Monday, January 28, 2013

Three Minutes Getting Older

Normanday #61: Blow out the candles and make a wish.
 
Write for three minutes about…
 
…a birthday party.
 
Email what you wrote to woof at bright dot net by the end of the day February 3 (put “Norman Likes Chocolate Cake” in the subject line). I’ll post as many of my favorite entries as I want next Monday. Include your first name (or, even better, use a pen name) and age (unless you’re tortoise-old). If you’re a published children’s or young adult writer, include a biography to be posted with your entry.
 
Here is the single entry from last week when I asked you to write for three minutes…
 
…about anything.
 
 
Cranberly
Skate Castle
Wind whips through your hair as you bend your knees to make the turn. One leg is outstretched just a little. You feel like you are flying although your two feet are firmly on the ground. Well, your two feet are firmly planted in a pair of four wheel roller skates with a rubber stopper on the toes. You zoom on the super glossy wood floor. Loud music fills the air. Lights swirl around you in bright, sparkly patterns. What is that song that you hear? Is it retro or is it now? You have no idea. But it’s something you would never listen to while driving in your car or on your headphones. It’s something more pop and more disco than what you enjoy on a normal occasion. But this isn’t a normal occasion. You are at a skating rink. And the pop disco music feels right.

People zoom past you. You can barely make out their features. Some are so fast and so talented. Some people go backwards. A few people go slowly, hugging the wall. You started out that way at first. But now you fly, making quick turns and feeling the wind whip through your hair. You spot your friend a few feet away. She has a silly grin that is part amusement and part amazed. You laugh at her. She laughs back. You don’t know why. Everything seems funny.

After a few more laps, you begin to tired. You see the snack bar and beckon to your friend. You skate to the exit, where the glossy floor meets the carpet. You trip on the carpet and feel your friend’s hands grab the back of your shirt as she tries to slow down and not fall. Next you walk awkwardly to the snack bar. You are too lazy to take off your skates. You walk with heavy, wheeled feet. You fish out the crumpled bills and change, warm in your pocket. You buy two sodas and one hot pretzel to share. You sit at a nearby table, watching everyone zoom or fall around the rink. A kid is crying as his mom puts his shoes back on. He isn’t ready to leave the Castle. Some girls are laughing at a nearby table as a teenage boy sticks french fries up his nose. You eat your soda and pretzel, trying to regain your energy. The DJ announces it’s time for slow skate—when couples can skate holding hands. You roll your eyes at your friend, glad you are already off the floor. You know after slow skate, the DJ will announce it’s time for the Hokey Pokey to get everyone back on the floor. You finish your soda and half a pretzel and your friend announces she has to go to the bathroom. You tell her to hurry up because you don’t want to miss the Hokey Pokey.

You’re 12. You’re happy. You have your whole life ahead of you. The music starts, you softly skate onto the dance floor, forming a line. You put your left foot in…

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Briar’s Journal (January 22 to February 19, 2013)

Dream Entry*
June 8, 2007
 
I’m walking down a street made of marshmallows. I sink every step I take.
 
Without turning around, I’m suddenly aware that I’m being stalked by a rabid squirrel. I try to run, but the marshmallow street is melting. My legs are mired. The squirrel chatters shrilly. I scream for help.
 
My friends are gathered on the sidewalk, reading. Bigfoot directs them all to make a bridge over the melting marshmallow to where I’m now sunk up to my neck. I wake as the squirrel pounces on my back and begins to nibble my ears.
 
