters keep the story ideas from coming. Those bunnies love to multiply and bounce around. But getting these stories onto paper has become a huge battle. I'm still writing (I'm going to have a brain full of bunny fluff if I don't), but it's making the process so much more painstakingly slow than it needs to be.

What about you? How's your writing going? Any tricks to keep these little monsters away? 

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I have another read today which nods at the upcoming Valentine wonderfulness. Today's read is one I picked up through our local library (Libby connection) and is another graphic novel. I have a weakness for sweet treats and will probably be hitting the kitchen after reading this to stir up my own. 

This one came out in 2022.

BATTER ROYALE

by Leisl Adams

Harry N Abrams

YA Romance   /   Graphic Novel

240 pages

In Leisl Adams’s fun debut graphic novel, Batter Royale , a talented young chef is selected to participate in a baking reality show and finds herself mixed up in spicy competition, bitter rivalry, and sweet romance.

When 17-year-old small-town waitress Rose impresses a famous food critic, she and her best friend, Fred, find themselves thrust into the tough world of competitive baking. The contest is an intense 10 days of bizarre challenges, and the competition is cutthroat. Some competitors are willing to lie, cheat, and sabotage their way to the top. Rose may be in over her head, but she is determined to show that she can become a top chef.

Batter Royale is a fish-out-of-water-style romantic comedy about climbing out of the circumstances you’re in and making your dreams come true.

GOODREADS    /     OR A LIBRARY NEAR YOU!

 

MY TIDBITS

Baked delights mix with friendship and sneaky tricks in a tale with sweetness, sour moments, and a bit of bite.

Rose loves to bake, and while she works at a diner, the closest she gets to the kitchen is the food pick-up area. Unfortunately, even the work days as a waitress are numbered thanks to the declining business. When a food critic appears, Rose sneaks into the kitchen and bakes a small treat, which blows the woman away and lands Rose into a baking competition in Europe. Needing a partner, she drags her best friend along, but what awaits them is beyond the realm of batter and fillings. Not only strange challenges await, but the other competitors will do anything to win.

The graphics are cute and very well done, allowing the scenes to fly by with ease and the characters to come to life with every high and low. It was fun to flip through these and sink into the baking world. There's quite a bit of imagination in the tale to give plenty of fun for the graphics to expand on. 

The plot sounds simple enough, and at first glance, it takes on a familiar scheme, but this glance is very deceiving. While there's the baking competition, a mean girl, and first buds of romance, there's unexpected twists and turns...and I do mean unexpected as in quirky moments (think sudden obstacle course while on the way to get flour and even stranger add-ins). And this definitely gives the read a flavor of its own. While some aspects are just sudden, others stretch the plot sense, but the story still stays fun.

The romance hits upon a friends to lovers direction and remains sweet the entire time. It's pretty straight forward...well, in so far that the characters are normal. Rose plays the clueless friend and doesn't realize the budding feelings, but she's odd and hard to grasp, anyway, since she dances to her own drum and seems to be in her own world. She's kind and has a good heart, but has more than a few quirks, which don't always sit right. This makes her a bit hard to grasp, at times. The friend is a very nice guy with a bit of a goofy, very laid-back touch. The two actually fit together like a lid to a pot.

To add cream to the cake, there are plenty of recipes sprinkled in. These ranged in difficulty and covered several sugary directions. They are a nice touch to an already pretty chaotic story and do inspire baking inspiration.

Summed up, this is a cute, light read with tons of good feels, but it's a little strange, too, and doesn't always make sense. But it makes an enjoyable read with more than a few unexpected moments...if you can go with the flow.

IWSG and So Much More

 It's the first Wednesday of the month, and that means it's time for another dip into the IWSG world! But I also have a couple other things going on, too...so much so that I'm skipping my usual daily review/recommended read post. Let's just get started since today is a busy day!

This group was founded by the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh and has grown from a small blog hop to a large group with all sorts of possibilities. One of these is the Twitter pitch party coming on January 25th (if you want to learn more about that, just head over to Alex's site here or tap on the IWSG logo). Every 1st Wednesday of the month, members get together with this blog hop to offer support, tips, comments, let everyone know what they're up to...and who knows what else. After all, writing doesn't have to be a lonely journey.

Tons of thanks goes to this month's co-hosts: Jemima Pett, Debs Carey, Kim Lajevardi, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and T. Powell Coltrin!

