Book Review: Flipping Forward Twisting Backward by Alma Fullerton, illustrated by Sarah Mensinga (MG graphic novel)

 Claire Cardin is dedicated, kind-hearted, empathetic, creative, smart, and a problem solver. She excels at gymnastics but she struggles to read and write. Does she have a learning disability?

Flipping Forward Twisting Backward

Alma Fullerton

Illustrated by Sarah Mensinga

Peachtree 

an imprint of Penguin Random House

2022

133 pages

What is it like to be dyslexic? What gifts has our neurodivergence given us? What obstacles do we face? Alma Fullerton tells our story through the eyes of a relatable, likable character.

As a dyslexic, I love the message Alma Fullerton gives the reader--dyslexics are smart; dyslexics are capable. Sometimes we struggle--as everyone does.

Flipping Forward Twisting Backward is an empowering, heart-warming story. I highly recommend this book especially to--but not limited to--striving readers who are 8 to 12 years old.

Beginning next Sunday, January 8...

I introduced readers to Aster in 2009, in my first novel Maynely A Mystery--a mystery set on my island home Mayne Island. Aster was merely a secondary character, still...

'I would have loved to have learned more about the relationship between Aster and her husband.'

wrote Debra Purdy Kong on Goodreads.

And Debra wasn't alone. Many readers wanted me to expand on Aster's story. So, in 2014, when Mayne Island Little Theatre held a playwriting contest, I wrote my play about Aster. And she shone in the spotlight.

Last summer, I visited with Aster once again and she shared even more of her story. In 2023, I plan to share a chapter of Mrs. Kenneth James Stevens Wants A Baby on this blog every Sunday--beginning on Sunday, January 8. I'll share the final chapter on Sunday, July 2.

Kathy Barber, an early reader of Mrs. Kenneth James Stevens Wants A Baby, writes...

'I could not put it down. Had to read the whole thing immediately. It was gripping.'

The Best of 2022 on this Blog...

Book Review: The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane (MG) by Julia Nobel

 Emmeline "Emmy" Willick is happy kicking balls and scoring goals on the soccer field in Connecticut until her mother sends her away to Wellsworth--a boarding school in England. 

'making friends had never been [Emmy's] strength. That would involve talking to people.' (p. 4)

How will a timid introvert like Emmy survive living with her peers?

Emmy's life is one big question mark. Why did her mother choose to send her to Wellsworth? Does it have anything to do with her father? Emmy's father left when she was three-years-old. One of the only things she knows about him is that he meet Emmy's mom in England. She doesn't know if he's alive or dead. So if he's alive, she wonders where he is? If he's dead, how did he die? 

The mystery is like a frayed thread the more she pulls on it the longer it gets. 

Buy this book

Published by Sourcebooks Young Readers

Published in 2020

Won the Silver Birch Fiction Award

I choose to read The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane because I'm currently writing a novel for readers of middle grade fiction and wanted to learn more about the genre. I was rewarded with not only an intriguing mystery but also with an enduring, relatable character--Emmy--who grew through the course of the novel.

Next Sunday...

December 20

at approximately 5...um...er...4:30ish PM PT

Ice Angel

Leanne Dyck

...Something floated over the ice. She sparkled. Was she an angel?...

 

photo by Terrill Welch

Wednesday, December 9

Virtual Author Reading

Christmas with Family

by Leanne Dyck

This short story was inspired by the Christmas--several years ago--when I forced to throw all my seasonal traditions out the window--much like this year. Ah, but, I learned... Well, to say more would spoil it. I'll just read it, shall I...?

photo by bdyck

Are you following me?

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photo by ldyck

Sharing my author journey...

word count:  19,221 words

goal:  40,000+ words

Sometimes when the words lie lifeless on the page and the story has 

Book Review: Sweep by Jonathan Auxier (MG historical fiction)

"A sweep is as lucky/as lucky can be," sings Dick van Dyke (watch him on YouTube)

Sweeps are lucky because they survived their childhood labour as Climbing Boys. In Victorian London, every day, all day, Climbing Boys were forced to--with brushes in hand--climb into chimneys. Some got trapped. Others fell from roofs. Others...

Though most of the Sweeps in Jonathan Auxier's book are cruel, protagonist Nan Sparrow's Sweep--the man who raised her--is almost saintly in his selflessness. In an attempt to make Nan's life tolerable, he gives her all he has. Before he disappears into the shadows, he leaves behind his last gift--a lump of soot and ash. 

The right gift--no matter how seemingly insignificant--given to the right person can transform a life.

Published by Puffin

an imprint of
 Penguin Random House Canada Young Readers

Published in 2018

Winner of the 2018 Scotia Bank Giller literary award, 
Sweep:  The Story of a Girl and her Monster is one of those rare books that remains with you long after you finish reading the last page. 

Favourite quotes...

'You can't have courage without fear.' (p. 296)

'We save ourselves by saving others.' (p. 333)

More...

49th Shelf chats with Jonathan Auxier

Early sketches of the characters in Sweep

Jonathan Auxier's author website


Next post...