 
 
The books BIGFOOT adds to the bridge:
 
THE TWELVE-FINGERED BOY
by John Hornor Jacobs
[YOUNG ADULT—FIRST IN THE
THE TWELVE-FINGERED BOY TRILOGY]
Carolrhoda-Lerner
February 1, 2013
 
BETTER NATE THAN EVER
by Tim Federle
[MIDDLE GRADE]
Simon & Schuster
February 5, 2013
 
IVY IN THE SHADOWS
by Chris Woodworth
[MIDDLE GRADE]
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
February 5, 2013
 
A TANGLE OF KNOTS
by Lisa Graff
[MIDDLE GRADE]
Philomel-Penguin
February 5, 2013
 
MAGGOT MOON
by Sally Gardner,
with illustrations by Julian Crouch
Candlewick
February 12, 2013
 
DESTINY, REWRITTEN
by Kathryn Fitzmaurice
[MIDDLE GRADE]
Katherine Tegen-HarperCollins
February 19, 2013
 
 
The books MORZANT adds to the bridge:
 
BRAVE GIRL: CLARA AND THE
SHIRTWAIST MAKERS’ STRIKE OF 1909
by Michelle Markel,
illustrated by Melissa Sweet
[PICTURE BOOK—NON-FICTION]
Balzer & Bray-HarperCollins
January 22, 2013
 
COURAGE HAS NO COLOR:
THE TRUE STORY OF THE
TRIPLE NICKLES: AMERICA’S
FIRST BLACK PARATROOPERS
by Tanya Lee Stone
[MIDDLE GRADE—NON-FICTION]
Candlewick
Januar 22, 2013
 
HENRY AND THE CANNONS:
AN EXTRAORDINARY TRUE STORY
OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
by Don Brown
[PICTURE BOOK—NON-FICTION]
Roaring Brook
January 22, 2013
 
LUCKY DUCKLINGS
by Eva Moore,
illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
[PICTURE BOOK—NON-FICTION]
Orchard Books
February 1, 2013
 
WAR DOGS: CHURCHILL AND RUFUS
by Kathryn Selbert
[PICTURE BOOKS—NON-FICTION]
Charlesbridge
February 1, 2013
 
WOMEN OF THE FRONTIER:
16 TALES OF TRAILBLAZING HOMESTEADERS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND RABBLE-ROUSERS
by Brandon Marie Miller
[MIDDLE GRADE—NON-FICTION]
Chicago Review Press
February 1, 2013
 
FROG SONG
by Brenda Z. Guiberson,
illustrated by Gennady Spirin
[PICTURE BOOK—NON-FICTION]
Henry Holt
February 5, 2013
 
SEEDS, BEES, BUTTERFLIES, AND MORE!:
POEMS FOR TWO VOICES
by Carole Gerber,
illustrated by Eugene Yelchin
Henry Holt
February 5, 2013
 
FOLLOW FOLLOW:
A BOOK OF REVERSO POEMS
by Marilyn Singer,
illustrated by Josee Masse
[PICTURE BOOK—POETRY—
SEQUEL TO MIRROR MIRROR]
Dial-Penguin
February 7, 2013
 
BECOMING BABE RUTH
by Matt Tavares
[PICTURE BOOK—NON-FICTION]
Candlewick
February 12, 2013
 
LOOK UP!: HENRIETTA LEAVITT,
PIONEERING WOMAN ASTRONOMER
by Robert Burleigh,
illustrated by Raul Colon
[PICTURE BOOK—NON-FICTION]
Paula Wiseman-Simon & Schuster
February 19, 2013
 
WHO SAYS WOMEN CAN’T BE DOCTORS?:
THE STORY OF ELIZABETH BLACKWELL
by Tanya Lee Stone,
illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
[PICTURE BOOK—NON-FICTION]
Henry Holt
February 19, 2013
 
 
The books MORTIMER adds to the bridge:
 
THE LAST STATION MASTER: A BOY,
A TERRORIST, A SECRET, AND TROUBLE
by S.A.M. Posey
[MIDDLE GRADE]
Key Publishing House
February 1, 2013
 
 
The books PENNY adds to the bridge: 
 
THE ARCHIVED
by Victoria Schwab
[YOUNG ADULT]
Hyperion-Disney
January 22, 2013
 
THE DARKNESS DWELLERS
by Kirsten Miller
[YOUNG ADULT—THIRD IN THE
KIKI STRIKE SERIES]
Bloomsbury USA
January 22, 2013
 
