HOOK KIDS on READING: July 2013

Sunday, July 21, 2013

LURE Your KIDS into READING

If your child turns up their nose at READING,
DON'T DESPAIR!

It's all a matter of finding books with plots that FIT their interests.
Plus a little writing "Magic" to keep them turning the page.

Budding ballerinas will LOVE
The Ballerina and the Moon

Written and Illustrated - by Irene Zevgolis

(A Sequel to The Dreamer and the The Moon)

Tara is over the moon at being accepted into the children’s ballet theater. Yet when Miss Monique, the ballet teacher chooses Tara as the Fairy Princess in the fall recital, Anna and the other dancers stop being her friend.

I acted as manuscript adviser.

Available through AMAZON

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Does your reluctant reader need a MAGICIAN to
HOOK her interest?

Magical Mea
brings the perfect magical mix!

Author: Penelope Anne Cole
Illustrator Kevin Collier

Mea's tricks are sometimes unkind, and she must learn that her magical
talents need to be used wisely, and with a kindness in mind.

Available through AMAZON
Guardian Angel Publishing

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Does your BOY prefer computer games to reading?

Time to SNEAK in the BIG GUNS!

Max Elliot Anderson grew up as a struggling, reluctant reader.
After surveying the market, he sensed the need for action-adventures
and mysteries for readers 8 and up, especially boys.

Plus NINE other rip-roaring tales just as exciting!
By boy and tomboy author, Max Anderson
Available at AMAZON

And the Reviews are awesome!

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FINALLY!

NO WAY could your young teen not "GET" a ghost that was
channeled into the story by the author - NAME and ALL!

Her MOTHER no less!

Okay! Okay! It was MY mother, and it took a few chapters before I realized what was happening. But by then I was on a roll, and something told me (guess what?) that my dear mum was quite tickled by the whole idea of being features in one of my books. . . So I kept writing, and channeling, until I had it just the way Mom wanted it to end.

The Revenge of Thelma Hill

Author Margot Finke
Cover Art Art: "Awesome" Agy Wilson

When Frannie and her twin brother move to Oregon with their dad, Frannie has no thought of ghosts, creepy basements, or giant arachnid "familiars." Trapping a killer was definitely not on her summer vacation to-do list. As the sibling rivalry between her and Jeff grew more intense each day, Frannie dreamed about her missing mom, and worried about making new friends. But the ghost of Thelma Hill changed everything when she begged Frannie to trap her killer. Could she and her nerdy twin trap him? Or would they both end up sharing their basement with Thelma Hill - forever?

Available at
AMAZON (Kindle) - Smashwords - NOOK

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Books For Kids - Manuscript Critiques
Author Visits to Schools - SKYPE Makes it Happen!
http://www.margotfinke.com

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Sunday, July 7, 2013

KANGAROO CLUES Hops Into Children's Hearts!

The BIG HOPPER Has Arrived!
with all his Aussie bush mates!

Kangaroo Clues

Part of my Wild and Wonderful Series
of books about animals from the US and Australia

KANGAROO CLUES

is the first book I ever had published.

All 7 books were originally eBooks, at a time when eBooks had little following among readers or kids. Guardian Angel Publishing agreed to republish all of them in SOFT COVER as well as ebooks. Kangaroo Clues and Mama Grizzly Bear are the first two to make the transition to soft cover books - YEA! Available through Guardian Angel and Amazon etc.

Old Man Roo is tall and muscular - 6-7 feet of tall!

Stone the crows! If he had to shop for shoes, he would never find a pair big enough for his enormous feet. Old Man Roo is smart, too. When the feared wild dingo pack decides he's on their lunch menu, he doesn't need shoes - just giant hops, plus a fancy trick that will give a nasty surprise to the whole dog pack.

SYNOPSIS

The story tells how Crafty Old Man Roo escapes the dingoes that are chasing him. The aborigines say this rhyming "Dreamtime" tale is a true story. It features unique Aussie critters - kangaroos, emu, echidna, kookaburra and marsupial mice, etc. A fun tale that is also educational.

Heading for the red hills they call home

Racing to escape the wild dingoes.

Glorious illustrations by Turkish artist/illustrator
Mustafa Delioglu.

