Middle Grade Books I Love: Socks

 For the second spot in my series, I'd be remiss not to talk about Socks by Beverly Cleary. She was a librarian who often struggled to find appropriate books for voracious young readers, so she started writing them herself. Socks was one of the later stories (1973), but it is my favorite. 

Socks is one happy cat. He lives the good life with his affectionate owners, Mr. and Mrs. Bricker. Ever since the day they saved him from a life spent in a mailbox drop slot, Socks has been the center of their world. And he always has everything he needs—tasty kitty treats and all the lap room he could want! But when a new baby arrives, suddenly the Brickers have less and less time for Socks. Little Charles William is the one getting all the attention. Socks feels left out—and to show it, he starts getting into all sorts of trouble! What will it take to make Socks realize just how much the Brickers care about him?

This was one of my favorite books growing up, and based on the majority of my published books at this point, it obviously influenced my choice of writing subject as an adult. Cleary announced to young Meg that it was perfectly fine to write about your beloved cats. And I certainly have! I own an original copy (or a very early one) on my shelf still. It has been read dozens of times. Just writing about it now makes me want to pull it down and curl up with Socks again. 

If you are looking for wonderful middle grade stories, anything by Cleary is a good bet. 91 million copies of her books have been sold. Ramona and Henry and Ribsy the dog, not to mention the mouse and his motorcycle, are still popular choices! 

Middle Grade Books I Love: A Wrinkle in Time

 In March of this year, I was asked to speak to a group of college students at the Beebe campus of Arkansas State University about the history of middle grade books. Middle grade is one of my favorite age levels to read and write for, and I had a wonderful time doing research on this topic. Mainly, I discovered that, until the 1970s, there were a limited number of books that would meet the middle grade qualifications of today. This is why most of my friends and I went from picture books and Little Golden Books directly to our parents' bookshelves. I was reading Dragonriders of Pern when I was ten or eleven. Good readers would devour what was available for elementary school kids and then move straight to adult novels. Not usually the best plan because the subject matter is far from appropriate.

So I'm going to take a few months here and feature the middle grade novels I loved when I was the age those are written for, as well as the ones from more recent history that I've loved. I'm aiming for twenty books in this series, but it may be hard to stop. Too many good books in the world!

Just to clarify, middle grade books are:

• written for ages 6-12 and that reading level
• focused on the child having and solving the problem, free from adult assistance (though there is often a mentor who helps and supports)
• featuring a main character who is 6-12 or maybe 13--the same age as the reader
• addressing issues for 6-12 year olds, like bullying, school, family, and very little on romantic relationships beyond crushes

It seems only proper to start this series with the book that was one of my favorites in elementary school. Thanks to the recent movie version (which was actually pretty well done for a book-to-movie translation), kids are still well-aware of this book. But I'll start there anyhow, just in case.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Originally published in January of 1962, Amazon still lists it as a #1 Bestseller, and the day I checked, it ranked #1 in Children's Time Travel Fiction. The heroine inspired and impacted me so much, I literally changed my name. I’d grown up a Margaret who was called Molly. But going into a new school for 6^th grade, I announced my nickname was now Meg. It stuck. Attachments to a book character don't get much stronger than that!

This is Book 1 of the Time Quintet Series.

It was a dark and stormy night. Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger.

"Wild nights are my glory," the unearthly stranger told them. "I just got caught in a downdraft and blown off course. Let me sit down for a moment, and then I'll be on my way. Speaking of ways, by the way, there is such a thing as a tesseract."

A tesseract (in case the reader doesn't know) is a wrinkle in time. A Wrinkle in Time is the story of the adventures in space and time of Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin O'Keefe (athlete and one of the most popular boys in high school). They are in search of Meg's father, a scientist who disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government on the tesseract problem.

A Wrinkle in Time is the winner of the 1963 Newbery Medal.

If you've never read this fabulous book, grab a copy right away. One my absolute favorites!

Sophie Irwin Book Love: A Lady's Guide to ...

 I love sharing books and authors that I've discovered, and Sophie Irwin is on the top of my list these days. (We'll get to Rebecca Yarros and her epic dragon fantasy books another time.) If you are a fan of Jane Austen but love that romance with a bit of modern sensibility, absolutely check out Irwin's two recent books. I devoured them. My 25-year-old daughter adores them. They are just outstanding. And I'll be using them for several examples of "show, don't tell" at upcoming writing conferences. She's a master. 

