tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6700157797754383402024-03-05T10:09:24.503-08:00Read And Write 4 KidsWelcome to Read And Write 4 Kids, I'm glad you have visited! This blog features children's, "light", literature. Books featured here will not be those where the themes relate to vampires, mysticism, occult, or other dark subjects. I also like to discuss other kid's issues that are pertinent to reading, writing and quality learning.Deborah Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979443213331560405noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670015779775438340.post-54851082885780101542018-02-12T19:55:00.000-08:002018-10-08T19:55:23.755-07:00SeekersSeekers <br />
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All too often we find ourselves in difficult places where we feel lost. It is not God’s desire for us to be without direction. A characteristic that God desires for us is to become disciplined seekers. The world we live in is an instant world where anything you need can be found in moments. The internet is full of information that is quickly accessible. Much of the quick information we hope to find on the web lends itself to instant gratification and answers. The Word gives us answers that last a lifetime and hope that endures for more than a moment. God never changes and He does not shift His stance on issues. Therefore, the Bible is the place we can go for unchanging information that makes us wise and disciplined. <br /><br />Know that God’s desire for us is to become seekers. Unlike the world’s view of God, He is not an unkind Father who wants to insist on harsh commands and unreasonable requests. The seeking process will create a learner’s heart within us and while we wait for answers, patience is perfected. God is transforming us through the process of seeking and waiting. We are beautiful children who are becoming disciplined, patient and full of wisdom and strength. God does not want His children to be frightened cry-babies; He develops WARRIORS!<br /><br />Questions For You:<br /><br />In the last six months what have you gone through that has made you a seeker of direction?<br />What character trait do you feel God is developing within you?<br /><br /><br />We are co-missioned to go into the world and be difference makers. Jesus was just that, One who changed the world. As you learn to seek directions for your life, and subsequently find answers, then God will widen your search field to help those around you. Discipline yourself to spend time in the Word everyday and look for answers and knowledge that can help you, your family, and others.Deborah Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979443213331560405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670015779775438340.post-66144636140742406652018-01-16T20:39:00.000-08:002018-10-01T20:54:45.224-07:00Changing the Diet of our SpeechChanging the Diet of our Speech<br />
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Can you imagine eating manna for forty years? I don’t imagine the Hebrew people who wandered the wilderness for forty years had recipes for Honey Coriander Manna. Eating is a pleasure that we take for granted, imagine how figs must have tasted once the Israelites arrived in the Promised Land. What was God trying to teach the Israelites by feeding them only manna and quail? <br /><br />Perhaps the entire lesson that God wanted them to learn was that of thankfulness. It is human nature, unfortunately, is to find reasons to complain. Because our sinful nature is to find problems, complaints, offenses and negativity we often fail to look at our lives through the lenses of thankfulness. There will always be a problem to complain or worry about. In the midst of the problem however, there is a provision. God wants us to allow our spiritual man to grow bigger and stronger than our emotions, thoughts, and feelings. Thankfulness is innate to our spirits. Finding God’s provisions and blessings will overtake our human inclination to grumble and complain. <br /><br />God tells us in His word that every word we speak is written in our books, the stories of our lives, (Revelations 20:12). What a beautiful book He would write if our thoughts, deeds and words were full of thankfulness, grace and blessing. Bless yourself, your children, and your spouse. Connect with the Holy Spirit who dwells within you...what a difference you will see as you call forth greatness in their lives and in your life. Be thankful always!<br />
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Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18<br />
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Deborah Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979443213331560405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670015779775438340.post-71244867199304216892018-01-02T20:11:00.000-08:002018-10-01T20:39:06.258-07:00Serving Your FamilyServing <br />
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One of the major differences between slavery and freedom is free choice, which is completely unheard of in a slave’s life. God does not intend for His children to live in slavery. Even in the Old Testament God was greatly displeased with the bondage that the Hebrews, were under. He wants believers to exercise their free choice. The Israelites worked under harsh conditions while they lived in Egypt. Once they left Egypt God asked that they<i> serve</i> Him. Slaves became servants, and believe it or not, there is quite a difference between the two roles. <br /><br />God wants us to evolve in relationship with Him. He wants us to understand that we were once a slave to sin, then a servant of Christ, (Romans 1:1), then a friend of God, (John 15:15). God still wants us to serve Him by doing His work among our families and society, but He also wants us to know His heart and share in His secrets, like that of a friend. <br /><br />Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24<br /><br />I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. <br />
John 15:15<br /><br /><br />Colossians 3:23, does not say, <i>because</i> you work you will receive the inheritance, it states, <i>knowing</i> that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance. What are the terms of inheritance in this scripture?<br /><br />It might be said that you wear different hats as you walk with the Lord. You will serve Him, but Jesus also wants you positioned with Him as His friend. We serve those we love. Consider the role of parenthood and how as parents you serve your families. You bless the Lord as you serve but you also set an example to your children as you serve them and provide guidance, love and encouragement. You are given the privilege to <i>choose</i> serving your family. Ask your children what <i>they</i> see when you serve them. What are the services you commit to participate in as the friend of Christ and a child of God? Deborah Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979443213331560405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670015779775438340.post-87532002249137858812017-12-22T19:36:00.000-08:002018-10-08T19:37:31.943-07:00Considering the Benefits of the Manger<br />