NOBODY
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
[YOUNG ADULT]
Egmont USA
January 22, 2013
 
SLATED
by Teri Terry
[YOUNG ADULT]
Nancy Paulsen-Penguin
January 24, 2013
 
THE MADMAN’S DAUGHTER
by Megan Shepherd
[YOUNG ADULT—FIRST IN THE
THE MADMAN’S DAUGHTER TRILOGY]
Balzer & Bray-HarperCollins
January 29, 2013
 
THE PREY
by Andrew Fukuda
[YOUNG ADULT—SECOND IN THE
HUNT SERIES]
St. Martin’s Griffin
January 29, 2013
 
CITY OF A THOUSAND DOLLS
by Miriam Forster
[YOUNG ADULT]
HarperTeen-HarperCollins
February 5, 2013
 
GIRL MEETS GHOST
by Lauren Barnholdt
[YOUNG ADULT]
Aladdin-Simon & Schuster
February 5, 2013
 
HOMELAND
by Cory Doctorow
[YOUNG ADULT—
SEQUEL TO LITTLE BROTHER]
Tor Teen-Tom Doherty Associates
February 5, 2013
 
HYSTERIA
by Megan Miranda
[YOUNG ADULT]
Walker
February 5, 2013
 
PERFECT SCOUNDRELS
by Ally Carter
[YOUNG ADULT— THIRD IN
THE HEIST SOCIETY SERIES]
Hyperion-Disney
February 5, 2013
 
THE RUINING
by Anna Collomore
[YOUNG ADULT]
Razorbill-Penguin
February 7, 2013
 
BREAKING POINT
by Kristen Simmons
[YOUNG ADULT—
SEQUEL TO ARTICLE 5]
Tor Teen-Tom Doherty Associates
February 12, 2013
 
THE GATHERING DARK
by Christine Johnson
[YOUNG ADULT]
Simon Pulse-Simon & Schuster
February 12, 2013
 
THE LIVES WE LOST
by Megan Crewe
[YOUNG ADULT—SECOND IN THE
FALLEN WORLD TRILOGY]
Hyperion-Disney
February 12, 2013
 
NOTES FROM GHOST TOWN
by Kate Ellison
[YOUNG ADULT]
Egmont USA
February 12, 2013
 
PIVOT POINT
by Kasie West
[YOUNG ADULT]
HarperTeen-HarperCollins
February 12, 2013
 
REVEL
by Maurissa Guibord
[YOUNG ADULT]
Delacorte-Random House
February 12, 2013
 
MIND GAMES
by Kiersten White
[YOUNG ADULT]
HarperTeen-HarperCollins
February 19, 2013
 
 
The books THE DUCK adds to the bridge: 
 
THE COLOSSUS RISES
by Peter Lerangis,
with illustrations by Torstein Norstrand and
Mike Reagan
[MIDDLE GRADE—FIRST IN THE
SEVEN WONDERS SERIES]
HarperCollins
February 5, 2013
 
MIDWINTERBLOOD
by Marcus Sedgwick
[YOUNG ADULT]
Roaring Brook
February 5, 2013
 
 
The books NORMAN adds to the bridge: 
 
THE WORM WHISPERER
by Betty Hicks,
with illustrations by Ben Hatke
[MIDDLE GRADE]
Roaring Brook
Januar 22, 2013
 
THE DOODLES OF SAM DIBBLE
by J. Press,
with illustrations by Michael Kline
[CHAPTER BOOK—FIRST IN THE
DOODLES OF SAM DIBBLE SERIES]
Grosset & Dunlap-Penguin
January 24, 2013
 
DOUBLE TROUBLE
by J. Press,
with illustrations by Michael Kline
[CHAPTER BOOK—SECOND IN THE
DOODLES OF SAM DIBBLE SERIES]
Grosset & Dunlap-Penguin
January 24, 2013
 