I'm going to hit this month's question, since it does fit well with what I wanted to say today, anyway.

Do you have a word of the year? Is there one word that sums up what you need to work on or change in the coming year?

WRITE!!!

That's my word. I've gotten myself back into the word groove during the holidays, and now that I'm actually liking my stories again, hope I can finally keep it going. There are so many stories to write!

What about you? Do you have any special words this year or goals or anything?

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Story Pirates are Launching a Book Club for Kids!

The Story Pirates Book Club will launch in January 2023 with their inaugural selection: Mr. Lemoncello’s Very First Game by New York Times bestselling author Chris Grabenstein.

"Following the success of the Story Pirates Creator Camp, a virtual summer program that debuted in Summer 2020, Story Pirates and Random House Children’s Books will partner once again on the first-ever Story Pirates Book Club. Launching in January 2023, the monthly book club will introduce kids and families to the best new books from a host of award-winning authors, including familiar and beloved New York Times bestsellers like Chris Grabenstein (Mr. Lemoncello’s Library) and Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House), in addition to exciting middle-grade debuts like H. D. Hunter (Futureland: Battle for the Park) and Misa Sugiura (Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind). Book selections will span a variety of genres and feature stories that will interest and entertain young readers.

Included with Book Club registration is a copy of the featured title and access to two exclusive livestreams, held on Saturdays at 1–2 pm ET/10–11 am PT, where members can connect with fellow readers from across the country. The first event, which will be led by professional Story Pirates teaching artists and performers, will feature interactive activities and games inspired by the book of the month. The second event will be an exclusive class and Q&A with the author—a chance for Book Club members to engage directly with the writers, learn about their creative processes, and ask questions about their books. At the end of each month, participants will also be able to submit a book review with the chance to have it featured on the Story Pirates’ website and social media." 

For more information and to register, visit the Story Pirates Book Club at storypirates.com/bookclub.

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Then, I have something for us writers out there. While stumbling through the book promotion world (which I often find myself doing), I ran across an online book touring company. Now, that isn't anything special, but when I learned what they do with the 'payments' they receive from authors, I just had to share. 

Coffee and Thorn is a small non-profit company that runs book tours, provides editing services, and develops promotional videos for authors.  All its takings go to support the education of girls from poor communities in Sierra Leone and Tanzania. They...

·         Promote books that they genuinely admire

·        Work more closely with authors on a wider range of projects

·         Use their labor, time, and commitment to fund really worthwhile projects

Carly and Lilyan fund all of the Coffee and Thorn overheads.  100% of what they take in for their work goes straight to The Paul Hodges Trust to support the Joan Davis Scholarship Program.  Authors receive confirmation of these donations from the Paul Hodges Trust, so that they know that as well as getting a service, they are making lives better for girls who would otherwise have no chance in life.

http://www.thepaulhodgestrust.co.uk/index.html

The Paul Hodges Trust is a tiny charity based in the UK.  It provides grants to local voluntary organizations working to tackle poverty in some of the poorest communities in Africa, and is focused on breaking the cycle of poverty through empowering women and girls.  It has a range of projects, funding the education, health, empowerment and employment of girls and women.

Below are some of the younger girls, 12-15 years, from the slum in Sierra Leone, who are being supported to continue in secondary schooling.  This is a critical age for many slum girls, as they have no earning potential outside of prostitution, secondary  school involves costs which the family cannot bear,  and although daughters do a lot of the domestic work, if there are several daughters, some of them are just “spare mouths to feed”.  Therefore they are frequently married off at this age – generally to much older, slightly richer  men, often as second or third wives, in households where their role is little more than domestic servant. Inevitable early motherhood soon means that they and their children are locked in perpetual dependence.

The scholarship program takes academically able girls who would otherwise be in this position, funds their school expenses and meals, whilst local social workers work with  both the girls and their families.  We hope that some of these girls will go on to higher secondary school and possibly even university.  They will be pioneers for their gender, their communities and their country.

Anyway, I just found this an amazing way to help others and wanted to share. And you can find them at: https://coffeeandthorn.com/  It's always a treat to touch base with them.

IWSG and Happy Book Birthday, Welcome to the 'Burbs by Matthew Cody!

Every 1st Wednesday of the month, writers get together to express fears, concerns, and offer hope as well as encouragement or whatever else their hearts desire. This group was birthed by the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh and has grown into a thriving, broad community with tons of possibilities. Check it out here!