Thereby hangs a tale. . .

When I asked online list friends if they knew of an illustrator, I received many replies. One Turkish author said her illustrator would do wonderful illustrations for Kangaroo Clues. He had done many of her books (she is famous in the region for her picture books), and she sent me samples. I was wowed. They were awesome! All by hand, and with many delightfully surprising details. I said YES - loud and clear.

But wait. . . there was a hitch. Mustafa had no computer and spoke no English! But my dear friend said, "Don't worry, Margot, I will translate for both of you (her written English was almost perfect) and send his art work from my computer. And so she did! A couple of years later I had these fabulous illustrations for Kangaroo Clues. I will always be indebted to Aytul for her huge act of kindness toward me, a new author, and an online writing friend. Mustafa's art hangs in European Galleries, so I consider myself lucky to have his work gracing my picture book.

Bush critters don't want to be a dingo's dinner!

Sample Verse

Aboriginal spirits made all things,
Like kangaroos and birds with wings.

But I've a tale that's just for you.

It tells the secret of Old Man Roo.

Telling the tale of Old Man Roo

Verse Sample.

Who sewed the pouch on the Kangaroo

And placed her Joey in there too?

Was it a Dreamtime spirit-man

Who made up creatures from a plan?

Read REVIEW

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REAL "Clues" about Kangaroos!

Everyone loves Kangaroos - right?

Kangaroos all have babies called Joey. When old enough, the Joeys pop in and out of their Mom's pouches whenever they feel like it - like Mexican jumping beans! YES, they ride around in Mom's padded pouch in comfort every day!

Did you know that when born, a Joey is
about the size of a grown-ups thumb?

They are hairless, blind and deaf. But this doesn't stop them from crawling from where they popped out of Mom's birth canal, to W-A-Y up inside of her pouch. Once safely inside, they latches onto one of her teats, and suck milk non stop, until they have grown big enough to begin hopping in and out of the pouch.

For more fun details about KANGAROOS
and the other Aussie critters in this book,

visit my DOWN UNDER FUN page.

ALL - Soft Cover Picture Books

REVIEWS

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Books for Kids - Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com

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SKYPING AROUND the WORLD

Today SKYPE flew my “Magic Carpet” back to a class on the east coast. I listened to all the wonderfully innovative stories these kids wrote after my first visit with them. They really remembered to use powerful words and add lots of action – FANTASTIC! They illustrated their books, and every child wrote a cute Bio to go with their story. They were so proud of their accomplishments, and I was busting my buttons too. Such a thrill to be a part of turning a class on to the joys of reading and writing. YAHOO! I also read them “Never Say BOO to a Frilly,” as a treat for all their hard work. And their teacher, Geralyn Downey, went all out to encourage each child, and make them feel proud of their writing. Great teachers like Geralyn are real treasures.

I made a Skype Author Visit to a classroom in Auckland, New Zealand. They were so enthusiastic and smart. They even made a Video about my visit. I was thrilled and humbled. Read about it HERE

I also Skyped with high school teens in New Delhi, India. They asked so many questions. It was wonderful to see so many enthusiastic kids interested in reading and writing.

NOTE The only limit to an author visit to schools anywhere in the world are the Time Zones. They must work with where YOU live, as well as where the schools are situated.

SKYPE THANK YOU NOTES from TEACHERS

Thank you so much for this Margot. I am looking forward to skyping with you at 11. Just to let you know- the students took great pride in their stories. Although they are somewhat silly, and some maybe not too logical, the goal was for them to write and feel pride in publishing and sharing their stories. In that, they have all been successful. So, I hope that you will be able to sit back and let US take you YOU on a Magic Carpet Ride today! Talk to you soon! Geri

I did. . . and it was AWESOME!!

From a happy New Jersey teacher:

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"Thank you so much for our class skype today! The children learned so much, and cannot stop talking about it! They took your suggestions for writing to heart and are excited to begin writing their own stories tomorrow! LOVED this experience! Thank you!"
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SKYPE Inspires a Class:

Hi Margot,

I just wanted to let you know that my students have been working hard on writing their own stories since skyping with you. They were wondering if you might have time to Skype with us again to listen to their stories.

