He’s Not Heavy…

Two brother books are haunting me today.

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley and Stick by Andrew Smith are each their own story and yet, having read them one after the other, they are getting kind of wrapped up in my head with each other.

Each one is very much its own self – there is no confusing or blending the two – but I would think they’d appeal to the same readers. Anyone looking for beautifully written realistic fiction with interesting formats and written about, and for, teen boys should check these books out.

Where Things Come Back, the 2012 Printz Award winner is primarily Cullen Witter’s story, focusing on the sudden disappearance of his younger brother Gabriel. The anxiety, worry and grief are deftly handled so that we feel Cullen’s pain, but it never sinks into unbearable angst and is never melodramatic. (Incidentally, Cullen’s friend, Lucas Cader, is of a Samwise Gamgee calliber). A second part of the story twists and intertwines around Cullen’s summer on a seemingly unrelated path told through the eyes of various other characters. Cullen often drifts into reveries… but I do hope the ending was real.

 

Stick is told by Stark McClellan, aka Stick. He is missing an ear – altering his hearing and perception of the world shown by effective spacing and pauses in the text. Stick and his brother Bosten lean on each other to survive the vicious abuse they suffer at the hands of their parents. Each boy is learning about love in his own way – Stick with Emily, and Bosten with Paul. A visit with their aunt Delia in southern California provides a taste of what life without fear could be and opens their eyes to options. When the beatings get worse and Bosten runs away, Stick steals his father’s car to follow him and to search for a brighter future.

In both these books, the relationship between the brothers is quite moving, and crucial to the plot.

It makes sense that a brother is significant person to a boy. Brothers often measure themselves against each other. They expect to always know each other. Brothers share a common history. They share intimate moments – both good and bad – and share secrets. A boy can feel secure in loving his brother whole-heartedly.

And, as both of these books show, a brother leaves a big hole when he’s gone.

Sarah Wones Tomp

WRITING ON THE SIDEWALK

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World Book Night (goes to the movies)

Yesterday was WORLD BOOK NIGHT – a celebration designed to spread a love of reading and books. Started in the United Kingdom, this was the first one for the United States.

Special paperback versions of several books (for all ages) were printed for the purpose of being distributed – for free. The idea was to target non or light readers.

Friend and fellow author, Andrea Zimmerman, and I decided to approach potential recipients at a local movie theater while distributing Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian. If anyone is thinking about taking part next year, I recommend buddying up!

A few thoughts:

• Some people resist a “sale,” even when it’s not a sale. (Free! The books are free!)
• If they were willing to listen to our quick spiel, people were positive and appreciative.
• Pairs of teen/young adult girls were most resistant to the idea – or perhaps, being approached in the first place.

My favorite quote of the night was one earnest young man saying to Andrea, “I’ll read it if you recommend it.” Personal sales matter! Let’s keep bookstores around…

Sarah Wones Tomp

WRITING ON THE SIDEWALK

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The Grand Experiment- A Traveling Book Store

“I’m closing the store.”

My heart fell to the floor when Readers Inc., my local bookstore operator told me she was closing her store. We have been working together for the past two years, since my book was first released. She helped me order books for my school visits, I had done several signings and book fairs at her store, and together we have been working with the committee to help put together the Children’s Book Festival in La Mesa. This was sad news indeed.

The reality is that the economy is tough and book stores are having a tough time. The cost of overhead to keep the store running was too hard to do. Something had to be done.

Just recently I received the following message:

Have you heard?

It’s Not Goodbye!

Readers, Inc. is going mobile.  Bringing Books To YOU!

Starting in May, Readers Inc-Mobile will pop up all over town at Farmer’s Markets, Street Fairs and other community events.  Watch our website  www.ReadersIncOnline.com  facebook or twitter as we keep you posted where and when you can find us.  You can always contact us via email and our website will accept online book orders soon.

We are excited to pop up at school sites, providing book fairs, literacy nights, and after school book clubs.

We welcome any opportunity to serve your school or organization.

I think this is a fabulous idea. Will it work? Only time will tell, but the book fairs when my boys were in elementary school were always a big hit. In tough times, it’s the people who are creative and flexible who survive. This might be the start of something big.

Go buy a book!

