Kelly approaches this timeless story of triumph over heartache through the eyes of a young girl in a tender, yet highly profound way. The powerful illustrations, deftly toying with color and light, are loaded with intriguing layers of emotional depth. Together, Kelly and Daniel have created an important book celebrating the precious bond of marriage and the trials of a people who yearned to openly express their loving commitment to one another.

A broom craft featured in the Reader's GuideI leapt at the chance to participate in a blog roll promoting the launch of Ellen's Broom- you betcha! And, guess what! Anyone who leaves a comment on any of Kelly's tour stops will be entered in a drawing for the grand prize - a signed poster of the Ellen's Broom cover and a decorated wedding broom from Stuart's Creations (www.stuartscreations.com). The winner will be drawn on January 16. So make a comment, y'all!!! Win that broom.

 Kelly kindly agreed to answer a few questions about the inspiration for the book, the answers for which are listed below. Read them and you will get a little peek into the soul of an author who has a deep appreciation for the plight of her people and the passion to tell the world in a unforgettably authentic manner - through the eyes and heart of a child. 

Kelly, what inspired you to write Ellen's Broom?

While researching family history in a North Carolina library, I saw a document called a cohabitation register which opened up a new world to me. This record listed the names of formerly enslaved people who lived as husband and wife during slavery and the names and ages of their children. Though their marriages, sometimes solemnized by jumping a broom, meant the world to them, those bonds were not legally recognized. A slave owner could sell husband and wife away from each other at any time. But with the recording of their marriages in cohabitation registers during Reconstruction, finally their sacred unions received legal protection.

I told Clay Winters, my mentor at the Writers Workshop at Chautauqua, about my research. He said I had a story in there. At first, I didn't see it. But when I went back to my room and thought about what having their marriages made legal must have meant to the couples and their children, a story started taking shape. I wrote the first scene of Ellen's Broom while at Chautauqua. Now, seven years later, it's a picture book. I feel so blessed.

What does it mean to you to share this story?

This story is special to me, because it's a part of history that remains unsung. We seldom hear about how much having their marriages legalized meant to freedmen and women and their families. It's a story of celebration, freedom and love.

What do you hope readers take away from the story?

I hope children and adults read the story, soak in the beautiful illustrations and feel the love and faith that flows through the family. From Ellen's love for her parents to their love for each other, it's an unshakeable bond that carried them through slavery and into the future.

Thank you for taking the time to chat with us today and, more importantly, for writing Ellen's Broom. It is astounding! Well done, Kelly. Well done.

A few months ago a debut author contacted me requesting that I create a companion Reader Guide for his middle-grade novel, per his editor’s request. The author had nary a clue what was being asked of him or how a guide would benefit the sale of the new novel. “Why bother?” he asked. “What difference can a guide make, anyway?” I explained that, once he knew the type of guide he or his editor/agent wanted created, it can serve as a solid investment in the longevity of the book’s shelf life.

While some publishers employ their art department to create visually appealing works of art, most authors and illustrators are encouraged to seek out an experienced free-lancer, such as myself, for support.  Reader’s Guides vary in size, shape, functionality, purpose, and in production price range.  There are three guide basic formats to choose from – the Discussion, Activity, or Academic Guide.

To read more of the blog post access the following link:

http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2011/12/reader-guides-%e2%80%93-pick-your-pleasure/

How about that?

Being an only-child doesn’t bother Mason Dixon in the least. He prefers to enjoy a simplistic, uneventful way of life – right down to his “quiet, ordinary, calm, and predictable” choice of wearing only brown socks. No white. No black. Only brown. To Mason, brown socks don’t call attention to themselves, which is the course he’d prefer to follow throughout all of his predictable days. His parents, concerned for his emotional well-being, see things differently and incessantly bring pets home for Mason to care for…including one that meets a tragic, over-fed demise. 

It is not until he and his best-friend Brody rescue a three-legged pound dog, who is named Dog, that Mason begins to actively participate in the complicated emotional richness of life. Though Mason is initially resistant to adopt another pet, Dog changes him. Instead of an ordinary, predictable, brown-sock-life way of living, Mason risks a little artistic expression, confronts a bully, and experiences the near loss of his best friend and, even, Dog himself. Mason learns that there is a hole in his quiet, calm heart that only the lop-sided love of a three-legged dog can fill.

Claudia Mills’ wonderful Mason Dixon: Pet Disasters is a hilariously terrific read, perfect for any middle-grade child whatever his or her sock-color or pet preferences may be.

To begin with, let me tout the splendor of this amazing picture book, Around Our Way on Neighbor's Day, written by Tameka Fryer Brown and illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb. If you're looking for a lively book that celebrates a sense of community, diversity, and the joy of friendship look no further, pal. This book is a one stop shop for all things neighborly.

