Children's Books | Kid's Books | Middle Grade | YA

This guest blog post comes from author V. A. Jeffrey. In the post she mentions that her latest book, The Lady Moons, will be released in February 2012. It is now available.

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Navigating The Gray

I have a new novella out in my children’s fantasy series, Secret Doorway Tales and I’m having a lot of fun writing this series of books. The newest book in the series, due out in February is called The Lady Moons (Secret Doorway Tales) While the last three stories were what I would call straightforward adventure stories, the fourth book is slightly different in that it deals with dreams and gray areas and what these can mean and how a child might feel about them.

The other stories deal with issues of black and white, which is a good thing. That’s usually how kids see the world. Things are either Right or Wrong and I
believe that much in life falls on either one of these sides. However, in life we also encounter quite a few gray areas and we have to learn how to navigate
them and understand them, even if we don’t always feel comfortable with them. I believe that children encounter gray area issues as adults do and they must learn how to confront them.

I felt that dreams would be a great setting for exploring this issue because in dreams what we see isn’t always what we see. Things aren’t immediately clear;
some dreams we may never understand. Ever had a dream where nothing made sense? We’ve all experienced that, if we can still remember them. But some dreams do have meaning. Usually it’s a reflection of some past experience or a string of events in our life that should be dealt with. The protaganist in the story, an eight year old girl named Anne, is used to seeing things as Right or Wrong and she encounters allies and villains that neatly fit into her view of the world. And she isn’t wrong or mistaken about that but in The Lady Moons, she encounters a fairy queen who is unusually difficult for her to understand. Fairy queens are rather elusive by nature but this one especially so. This fairy queen behaves strangely to her and says things that she finds disturbing, though she doesn’t actually come off as evil. Anne doesn’t know what to do with these feelings and she isn’t sure what value this experience has for her own life. She also meets other creatures on this journey that aren’t what she immediately assumes them to be. Things are resolved but not in quite the way that you’d expect if you’ve read the previous books in the series.

That is not to say that the book is dark and scary. In fact, I think that The Winter Wolves is the darkest book of the series to date and the ending for that
book was triumphant. This book ends on a more subdued note. To be honest, I never thought I would be writing children’s middle grade fiction, it just sort of happened as a happy accident. With children’s fiction you can explore important themes without getting down into despair, deep darkness or adult themes. You can still keep things light, inject a sense of innocence, wonder and awe in the writing. Writing these books brings me back to when I was a kid,
reading some of my favorite stories, like the Narnia series and the Ramona Quimby series. With the right kind of book, a child can be transported to
another place, all the while, learning how to navigate the one he/she actually lives in.

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Matthew says:

Thanks to V.A. Jeffrey for providing a detailed blog post which really makes us think as all good literature should. I like books for children that make them think about issues as well. Ms. Jeffrey is definitely on to something with the idea that children are faced with ethical dilemmas and it is to their advantage to have previously considered the concepts of right versus wrong and shades of gray.

Also, once again, I have to complement the cover art on a novel. We have been very lucky here to be featuring work lately from talented writers as well as talented cover artists. The Lady Moons (Secret Doorway Tales) definintely fits into that category.

childrens literature, dream interpretation, mg books, middle grade fiction, secret doorway tales, the lady moons, v.a. jeffrey

This guest blog entry was written by author Liz Grace Davis. I appreciate her sending me such a personal and heartfelt contribution to share with my readers.

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Many parents find it really difficult to trust others with their children. I’m not a mother yet but when I become one, I think I will be one of those mothers who hesitate before handing over their children so someone else can look after them. The reason for that is because I was mistreated as a child by people who had promised to take care of me, to protect me. When I was eight years old, I lived with an aunt for a year. It was the worst year of my life.