One little boy in particular has been so enthusiastic about this that he has been asking to work on his "book" every day since skyping with you. It is a very short story, but he could NOT be any prouder! You have really made an impression on him, as well as the other students! Thank you for this!

If you ever have time to skype with us again, they would LOVE to share their stories with you!

AND I AM GOING BACK TO HEAR THEIR STORIES AS SOON AS WE SETTLE ON A DATE.

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Geralyn Downey shared your link: "To my teacher friends. Our class skyped with Margot Finke, children's author, and we LOVED it. Please watch this, and consider having her visit your class via skype. Believe me, you will love it! She was fantastic!"

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Thank you for the Skype! My class loved your storytelling!

From Mrs. Hime's Third Grade Class

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I just wanted to thank you for visiting our class! I know my students were so excited to engage with you and found your artifacts so interesting! My students struggle every day to battle obstacles that I would wish for no child, yet they do it fearlessly. With half of my students living below the poverty line, many of them will never see the world, nor the next parish. But I do believe that experiences like the one you gave them is invaluable in their realization that there is so much more out there! Thank you again for taking the time to talk to and read to my students!

Shane Silpe - 3rd Grade Teacher

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Thanks a ton for the Skype session with us. My students and I were absolutely thrilled to have you in our classroom. They wouldn't stop talking about you today. They shared their amazing experience with everyone at school and in their community as well. Today they wrote some poems for you. My students want to send you thank you emails and their poems. Do you mind if I let them email you on this id?

Once again thank you very much Margot. We thoroughly enjoyed your session, wish we could have listened you read the other story you showed us.

Regards, Harini - 4^th grade teacher in New Zealand.

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Thank you for spending your time with us. The children are still very excited about skype and sometimes have trouble sitting still! When the session was over, we discussed what they learned and they had a ton to say. We are also going to write a narrative using an Australian animal. It will take us a couple of weeks but I cannot wait to see what they produce. It was a great way to kick off our narrative writing unit. I think the children would love a copy of your book. Will you sign it for us? I know as they are writing their stories, yours would be a wonderful model for them.

Sincerely, Jennifer - 5th Grade Teacher

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Hi Margot,

Thank you so much for your email and especially for the wonderful Skype visit!! It was so much fun and so informative!! It was a huge hit and everyone raved about you!! :-) Regarding the books, I think it would be fine to send them to my school as there are lots of deliveries during the summer. I would love to do this again next year (preferably mid-year) with our new first grade classes!! Thank you so much for all of your time and enthusiasm!! I hope you have a wonderful summer!

Nancy – first grade teacher.

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GREAT BOOKS for RELUCTANT READERS and BOYS!

ASSORTED:
Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
Hatcher by Gary Paulson
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

PICTURE BOOKS by Margot Finke
Rattlesnake Jam
Mama Grizzly Bear
Kangaroo Clues
Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind
Horatio Humble Beats the Big D
Don't Eat Platypus Stew
Prairie Dog's Play Day
Never say BOO to a Frilly
Squirrels Can't Help Being Nuts

YOUNG BOYS:
Cars That Go and Things That Go by Richard Scarry
The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

MID GRADE BOYS:
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
The Baseball Card Adventure Series by Dan Gutman
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
The Night Tourist by Katherine Marsh
Taconi and Claude by Margot Finke

Jeff Kinney's WIMPY KID Series:
http://www.wimpykid.com/
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
The do it Yourself Book
Rick Riordan's books

Rick Riordan's Books:
The Titan's Curse
The Battle of the Labyrinth
The Sea of Monsters
The Lightening Thief.

Mystery of the Copper Turtle Doris Holik Kelly
The Revenge of Thelma Hill by Margot Finke

See how most of these authors are MEN.
Come on ladies, anything they can do . . .

WRITING CENTER

The transition from high school to college can be a challenging one, especially when it comes to writing academic papers and other written assignments. New college students will find that they are expected to write more, and that their work must meet higher standards, set by instructors who expect students to show up with the written communication skills necessary to succeed in class. Regardless of the type of writing you are asked to do, proper grammar and punctuation is expected. Use our quick-reference guide to avoid some of the most common mistakes student writers make. Grammar – Punctuation – Other Common Issues – Different Writing Styles – Citation Guide