Speaking of shop...did you get the milk, Dixie cup, Popsicle stick, and box a instant pudding we talked about yesterday? Good. Now you're ready to mix up a little bit of tongue-tickling fun!

Access the Teacher's Activity Guide by clicking HERE. The recipe for Simple Saturday Pudding Pops can be found on page 6.  While you're at it you might like to check out the discussion questions, the other craft ideas, and the song list.

Afterwards, go ahead and buy the book. You know want to!

Each chapter begins with a poem that not only introduces the chapter’s theme, but adds layering depth to the story.   One of my favorites is entitled Journey (54). It reads:

Geckos chirped,

 Kingfishers squawked,

Dogs barked.

This is home.

War cannot come here.

Cannot.

Can you feel that rhythmic wave-like motion in her words? Back and forth, back and forth, only to come to a crashing halt with the final word ‘cannot’. Geckos…kingfishers…dogs…home… all colorful symbols of charmed island living. And then BOOM, a harsh foreshadowing of things to come…war…here…cannot, twice repeated. Dear reader, the entire book is laced through and through with astounding prose just like this!

How about one more? War reads (102):

Moonlight

Shines silver

Across breadfruit leaves,

Broken shards of light,

Broken dreams,

Broken.

Get the picture? All is beautiful – the silver light cascading across the breadfruit tree, the primary source of sustenance for the tropical island people of Saipan. And a turn transforms moonlight into glass-like shards slicing, ripping destroying all that was once cherished, sabotaging dreams, and shattering souls. Flood’s words certainly tear to heart, don’t they?

Putting poetics aside, in addition to creating believable, multi-dimensional characters, Flood manages to muster up a tidal wave of action, intrigue, and suspense, enough to keep even the most reluctant reader engaged. It is because readers easily connect with primary characters Kento and Joseph they are willing to wade through the wages of war … page after page after suspenseful page. I asked Nancy how was she able to inhabit the psyche of her primary characters, two very different boys, so effectively. She answered:

“Joseph and Kento were as different to me as their families and cultures. Once I identified, “what did they want. What did they live for…what would they risk death to achieve?” then I could anticipate their decisions, their reactions to obstacles, their choices of how they would succeed. Kento was quiet, careful, precise but also timid, unsure, hesitant. Joseph was action. Cross him and he would fight back. Joseph had a lot to learn but he was determined, stubborn, persistent and loyal. They were the best of friends until they each had to decide between family and friendship.”

When asked how she was able to write a compelling story as Warriors in the Crossfire, yet remain completely culturally convincing Nancy answered, “Years of research, I am embarrassed to admit how much or how long…Research is a lot more than just reading. I swam with turtles - and the sharks. I paddled out across the reef, got scared to death as shark circled our kayak. I tipped over my kayak in the deep sea beyond the reef and was terrified. That’s what Kento felt and it was no fun. Havin the shadow of a shark slide over you is terrifying. It was also part of research. Read it, live it, ask it. Then listen, listen, listen. Keep collecting images, sounds, smells, ideas, information. Remember the joy, kindle the passion, and begin writing.”

Regarding being culturally accurate Nancy states, “Who can write about another time in history, about another culture? Someone who can write with accuracy, authenticity, and respect. Someone who can see from a child’s point of view, who can relate historical events to children’s contemporary experiences. For example, the betrayal of friendship is historical and contemporary, as is the death of a parent….We all share universal challenges and experiences – birth, growth, relationships, change, and the ultimate change, death. We all experience bigotry, betrayal, prejudice, misunderstanding, discrimination, bullying as well as triumph and compassion.

“I wrote Warriors in the Crossfire not thinking about genre, if it was historical, multicultural, or multi-racial. It was an important story that was shared with me. I could not write about Joseph without writing about who he is, what makes up this person, Joseph – his people, family, traditions, navigators, the sea, the sea, the importance of Dance. I could not write about survival without writing about dance, spirituality, and family. That is how we all survive, with the strength given to us by traditions, beliefs, and family.”

In conclusion, Nancy left me with two words. One being Kanji – the power of the written word, and the second being Haiku – the power of poetry. I would add Warriors in the Crossfire – the power of Nancy Bo Flood’s poetic prose, a book that raises difficult ethical questions regarding the use of atomic weapons, considers the conflicts of cultures, and the ultimate loss of innocent lives, all the while caressing the reader in the comforting rhythmic poetic rocking motion of the sea.  

Bo Flood, Nancy. Warriors in the Crossfire. Honesdale: Frontstreet, 2010.                        

Nancy's prose guides the reader through a vivid, colorful, dramatic, dynamic, transformational journey depicting the life-cycle of sand. Paired with Tony Kuyper's incredible photographs, this book is lively beyond words. Sand? Stone? Lively? Flood pulls it off. Really.

While reading, I could hear boulders crashing, arroyos swishing full of water after a rain, and feel the eerie awesomeness of slot canyons and hoo doos and goblins. With the child and the biome cards, I would dramatize each concept. No additional drama is needed with From Sand to Stone and Back Again in hand. The book is just that good.