Suzanne Santillan

Writing on the Sidewalk

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Writing Tips From Lin Oliver

On Saturday our local SCBWI chapter had a very special guest speaker, Lin Oliver, co-founder of SCBWI. Lin took time from her very busy schedule to share with our members some writing tips she has gleaned from her 40 plus years of working with the best children’s authors of our time.

In addition to co-founding SCBWI, Lin is also a children’s book author and writer-producer of family films, television series and movies for children.  Her New York Times best-selling book series HANK ZIPZER, co-authored by Henry Winkler, has sold over three million copies.

Here is a book trailer for Lin’s newest series with Henry Winkler.

Lin was witty and charming as she described her experience as a writer and shared her “12 Things for Writing for Children.” Here are a few of the tips that Lin shared with us:

From author Bruce Coville: “Follow your wierdness.”

 Use your creativity, kids will love it.

From author Richard Peck: “Be emotional, but not sentimental. Just because it happened to you, doesn’t make it interesting.”

Use the emotions from previous experiences to add richness to your writing, not necessarily the situations.

From author Jane Yolen: “It’s not a children’s book if a child doesn’t solve the story problem.”

If the adult solves the problem, write adult fiction.

From author Sid Fleischman: “In writing, nothing is wasted, but the paper.”

Don’t be afraid to cut. That scene may be used in another story or set up an even better idea.

It was an inspirational afternoon and I was very happy I attended. Now I’m going to go and follow my weirdness.

Happy Writing,

Suzanne Santillan

Writing on the Sidewalk.

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Book Thoughts: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

I resisted reading The Scorpio Races. Despite the fact that many trusted readers recommended it, the Printz Award committee gave it an Honor Award, and I kept hearing buzz buzz buzz about it, I simply couldn’t get excited to read about races between water horses (whatever that meant) where some people were going to die.

I took horseback riding lessons as a girl and I do understand their appeal and mystique, but I wouldn’t consider myself a horse person in particular. Perhaps that’s because they actually kind of terrify me as an adult. When my daughter went through her own horse phase and took lessons, I hated taking the youngest boy through the stables amidst all the warning signs that went against a small boy’s nature: Do not startle the horses! Do not make loud noises near the horses! Do not come at this horse from that direction or that other horse from the other one! Do not even think about the horses or they will freak and stampede! (I can’t remember the signs verbatim, but it was something along those lines)

Those skittish but powerful animals are gentle little lovies compared to the capall uisce (pronounced CAPple ISHka).

Also, in my experience, horse stories have incredible animal cruelty scenes. I might be scared of them, but I don’t want them tortured or hurt. Well, The Scorpio Races fulfills this expectation. Even though the horses haven’t been innocent throughout the story, there are some seriously vicious crimes against them.

But I finally started reading it. And thought, huh, this is weird. I’d never heard any legends about dangerous blood-thirsty fairy horses and I just couldn’t quite conceptualize these capall uisce. On the island of Thisby, these water horses – even bigger and faster than ordinary horses and hunters besides – climb out of the sea and wreak a little havoc eating dogs and sheep, and people occasionally.

I’m so glad I kept going. I ended up loving it oh so much. This one will haunt me for quite awhile.

A few thoughts:

• The writing is gorgeous and lyrical – almost musical. The tone is spot-on perfect for the story.
• Incredible world building. By the end, I was completely sucked in and believing it completely. It didn’t feel like fantasy at all.
• It’s about so much more than the races or the horses. It’s about survival, economics, complex family relationships and love.
• I’d recommend it to both male and female readers. And, to a wide age range. It’s a great book for smart readers who are ready for a more complex story but don’t want all the YA issue weight.
• The love story is subtle and simple – which makes it entirely appropriate for readers of all ages – they can read as much or as little into the tender moments as personally desired.

The Scorpio Races is told through alternating points of view: Sean, (the male rider who loves the water horses and is the expert jockey and horse man) and Kate, called Puck (the young female racer who will ride her own horse amidst the animals who see her and her horse as bait in a desperate attempt to save her home). Each of them has lost parents to the water horses and each of them has a fierce love for the island of Thisby. Their relationship is built on mutual respect and interests.

At first,  I thought the voices sounded way too similar. I had to count on the chapter heading to let me know who was talking. But eventually I decided this was a brilliant way to show the fact that Sean and Puck are true kindred spirits. Or, quite possibly, Maggie Stiefvater is a Pied Piper so I didn’t care – I was ready to follow her words anywhere.