I especially excited to join in with these co-hosts this month:  Diedre Knight, Douglas Thomas Greening, Nick Wilford, and Diane Burton

And this month's question is...

November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not?

Yes, I have participated in the past, but since I'm usually attacking middle grade manuscripts, shorts, and such, the 50,000 words isn't always the goal. And, honestly, I usually don't or barely make my goal, anyway. While the extra shove is great, this constantly writing doesn't fit in my life schedule, yet. So, while I find it a great way to motivate writers, it hasn't been super helpful for me.

But just because it hasn't yet, doesn't mean it won't be in the future. So, I'm keeping it in mind and seeing what will come.

What about you? Are you a NANO winner, or have you given it a go? What were your experiences?

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It's Happy Book Birthday time! I do love to celebrate, and today's read will take care of that nicely. This is the 4th book in the Cat Ninja series, a graphic novel packed full of adventure and excitement...or so I'm told. Nope, I have not visited the Cat Ninja before nor any of his friends. So, I'm diving in a little late to the game, but I have a feeling that won't be a problem.

Ready for some excitement and fun? Then, let's  

WELCOME TO THE 'BURBS

Cat Ninja #4

by Matthew Cody

Illustrated by Chad Thomas

and Warren Wucinich

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Middle Grade Adventure / Graphic Novel

160 pages

ages 8 to 12

Everyone’s favorite feline superhero is back for even more hilarious adventures set in the Cat Ninja-verse. Catch up with Cat Ninja, Master Hamster, and the rest of the family as they face...the suburbs!

When Dad buys a new house outside the city, the kids are less than excited about new neighbors, backyard barbecues, and quiet, tree-lined streets. And they’re not alone—a summer in the suburbs is enough to make Cat Ninja miss the villains of Metro City!
 
Our hero and his family feel like fish out of water when they arrive in Peaceful Valley, but it won’t be long before Dad’s new neighborhood reveals its scaly, golden underbelly.
 
This volume includes:
Five full-length comics
One bonus Cat Ninja Tale

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60320177-cat-ninja

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cat-ninja-matthew-cody/1140975223

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1524875856

INDIE BOUND: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781524875855

MY TIDBITS

This is my first Cat Ninja book and...let's just say it's quite the ride.

Dad has bought a house in the suburbs, which means a move from Metro City to a quieter area. While there is a bit of rough adjustment (friends, area, and such), most neighbors are friendly enough, but when one brings over a pet fish as a present, the adventure begins. The fish is a henchman for the evil Godfather (fish-mafia), and when Mr. Squeaks disappears, Cat Ninja needs to face down the threat. But there's more to the mafia than meets the eye. 

Although the fourth in the series, this book can be picked up and read on its own without too much trouble sinking in. The reader does get a chance to discover the newness of everything, since the family is just moving into the new neighborhood and has some 'new' beginnings themselves. The situations do ring a bit of familiarity for anyone having to find new friends and steering the waters of divorced parents, but that's not the main thrust. This one is all about action and fun and intrigue and...well, super-spy adventure.

The illustrations are bright and bold or carry just the right amount of secret dimness, letting the atmosphere of each situation come across nicely. It's wonderful to see the characters in action with all of their various personality quirks. Even the bad guys shine, especially since there are additional panels to give a little backstory on each one. And the text gives what is needed and lets the illustrations do the rest. The entire thing does end with a bit of a cliff-hanger...so the next book won't be a stand-alone? We'll see.

I enjoyed this one quite a bit, but then, it's not hard to adore ninja cats, clever hamsters, and the rest of the crew. 

And here they are...

Matthew Cody is the author of several popular books, including the award-winning Supers of Noble’s Green trilogy: Powerless, Super, and Villainous. He is also the author of Will in Scarlet and The Dead Gentleman, as well as the fantasy series The Secrets of the Pied Piper. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and son.

Chad Thomas first picked up a pencil in 1983, decided to draw cartoons in 1988, and finally started getting paid for it in 2005. He loves his family, comic books, and Star Wars, and he will let his children beat him in checkers, but never in Mario Kart. He has worked with a number of publishers in the comic industry on books such as TMNT, Star Wars Adventures, and Mega Man. He has also illustrated several children's science and learning activity books.

Warren Wucinich is a comic book creator and part-time carny who has been lucky enough to work on such cool projects as Invader ZIM, Bright Family, Courtney Crumrin, and Cat Ninja. He is also the co-creator of the YA graphic novel Kriss: The Gift of Wrath. He currently resides in Dallas, Texas, where he spends his time making comics, re-watching 80’s television shows, and eating all the tacos.