The two nannies who were responsible for taking care of us children, singled me out and made my life hell. They starved me, beat me and forced me to do farm work no eight year old should be allowed to do. I couldn’t tell anyone because I was scared of the torture I would have to endure afterwards. As a result, I learned to bottle it all up inside, to suffer silently, to hide the scars. Even after leaving that place, it took many years for the emotional scars to heal. Growing up, I was very insecure, withdrawn, and had very few friends. But I did learn to live with my past, to forgive (even if I never will forget) and to live in the present and for the future.

It’s sad that there are many children who go through this and never really heal. A bad experience in a person’s childhood can taint their future in ways we can never imagine and some of the damage can never be reversed.

Child abuse is all around us and often very well hidden. Sometimes it is hard to see the signs when one doesn’t look close enough. Often the people who hurt our children are those we know well and trust. It’s very important for parents to get to know their children at a deeper level, to be able to read them even when they don’t say a word, and to encourage them to be honest with them no matter the situation. For those parents that have children who have gone through painful experiences, the best kind of medicine to help them heal is love and patience. That’s what rescued my childhood.

Tangi’s Teardrops is a young adult fantasy (fairy tale) inspired by that painful part of my childhood. Tangi is a twelve year old disabled girl who is surrounded by people who hurt her for no given reason. All she ever wants is for others to look at her and not see her imperfections. But they do and they use them to weaken her both physically and emotionally. In a nutshell, Tangi’s Teardrops is about a little girl who dreams of becoming something bigger than herself, who craves acceptance and love. This is a story of suffering and pain, hope, love and dreams coming true.

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Thanks again to Liz Grace Davis for this entry and introducing us to her novel, Tangi’s Teardrops, with such a unique premise.

The post below was written by blog guest author Lynda Wilcox.

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I was a Girl Guide (Girl Scout) Leader when I started writing Chamaeleon: The Secret Spy, trying every week to instill the ‘Do Your Best’ ethos of the movement’s founder, Robert Baden-Powell, into girls aged between ten and fourteen.

Some of them were supremely confident in themselves, effortlessly making the often painful transition between childhood and womanhood. Others, not so much. And then there was Lauren, a girl so crippled by self-doubt that, no matter the activity, her constant refrain was, “I can’t do that.” From Lauren’s point of view it was a simple statement of fact.

In my book, 13 year-old Kel is also racked by self-doubt. Recruited as a spy - a job for which he is perfectly equipped because he can disappear against any background so that no one can see him - he is sent to infiltrate the forbidding Grey Keep and destroy the enemies deadly new weapon. Kel has the ability, and the training, to accomplish the mission but he lacks the confidence. And will continure to do so until such time as he is tried and tested.

Lauren was gently encouraged to try, at least try, those things she had convinced herself she could not do. I felt sure she had he skills, only the confidence was lacking When she was twelve she came on an adventure holiday - and only reluctantly left my side to do anything. I began to despair that the child would ever overcome her fear - and I was convinced by this time that Lauren’s problem was simply a fear of failure - until the day we went to the climbing wall. This state-of-the-art affair moved upwards as you climbed, you could alter the speed and the angle making the climb as easy or difficult as you wanted. The girls in the Unit sat on a semi-circle of benches surrounding the wall as, one by one, their friends climbed up.

“I can’t do that,” said Lauren, standing limpet-like at my side.

“How do you know?” I asked. “You’ve never even tried.”

“I just can’t.”

Her eyes scanned the wall with both fear and something else. Excitement. She wants to do it, I thought. “I bet you can,” I said. “In fact I know you can.”

“Can’t.”

“Go on, then, try. And prove me wrong.”

Hesitantly she approached the wall, grasping hand holds before placing her feet on the narrow blocks. “Slowly,” I silently mouthed to the Scouter operating the wall. He nodded and it began to move. “Go, Lauren,” I encouraged.

The rest of the girls took up the chant. “Go Lauren, go Lauren, go, go, go.”

Cheered on by her peers, she positively scampered up the wall, reaching out with her hands, feeling with her feet, until she was within inches of the top. “What do I do now?” she called.