Considering The Benefits of the Manger <br />
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Jesus’ debut on earth began simply. The Bible never references his birth occurring in a barn <br />but what it does say is that Jesus was laid in a manger, which would have been an animals <br />food crib. It is entirely possible that Mary and Joseph were staying with relatives but <br />because of the census all of Joseph’s family homes may have been fully occupied. The<br />young couple could have stayed outside the home of a family member in an attached room <br />that was used for animals. The suggestion that Jesus was born in a barn is likely Westernized story- lore passed down through story telling. What scripture does tell us is that Jesus was wrapped in rags, placed in an animal’s food crib and visited by angels, shepherds and magi. <br /><br />In 2 Corinthians 8:9, scripture says that, “through the grace of Jesus He was once rich but became poor for your sake so that you through His poverty could become rich”. The riches He abandoned were the riches of glory and grace. He who was once rich in grace became poor and unfavored for our sake so that through His unfavorable position He could impart His grace to us. Jesus came to earth to leave deposits from God for humanity. The only requirement for us is to accept all the goodness and riches that God sent through Jesus. Breaking agreements with the enemy and strong-holds in our lives allows us to understand how God sees His children and not how the enemy wants us to see ourselves. We are greatly loved and His favor has been passed on to us. The simple manger was the beginning of our abundant life.<br /><br />Questions for you:<br /><br />What are the lies that the enemy wants you to believe about yourself? <br />Ask the Holy Spirit to speak God’s truth into your heart about who you really are.<br />
God’s Word validates the truth of who you are in Christ.<br /><br /><br />There is so much that God wants for you! The riches of His grace and goodness are free for you. Be careful not to interpret God’s discipline as anger. He loves those He disciplines. He knows your potential and has great purpose for you. Let the Holy Spirit lead you into all truth.Deborah Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979443213331560405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670015779775438340.post-45403362546274697042012-05-19T06:59:00.000-07:002012-05-19T07:07:22.215-07:00Read The Reviews!<br />
I've been privileged to be featured on some great book blogs in the last two months, (still more to come). It's not just having these great folks read my book, what I most appreciate is building relationships with them. Over a lifetime we stand behind thousands of people in the grocery store line and only exchange a, "hello", or "what cute children you have", but seldom build friendships that last with these people. Conversely, my fellow book bloggers live thousands of miles away, and I'm fairly certain I'll never stand behind any of them in a grocery store line, yet I feel akin to them. Relationships are intentional and the best of them are nurtured, please know dear blogger friends that I will continue to follow your blogs and leave comments as often as I can. You are great people who commit yourselves to helping others, and as Sue Morris of, Kids Lit Reviews, points out, practices random acts of kindness. Please know you are deeply appreciated and greatly valued. As Oli and Geepa would say in the midst of their Fourth of July Feeling, "Blessings To You"!!<br />
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Here are some excerpts from the, <i>Oli's Uncommon Cents</i>, reviews:<br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/JqSfgC" target="_blank">Home Maid Simple</a><br />
I truly enjoyed this book. It is written for middle
grade readers with a simple writing style, and a great lesson to be
learned. I love the thought provoking questions this book raised. Just
what kind of value do we put on things. Although money all has a
specific value what kind of worth should we place on money? Is it more
important than our relationships? Do we give more worth and value to
our money, and forget about those people in our lives who should be
cared for and loved more than money? I think this book should be one to
find it's way into every middle school!<br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/KtEF8d" target="_blank">One Desert Rose</a><br />
At first I was more fascinated by the fantasy aspect of the novel. But
it is so much deeper than first realized. There are so many virtues
that children can learn and practice by reading this novel. Some of
which include trust, honesty, obedience, the value of money, not judging
others by appearance, helping the homeless, choosing wisely,
self-worth, and personal value. What a treasure trove!<br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/JpUyPb" target="_blank">Living Better One Day at a Time</a><br />
I read this book during a few of my feeding times with Benjamin (my
newborn). This book caught my interest in that the story line sort of
reminded me of the book <i>Indian in the Cupboard</i>, which was one
of my favorite stories as a child. I must say that I was very impressed
with Allen's style of writing and the content of this book. I felt that
the story line was believable and that I really felt for the cents and
how they were living. I love that the message of the book was about the
value and worth of ALL things in life and in all LIFE in life! I will be
adding this book to our home library to share with my daughter and sons
as they grow up.<br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/JnpMct" target="_blank">Kids Lit Reviews</a><br />
<i><b><span style="color: maroon;">Oli’s Uncommon Cents</span></b></i>
is enjoyable cover to cover. It is short enough to read in one or two
readings, yet long enough to tell a most engrossing story. I would not
pass this one up. Middle grade teachers can find many wonderful lessons
inside of <span style="color: maroon;"><i><b>Oli’s Uncommon Cents</b></i></span>.