Sunday, January 13 (at approximately 5 PM PT)

Guest Post: International published children's literature author Gloria Van Donge (The Gifted Kid Book series) shares her author journey.


Sharing my author journey...

No fluffy bluish white ice crystals fell on Mayne Island this winter but that doesn't mean we didn't have challenges.

Book review: Super! by Jennifer Chen (MG)

Buy this book

(I received my copy from the publisher)

Publisher:  Insomniac Press

Publishing date:  2018

What's it like to have a gifted friend?
Exciting.
Fun.
Yes, but there's also the matter of jealousy. Especially when your own mother compares you to your friend and you come up lacking. Especially when everyone expects you to be gifted.
That's what twelve-year-old Beata faces--in spades. Her friend Gwen is a "polypower" super-hero and her great-grandmother was the world's first super-hero. And worse, Beata suspects that she may be a Dud-- a descendant of a super-hero, with no super-hero powers.

There's so much about this book that I like...
-the strong female and ethnically diverse characters
-the plot that has as many twists and turns as a super-hero in mid melee.

But...
-the Prologue and Epilogue could easily have been woven into chapters.
-long chapters--especially considering the target reader
-the book would benefit with one more edit as I found passages that could have been made clearer or stronger.

Two examples...

'I nod wordlessly.' (p. 116)

Can you nod with words?

'They amass around me like bees.' (p. 337)

Bees swarm.


Favourite quotes...

'"All anyone can ever ask is for you to do the best with what you have."' (p.117)

 'Before, I could only see Frances Fantastic, the Original Super. Now, I see more. Beyond the fame, she was just a girl.' (p.391)

Thank you, Jennifer Chen, for this action-packed story.  

an island friend kindly indulging me, photo by ldyck

November, on this blog, will be a month for remembrance and knitting-themed fiction.

Sunday, November 4:  Shared Passion (short story)
This piece of magical realism celebrates knitting for charities.

Sunday, November11:  I couldn't think of a better way to remember than to share (again) my dad's words--the words of a veteran from World War II.

Sunday, November 18:  The Lure of Yarn (short story)
A cautionary tale told in jest.

Sunday, November 25:  Courting (short story)
Jane Austen inspired historical romance

on Mayne Island, photo by ldyck

Sharing my author journey...

This October I...

Author Susin Nielsen's writing workshop notes by Leanne Dyck

"at the writers' workshop"  ldyck

On a soggy Friday in June, seven writers met at the Mayne Island library to attend award-winning author Susin Nielsen's workshop on Creating An Authentic Protagonist. I found the workshop challenging, fun and inspiring. 

In the first of four writing exercises, Nielsen challenged us to write about an emotionally-charged event in our lives. We later shared these stories with the group and gained valuable feedback about our writing from Nielsen. Our feet wet, we moved on to explore how we would bring emotion to our characters. In our next writing exercise, we used a list of questions supplied by Nielsen to build a character--what does your character like, dislike and what are the most important relationships in her life. The questions also encouraged us to think of how we would show the heart of our character to our readers. For example, what items does your character carry? In the other two exercises, we were to put our characters in emotionally-charged situations.

During the Q & A that followed, Nielsen told us to pick our favourite book in the genre we're writing. Dissect and analysis the story. What works? What techniques did the author use?

Books Recommended...

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamont

On Writing by Stephen King

Following the workshop, the library doors were thrown open and more people poured in. Nielsen entertained us with an author talk reviewing her career and read from her soon-to-be-published book. Nielsen began her career writing for TV shows as 
Degrassi Junior High and Robson Arms. Nielsen has won young reader choice awards--such as the Red Maple--for her middle grade novels.

Much thanks to Pam Withers for organizing and the Mayne Island Library for hosting this event.

"maple leaves"  ldyck

What's in store for July...

To celebrate Canada Day (July 1st), I've hunted through my bookshelves to find some old friends I need to tell you about. So first up for July, I'm writing a post recommending 10 must-read books written by Canadian authors.

Next, I offer a two-part spoof on the life of a writer living on a small island. (Huh, I wonder who inspired that?)--
Island Storyteller 

Then, as a former ECE (Early Childhood Educator), I comment on and review the thriller The Perfect Nanny by French author Leila Slimani.

Finally, I end the month by offering a short story about a walk in the woods--The Woods.

"huh, what's in there?" ldyck

Sharing my author journey...

This month I...

Book Review: Wonder by RJ Palacio (middle grade novel)

People with craniofacial disorder can't hide their "otherness". And you can't help noticing them. How do you react? Do you look away? Do you stare? Does misunderstanding or fear provoke you to...? Author RJ Palacio empathized. This empathy prompted her to act. She wrote Wonder. Her book inspired the Choose Kind movement.

'Do all the good you can

By all the means you can

In all the ways you can

In all the places you can

At all the times you can

To all the people you can

As long as you ever can' -John Wesley's Rule

Buy this Book

Publisher:  Knopf Books for Young Readers

Published in 2012

From kindergarten to grade four, August Pullman--a boy with craniofacial disorder--has been homeschooled. But in grade five, he enters public school.

How is he treated? Is he bullied for being different? Or does he find acceptance? 