NEVER SAY DIE
by Will Hobbs
[MIDDLE GRADE]
HarperCollins
January 29, 2013
 
ATHLETE VS. MATHLETE
by W.C. Mack
[MIDDLE GRADE]
Bloomsbury USA
February 5, 2013
 
TREASURE ON SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN
by Elise Broach,
with illustrations by Antonio Javier Caparo
[MIDDLE GRADE—SEQUEL TO
MISSING ON SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN]
Henry Holt
February 5, 2013
 
UNLUCKY CHARMS
by Adam Rex
[MIDDLE GRADE—SECOND IN THE
COLD CEREAL SAGA]
Balzer & Bray-HarperCollins
February 5, 2013
 
THE CURSE OF THE PHARAOH
by Steve Stevenson,
with illustrations by Stefano Turconi
[CHAPTER BOOK—FIRST IN THE
AGATHA: GIRL OF MYSTERY SERIES]
Grosset & Dunlap-Penguin
February 7, 2013
 
THE PEARL OF BENGAL
by Steve Stevenson,
with illustrations by Stefano Turconi
[CHAPTER BOOK—SECOND IN THE
AGATHA: GIRL OF MYSTERY SERIES]
Grosset & Dunlap-Penguin
February 7, 2013
 
 
The books BEVERLY adds to the bridge:
 
RED KITE, BLUE KITE
by Ji-li Jiang,
illustrated by Greg Ruth
[PICTURE BOOK]
Hyperion-Disney
January 22, 2013
 
LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS:
A STORY ABOUT HOW SLAVES
LEARNED IN SECRET
by Lesa Cline-Ransome,
illustrated by James E. Ransome
[PICTURE BOOK]
Hyperion-Disney
January 29, 2013
 
NOBODY BUT US
by Kristin Halbrook
[YOUNG ADULT]
HarperTeen-HarperCollins
January 29, 2013
 
MY BROTHER’S BOOK
by Maurice Sendak
[PICTURE BOOK]
HarperCollins
February 5, 2013
 
MY FATHER’S ARMS ARE A BOAT
by Stein Erik Lunde,
illustrated by Oyvind Torseter,
translated by Kari Dickson
[PICTURE BOOK]
Enchanted Lion
February 5, 2013
 
THE WHOLE STUPID WAY WE ARE
by N. Griffin
[YOUNG ADULT]
Atheneum-Simon & Schuster
February 5, 2013
 
SERENDIPITY AND ME
by Judith L. Roth
[MIDDLE GRADE]
Viking-Penguin
February 7, 2013
 
DANCING IN THE DARK
by Robyn Bavati
[YOUNG ADULT]
Flux-Llewellyn
February 8, 2013
 
BEHOLDING BEE
by Kimberly Newton Fusco
[MIDDLE GRADE]
Knopf-Random House
February 12, 2013
 
HATTIE EVER AFTER
by Kirby Larson
[YOUNG ADULT]
Delacorte-Random House
February 12, 2013
 
OUT OF THE EASY
by Ruta Sepetys
[YOUNG ADULT]
Philomel-Penguin
February 12, 2013
 
OUT OF NOWHERE
by Maria Padian
[YOUNG ADULT]
Knopf-Random House
February 12, 2013
 
CRASH AND BURN
by Michael Hassan
[YOUNG ADULT]
Balzer & Bray-HarperCollins
February 19, 2013
 
 
The books OLIVER adds to the bridge: 
 
HEY, DUCK!
by Carin Bramsen
[PICTURE BOOK]
Random House
January 22, 2013
 
LICK!
by Matthew Van Fleet
[PICTURE BOOK—NOVELTY]
Paula Wiseman-Simon & Schuster
January 29, 2013
 
NIGHT SKY WHEEL RIDE
by Sheree Fitch,
illustrated by Yayo
[PICTURE BOOK]
Tradewind
February 1, 2013
 