Throughout Sand to Stone, Nancy skillfully brings the reader into the story. She reminds the child that they, too, are changing. That even the smallest grain of sand has monumental transformational power! Flood found a way to both inspire the child reader while presenting a non-fictional world with passionate perfection. Bravo!

My quest was to write a Teacher Guide that would celebrate the splendor of Nancy's and Tony's fine work. To do so, I fell back upon my Montessori roots by featuring Kruper's photos in a manipulative vocabulary game. Because I, too, desire to give the child the physical, tactile, transformational experience of changing sand to stone and back again, I lead the teacher through a sequential series of wonderfully messy craft activities. (And I had  BLAST doing this!) Lastly, to give the child an opportunity to express themselves through writing, a poetic creative writing lesson serves as a wrap up.

To learn more about From Sand to Stone and Back Again, read this fabulous Cynsations blog post about Nancy. To review my Teacher Guide you may click here.

This book is more than a lively read; a clever, quirky tale; a fun weekend literary romp. This book is IMPORTANT! This book can make a difference in a kid's life. How Not to be Popular is a 'must read' for any teen struggling to make sense of the complicated social hierarchy so prevalent on today's high school campuses. Can you think of a teenager who isn't?

How Not to be Popular is a story about a girl who has to move often. After attending ten different high schools, she has decided it simply hurts too much to go through the effort of developing friendships only to ultimately have to leave. She's emotionally damaged. Her solution is to become unpopular. When she moves to Austin during her senior year, instead of seeking her usual status relationships with the cheerleader/dance teams types known as the 'Bippies', she sinks the the lowest level on the social food chain; the 'bottom feeders', the losers, the 'Helping Hands'.

There is tremendous depth to this novel...layers upon layers of metaphors, symbolism, paradoxical contradition, and plenty of oxymorons! Who can refuse a tasty oxymoron? How Not to be Popular is a study of the critical aspects required to live an authentic life, one that is free, honest, truthful, and all-out fun!

This book is one that, as a teacher, I would cherish and have the students read year after year after year. Oh...the things we could discuss. Things close to their hearts. I've been privileged to witness the positive, transformative affect a book can have on a kid.  How Not to be Popular is just that kind of book!

Saturday I attended her launch at BookPeople along with a ba-zillion other excited folks. During which Liz sat down on a small stool in the  middle of a pool of at least 75 wiggly, chatty little ones. And, when she began to read a true hush fell over the rug-rat crowd. She spoke slowly and smiled often, engaging in eye contact as she turned the pages. Even the adults crowded on the periphery were wide-eyed, leaning in to catch Liz's every word.

Then the magic happened!

She read, "All the world can hold quite still," then carefully turned the page to read, "Nanas, papas, cousins, kin..." and a little boy, who could contain himself no longer shouted out, "I have a Nana!" While a quiet chuckle wave rippled through the crowd, Liz found that boy's eyes, smiled and said, "You do...and she's in the book!" That boy simply beamed! From his three-year-old-ish perspective, Liz had written that book for him, about him, to him. He was central to the moment the minute she began to read, a moment made magical because of Liz's All the World, so lovingly written and delightful to behold.

Tell me about Winnie Finn.

Winnie is a girl who loves worms like crazy. She wants to win a prize for her worms at the county fair, but there's no prize for worms. Instead, she uses her worm compost to help her neighbors win prizes.

How is the book promotion going?

Winnie’s story was fun to write, and it has been well received so far by parents, teachers and reviewers alike. Yay! Before Winnie Finn, Worm Farmer came out, I dreaded the thought of a book launch and book signings. But actually, it's been kind of fun. Wherever I go, worm lovers are crawling out of the woodwork . . . so to speak. I'm amazed by how many people either have a worm farm or know someone who does.

Tell me about the inspiration for your new blog. How will this blog be structured?

Graphic design and the creative process involved with children's book covers has always interested me, and I knew that Vermont College of Fine Arts faculty member, poet and children's book author Julie Larios was interested, too. So, when Betsy Bird of the School Library Journal blog “Fuse #8” suggested having another blog exclusively about children’s book covers, I immediately contacted Julie. The result is "Jacket Knack." http://jacketknack.blogspot.com/ We alternate posting on Mondays, so every week there's something new.

What are your working on now? What are some of your other plans for the future?

I have finished several new picture books, and a YA novel about the golden age of radio. Now I'm working on a middle grade novel set in a traveling circus. Next, I think I'll tackle a sort of a steampunk story for young adults that's steeping in the back of my mind. Can't wait to get started!

Carol is a 2008 cliffhanging graduate of the MFA Program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her picture book Winnie Finn, Worm Farmer, illustrated by Ard Hoyt, was released in August, 2009. Check out her new website at http://www.carolbrendler.com/.