ISWG: A Wish List for Kindred Spirits

 

When I was growing up, my mom knew I didn’t like jam. But she often hid it in her recipes. But no matter how many times she thought I wouldn’t notice, I could tell.

It reminds me of how, as authors, we need to trust our readers.

We all have a message or a theme we want to impart; the best stories do. But we must be careful, especially with astute readers (and kids are so astute!) that they don’t sniff out the jam (our message) instead of enjoying the fruit.

If I’ve learned anything as a former teacher and homeschooler, kids want two things from their fun reading: to get lost in a book and to laugh. And maybe adults want the same thing too.

Which brings me to what I'd love to see more of in kids' publishing: books that trust young readers enough to simply delight them.

 

If you don’t already know, I am a member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, a wonderful community of authors who share monthly about the winding paths of the creative life. It’s a place to be earnest about our hurdles and celebrate our small victories together.

This month’s question: Is there anything you’d like to see changed, added, and/or rearranged about the book publishing industry?

 

Here is my wish list of the books I’d like to see more of:

 

1.     More boy protagonists that boys can relate to. I love seeing boy protagonists that are integral to the story, make mistakes, are impulsive, yet kind, and you want to bring home with you—or that your son, grandson, or nephew would love to be friends with. 

 

Edmund is the kind of well-rounded boy I love!

 

2.     More humor! Although infusing humor into my writing is something I purposely work on, it has gotten easier as I’ve learned to take myself less seriously. And I know that practically every kid I talk to wants books that are funny. 

A very fun series with my favorite animals

3.      Strong family bonds. Most books for kids have dead or absent parents. I’d love to see more books where kids are still solving their own problems, but with a kind parent or adult guiding them. Think of Mr. Penderwick and how he is always in the background, encouraging and giving wisdom to his girls.

 

One of my favorite literary dads!

 

4.      Hopeful endings. Growing up is hard. I will never forget reading A Summer to Die as a child and worrying that something would happen to my sister. I would love to see more books that celebrate the wonder and beauty of childhood instead of loading kids down with worries they are not ready to carry.

 

A book with hard parts, but a very hopeful ending

 

I probably won’t be able to change the industry or the books placed facing out in bookstores. But I can do one small thing: write the books I love and would love to see in libraries or bookstores. Although my boys are too old for middle grade now, I know I’m not the only parent out there who would love to hand her children a book that will make them laugh, inspire them, and bring them joy.

 

photo from Canva

Notes from the Front Porch

Writers: What inspires the books you write?

Readers: What type of books would you like to see more of?

 

  

If you love Anne and tender, heart-filled stories, you’re always welcome here. Never miss out on future posts by following this blog.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It is no cost to you. Thank you for your support!

MMGM: Finding the Bridge: A Conversation with Becca Wierwille on Gentle Mysteries

 

Do you ever struggle to find books for the reader who is 'in-between'? Perhaps an advanced reader ready for longer stories, but not yet ready for heavy themes? Or a new reader who wants the adventure of a mystery without the intensity?

I remember this struggle with my oldest. Once he graduated from early readers, finding books for him was a challenge. He loved mysteries and facts but wasn't ready for the 'snark' or darkness often found in modern middle grade.

That is why I was excited to discover Becca Wierwille’s new Barnaby and Scout series. It is a beautiful bridge—a mystery series with heart. I loved that our protagonist, Scout, is homeschooled and lives at a summer camp year-round. It felt like a dream childhood, because what kid doesn't wish they could camp all year round?

The book is even better than the PBS show!

 

And then there is Barnaby! He reminded me so much of Martha Speaks, a favorite from my teaching days. He brings a splash of mischief and a lot of fun!

 

1. What was the first little spark that grew into the world of The Scout and Barnaby series? Did it start with a character, a setting, or perhaps a feeling you wanted to capture? 

 

The first spark for the Scout and Barnaby Mysteries came directly from readers and their grown-ups! At homeschool conventions, school visits, and other events, I often ask kids about their favorite types of books—and many of them love mysteries. Some of my readers specifically asked me if I’d ever write a mystery.

At the same time, I had parents and educators who loved my Road Trip Rescue series of faith-filled contemporary adventures for kids 8-12. They were actively searching for more fun stories for their kids with values they could trust. However, their young readers weren’t quite ready for a full-length middle grade novel.

