WRITERS BLOCK: No Handlebars

As writers, we do a lot of exercises to get inside the heads of our characters. We want to understand them and their motivations.

I do a writing exercise I call No Handlebars. It comes from one of my kids' favorite songs, Handlebars by Flobots, a band out of Denver. It's a simple exercise based on the lyrics of the song. The song starts with:

BOYS & BOOK CLUBS: Interview with Darby Karchut

A book club at school is a non-threatening way to reintroduce teenage boys to great books. In this podcast, I talk with teacher, Darby Karchut, about tips for successfully launching a book club. Her article “Boys and Books and Brown-paper Bags: Getting Boys into Middle School Book Clubs” appeared in the June 2012 issue of VOYA Magazine.

Darby is the author of GRIFFIN RISING and GRIFFIN’S FIRE (both from Twilight Times Books) and FINN FINNEGAN (March 2013 from Spencer Hill Press)

WRITER'S BLOCK: Highlights Writing For Boys Workshop

If you are serious about writing for boys, Highlights is offering a unique experience to learn from some of the best. Join Rich Wallace, Lenore Look, and Bruce Coville in Honesdale, PA, February 7-10.

The workshop will include:

• In-depth discussion of your work-in-progress;
• Writing exercises designed to heighten the emotions and revelations of specific scenes;
• Lectures on topics ranging from creating realistic dialogue to sharpening your plot.

More information on the workshop can be found here:
http://www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshops/writing-for-boys/

12 Days - A Countdown of Holiday Ideas #11

First Dog's White House Christmas

On the eleventh day of this holiday season, my loved one gave to me... FIRST DOG'S WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS - J. Patrick Lewis (Sleeping Bear Press) With the recent election, your child might have more questions than usual about the White House. In this book, Dog travels the world learning about the many traditions and customs before finding the perfect home at 1600 Pennsylvania.

12 Days - A Countdown of Holiday Ideas #10

Sad Santa

On the seventh day of this holiday season, my loved one gave to me... SAD SANTA - Tad Carpenter (Sterling) You might not be the only one who gets post-holiday blues. How will Santa get his joy back after all the presents have been made and delivered? Find out along with you youngster in this fun and unique holiday book.

12 Days - A Countdown of Holiday Ideas #9

Llama Llama Holiday Drama

On the ninth day of this holiday season, my loved one gave to me... LLAMA LLAMA HOLIDAY DRAMA - Anna Dewdnew (Viking) Patience any time of year is difficult but especially so for Llama Llama during the holiday season. Enough of the shopping, baking, wrapping and decorating. When will Christmas come? Explore with your little one a meaning to the season deeper than the gifts.

12 Days - A Countdown of Holiday Ideas #8

The Peculiar

On the eighth day of this holiday season, my loved one gave to me... THE PECULIAR - Stefan Bachmann (Greenwillow Books) In a year filled with great debut novels, this one has gained much attention. Bachman tells the story of Bartholomew, a boy who is half human, half fairy. They don't fit into either world and have to go unnoticed to stay alive. When Bartholomew disregards this primary rule, he is dragged into a dark and magical adventure to save his sister.

12 Days - A Countdown of Holiday Ideas #7

Geeks, Girls, and Secret Identities

On the seventh day of this holiday season, my loved one gave to me... GEEKS, GIRLS, AND SECRET IDENTITIES - Mike Jung (Arthur A. Levine Books) An unexpected superhero, a dastardly villain and a giant robot (along with a little romance) and you've got great elements for a boy book. It's not just one difficult thing that Jung accomplishes so masterfully in his debut novel; it's two difficult things. In addition to keeping this adventure fast-paced and engaging throughout, he's also made it funny. For many authors writing for young people, humor seems forced. Here it is so natural.

12 Days - A Countdown of Holiday Ideas #6

Non-fiction is a great way to go with gifts for many emerging and reluctant readers. There are so many great books that open doors to exciting real world people, places and things and explain the mysteries of life around these young readers.

Bug Shots: The Good, the Bad, and the Bugly

On the sixth day of this holiday season, my loved one gave to me... BUG SHOTS: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE BUGLY - Alexandra Siy (Holiday House) This book has a wonderful format, something found in many of the non-fiction books from Siy, afantastic writer who has a great knack not only for appealing subject matter but a terrific ability to deliver it in a kid-friendly way. Bug Shots plays off idea of mug shots of villainous perpetrators. It is an ideal hook and format for a young, emerging reader. They can pick it up and  put it down as they like. They can find an individual topic, in this case a specific bug, read just that one, come back again and again to favorites. This book has some of the most incredible photographs (technically, micrographs) from photographer Dennis Kunkel that will surely have youngsters showing every friend what a treasure this book is. Rumor has it, Siy and Kunkel are teaming up once again with editor Sylvie Frank at Holiday House for a spider specific book to go along with BUG SHOTS.  So keep an eye open for that one, too.

12 Days - A Countdown of Holiday Ideas #5

We've conditioned ourselves during holidays to think bigger is better, that we have to do more, give more materialistically. Often it's too much about grand gestures. For children, it's not the gift that counts in the long run. Trust and love built in those quiet moments like those times we read books with them have a far bigger impact.

Oh No, Little Dragon!

On the fifth day of this holiday season, my loved one gave to me... OH NO, LITTLE DRAGON! - Jim Averbeck (Atheneum) Little Dragon has lost his fire. How can he rekindle that spark that burns inside him? In a tender moment with Mama, she shares what makes the spark inside her burn. This is a wonderful book that can help you share your enduring love with your youngster.

12 Days - A Countdown of Holiday Ideas #4

Wave

On the fourth day of this holiday season, my loved one gave to me... WAVE by Suzy Lee (Chronicle Books) One of the most beautifully illustrated stories in recent memory, WAVE speaks to children without a single line of text. The story captures a young child's day at the beach with emotionally evocative drawings in spread after spread. It would make a treasured addition to any child's library.

12 Days - A Countdown of Holiday Ideas #3

A reading connection is vital in literacy with youngsters. The timeliness of a holiday book read during this season is one means of creating a connection through literature. Traditions can be reinforced by seeing them acted out in a story.

How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas?

On the third day of this holiday season, my loved one gave to me... HOW DO DINOSAURS SAY HAPPY CHANUKAH? and HOW DO DINOSAURS SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS? The dinosaur book team of author Jane Yolen and illustrator Mark Teague bring the warmth and cheer (along with a little mischief) to the holiday season. Those dinosaurs our young readers have come to know and love will light the menorah and decorate the tree right along side your own young readers.