Needles and Pens

The Book Awards Reading Challenge has come to an end, and I thought I should fess up and post my results: I didn't make it -- but I didn't totally blow it either. :-D Of my original twelve challenge books, I read and reviewed the following: Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson - Newbery Award 1978 Holes by Louis Sachar - Newbery Award 1999 Mariner's Compass by Earlene Fowler - Agatha Award 1999 The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck - Pulitzer Prize 1940 The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo - Newbery Award 2004 Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech - Newbery Award 1995 I also read the following, but never got around to reviewing (and since I likely never will, I loved them both and want to see the movies now): The Color Purple by Alice Walker - Pulitzer Prize 1983 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - Pulitzer Prize 1961 So that leaves four challenge books unread, for now at least. It was a lot of fun attempting the challenge. I read some fantastic books that I ot...

By Earlene Fowler © 1999 Published by Penguin Books Ltd. 1999 Agatha Award Winner It’s been awhile since I’ve read anything for the Book Awards Reading Challenge. In fact, I had almost decided to give up on the challenge altogether, but then I came across one of my picks during a recent trip to the bookstore and decided to get back on track. Seven more books to read by June 30... Not usually a reader of mysteries, I only included Agatha-winner, Mariner’s Compass , on my book list because of the title, assuming it might have something to do with one of my favorite hobbies, quilting. In the process, I think I’ve discovered a new favorite author in Earlene Fowler. Mariner’s Compass is one in a series of mysteries involving Benni Harper, an ex-cowgirl, folk-art expert, and yes, quilter, who apparently finds herself in unusual situations on a regular basis. The story opens with Benni discovering she has inherited the estate of one Jacob Chandler, a man she has never heard of or met. The o...

One of my all-time favorite authors is Dr. Seuss, so I enjoy occasionally writing something Seuss-inspired. This week’s prompt seemed like the perfect opportunity! Fridge Space (a la Seuss) One quiet day I sat watching TV What a day to relax! (But it wasn’t to be.) I heard a loud knocking Oh, who could be here? I went to the door… It was just as I’d feared. He had come unannounced (as he’s been known to do) that Cat in the Hat, and Thing One, and Thing Two! Before I could stop him He barged through the door, Nearly knocking me, shocked and dismayed, To the floor. “Oh thank you for having us! No need to fuss! You just sit in your chair there And never mind us” To the kitchen he went, With the Things at his heels, Inviting himself (and the Things) For a meal. I quietly followed To see what they’d do, The Cat in the Hat And Thing One and Thing Two. He opened the fridge And cried, “What a disgrace! This fridge is a mess! Just look at this place!” “Where are the vegetables? Where is the me...

Bridge to Terabithia By Katherine Paterson © 1977 Published by HarperCollins 1978 Newbery Medal winner As one of the few who had never read the book OR seen the movie, reading Bridge to Terabithia , by Katherine Paterson, was not what I had expected. I had seen the movie trailers with the fantasy monsters and the children in historical garb, so I assumed it was a fantasy story. Actually, it’s a real-life story about two kids with fantastic imaginations. Jess Aarons has a hard time fitting in. He’s the only boy in his family, stuck between four sisters. He desperately wants his parents’ acceptance, but never quite seems to measure up. He has a talent for art, which is considered a waste of time by his rural farm family. Deep down, he’d really like to make his father proud, and as the story begins, Jess has big plans to be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. He spends his whole summer training for the race on that first day back at school, imagining all the while how it would feel whe...

Children’s book author, Barbara O’Connor, recently interviewed author/illustrator Brian Lies at her blog, " Greetings from Nowhere .” I found this quote from Brian particularly inspiring, as I’ve been hedging, once again, about whether or not to pursue my children’s writing dream. “I think getting published is a lot like golf (which I don't play)--if you perfect your swing, the ball should go more or less where you want it to. Likewise, if you learn to tell stories in an original and compelling way, either in words or pictures, and hone your skills so that they're truly professional. . . you're going to get published. It may take a while, but you'll get published.” ~ Brian Lies, children’s book author/illustrator I guess I just needed to hear that from someone who has been where I am now. I feel constantly pulled away from my children’s writing. I tell myself I can make a better income writing for adult markets, magazines, newspapers, websites, where I’ve experien...

Walk Two Moons By Sharon Creech © 1994 Published by Scholastic Inc. 1995 Newbery Medal winner Walk Two Moons is the story of 13-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle (most people call her “Sal”) and her trip across the country, from Ohio to Idaho, with her Gram and Gramps. But this is no ordinary vacation. Sal’s mother has gone to “find herself,” and Sal hopes to bring her back home. Her biggest worry is that they won’t get there in time for her mother’s birthday. Somehow, she feels that will make a difference. Along the way, Gram asks Sal to tell a story. “Salamanca, why don’t you entertain us?” “What sort of thing did you have in mind?” Gramps said, “How about a story? Spin us a yarn.” I certainly do know heaps of stories, but I learned most of them from Gramps. Gram suggested I tell one about my mother. That I could not do. I had just reached the point where I could stop thinking about her every minute of every day. Gramps said, “Well then, what about your friends? You got any tales to te...

Madeleine L'Engle passed away on Thursday, at the age of 88 -- a fact that was somewhat shocking to me, as she seemed to be ageless. She was best known for writing, "A Wrinkle in Time," but at the news of her death, I was moved to re-read one of my favorites, "Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art:" "When I am constantly running there is no time for being. When there is no time for being there is no time for listening. I will never understand the silent dying of the green pie-apple tree if I do not slow down and listen to what the Spirit is telling me, telling me of the death of trees, the death of planets, of people, and what all these deaths mean in the light of love of the Creator, who brought them all into being, who brought me into being, and you." ~ From "Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art" by Madeleine L'Engle Words to live by... thank you, Madeleine... you will be missed...