I knew I wanted my next project to be a mystery that helped fill the “gap” I saw between chapter books and middle grade. I wanted the stories to be shorter (about 15,000 words each instead of about 40,000 words) with larger font, more white space, and some illustrations. And I wanted them to be fun whodunit mysteries for kids to enjoy (and try to solve along with the detectives in the stories)!

From there, several elements came together. I love writing books about a girl and her dog, and I’d always wanted to write a book that takes place at a Christian wilderness camp like the one I attended as a camper and worked at as a counselor.

That’s how the Scout and Barnaby Mysteries came to be—funny, heartwarming Christian chapter books for kids 6-10 about a girl and her unusually perceptive dog who team up to solve mysteries at a Christian wilderness camp using her love of big words and his super sniffer!

 

2.  I love how the story grew from listening to your audience's wants and needs.

Max is always on the lookout for kindred spirits with paws! Since dogs are a constant companion in your work, I’d love to know: if your pup, Georgia, were to give a 'bone-rated' review to a story, what kind of tales would she select for a cozy evening by the fire or after a walk in the park?

 

 

Georgia would definitely choose a story with a funny canine protagonist! She’d love to read all of the Phooey Kerflooey chapter books by Kristen Joy Wilks (about another pup who lives at a camp!) and the Collar Cases Mysteries by Amanda Trumpower (because what dog doesn’t dream of being an investigative reporter?).

 

3.  Ooh, those sound like heartwarming reads. Max and I will definitely be adding those to our TBR list!  When you were tucked away writing Barnaby and Scout, did you imagine a specific reader sitting down with this story? What kind of anchor do you hope your readers find within these pages?

 

Yes! I imagined the kids I’d talked with at homeschool conventions and school visits who loved mysteries and stories that made them laugh. But I also hope the Scout and Barnaby Mysteries are more than funny whodunit adventures—and that they also remind kids they are wonderfully created by God on purpose and for a purpose. We can be brave and curious because of God’s love!

4. How interesting that you were inspired at homeschool conventions! In fact, it was so refreshing to see a heroine whose homeschool life was simply the air she breathed, rather than a problem to be solved. How do you feel stories like yours help bring the wide, wonderful world into a child’s own living room, and why is it vital for our 'home-educated' friends to see their own quiet courage reflected in books?

 

Scout, the ten-year-old heroine, lives at a wilderness camp called Blueberry Creek with her family. Her parents started working at this camp two years ago, and at that point, they decided to homeschool Scout and her brothers.

So far, the stories have taken place over the summer, so school hasn’t been “in session.” And yet, we still get to see Scout learning and growing each day. Her education is not limited to a building or a school year. Instead, she learns hands-on as she helps her family run the camp, explores her love of reading and big words, and solves mysteries. One of my favorite examples of this hands-on learning is coming in book 4, which hasn’t yet released, but explores the idea of being an “entrepreneur” as Scout gets the opportunity to help at the camp’s snack shop. This is a unique experience that not every traditional student would get at Scout’s age!

I love how Scout’s lifestyle encourages kids to get outside, to explore, and to be curious in their everyday lives. I also love how it gives home-educated readers the chance to see themselves reflected in a story—rather than just reading about public or private school students all the time!

I can't wait to read it. I'm currently helping my youngest start an online clay business. 

Becca's Bio:

Becca Wierwille is the award-winning author of the Road Trip Rescue series, the Scout and Barnaby Mysteries, and other stories that show kids they are wonderfully created for the unique adventures in their lives. She also cohosts a book podcast for kids, Ice Cream with Authors: Christian Books for Kids 7-13.

Born with only half of her right arm, Becca aims to help others find beauty in what makes them extraordinary. Despite her dreams of sandy beaches and mountain peaks, she loves living in Pennsylvania with her family.

Sign up for her email newsletter to try the Scout and Barnaby Mysteries for free! When you join, you’ll also receive a free family devotional, recommendations for young readers, and other exclusive content.

Max, the Reading Dog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Max’s take (out of a 5 bone scale)

 🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴

Finally, some proper dog representation! Reading Barnaby’s point of view felt like meeting a true kindred spirit on the page. This is my favorite book of the year—five-bones! 

The Front Porch Chat

 

Do you have a 'bridge' reader in your life? What stories have helped them cross the path from chapter books into the wider world of middle grade? I'd love to hear your favorites in the comments.

 

 

Check out other fabulous middle grades at Always in the Middle!  