Some of those lessons could cover self-esteem, respect, generational
differences, family relationships, divorce, and loyalty to name a few. I
think the kids would simply enjoy the story, the humor, and the,
sometimes, crazy characters.Deborah Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979443213331560405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670015779775438340.post-14856937608617749382012-04-26T09:04:00.000-07:002012-04-27T06:09:10.319-07:00Book Blog Tour and May FREE-BEE Month<a href="http://jenheadjen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"></a>Join me on the, Oli Book Blog Tour!<br />
<span id="goog_1285164068"></span><span id="goog_1285164069"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><br />
Here is our schedule:<br />
April 20th <a href="http://bit.ly/JpUyPb" target="_blank">Living Better One Day At A Time</a><br />
April 26th <a href="http://jenheadjen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">JenheadJen</a><br />
April 30th <a href="http://homemaidsimple.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Home Maid Simple</a><br />
May 1st <a href="http://onedesertrose.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">One Desert Rose</a><br />
May 7th <a href="http://www.mum-writes.com/" target="_blank">Mumwrites</a><br />
May 8th <a href="http://klearsreviews.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jagged Edge Reviews</a><br />
May 9th <a href="http://kid-lit-reviews.com/" target="_blank">kid-lit-reviews</a><br />
May 11th My Author Interview <a href="http://kid-lit-reviews.com/" target="_blank">kid-lit-reviews</a><br />
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The month of May will be FREE-BEE month. Each week I will give away something that you AND your kiddos will enjoy. <br />
Contest Rules:<br />
Every comment posted on my blog earns you a ticket in the drawing, you comment 10 times, you earn 10 tickets, it's that simple. At 3:00 every Friday I will draw the winner and post your name on my blog.<br />
Here are the FREE-BEES:<br />
Week 1 $20.00 Gift Certificate to Pizza Hut and a free book, Oli's Uncommon Cents!<br />
Week 2 $20.00 Gift Certificate to Amazon.com and a free book, Oli's Uncommon Cents!<br />
Week 3 $20.00 Gift Certificate to Toys R Us and a free book, Oli's Uncommon Cents!<br />
Week 4 $20.00 Gift Certificate to Dairy Queen and a free book, Oli's Uncommon Cents!<br />
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<br /></div>Deborah Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979443213331560405noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670015779775438340.post-89616082696923951612012-04-25T12:23:00.001-07:002012-04-25T21:18:04.795-07:006.01 Summer Reading Program<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bKJPpkreQwr7vA_tgkc7-9ighii1sEyGz_2HrCaRMd7w6RLeIOagKeRY6c3Y1eGyEpxEJdZLUb5DP9qJH2LE2RhNbMVOrenowij0RbuEcB3SYTCLHbt56bJyQOnQebcEnV1Vqg4HAu0/s1600/reading+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bKJPpkreQwr7vA_tgkc7-9ighii1sEyGz_2HrCaRMd7w6RLeIOagKeRY6c3Y1eGyEpxEJdZLUb5DP9qJH2LE2RhNbMVOrenowij0RbuEcB3SYTCLHbt56bJyQOnQebcEnV1Vqg4HAu0/s200/reading+1.png" width="146" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4WadzZlsSyStIR4gkq-nEF-SlxieWLVOAZeSyGNi7_Lu4quR1ZiQ8alMlIu0eacrKi6kjM4TgaimjeBiPmQoayygBsdOfANw5gObMymfg6mR5hQpYD7ZI2sJ8w7wP67JqBk3_pnFh8Y/s1600/reading+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4WadzZlsSyStIR4gkq-nEF-SlxieWLVOAZeSyGNi7_Lu4quR1ZiQ8alMlIu0eacrKi6kjM4TgaimjeBiPmQoayygBsdOfANw5gObMymfg6mR5hQpYD7ZI2sJ8w7wP67JqBk3_pnFh8Y/s200/reading+2.png" width="105" /></a>Anyone interested in joining with me to sponsor a kids summer reading program, if so please comment here.<br />
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What I purpose is that children's authors join together to offer a summer reading program for kids, ages K-12. We could each provide a list of participating authors on our blogs and offer our books to kids, starting June 1st -June 10th and sell them for $6.01 each, including shipping, (within the U.S.).<br />
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If enough of us participated in the program we could offer a wide selection of books to children. To make it special we could sign the books we sell. No author participation fees would be necessary if we each managed our own sales and promoted the program on our social media sites. <br />
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We could keep kids reading, and even better, we could help them become acquainted with us, as authors, by visiting our blogs or websites. Wouldn't it be great if we could inspire a young reader to become a young writer!Deborah Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979443213331560405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670015779775438340.post-58801794618114537812012-04-07T11:27:00.000-07:002012-04-25T11:29:15.595-07:00Fun Salt CandleMoms!!!! With summer on the way I want to give you a few fun, (and super easy), crafts that you can do with your kiddos. Here is great project that requires nothing more than salt, paraffin wax or old candle, food coloring, a glass jar and a candle wick.<br />