“Carry on. Keep going. You can do it” The Scouter gently increased the speed and the rotating wall carried on rising. “I did it!” She was back on the ground again and I don’t think I’ll ever forget the shining eyes and the beaming smile on her face.

“Yes Lauren. You’re the girl who can,” I told her. “And tomorrow you can do kayaking.”

“Great. Can’t wait.” With a smile she rejoined the rest of the girls all eager to congratulate her.

And Kel? Does he overcome his self-doubt and lack of confidence? You’ll have to read Chamaeleon: The Secret Spy to find out.

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More from Matthew:

I like how Lynda illustrates a real life example of how she helped a child sorely lacking in self-confidence obtain some by encouraging her to accomplish a goal. That is the real way to build self-confidence in children and in adults, for that matter.

In reference to the novel, I was intrigued by the part of the description of Chamaeleon: The Secret Spy that says the book is set in medieval times, but contains a mixture of swords and lasers! In addition to that, I was also impressed by the cover art. The artist did a good job of a difficult task, illustrating how a character can blend into his surroundings. This is the cover below. You will have to click through to see the bigger size on Amazon to appreciate the detail.

Since I’ve been sharing information from other writers about their children’s books, middle grade novels, and YA works, I thought it was time to share some more info from one of my own children’s books, Joyce of Westerfloyce.

I added extra material to the back of the ebook edition – kind of like a DVD with bonus material.

The material below is from the bonus section that talks about how children learn new words and integrate them into their own speech patterns.

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Children learn new words while reading the same way they learn them in spoken language. They encounter unfamiliar words in a meaningful context and naturally figure them out from the context clues with assistance when necessary from a knowledgeable source.

Children expand their personal vocabularies by emulation. Exposing them to more advanced words allows them to learn those words and add them first to their passive vocabularies, which comprise words that they recognize and understand when they hear or read them, but do not generally use in their own speech or writing. Once they become familiar with passive vocabulary words through repetition, those words are eventually added to their active vocabularies which are the words they “think with,” the words they use when expressing themselves through speech and writing.

To help parents or teachers who want to use this book in a more formal way, there is an included list of some of the vocabulary words (in the order they are presented in the text) that may be unfamiliar to young readers. Simple, easy to understand definitions are provided. A few fun facts are sprinkled throughout the list.

Get additional info for this kid’s ebook at Matthew’s author site or go to Joyce’s Amazon page.childrens vocubularies, how kids learn new words, vocab exercises, vocabulary lists

Supporting Your Child’s Writing Development

In the first part (entitled Encouraging Children To Write) of this guest post by author Jean Cross, she talked about her own writing when she was a child. In the conclusion below, Jean talks a little about writing as an adult and then offers insights on how to encourage your child in his or her writing pursuits.

Jean’s thoughts:
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So what have I been writing since I was a child? Well, if anyone in my family wanted a serious letter written, they turned to me. At work I doddled off reports and sometimes wrote to the papers when moved to do so. But the imaginative stuff found its was out on rare occasions too. Over the years I have written some poetry, humorous and otherwise. I take a delight in composing letters such as the one I wrote to the people who operate the speed cameras, asking for a photograph of me in my car. But by and large I have not written much. Until lately that is. I finally made it to writing my own book. At fifty two, I know I have to keep writing. Nothing else satisfies.

Why didn’t I start to write earlier? The answer is simple. Nobody thought of it. My parents or teachers never translated my school abilities into a possible career opportunity. I don’t blame them. The scope just didn’t exist back there, back then. My own expectations were very limited. It never even crossed my mind that I could be a writer. I had no confidence regarding my place in the world. The few options that faced me on leaving school scared me because I knew I wouldn’t fit in. I suppose I had always been more of an observer, quiet, on the outskirts, ill at ease with strangers. Perhaps the single biggest factor holding me back was lack of information. I just didn’t know what possibilities were out there. This might seem bewildering in our information age, but, as they say, if I knew then what I know now., things may have been different.

