Category: Uncategorized
Middle Grade Ninja: Book Review: SUNRISE by Mike Mullin
WARNING: This week’s book is actually edgy YA and is filled with adult content. It’s absolutely not appropriate for younger readers and adults should view it as the equivalent of an ‘R’ rated movie. First Paragraph(s): I left the farmhouse in the darkest hour of the night to make a weapon. The light from my […]
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 […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Banneker Bones and the Cyborg Conspiracy
Esteemed Reader, if you haven’t read the Banneker Bones books yet, that’s cool. This is mostly going to be a post about writing that anyone could read as I’ll avoid any major spoilers. But seriously, when you get time, read those books:) I’ll give you the first one free. This afterword will probably mean more […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Laura Martin
Esteemed Reader, prepare to be transformed into an Esteemed Viewer! I’m jumping into the deep end and taking Middle Grade Ninja into a new medium. Here is the first ever episode of Middle Grade Ninja TV. If y’all like it and some other folks want to be guests, we’ll probably do some more episodes in […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Thoughts on God
Fair warning, Esteemed Reader, I’m going to use just a bit of adult language in this post. I’m emotional today because I’ve just picked up Little Ninja after his school went on lock down following a shooting. I don’t want to be writing this. I want that amazing interview with my hero Louis Sachar, author […]