Category: Uncategorized

Middle Grade Ninja: Book Review: GREENHORN by Anna Olswanger

First Paragraph: “I don’t know what’s so important the rebbe couldn’t let us finish the inning,” Ruben whispered to his brother Bernie. “Now the fifth grade’s playing stickball in our part of the yard.” Anna Olswanger will be here Thursday to face the 7 Questions. This is going to be a difficult review, Esteemed Reader. I’ve been staring […]

Middle Grade Ninja: Book of the Week: MAMBA POINT by Kurtis Scaletta

This week is going to be tremendous! We are going to be joined by middle grade author Kurtis Scaletta himself on Thursday and today we are going to discuss his newest book, Mamba Point, which comes out today! That’s right, the ninja got himself an exclusive advanced reader copy and I have been enjoying Mamba Point […]

Middle Grade Ninja: Book Review: THE OBSIDIAN PEBBLE by Rhys A. Jones

First Paragraph(s): Oz Chambers sat in his bedroom, desperately trying to concentrate on his algebra homework and ignore the tempting bottle of blood on his desk. He dragged his eyes away from the crimson phial and struggled with two maths questions, before trying to get to grips with the essay on “Sir Gawain and the […]

Middle Grade Ninja: Book Review: WISHTREE by Katherine Applegate

First Paragraph(s): It’s hard to talk to trees. We’re not big on chitchat.  That’s not to say we can’t do amazing things, things you’ll probably never do.  Cradle downy owlets. Steady flimsy tree forts. Photosynthesize. But talk to people? Not so much.  And just try to get a tree to tell a good joke.  Trees do […]

Middle Grade Ninja: GUEST POST: “7 More Questions For: Author Hugh Howey”

WARNING: This post is a little more adult than most of the content of this blog. As 80% of my readership is composed of adult writers and publishing professionals, this warning only applies to the younger readers who find their way here. If you’re mature enough to want to read this post, you’re probably fine, but […]

Middle Grade Ninja: Guest Post: “From Idea to Book Trailer” by Eric Kahn Gale

About 1/3 of the conversation between my wife and I is us talking in the voice of our adorable pooch, Bowser. (Most-dog owning couples are like that, right?) Years ago, in our first apartment together, Bowser was especially fascinated by the door that connected our unit to the hallway. I would speak for him in […]

Middle Grade Ninja: GUEST POST: “Monsters and Heroes” by Clark Rich Burbidge

Fall has arrived. It is an exciting sports transition with baseball winding down and football gearing up. It also brings cooler weather and colorful outdoor activities. But for millions of our youth, anxiety and excitement are interwoven in their daily life at school and at home. Doubts swirl in their heads whether they walk through the […]

Middle Grade Ninja: GUEST POST: “Seeing All Sides Of The Apple” by Barbara Dee

Whenever I run a creative writing workshop with middle schoolers, I always bring a blank sheet of paper and an apple. First I hold up the paper. I tell the kids that it represents a  flat character–someone who’s the same way all the time, from the first page on. “Paper” characters have no secrets, no […]

Middle Grade Ninja: GUEST POST: “Why Picture Books Aren’t Just for Elementary School Kids” by Salvo Lavis and James Munn

We write children’s picture books about an elementary school-aged boy and his marvelous pet weasel. Often we are asked—understandably so—for what age groups our fun little episodes are intended. The answer: children between four and ten years old and the adults who read with them. But the deeper truth: anyone and everyone. Humans love a […]