IF YOU HOLD A SEED
by Elly MacKay
[PICTURE BOOK]
Running Press
February 5, 2013
 
MONSTERS LOVE COLORS
by Mike Austin
[PICTURE BOOK]
HarperCollins
February 5, 2013
 
WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING
by Eileen Spinelli,
illustrated by David Johnson
[PICTURE BOOK]
Eerdmans Books
February 7, 2013
 
ONE GORILLA: A COUNTING BOOK
by Anthony Browne
[PICTURE BOOK]
Candlewick
February 12, 2013
 
 
The books LENNY adds to the bridge: 
 
MONKEY & ROBOT
by Peter Catalanotto
[EARLY READER]
Richard Jackson-Atheneum-Simon & Schuster
January 29, 2013
 
THE BOY WHO CRIED BIGFOOT!
by Scott Magoon
[PICTURE BOOK]
Paula Wiseman-Simon & Schuster
February 5, 2013
 
CONSTRUCTION KITTIES
by Judy Sue Goodwin Sturges,
illustrated by Shari Halpern
[PICTURE BOOK]
Henry Holt
February 5, 2013
 
NOT YOUR TYPICAL DRAGON
by Dan Bar-el,
illustrated by Tim Bowers
[PICTURE BOOK]
Viking-Penguin
February 7, 2013
 
BUG PATROL
by Denise Dowling Mortensen,
illustrated by Cece Bell
[PICTURE BOOK]
Clarion-Houghton Mifflin
February 12, 2013
 
DOUG UNPLUGGED
by Dan Yaccarino
[PICTURE BOOK]
Knopf-Random House
February 12, 2013
 
CHEETAH CAN’T LOSE
by Bob Shea
[PICTURE BOOK]
Balzer & Bray-HarperCollins
February 19, 2013
 
TAKE ME OUT TO THE YAKYU
by Aaron Meshon
[PICTURE BOOK]
Atheneum-Simon & Schuster
February 19, 2013
 
WHO’S ON FIRST?
by Bud Abbott and Lou Costello,
illustrated by John Martz
[PICTURE BOOK]
Quirk
February 19, 2013
 
 
The books VIOLET adds to the bridge: 
 
THE BLACK RABBIT
by Philippa Leathers
[PICTURE BOOK]
Candlewick
January 22, 2013
 
TIME-OUT FOR SOPHIE
by Rosemary Wells
[PICTURE BOOK]
Viking-Penguin
January 24, 2013
 
PERFECTLY PERCY
by Paul Schmid
[PICTURE BOOK]
HarperCollins
January 29, 2013
 
FINNEGAN AND FOX: THE TEN-FOOT COP
by Helen L. Wilbur,
illustrated by John Manders
[PICTURE BOOK]
Sleeping Bear Press-Thomson Gale
February 1, 2013
 
MAMA HEN’S BIG DAY
by Jill Latter
[PICTURE BOOK]
NorthSouth
February 1, 2013
 
DIXIE AND THE BIG BULLY
by Grace Gilman,
illustrated by Sarah McConnell
[EARLY READER—SIXTH IN THE SERIES]
HarperCollins
February 5, 2013
 
OH SO TINY BUNNY
by David Kirk
[PICTURE BOOK]
Feiwel and Friends-Macmillan
February 5, 2013
 
TRIXIE TEN
by Sarah Massini
[PICTURE BOOK]
Henry Holt
February 5, 2013
 
WANT TO BE IN A BAND?
by Suzzy Roche,
illustrated by Giselle Potter
[PICTURE BOOK]
Schwartz & Wade-Random House
February 12, 2013
 
PENNY AND HER MARBLE
by Kevin Henkes
[EARLY READER—THIRD IN THE SERIES]
Greenwillow-HarperCollins
February 19, 2013
 
 
* The dream entries from Briar’s journal contain premonitions of books that will be published in the future. Briar’s dream self foresees the books’ summaries and knows which will likely appeal to each of her friends. Briar always wakes up before she can see whether her friends will enjoy the books.