So, to come full circle, what of the little writer of today? Surely an array of opportunity has blossomed with the rise of technology? Perhaps not. You may, or may not have given some thought to the possibility of your child growing into a writer. You may, or may not welcome some advice from someone who was once a little writer themselves. But here it is anyway. Be gentle. You are dealing with a delicate sapling. Too much attention will kill the shoot as surely as too little. Let the talent evolve organically. Try to find an outlet outside of school. Chances are, if you have a writer, they are already ahead of what is being asked of them in English class. Guide them to writing for themselves. Perhaps start a family newsletter, ask them if they could write a funny article or poem about dad, or mum, not siblings. See if they want to send an email to grandparents - (encourage a reply). If the little writer you know is being cared for outside of the family setting, same thing applies. Follow their lead, try to see where their interest is taking them and then try to facilitate it. Listen. Find out what matters to them, what moves them to write. Don’t freak at teenage outpourings of angst and doom. And… and I am sure there are other thing you could do. But you might find a good start in there somewhere. If you do nothing else, at least entertain the possibility that you may have a young writer on your hands. If you do, and even if you don’t, best of luck with everything you do for them. I know it’s not easy. But, I suppose, what is wonderful cannot be easy.

For my part, my book is a children’s story. I didn’t set out to write one. But that is what came out and honestly, as I wrote I got the same feeling as all those years ago on a Sunday afternoon when I was glad I had finally sat down to do my essay and was one with my pen and paper. Bliss.

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Jean’s book is called The Boots of Saint Felicity and is available on Amazon.

Nurturing Children’s Interest In Writing

In Part 1 of this guest post by author Jean Cross, she explains her attitudes and feelings towards writing – first as an elementary school student, later as a high school and college student. In Part 2, she talks about various kinds of writing she did as an adult as she refined her writing skills and worked towards becoming a professional author.
Jean says:

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We all love it when our children take an interest in reading. It’s a welcome development and is usually easy to spot. But what of the kids who have an interest in writing? What outlets do they have for their emerging ability? In pondering the point I set out to examine my own relationship with writing, as a child.

My forum for writing, as a youngster, can be summed up in one word, school. Essays in particular seemed to be the only outlet where I was invited, or more precisely, instructed to let my imagination roam all over the page. I wouldn’t say I received the teachers order to write an essay on a particular subject with great enthusiasm. The demand was often a parting shot on a Friday afternoon, cast a pall over Saturday, and was most often tackled on Sunday afternoon. But looking back I do know that before I left the school yard for the weekend the story was already taking shape somewhere in the back of my mind. Once I got into it on Sunday I felt in control. It was my page and I knew just what to do with it.
My parents didn’t help me with essays. They were always there for other stuff, but I knew I didn’t need them when I was writing.

I do remember that I was always pleased with my work . When I got it back from the teacher, having been corrected, it was always awash with red scribbles, I was, and am, a terrible speller. But there were very few occasions when she did not ask me to read my effort aloud for the class. I found out years later that she often read my essays out to her colleagues in the staff room too. The truth is that the assignment were too easy for me. Looking back, I could have risen to tougher challenges. But in primary school (ages 5/6-12) there was no other outlet for a fledgling writer, in my experience.

Secondary school (ages 12/13-17/18) was a whole other kettle of fish. Writing became serious. There was prose to explore, questions on Shakespeare and Yeats and Byron that needed an answer, critical analysis that demanded a considered opinion and all of it had to be written down. I took it on happily and I was good at it. I developed a special relationship with the English language in secondary school and I came to love it. My spellings didn’t improve, but I was still called on to read at the top of the classroom, and not just in English either. I could write a good essay on any subject, especially history. Then I finished school and it all stopped.

Since then I have been working and went on to University, at night, as a mature student in my thirties. The writing here was more of a chore. I could still get my ideas over, but it was very exam orientated and while I enjoyed the experience and went on to get a Masters, I can’t say the writing stood out as a highpoint for me.