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Using food coloring, color as many different shades and colors of salt as desired. Layer the different colors by spooning a few spoonfuls of colored salt at a time until you reach the desired depth. Force a candle wick, long enough to reach the top of your jar, into the center of your candle. Using a bamboo or metal shish-kabob stick, poke channels down the outside of the bottle, forcing the last color you layered into the channels. The candle in the picture is supposed to look like fire. My yellow layer was a less intense color and the black bled into the yellow. If you don't want colors to bleed then use similar colors. Once you have completed all the sand design then melt paraffin in a coffee can over a burner, (I placed my can in boiling water until the wax was melted). You can also melt an old candle instead of the wax, this will give you color and perhaps fragrance if you use a scented candle. The wax seals the salt in place, once it has dried.<br />
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You can really use your imagination with this project. I discussed with the kids the properties of salt...will salt burn? Deborah Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979443213331560405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670015779775438340.post-12416876381022064332012-03-31T14:18:00.000-07:002012-04-24T14:20:17.336-07:00Masterpiece<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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4 Hoo-Rahs!<br />
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Masterpiece is a sweet book with a lot of cute illustrations. The story line is interesting but slow. Being an ADD personality, the books I read have to be fast movers or I'm likely to put them down and not soon return. This book actually took me 3 months to read. It wasn't that the story didn't interest me, it's just that it took a long time to get into the plot.<br />
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If you and your children are art lovers this book is perfect for you. Marvin, the beetle, is an exquisite artist who's talents are undiscovered until James enters the picture. James is a young boy living in New York City, his parents are affluent and his mother borderlines snobbish. James, his father and Marvin visit an art gallery where Marvin's artistic talents, (in disguise as Jame's talents) are used in an undercover scheme to discover stolen art. The antics are funny, conversations are great but the plot moves a little too slowly for me.<br />
Overall, it's a fun book, but probably not one I would read again.<br />
<br />Deborah Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979443213331560405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670015779775438340.post-12464281586678406682012-03-24T16:52:00.000-07:002012-04-16T16:54:10.144-07:00Number 4 of the Top 10 ListThe, Top Ten, list of children's current issues are as follows:<br />
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10.Violence through Indoctrination<br />
9.Poverty<br />
8.Life as Refugees<br />
7.Lack of Access to Education<br />
6.Child Neglect<br />
5.Child Labor<br />
4.Child Prostitution<br />
3.Internet Child Pornography<br />
2.Trafficking and Slavery<br />
1.Military Use of Children<br />
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Child prostitution is becoming more prevalent in the United States. Although we would like to think America is above such disgust, we are not. In fact, the problem grows, exponentially. There are things we can do as citizens to stop this horrible abuse to our young people. Below is a link to a You Tube video that gives some excellent information about our vigilance to the issue.<br />
I apologize for the profanity in the first few moments of the video, I wish the creators of the video would have bleeped it out. <br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDalZHqJjWo" target="_blank">You Tube - Child Prostitution</a><br />
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Another great institution making a difference:<br />
<br />http://www.ijm.org/<br />
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<br />Deborah Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979443213331560405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670015779775438340.post-12768986553972418622012-03-10T16:02:00.000-08:002012-04-18T14:18:51.211-07:00Star Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Rating: 5 Hoo-Rahs <br />
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In case you can't see in the picture, the dog-eared corners and edges show how much I love this book!! <br />
Jerry Spinelli completely outdid himself on this one. Even though its copyright date is 2000, this book should not be passed over. The subject matter is appropriate for 10 year olds, even though it is written in a high school students voice. This story is all about peer pressure. The amazing message that laces its way throughout this book is, individuality. Stargirl is beautifully eccentric, as her name suggests. She appears at Mica High School as a new student, a unique new student. Someone forgets to give her the fashion memo, and even if they had, she'd have tossed it. Stargirl lives HER life HER way. Leo finds her unique qualities mesmerizing. He is completely smitten.<br />