IWSG and today's read... Not Starring Zadie Louise by Joy McCullough

It's time for...

Every 1st Wednesday of the month, writers get together to express fears, concerns, and offer hope as well as encouragement or whatever else their hearts desire. This group was birthed by the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh and has grown into a thriving, broad community with tons of possibilities. Check it out here!

I especially excited to join in with these co-hosts this month: Victoria Marie Lees, Mary Aalgaard, and Sandra Cox

I love this month's questions, so I'm going to just flow with it:

 What do you consider the best characteristics of your favorite genre?

I'm warping this a bit and adding a 's' to make it genres because I'm a broad-minded, reading girl. I do tend, however, to steer in two main directions: imagination and fact. That seems a little juxtaposed, perhaps, but I love it when it's one way or the other. 

I enjoy getting lost in the fun of letting imagination take flight with all of its possibilities in the realms of fantasy, paranormal, and science fiction. Give me even a slight twist, and I'm satisfied. 

Or...feed me facts! There's so much to learn and discover in non-fiction or even historically based reads. I do not like the in between realm of contemporary/drama/romance/life-tales with their heavy emotions. I live real life. I don't need to be reminded of it. So, my reads need to let me surge beyond everyday possibilities or go into the nit-and-gritty details of the how, when and why. 

(Lol. And after adding today's read below, I realized how easy it is to put my foot in my mouth. (the key word was favorite in the question. Favorite. Got to love life!)

What about you? What captures your heart with your favorite genre?

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Now, on to today's read! This month, I'm concentrating on 'Octoberly' reads...but I have some other directions in between, too. Today's read just so happens to steer out of the spooky & monster-ly stream and heads into humorous fun. Actually, when I read that this one is about a girl trying to rescue a play called 'Spinderella', it had my curiosity churning. What is Spinderella? A spindle twist? A spinning twist? (The last sounds dizzi-ing). 

Let's find out!

NOT STARRING ZADIE LOUISE

by Joy McCullough

Atheneum Books

Middle Grade Contemporary

256 pages

ages 8 to 12

In this charming middle grade novel that’s perfect for fans of Tim Federle and Gordon Korman, Zadie is determined to spend the summer helping at the community theater—but things go hilariously awry!

Zadie loves Tae Kwon Do, comic books, and outer space. She also loves visiting the community theater that her mom runs, especially the lighting grid over the stage and the stage manager’s booth, which is filled with levers and buttons like a spaceship control panel. So when the family’s finances suffer a blow and Zadie has to give up her usual activities to spend the summer at the theater, she doesn’t mind too much. After all, she’s always wanted to tech a show.

She knows she’d be great at it, but her mom and the new stage manager are totally opposed to the idea of having a kid do tech. Instead, Zadie’s stuck handing out snacks and folding flyers. But the future of the theater rides on this show, and Zadie is determined to help. She’s going to make Spinderella the hit of the season—unless she accidentally turns it into a disaster.

GOODREADS    /   AMAZON  

MY TIDBITS

Bobbing from one ridiculous or tough situation to the next, this is a character, who packs more than just a little personality and spunk.

Zadie's summer is ruined, not that she can really complain too much...it'd be wrong considering the tough financial situation her family is stuck in. Still, she not only has to give up her favorite activities, but her mother is determined to have Zadie in her play. Luckily, Zadie doesn't even glisten a tiny touch of talent at try-outs, but her dreams of working with the tech instead sink just as quick as she almost plummets to her death from the lighting grid above. Stuck as a stage assistant, she's doomed to stupid tasks, but that doesn't mean Zadie's going to give up on making the show shine.

Theater fans will enjoy the setting and all the wonderful details that go with life on the stage, and not necessarily from the acting end. Zadie is involved with all sorts of side tasks, which does give interesting glimpses into everything involved in creating a show. These are trickled in with tons of humor, drama and fun because where Zadie is involved, nothing is ever boring.

While there are situations concerning family, friends, and determination to make something work, humor makes this tale flow. Much of these come from Zadie's own bad choices or mistakes, which create over-the-top moments and guarantee snickers and snorts. Plus, Zadie tends to rattle on in all directions thanks to her bubbly personality. 

It's a cute read for those who enjoy drama mixed in with more than a few silly moments.