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Check back for Part 2 of this guest post which is entitled Does Your Child Want To Be A Writer in which Jean discusses her writing during her adult years and also how to encourage your own child in his or her writing interests.
childrens writing, jean cross, the boots of saint felicity

Books Featuring Sibling Rivalry

Sibling rivalry is an important topic for a parenting blog. We’ve covered it here before (and no doubt will again) under the guise of nonfiction from the point of view of psychological analysis of the phenomenon and how to deal with it…aka how to make your kids get along better.

In today’s guest post by author Ardyth DeBruyn, she talks about exploring sibling rivalry from another angle – in fiction, specifically in her middle-grade novel Chosen Sister.

Since the plot of the book deals with swords, sorcery, magic, and wizards, it fits right in with current trends and tastes in choices for young readers. Reading and discussing a book like this with your kids is a great way to open up dialogue with them on this subject. Sometimes it is easier to discuss these topics first in a setting that relates to fictional characters and then apply the lessons learned to real life.

Here is Ardyth’s explanation of what inspired her to write the book:

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Growing up in a large family, I’ve seen a lot of sibling dynamics. It can be hard when a younger brother or sister gets a special privilege, while older children are overlooked, and that ort of dynamic got me thinking about classic “chosen one” stories. Often it’s the youngest child who gets chosen, leaving the older siblings jealous and often downright villainous in fairy tales. But I’ve always felt that’s a simplistic picture of things.

As the oldest child I was incredibly protective of my younger brothers and sisters as well. While I might be angry or jealous with them, I certainly wouldn’t let anyone else mistreat them. That seems even more normal of a reaction for an older sister to have, and that’s what led me to develop the main characters in my first novel, “Chosen Sister.”

When Reina’s little brother is announced as the Child Warrior and chosen to go on a dangerous quest, I wanted to explore both her feelings of jealousy at being looked over and her feelings of being protective. I wanted to show a strong and healthy brother and sister relationship that really took a deeper look for child readers on what it means to be an older sister. Using the classic fairy-tale type set-up, I traced their journey not from the point of view of the hero, but that of his sister and her competing feelings and her inner journey at figuring out both herself and how she felt about her brother.

Books To Help Children Deal With Bullying

Unfortunately, bullying has been with us for a long time. Fortunately, (but for sad reasons), it has recently captured the attention of the media and we hear anti-bullying messages. Of course, it is we adults who are the media consumers of the news stories. The kids may only catch bits and pieces of the news stories. Even then, they may be missing the context and the “big picture” of what bullying means and the real and tragic consequences that can occur as a result.

In the guest post below in her own words, this is why Australian author author Katie W Stewart wrote a middle grade novel about bullying.

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My son was eleven years old when I started writing The Dragon Box
. He came home one day, upset at being called names by one of the older boys because of his lack of ability at Australian Rules football. Long and thin, he had no interest in the game whatsoever, but the name-calling was getting him down. A word to the school put a quick end to it, but it got me thinking about bullying and self-esteem. My son’s first love was his computer and electronic games, so I decided to try to combine a lesson about dealing with bullies and fear, with a fantasy computer game world.

The Dragon Box tells the story of a young boy who, like my son, is being bullied about his football skills. He has other troubles, too, but is befriended by an old, rather eccentric neighbour who gives him an electronic game he has invented. The game transports him to a fantasy world, where the characters all resemble people close to him in real life. He is sent on a quest to retrieve a crystal that will help the Queen’s champion, a dragon who has lost his wings. To succeed, he must problem solve and do things he never thought he could possibly do.

Though James, the main character in the story, is able to do magic within the fantasy world of Grobnog to which he’s taken, it can never completely solve his problems. Also, though he has a mentor and a group of friends to help him, he is left alone at crucial moments so that he has to work out the solutions for himself.  Through his own problem solving, James comes to understand that a bully is only as powerful as you allow them to be and that sometimes a bully without friends is too weak or cowardly to act.
 
The book is available on Amazon US and Amazon UK.