#sophiaofthebrightredsneakers, #middlegradebooks, #middlegradedetectiveseries, #newyearsevestory, #childrensfriendshipbooks

I wrote a previous blog on Beatrix Potter several months ago. I have incorporated parts of that today, but I wanted to add to it. One of my favorite things to write about is women writers, and particularly children’s and middle-grade authors. What are the various themes of their work? What makes them different and what do they add to the way we view the world? Beatrix, very much a part of her Victorian society (b.1866, d. 1943), grew up isolated from other children. In her up

Sophia and Pedro prepare for the perfect Christmas Eve celebration with Mr. O'D and Henry. Missing are Lionel, Henry's nephew, an NYPD officer, and Pedro's parents, all scheduled for work over the holiday weekend. Go to "A Christmas Eve Suprise" here. #shortstory, #middlegradefiction, #christmasstory, #free, #sophiaofthebrightredsneakers

Louisa May Alcott, (November 29, 1832—March 5, 1888) was an American author of many children's books, in particular Little Women. In the “Twelve Days of Christmas,” the turtledoves and a partridge were given as a gift by a young man to show his love for a young girl. I am using this analogy to describe the gifts of Christmas that Louisa May Alcott gave to the world through her Christmas writings. The first turtledove she gave was living her life as a Christian—one which was d

@writer_susanstoderl, #middlegradedetectivebooks, #childrensfriendshipbooks, #travel, #sanfrancisco, #travelogue, #sophiaofthebrightredsneakers,

I was looking for a quote for the graphic on Ms. Gabaldon's website and found one that looked interesting. However, it didn't make much sense. According to the all-knowing Prof. Wikipedia, Ms. Gabaldon has a bachelor of science degree in zoology, a master of science degree in marine biology, and a PhD in behavioral ecology. Hence, the quote. An unusual education for someone who would end up writing a massive amount of popular fiction. I felt a certain kinship since my educati

Author Susan Stoderl ( @writer_susanstoderl ) is reading an excerpt from Chapter 8 of Mission 1: All in a Day's Work, the first book in her Sophia of the Bright Red Sneakers Series. In this excerpt, Brad Whitewood a.k.a. Brad-the-Block, tries to intimidate Pedro and Sophia, but ends up getting a "Creative Steaming." #middlegradebooks, #storytelling, #girlpower, #middlegradeanimalbooks, #middlegradefriendshipbooks