I've been blessed to be included in a wonderful online critique group. I found them (they found me?) on the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators) boards and generously asked me if I'd join the Creative Café.
Chris, Dee, and Nita, are three wonderfully gifted writers…and incredibly different in their approaches, style, voices, etc. It's a true pleasure reading their work. I can't believe my good fortune in finding them, and see contracts in the near future. It's amazing what you learn from a critique group. I'd strongly encourage any writer, beginning or seasoned, to be part of a group that writes in your genre. But, more than simply professional acquaintances, these three have become my friends. As Perilee said to Hattie, "You are my sister of the heart."
That said, beginning Tuesday, November 27, I'll be posting the first Creative Café thoughts on Kirby Larson's Hattie Big Sky, a 2007 Newbery Honor Book, Junior Library Guild Selection, and School Library Journal Best Book of the Year.
For most of her life, sixteen-year-old Hattie Brooks has been shuttled from one distant relative to another. Tired of being Hattie Here-and-There, she summons the courage to leave Iowa and move all by herself to Vida, Montana, to prove up on her late uncle's homestead claim.
Under the big sky, Hattie braves hard weather, hard times, a cantankerous cow, and her own hopeless hand at the cookstove on her quest to discover the true meaning of home.
Read more about award-winning author, Kirby Larson
Tomorrow: Mary's Thoughts
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5 comments:
Can't wait!
You're the mother of all cockles.
A spritely cockle.
A spirited and nurturing cockle who has taught me much, and whose cockleship I will forever treasure.
;-)
It's out of my system now.
On to Hattie....A great book! I'm glad you're hosting a discussion. I think it will be loads of fun!!!
Er...uh, thanks for the compliment...I think, Church Lady.
You are right about Hattie Big Sky! Great book. I can't wait to read the comments.
Awww Mary! I second what church said!
Thanks so much for your kind words! You're the best!
Dee Word
Okay -
Here's a Hattie Big Sky trivia question!
What did Hattie do about those little friendly cute critters we like to call mice?
a. Round them all up for a quilting bee?
b. Invite them to eat her delicious muffins?
c. Sick the cat on 'em!
Good question, Word. Funny how mice seem to be popping up on this blog!
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