Wonder is told by six diverse characters:  

Auggie

Summer, Jack (two of Auggie's classmates)

Via (Auggie's older sister)

Justin (Via's boyfriend)

Miranda (Via and Auggie's friend)

The first voice we hear is Auggie's:

'If I found a magic lamp and I could have one wish, I would wish that I had a normal face that no one ever noticed at all... [T]he only reason I'm not ordinary is that no one else sees me that way.'

"Abby cuddling" ldyck

My Writing Strategy for 2018

"Beyond the Fog" ldyck

I write in many different genres. To date, I've written...

37 picture books for children

1 YA novel

6 short story collections for adults (includes a composite  novel)

My goal is to break into traditional publishing. (I began my career as an indie author. And was also published by a small press.)

Picture books are reported to be hard to break into and this has held true for me. So in 2018, they will take a back seat to my other work. This doesn't mean I will stop writing them--never shut the door on inspiration. They simply won't be my focus.

You may know that I've been writing a middle grade novel (for children ages 9 to 12 years of age). This one of the first times I've attempted to write for this age group. (The second time was a short story that has potential to become something longer. Here's the link to read that story.) I will continue to work on this novel. Three short novels for adults round out my work for 2018.

This is my strategy for the new year. But my strategies like my plot lines are flexible--I remain open to inspiration and direction (provided by educated/experienced outside sources). 

"Hey, look over there" ldyck

Sharing my author journey...

Book review: Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan (MG novel)

I've written short stories and novels. I've written picture books and a novel for young adults and books for adults. But I've never written a middle grade (children from 9 to 12 years of age) novel. Writing in this genre intrigues me and an idea is slowly taking shape. To encourage this idea to grow into a story, I'm seeking out new middle grade books.

Buy this Book

Published by 

Dial Books for Young Readers:  Penguin Young Readers Group

Published in 2017

I was off-island in a mall when Short jumped off the shelf and into my hands. Standing there, I read the first page. The narrator's voice was unique and captivating. I thought maybe... I might...
"Ready to go, Leanne?"
My husband and I had planned to go to a movie.
I left the book on the shelf confident I'd be able to find it in my island library--it's especially well-stocked with new titles.
Well I searched and I searched but Short just wasn't there. Thankfully I have a source that never fails me. : )

In brief:  Short is about a short girl in the big adult world of theater.

Story question:  How will Julia Mark resolve her negative feelings toward her short stature?

In Short, author Holly Goldberg Sloan explores
-what it personally feels like to be short
-achondroplasia "dwarfism"
-how involvement in the arts can restore confidence in children who are struggling with self-esteem
and celebrates L. Frank Baum work (especially the Munchkin)

As the story begins Julia Mark is annoyed by her short stature. However, Olive--an adult little person--is confident to be herself in a tall world. Befriending Olive allows Julia to grow in understanding as to who she is and who she values and why.

The last chapter sings. There are tears in my eyes as I finish reading the last page and close this heart-warming book.

What made me sit up and take note?

Although Julia Mark is 12 years old, this novel is mainly peopled with adult characters.

Favourite quote...

Olive:  ' "Discrimination is about bias... It happens when opinions have been formed in advance, and action is based on these prior ideas." ' (p. 178)

Shawn Barr (director):  ' "The world is filled with bias, and it's consumed with judgment and opinions that are hardened and even institutionalized. That's why we do theater. That's what it's about. We are asking people to take another look at themselves and at each other." ' (p. 179-180)

Next Post:  Interview with author Pam Withers
Published Sunday, July 30 at approximately 5 PM PT

Book review: The Lotterys Plus One by Emma Donoghue (middle grade)

Following her popular novels Room (a story told by a 5-year old narrator) and The Wonder (the plot revolves around an 11-year old), Emma Donoghue has written a middle grade (for children ages 9 to 12 years of age) novel.

The chapters are rather long and the novel is jammed-packed with characters but...
The narrator's voice is strong and unique. The plot well-planned. The ending satisfying.

Buy The Lotterys Plus One by Emma Donoghue

Publisher:  HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.

Date published:  2017

Emma Donoghue's author website

The Bobbsey Twins series revolved around two sets of twins (aged 6 to 12 years old). The books were written from 1904 to 1979 and the stories reflect on the time as filtered through family life. The Lotterys Plus One is The Bobbsey Twins for the 21st century. The marginalized (those in the minority) have become the majority. The story comes complete with an angry old white guy.

Two couples--two guys and two women--have a baby, Sic. And, after finding a winning lottery ticket, they don't stop with one. They fill a large house with a ton of children. Sumac (9 years old) the middle child, is the protagonist. Some middle children feel overlooked but not Sumac. She is key to the smooth running of the household--as are all the children. The family is happy and well-adjusted. Enter the angry old white guy.

Message:  The Lotterys Plus One stresses the importance of family--how ever you define it.

'who cares so long as the threads get tied.' (p. 303)

The Next Chapter's interview with Emma Donoghue.

"New Summer cut" Thanks Pooch Parlour photo by LDyck

Next Post:  Sunday, June 4 (published at approximately 5 PM PT)
I comment about a topic near and dear to my heart--dyslexia.