Let's just say I will immediately purchase the next book Irwin publishes, and I already have both of these on my wishlist for Mother's Day so I can have them in my small personal library. (The copies I read were from the Springdale Public Library). I will absolutely be reading them again over the years.

Tap on the covers to find out more about each one for yourself!

Kitty Talbot needs a fortune. Or rather, she needs a husband who has a fortune. Left with her father’s massive debts, she has only twelve weeks to save her family from ruin. Kitty has never been one to back down from a challenge, so she leaves home and heads toward the most dangerous battleground in all of England: the London season. Kitty may be neither accomplished nor especially genteel—but she is utterly single-minded; imbued with cunning and ingenuity, she knows that risk is just part of the game. The only thing she doesn’t anticipate is Lord Radcliffe. The worldly Radcliffe sees Kitty for the mercenary fortune-hunter that she really is and is determined to scotch her plans at all costs, until their parrying takes a completely different turn….

This is a frothy pleasure, full of brilliant repartee and enticing wit--one that readers will find an irresistible delight.

When shy Miss Eliza Balfour married the austere Earl of Somerset, twenty years her senior, it was the match of the season--no matter that he was not the husband Eliza wanted. Now, ten years later, Eliza is widowed. Suddenly, she is left titled, rich, and, for the first time in her life, utterly in control of her own future.  She’s always lived by society’s conventions, but now, Eliza has resolved to do as she wants.  And what she wants is to head to Bath with her cousin Margaret, pursue painting, learn to drive, and flirt with Bath’s most alluring new resident, the infamous Lord Melville.

But when the ripples of Eliza’s behavior reach her late husband’s nephew—who broke Eliza’s heart, years ago--Eliza will learn that freedom does not come without consequences. The only way to ensure she can keep her fortune is to avoid all scandal—but where’s the fun in that?

Happy Winter Solstice, Merry Christmas, and Blessed However You Celebrate!

 Just a quick note at the end of 2023 to say thank you to each of you for being a part of my writing and editing journey. There are SO many holidays being enjoyed over these next weeks. Whatever is celebrated in your home, I hope it is delightful and free from stress and brings joy to your heart.

Here's to a 2024 full of blessings for each of you!

Merry Christmas from Cheetara/Snickerdoodle and all of us here at Serenity Mountain Publishing!

Happy Anniversary, Hiro!

 This month marks the 10 year publication anniversary of Vacation Hiro! Hiro thinks this means she should get all the treats and only be touched by Daddy, but that just sounds like every normal day of her life. At 17, Hiro is the only one of the original four who is still with us, so we will celebrate her however she jolly well chooses. You can celebrate by picking up a copy of her story!

Happy Book Anniversary, Hiro!!

Hiro's book at Amazon

Hiro's book at other sites and library options

Hiro's book at my store for signed copies

I ran across a post on Facebook from November of 2011, when we were on holiday in Cocoa Beach, Florida, before I'd even published Why Kimba Saved The World. My head was already spinning with what else could happen to those feline characters. 

"Second book is writing itself while we are here. The first thing we saw off the balcony was a cat sitting on the sidewalk. Agents have followed us to track us on vacation. Soon there were four. One for each of us. They have been named and are gaining a backstory. Taking me on vacation where I have nothing else to think about can be dangerous and highly productive."

All of that made it into Vacation Hiro, though the journey to publication took a couple more years. Writers are always writing (mentally, at least). 

Personally, I feel like I've celebrated both Kimba and Hiro's books' 10 year anniversaries this year by publishing Book 6 in the series: Snickerdoodle's Shenanigans. It may be the last one. At least for a while. But you never know when inspiration will strike! 

It's also the last days for event prices at my Square store. You can still pick up the whole Cats in the Mirror Series for $50 in paperback. 

Tap the image to check it out.

Free Kidlit and Upcoming Events

 I have two events left for the fall season. Great chances to pick up signed and personalized paperbacks without having to pay shipping. Come by and say hello!

You can always purchased signed/personalized copies through my Square store.

And don't miss out on this fun kidlit ebook giveaway. 

Copies of two of my books are included!

October 1 - 31 only!

Happy Fall, Y'all!!

Free Books, Multiple Authors

BookFunnel and I have become great friends this year. Besides offering a clean route to a free short story at the end of The Tigran Chronicles, it's also a chance to find new readers by offering a free title or two. Check out these three promotions I joined. The last two end soon, so don't miss out! Tap on the image to review all the books offered for free in each promotion. Signing up for the author's newsletter is probably required. (That's the whole point of the promo!) 

Happy Reading!!