Don't forget tonight: the rgz Circle of Stars is coming home!
Here's a big DANKE to the incredible Marlene Carvell for joining us at readergirlz this month!
For the third Readergirlz contest, writers were asked to choose a photograph of themselves at a turning point in time. They were then to write of that moment in present tense. They were next to take that moment and recast it in past tense. Finally, they were to reflect on what each tense made room for in terms of storytelling.
Our winner is Kiera Ingalls, 17, of Wayne, PA, who did a masterful job of twice telling a wild turkey story and reflecting on what the exercise yielded. We had two runners up: Carly Husick and Lucia Anderson. Kiera wins a signed copy of Nothing but Ghosts, and I replay her entry in full here. Look for the fourth and final readergirlz writing contest tomorrow; the winner of that contest will receive an advanced reading copy of The Heart is Not a Size.
Present Tense:
I follow my brother’s quick steps in the dewy grass to the roaring creek. The slime of salamanders lingers on my small fingers as I rub the bumpy skin of a toad. My brother Roscoe starts to meander towards the woods. Quickly following him I make sure not to drop the fidgety toad that I cusp in my hands. Under the tree cover there is a myriad of vibrant green “monkey brains”. I pick one up and the citrus scent wafts right up to my nose. From the corner of my eye sudden movement catches my attention. I drop the monkey brain as Roscoe dashes after a wild turkey. He lunges at it once only brushing the tail fathers. He sprints up again making another attempt this time acquiring a feather. With another grab the agitated turkey turns around and bites Roscoe. My brother stops, allowing the wild turkey to fade into the distance. I approach my brother and after seeing that he still has all of his fingers we take our time back home. Looking down my brother faintly knocks on the heavy mahogany door. My mother slowly opens the door appearing disgruntled. I gaze up extending my arms in front of me to expose my bumpy finding to mommy. In return she extends her accepting arms to Roscoe and I for a hug, and in relief we leap into them.
Past Tense:
We jumped in the creek looking for slimy squishy creatures and we walked through underpasses beneath major roads. Wandering through the woods my brother, Roscoe, and I discover fox skulls and fragrant Osage Oranges. As we started back to the house Roscoe spotted a wild turkey and decided he would try to catch it. I’m not sure if he intended to have it for dinner, considering he was a very picky eater and would only eat turkey and lettuce sandwiches for some time, or if he wanted to domesticate it as a pet. Nevertheless, he was chasing the poor animal and grabbing at its feathers. I t must have been Roscoe’s second or third attempt to grab at the turkey, so it turned around and bit him. At that moment Roscoe decided it was time to head home. We hesitantly knocked on the front door and our disappointed mother answered. Although she was greeted by two once clean children that were now soaked, covered in mud, infested with ticks and most likely infected with giardia-- presenting fox skulls, toads and Osage Oranges-- she still accepted us with open arms and a smile.
Reflection:
Writing this event in present tense following with past tense revealed to me the humor of the event that was unfathomable at the time it happened. In general this process allows for interpretation of a past situation with the end result presenting intriguing differences. In my story for example the present tense introduces apprehensive characters and the past tense illustrated a couple of fearless pioneers.
Just a note to cheer on our own Lorie Ann, whose board book, BEDTIME KISS FOR LITTLE FISH, was featured in Parents magazine this month as one of the top 20 books of 2009 for kids!
Hooray, Lorie Ann and Little Fish!
René Kirkpatrick has been a bookseller and book buyer, specializing in children's and teen literature, for many years. She has a degree in elementary education and reads widely across all genres. She is currently a buyer at Third Place Books.We're honored to have her here as part of the rgz SALON, a feature where four of the top kidlit experts clue us in to the best YA novels they've read recently. Here's René, reviewing After by Amy Efaw.
Devon Davenport is an exemplary student, a responsible babysitter and an award winning soccer player. How can she not know she's pregnant? When Devon wakes up ill one morning, cramping and puking, she is horrified when she finds herself actually giving birth. Unable to deal with what has happened, she puts the baby in a garbage bag and puts that in the garbage can in the alleyway. Hours later, now home sick from school, she is confronted by the police who have found the package and are sure she is the mother.
After follows Devon's life as she is arrested and put in Remann Hall, a juvenile facility in Tacoma, WA. We are with her as she begins to remember how all of this came to be and as she begins to realize how dire the repercussions will be. Based on real stories from the media, After is one of those books that has will keep you enthralled until the very end. If you liked Wintergirls, by Laurie Halse Anderson, you will like After.
Ages 13 and up. Viking Books. Hardcover, $17.99.
The rgz Circle of Stars is coming home!
The rgz Street Team is a group of teens who bring YA reviews to our blog, led by Postergirl Miss Erin. Find out more.
involved. With Sam's pastoral dad drawn into the mix to comfort the family, Sam ends up getting a lot of alone time. We see lots of inner conflict and self-exploration, but not in a boring way. Sam's thoughts are both revealing and confused at once. She's not afraid to say 'I don't know what I want' when she gets to those moments of unrest without explanation. We don't leave Sam there, though. We see her become true to herself, re-establish some relationships, and finally come to terms with God in her own way.
Also at our table was Poetry Winner Keith Waldrop for Transcendental Studies: A Trilogy. That's the award before him!
René Kirkpatrick has been a bookseller and book buyer, specializing in children's and teen literature, for many years. She has a degree in elementary education and reads widely across all genres. She is currently a buyer at Third Place Books.We're honored to have her here as part of the rgz SALON, a feature where four of the top kidlit experts clue us in to the best YA novels they've read recently. Here's René!
Forest Born, by Shannon Hale, is a great addition to the Books of Bayern series.
It's time! Did you go see New Moon yet? If so, jump into the frenzy at the top of the hour. Watch for prizes awarded by Gypsy Wings and rgz. Welcome to TwilightMOMS! And here we go...
It's tonight, rgz and Twilight Moms! I saw the movie yesterday. Can't wait to dish...
Tenth comment in the chat software, during the chat, wins Gypsy Wings' necklace. My mom is dying for it. :~)