IWSG and today's read... A Feast For Pleasant Beasts by James Bird

I'll get to today's read in a moment, but first...

IT'S IWSG TIME!!!

Every 1st Wednesday of the month, writers get together to express fears, concerns, and offer hope as well as encouragement or whatever else their hearts desire. This group was birthed by the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh and has grown into a thriving, broad community with tons of possibilities. Check it out here!

Special thanks goes to this month's co-hosts:  Kim Lajevardi, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguirre, Olga Godim, Michelle Wallace, and Louise - Fundy Blue.

 

This month's question is: What genre would be the worst one for you to tackle and why?

Contemporary drama of any type. It doesn't matter if it's a picture book or a full-fledged novel or anything in between. Writing real life related tales just isn't me. I've tried and fail each and every time. I'm currently working on a chapter book series, which I'd originally hoped would be 'normal'. And guess what happened? A ghost snuck in to give in a tiny touch of paranormal! I get SO bored with anything, which doesn't have a tiny touch of fantasy or high-tech or spooky goofiness or...oh, I don't know. Just something. 

Weird thing is, historical fiction works for me. Maybe because it seems like an imaginative setting since it's in the past and impossible to go back and experience? 

The other genre, which gives me trouble, is romance, but I've actually gotten that one to work in a short story a time or two. I just giggle and blush the entire way through (see, I'm a goofy mess!) And those always headed toward a humorous twist. So, I'm thinking serious romance ain't gonna happen, either.

What about you? Does your writing brain strike when it comes to certain genres?

******

Now, off to today's read...which is packed with fantasy! This one was an unexpected surprise and so fun to read. The idea swings around a yearly feast, one which beasts...monsters...want to attend, but they have to be well-mannered or they're not allowed. Doesn't that sound fun? 

A FEAST FOR PLEASANT BEASTS

by J.T. Bird

Picture Book

46 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

OCTOBER 1st!!!

It’s not only bears that cherish a secret picnic…

Every July beasts gather in the forest for a feast and plenty of fun, but if you wish to attend then you need to have marvellous manners. Whether you’re a troll, a yeti, cyclops, or pungent monster - it really doesn’t matter so long as you’re reasonably pleasant. But - surprise surprise - things don’t always go according to plan.

From award-winning author and comedian JT Bird comes a delicious blend of Where the Wild Things Are and The Tiger Who Came to Tea. This is a joyous tale about friendship, kindness, and oodles of creamy desserts. Perfect for early readers - it will teach children about tolerance and good old fashioned values, whilst sparking a few giggles too.

(And it’s just the ticket for fans of peculiar creatures)

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON    /   B&N

MY TIDBITS

These beasts hold quirks and curiosities galore, but that's nothing when compared to the fantastical fun, when they finally sit down and enjoy a very special feast.

Cuthbert, a very normal boy, enjoys cooking...and even more so, when it's for a feast. Once a year, he holds a special feast for all the wonderful beasts in the forest. There's one rule: they have to be well-mannered during the feast. Each one is introduced with every delightfully odd attribute they possess. But when the feast begins, so does the true excitement.

This is a read-aloud book, which is packed full of fantasy and humor. There's a longer poem describing each beast and setting (hence the read-aloud perfection) with a bright and entertaining illustration next to it. The poems pack tons of silly descriptions as they present the beasts in all of their strangeness. There are even some more difficult words built in to help expand listeners' vocabularies without weighing down.

The feast is all it should be with a few extra bonuses as the beasts, after well-behaved dining, come together to help clean up before ending out the evening on a nice note. It rounds off all the fun with a sense of working together and companionship...and maybe, even a last giggle or two.

IWSG and Today's Read: Young Explorers Nature Journal by Stephen Nett

 Before heading into today's read...

IT'S IWSG TIME!!!

Today, writers get together to express fears, concerns, and offer hope as well as encouragement or whatever else their hearts desire. This group was birthed by the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh and has grown into a thriving, broad community with tons of possibilities. Check it out here!

Special thanks goes to this month's co-hosts: J Lenni Dorner, Janet Alcorn, PJ Colando, Jenni Enzor, and Diane Burton!

Today's question: If you could live in a book world, which one would you choose?

That's easy! Now, this may not originally have been a book world, but there are, now, books about it, too. (Does that count? Because I'm just going to claim that it does.) I'd want to be in the world of Dr. Who. 

