The Fairy Journey

This is the title of a story I wrote for the L. A. County Fair. The L. A. County Fair has contests every year for kids. They have art competitions and sewing things. But my favorite of all (well, at least one of my favorites) is the writing contest. The theme for this year is "A Long Time Ago", about the world of fantasy. Of course, that does have medieval times in it, which means anyone can do a story on knights, and princesses. I, though, decided to do my book on fairies, dragons (ok, maybe a dragon), and a King and Queen of the human world. I liked writing the story, and can't wait for next year's competition.

The House of Dies Drear

The House of Dies Drear is a wonderful book. I enjoyed it a lot, and I hope to finish the second book, which I just started. This book was published in 1968. That was a long time ago if you ask me. I think I would like to watch the movie. I didn't know there was one, and I wonder when it came out. I really, truly, think that The House of Dies Drear is a spectacular book. It is mysterious, and full of adventure. This story talks about the Underground Railroad, and the Civil War.

Schools Out!

After a few months of school, school, and more school, it's time for a "time out". The girls have finished their workbooks, and have all their books for next year ready. They are ready to relax and swim. They have a week off of school, then it's time for Summer workbooks! Summer workbooks are easy, so they are ready to go. Summer is awaiting them. They will do the Summer reading program, and earn prizes. After that, everyone has time out! Visiting friends is only part of the fun! The kids will go swimming, and go to the park. This is going to be a great Summer. Many field trips are planned, and it looks like the oldest of us are going to be having lots of contests... What a wonderful Summer. Everyone is glad that school's out.

INVENTIONS & The Irish Immigrant

Inventions and The Irish Immigrant are both new stories I have started writing. Inventions is about a young girl named Caddie. She hates everything girlish, including sewing, unless the sewing is for one of her inventions. Caddie loves to make Inventions, and has just made herself a secret workshop. But when she goes to visit her Uncle Yorks, in the city with her family, she learns that her workshop has been ransacked for her notebooks with the inventions. Suddenly, the whole story comes pouring out to her family, and they all hurry home. Uncle Yorks used to be a policeman, so he comes too. He learns that there is a gang of criminals, which has attempted to get money by doing almost everything, except use someone's else ideas as their own. They had stolen the notebooks and have become world famous for her inventions. Caddie gets back her notebooks, then she becomes world famous. In The Irish Immigrant a young girl named Bridget comes to America. She is Irish. This story, which is actually a play, takes place during the 1600's. I hope that both of these books get published.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Taking place during the 1600's, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, is a delightful story about a young girl named Kit Tyler. Kit is from a place where girls know how to swim. I love to swim, as well as draw and write, so naturally, I knew how she felt when she described swimming in the warm waters of Barbados, which is in the Caribbean. I enjoyed this intriguing story, and kept reading it. I finished it last night, which happens to be the day after, the day I bought it. The lady who wrote The Witch of Blackbird Pond, is a very talented author. I would like to read more stories like this one, in the future.

The Underground Railroad

These thick, small, wide, thin, historical, brain-wrinkling, books about The Underground Railroad, are amazing! I enjoy the tales, and have gotten a bit of inspiration for stories. The Underground Railroad was used during the Civil War. Slaves ran away to stations of The Underground Railroad. Mothers, fathers, and even children have ran away on it.  The end of the destination was a place in Philadelphia, where the slaves were taken care of. The slaves were helped by many people. Harriet Tubman was a slave who had ran away, and helped with the other slaves running away. Some people who were against slavery, did many things. Sojourner Truth was a slave who had changed her name. She talked about slavery, and the cruelty of it all. John Brown was a violent man, who went around burning people's houses. Henry Brown, was called Henry "Box" Brown. He hid himself in a box, then was delivered to Philadelphia. I hope to read more on The Underground Railroad.