Sarah Wones Tomp

WRITING ON THE SIDEWALK

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Revealing Character

I don’t know if anyone actually eavesdrops on my critique group when we meet in a crowded restaurant, but they might be confused by the wanderings our conversations take. After all, we can read any sort of genre – realistic, historic, or science fiction. And we cover stories for all ages; we read everything from picture books for the very young to sweet and funny middle grade to hot and steamy YA romance. (We almost always want hotter and steamier, which is interesting to overhear in itself.) Almost always, important questions are raised and discussed. For instance, do aliens need pants? And where does your tail go when you are wearing a space suit?

A point of discussion at our last meeting was underwear.

Underwear reveals character.

Besides the inherent humor of underwear in certain situations, the fact is: Underwear choice makes a difference. Is it chafing? Riding up? Too tight? Too loose? This could change one’s mood, even if no one else sees it.

The first time for wearing a cup is a funny bow-legged sight on the little league baseball field. I loved the time a young player rapped on himself and yelled across the field, “I got my cup on, Mom!”

I’m still thankful for the mother who warned me that my son needed to learn to wear boxers prior to middle school so he wouldn’t have to change in the locker room wearing tighty-whities, a certain social curse. But be sure have a button on the fly of those boxers! I know of at least one boy who wore both the brief that made him feel secure and the boxer that was cool. That’s a lot of laundry…

Teen girls must have the worst underwear peer pressure. Whether it’s at a sleepover, during PE, or changing for a sport – they see what others are wearing, and judgments are made. For the record, it’s my experience (as a mother and Girl Scout leader) that girls feel pressure to go skimpy and lacy, but they are saved by also wearing spankies – the spandex cover-ups worn beneath those short cheer skirts or loose exercise shorts.

Romance novels use sexy lingerie on plain and innocent heroines to hint at secret passion yet to be released.

I still remember cringing for Priscilla when I read about her underwear during a love-making scene in Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins.  “Her bra was rust-stained and more than a size too big.” And, “There was a run in her nylon panties.” But she is saved by, “Neither of them seemed to notice.” Her underwear choice was spot-on realistic for the poor scientist-waitress distracted by much more important issues.

Think about your characters’ underwear. The choice reveals comfort, appearance, intent and expectations as well as financial standing. Even if it’s never mentioned, you’ll know your character that much better.

Sarah Wones Tomp

WRITING ON THE SIDEWALK

 

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Reason to Procrastinate #25- Michele Made Me

I know I should be writing, but I got a little distracted. I found this great website I can’t stop checking out. Michele Made Me is filled with great crafts made from recycled items found around the house. A great example is the basket above, made from old cereal boxes and yarn. This little ornament is made from recycled Christmas cards, but I’m sure it could be made with other recycled cards as well.

These cool photo hearts are made from and old tissue box and a styrofoam meat tray.

If you’re looking for some great craft ideas, with easy to follow instructions, be sure to check out this fun site.

Happy Procrastinating,

Suzanne Santillan

Writing on the Sidewalk

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Glazed Doughnut Cupcakes

I was searching for a recipe for brunch this weekend and found this yummy recipe on the Sweet Peas Kitchen website. I thought I would pass this on to our readers.

Glazed Doughnut Muffins

For the Muffins:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk

For the Glaze:

• 3 tablespoons butter; melted
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar; sifted
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons hot water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line 12 muffin cups with muffin liners or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter, vegetable oil, and sugars till smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time. With the mixer on low speed, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and vanilla until just combined. Stir the flour into the butter mixture alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour and making sure everything is thoroughly combined.
3. Spoon batter into cups, filling the cups, and smooth tops. Divide batter equally among prepared muffin cups. Bake until muffin tops are a pale golden and springy to the touch, 15 to 17 minutes, rotating halfway through baking time. Cool muffins in muffin tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack and cool 10 minutes before glazing.
4. To make the glaze, In a medium bowl mix together the melted butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and water. Whisk until smooth.
5. When muffins have cooled slightly, dip the muffin crown into the glaze and allow the glaze to harden. Once hardened, dip a second time  and allow to harden then serve.

Yields: 12 muffins

Happy Baking,

Suzanne Santillan

Writing on the Sidewalk

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