As a middle grader, I adored this series and, while I've fallen away from the newer versions...actually, I haven't seen an episode in many, many years. Still, the idea of darting through time with someone competent (because I'll definitely need Dr. Who at my side to save me from all the trouble I won't be able to deal with) is exactly down my lane. Believe it or not, it's not the possibility of going through time, but rather the variety. And unexpected surprises. And adventure. And...well, the Tardis is simply amazing!

Yep, that's where you'd find me.

And you, where would you go?

*******

Today's read takes us outdoors and into nature. This nonfiction read is written by a nature enthusiast and journalist, who enjoys sharing his love and curiosity for nature with young readers. I am actually pretty excited about this one, since it not only offers all sorts of basic information of various aspects of the world outside, but allows kids to take note and discover themselves. 

YOUNG EXPLORERS NATURE JOURNAL

Observing Activities for Exploring Nature Outdoors

by Stephen Nett

Illustrated by Ry Menson

Children's Nonfiction

64 pages

ages 4 to 8

A different kind of Nature Journal for kids - Designed by an experienced Naturalist and guide. Amazon New Release Best Seller
Nature is filled with wonders. But how can children learn the ways to discover them?

This brightly colorful and charming Young Explorers Nature Journal is a great start. Every child is born with abilities for exploring nature outside. These fun field-tested observing activities are designed to help young children 4 - 8 learn to use their abilities anywhere - hiking, camping, in the park or backyard. Nature exploring activities children love - and a guided journal to fill with memories and discoveries.

Created by a trail-experienced Naturalist, nature writer, photographer, and father of four. More than outdoor play or crafts - skills to last a lifetime. Guided simple ways for discovering nature's creatures, features and hidden secrets anywhere, using the sensory abilities kids are born with.

Tap natural curiosity, grow outdoor confidence, and build a deeper connection to the natural world we live in. Just in time for summer travel, vacations, hikes, homeschool or family fun at home.

Includes more than 50 hands-on observing activities and 40 pages of Journaling spaces for drawing, coloring, writing, collecting - to share and save their personal discoveries.

Plus, for parents and teachers, helpful, important and child-tested tips for helping young children safely experience nature outside, anywhere. Note: Pre and early readers will need an older partner to help read and choose activities.

• Hours of healthy discovery and enjoyment outdoors
• Age-appropriate activities, no experience necessary, but nature skills to last a lifetime
• For homeschool, backyard, great activities for camping, hiking, field trips, parks, nature walks, family outdoor time or just hours of fun outside.

Nature is full of wonders. But they stay hidden til we observe them.
When was the last time you listened to birds talking to each other? The burble of moving water? Counted the colors of flowers along a path, or watched cloud shapes in the sky?

Help young explorers develop their own skills to discover, observe and fall in love with the wonders of nature waiting outdoors with this guided Nature Journal.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON  

MY TIDBITS

Being outdoors gains quite a bit of fun, discovery, and even a few things learned in this brightly colored journal.

There's always something to discover when outdoors, and this journal encourages readers to take a closer look and see what they can find. After a few words to parents/guardians/group leaders on how to use the journal and offer some tips, the book addresses the young readers and explains how to use the journal, how to approach nature, and even a few safety recommendations. After this, the journal and its richness begin with information as well as plenty of opportunities for readers to add their own thoughts.

This is a wonderful book to pick up for anyone heading out into nature. Whether it's camping, hiking, short trips for fun, picnics or whatever, this is a lovely book to take along. It's colorfully illustrated, not only to keep the atmosphere fun and light, but it also helps readers identify all sorts of things they might discover outdoors. Even the areas, where readers are to leave their own scribbles, are decorated and hold bright images.

The author has kept the intended age group in mind and has successfully made it accessible for them. The descriptions are short and sweet, and never boring. It invites the reader and encourages them to explore and see what they find, but also offers a bit of support. I can see kids picking this one up and jotting down all sorts of things while on a vacation or trip. It's even great for groups, which head outside, and homeschoolers will also find some use in these pages. So, yes, I do recommend this one.

And here he is...

Stephen Nett is a Naturalist, photographer, nature journalist and father of four, with a life-long love of finding and sharing nature's hidden layers and secrets. This Young Explorers handbook was inspired by 92 happy second graders he guided on a 6 mile hike up a mountain forest trail, which was just as exciting as it sounds. He and his wife live by a bird-filled turn in a river two miles from Pacific surf.