The Perilous Road

I enjoyed this thrilling adventure. The Perilous Road is about a young boy named Chris Babson. Chris completely hates the "blue-bellies," or the Union army. His brother has joined up with them, so some people think of the Babson's as rebels to the Confedarates. Chris is angered when his best friend calls him a one of the "blue-bellies." He cuts some of the Union mules loose, but almost is caught. Luckily, a man named Silas, saves Chris. Silas is a mischief maker, and when he helps a few guys burn down the Babson barn, Chris sees him. The next day, Chris goes to see Silas and question him about the barn. Silas pretends to be a spy, who can not work anymore because of suspicion. He says that Chris must be a spy in his place. Chris finds out that there are wagons, Union wagons, that the Confedarate army could destroy. When he realizes that his brother is with the wagons he rushes to find him. The soldiers try to help him, and are kind to Chris. Chris realizes that Union soldiers aren't bad after all. When the Confedarate army attacks, he is sad and wishes he could have warned the Union soldiers. Chris has learned his lesson, in the end. I enjoyed this story a lot.

The Fairy House

The Fairy House is an amazingly fun, silly, series. I have the first book in this series, and have read the other books. I have heard there are more books, and I hope to read them. In the book there is a girl named Katie. She just got a big, plastic house. When she leaves it outside, four fairies come and live in it. They have a mission, and Katie helps through all the books with it. I enjoy Kelly McKain's book. I hope to read her next fairy books.

Caddie Woodlawn

I enjoyed this intriguing story of a tomboy named Caddie Woodlawn. Caddie is the main character (and also my favorite character) in this book. Caddie is a bright, red-headed, mischief making, meddlesome girl, who is raised by her father. He lets her run wild, but her mother insists she be a gentlewoman. Caddie tries to, but with what she's been doing for years, she can't stop. I  wish I could be like Caddie, be able to do more of climbing trees. Maybe I might be able to use a canoe and a raft. I enjoyed this book about Caddie Woodlawn.

Bats at the Library

Once again, thanks to Brian Lies, I was taken through the world of bats. The bats have played all their games and are bored, but when news comes that a window in the library has been left open, all the bats rush to get there. They have fun, from young to old. I enjoyed this book, because I got to find out what bats would do, if they did what humans did.  I wish that I might be able to read the next book very soon. I loved to read this story.  Here is a bit of it:

Another inky evening's here-

the air is cool and calm and clear.

We've feasted, fluttered, swooped, and soared,

and yet... we're still a little bored.

All this sameness leaves as blue

and makes us ache for something new.

Then word spreads quickly from afar:

a window has been left ajar:

                                                           

Can it be true? Oh, can it be?

Yes! Bat Night at the library!

A Good Night for Ghosts

"Mighty Fine," breathed Dipper. "Mighty Fine," echoed Jack. "Mighty fine," said Annie... Jack and Annie go back in time to New Orleans. Jack and Annie meet Louis Armstrong, King of Jazz. Louis, is fourteen years old when they meet him. They call him by his nickname; "Dipper." Dipper doesn't make time for music, as much as he likes it. In fact, it seems as if he doesn't like it at all! Jack and Annie follow Dipper around everywhere. Dipper says they're a bunch of "potato heads." When a storm comes in, Jack, Annie, and Dipper run to the blacksmith's. It is said that the ghost of Jean Lafitte and his crew haunt the place. Dipper's friends are there and they say they have to go somewhere. They scare Jack, Annie, and Dipper into thinking that they are Lafitte and his ghost crew, by making creepy noises. But when the real bunch of pirates come along, it takes a jazz song to get them away from that place. Dipper plays the magic horn and Jack and Annie tap chair legs against full chairs. Dipper's friends sing. The pirates go away singing. Dipper still doesn't think he'll make time for music. When Jack and Annie show him their research book, he says he will. Boy, and he does! I enjoyed this book, because it gave me ideas for my stories. My characters can be shy, silly, or very intelligent. I learned about Dipper's character. It gave me ideas how some characters can be. I really can't wait for the next book to come out!