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What I love about this book is how confounded Mica High students become in the presence of someone who dares to be different. Her strength of character is motivating, and the world she lives in is enchanting. I wish every 10 year old would read this book, that is, before they enter mid-high school. If one out of every 10 young readers felt prompted to live their life following their dream, rather than the crowd, then high school would look quite different. Which, as I think about it, adult readers might change the way they lived too.<br />
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I don't want to give too much of the story away, I hope I piqued your curiosity ;-)Deborah Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979443213331560405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670015779775438340.post-67915869097114197042012-02-11T13:51:00.000-08:002012-04-06T14:19:33.452-07:00Do Kids Get It?How many books have been written for the adult audience about the stock market crash, the banking heist of the 2000's, and the mortgage crisis? To name a few, (and only a few of the 116): The Great Contraction, The Sub-prime Solution, The Case For Big Government, and Reckless Endangerment. The American adult population gets it, even if we don't like it. But, what about the typical American kid? How much do they understand? The history of events leading up to these misfortunes are not necessarily the focus, but the character flaws are, and that is what our young people should understand. <br />
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Greed got us here! Plain and simple, don't have, wanna get... Just because we believe history repeats itself does that mean it has to? For some of us, our parents survived the Depression, leaving a mark on us. Present day parents will survive the mortgage crisis, but in doing so, a mark will be left on their children. Let's not sweep it under the rug. Our kids deserve to know that the reason mom and dad lost their homes was not because the banks made unwise loans, it was because greed was allowed to overshadow good judgement.<br />
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Oli's Uncommon Cents takes greed to task. What if money could talk? What would it hear, and for that matter, what would it say? Here is a great book that cracks open the door to greed and helps children take a peek in. In this fantasy fiction money does talk, and contrary to some belief, it thinks more clearly than the humans who carry it around.<br />
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Let's help our young people make a different mistake, because they
will. We need to be responsible stewards of our mistakes and allow our
kids to know the truth, ugly as it may be. Why not let them meet greed, face to face.<br />
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<a href="http://amzn.to/Hiv0ie" target="_blank">Oli's Uncommon Cents</a>Deborah Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979443213331560405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670015779775438340.post-91729963396799023002012-01-28T13:46:00.000-08:002012-04-06T13:47:08.840-07:00Publishers Weekly Features Self Publishers<br />
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Recently on, Publishers Weekly.com, an article was
written about children's self published books thriving in the mainstream. How refreshing to see authors and
their books recognized for excellence even though they were not considered by
the big publishing houses. </div>
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With a trend
swinging towards self publishing, at least for first time authors, this
featured article was a breath of fresh air.
If writers could only have a reality show like, The Voice, or America’s
Got Talent, we might see many self published authors become the stars that they
deserve to be. </div>
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<a href="http://bit.ly/fkv7Qa" target="_blank">Publishers Weekly</a> </div>Deborah Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979443213331560405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670015779775438340.post-47558118391755796092012-01-14T16:17:00.000-08:002012-04-25T12:01:39.178-07:00Writing for Middle GradersI was curious about the difference in middle grade readers and young adult readers. Where is the cut-off, and what enthuses MG that bores YA readers. As best I can tell it's puberty... :)<br />
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MG checklist: Authentic characters, powerful verbs, lots of dialogue, lively plots, a bread crumb trail leading to the mystery, and hooks that keep readers hanging chapter to chapter; (there's a tasty menu that will attract nearly anyone), are the basic elements that captivate tweeners. While burying my head in plenty of middle grade books I've detected what might be the difference between MG and YA, taa daa... the presence of humor. I'm not the guru of middle graders but I have detected their keen interest in a good laugh. So... here's my hypothesis...since puberty is a high-drama event in a child's life I'm guessing their hormones are screaming, "grow up", hence, the absence of humor. <br />
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This should be a, 'note-to-self', we adults have maneuvered the puberty phase so let's get back to our youth and laugh more. Someone out there who writes grown-up books, please consider using the MG criteria in your next novel.<br />
Thanks!!Deborah Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14979443213331560405noreply@blogger.com0