 

If you love Anne and tender, heart-filled stories, you’re always welcome here. Never miss out on future posts by following this blog.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It is no cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Photo credits: Photo of Becca Wierwille and Georgia courtesy of the author; front porch from Canva, photo of Max by Jenni Enzor; book covers from Amazon.

MMGM: If You Like the Betsy-Tacy Books …

Bear with me as I take a break from my usual highlight of modern, just-published kidlit to travel back to the last century to share a beloved author with you...

I discovered the Betsy-Tacy-Tib series  in elementary school. Like Betsy, I wanted to be a writer and had a friend like Tacy, a girl who loved to play pretend and listen to my stories. She’s still a treasured friend after all these years...and I still love these books.

Betsy-Tacy doesn’t get as much attention as Anne of Green Gables or Laura Ingalls, but she should. Like those books, Lovelace offers a character-rich slice of life in different era. But if like me, you can't get enough of Lovelace, did you know she wrote other children's books--some set in Deep Valley?


Picture Book

The Trees Kneel at Christmas

 

After Grandmother explains why the trees in Lebanon kneel at Christmas, Afify and Hanna hope to witness a similar miracle in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. (synopsis from Amazon)


This is a picture book Christmas story about Lebanese refugees and their traditions, a beautiful book written with Lovelace's wonderful ability to portray children's experiences in thoughtful ways.

Middle Grade

Winona’s Pony Cart

   

Winona Root is almost eight years old. More than anything in the world, she wants a pony for her birthday. She wishes so hard for a pony that she's sure to get one--at least, that's what she tells her friends Betsy, Tacy, and Tib. It's only when the exciting day grows near that Winona begins to wonder: What if her father meant it when he said she couldn't have a pony? (synopsis from Amazon)

This is the most “middle grade” of the extra books about Deep Valley. While I love Winona in the Betsy books, especially how she stands up to Betsy in elementary and is full of fun in high school, I didn’t love her in the Pony Cart. Like a lot of girls, Winona wants a pony, and her parents respond in an interesting way. However, I didn’t like how this story ended. Not my favorite of the “extra” books.

Young Adult (though these might appeal to middle grade readers as well)

Carney’s House Party

 

It is the summer of 1911, Carney Sibley is back home in her beloved town of Deep Valley, Minnesota. She's looking forward to hosting a month-long house party, with guests including her Vassar college roommate Isobel Porteous and old chum Betsy Ray. With lots of the old Crowd and a new friend--wealthy, unkept, but loveable Sam Hutchinson--around, the days are filled with fun. And romance seems to be in the air. But Carney can never be romantic about anyone but Larry Humphreys, her high school sweetheart, who moved to California four years ago. Then Larry returns to Deep Valley and sets the town abuzz. Will Larry purpose? And will Carney say yes? (synopsis from Amazon)

This was the book I expected not to like. A book about a month-long sleepover? But it is so much more than that. I loved the depictions of early days at Vassar (an all-women’s college at the time) and the resolution of the Carney-Larry question. But mostly, I found Carney to be an interesting character. She's one of the smartest of the girls in the “crowd” and attends an exclusive college, even though she just wants to be a housewife. In Lovelace books, girls can like embroidery and be smart. The romance in this book is very sweet and gives an interesting glimpse into dating rituals of those times.


Emily of Deep Valley

 

Emily Webster, an orphan living with her grandfather, is not like the other girls her age in Deep Valley, Minnesota. The gulf between Emily and her classmates widens even more when they graduate from Deep Valley High School in 1912. Emily longs to go off to college with everyone else, but she can't leave her grandfather.

Emily resigns herself to facing a "lost winter," but soon decides to stop feeling sorry for herself. And with a new program of study, a growing interest in the Syrian community, and handsome new teacher at the high school to fill her days, Emily gains more than she ever dreamed... (synopsis from Amazon)


This is probably my favorite extra book, if not my favorite Lovelace book. Emily sacrifices her dreams for her family and is put upon by her insufferable high school friends. But eventually she learns to make the best of staying home from college by reaching out to the Syrian refuges in Deep Valley. It inspires me every time I read it to bloom where I’m planted.  Well worth your time.

Have you read the Betsy-Tacy-Tib books? What is your favorite classic author for children or adults?

(This post contains Amazon affiliate links.  Thank you for your support!)

To check out more Marvelous Middle Grade suggestions, check out Always in the Middle.