September 2008
Oops! Where’d July and August go? The summer has flown by too quickly. The last two months have been a whirlwind for me, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything. It’s difficult to believe it’s football and back-to-school time. Best of luck for whatever fall has in store for you!
I have to take a minute to gush about some new books I’ve read lately. For mid-grade readers, don’t miss Alma Fullerton’s Libertad, Kathi Appelt’s The Underneath, and Andrea Beatty’s Cicada Summer. These books are beautifully written with can’t-put-’em-down story lines. In the YA realm (for mature readers), take a look at Sara Zarr’s Story of a Girl. I was a little late getting my hands on this one, but I’m glad I finally got around to it. It’s definitely worth a read.
In personal book news, the cover of my YouTube book has recently been released. You can see an image on the My Books page. The book is scheduled to be out in early December. I’ve also been hard at work on a new nonfiction book for Cherry Lake Publishing’s Real World Science series. The book’s title is Earth’s Biomes and it’s due out in January 2009. I hope you’ll look for it. It was great fun to write!
Have a happy and safe Labor Day weekend!
June 1, 2008
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer! What a great time to rest, relax, and refill the well. I’m blessed that I have one minor and one major writing retreat planned in the upcoming weeks. It will be wonderful to spend time with friends old and new and simply concentrate on the both the writing and the creative processes.
In book news, my latest nonfiction book from Kidhaven Press, BERMUDA TRIANGLE, was recently released. You can check it out on my My Books page.
Also, I hope you’ll keep an eye out in November for another of my Kidhaven nonfiction projects. This book, tentatively titled YOUTUBE, is a biography of the men who discovered the YouTube Internet site. Fun stuff!
May 1, 2008
I want to send a special shout-out thank you to the students, staff, and teachers at Fairview Elementary School in Camden, AR. What a wonderful group! At my visit last week, I was treated to a fantastic day. All sorts of Farmer McP and cow related items covered the hall walls, some of the students and teachers dressed up as farmers, many students wore Farmer McP glasses, and a couple of parents were even kind enough to bring in a live mule and a live “Thunderbolt” (horse!) for the students to see. Wow! Thanks so much for making me feel welcome.
In other news, I’m gearing up for two more school visits in the next two weeks. Get ready Monticello and Clarksville! If we have as much fun as we did in Camden, it’s going to be a rockin’ good time!
On a sad note, I want to send out my love, thoughts, and prayers to all those who have been affected by the storms of the past few months. The destruction is devastating and I’m heartbroken for those who lost loved ones and homes. May God bless you all.
April 1, 2008
I finally updated my My Favorite Books page and it was a struggle. It’s like choosing your favorite among your babies--it just can’t be done. But I gave it an honest try. Please check back from time to time as I’ll be updating the page. I’m constantly discovering new favorites!
February 10, 2008
I have several upcoming school/Reading Association visits. I’m looking forward to visiting Cave City, Camden, Monticello, and Clarksville in the next few months. If you are interested in scheduling a visit, please click my Teachers/Media Specialists page.
February 1, 2008
As you can see, my website is undergoing substantial changes. Since I am going several directions in my writing career, I thought it was important for my website to encompass all the varied areas. Enjoy!