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GETTING BOYS TO READ: Writers, Parents and Teachers, Oh My!

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Saltwater TaffyGETTING BOYS TO READ

Sadly, getting boys to read has been a problem in the past, but now it is an epidemic in our country that we need to address.  In our rapidly changing, dancing with the stars, fast food nation of American culture, boys are falling behind in school for one reason and one reason only.  Getting Boys To Read is difficult.

The official GUYS READ website tells us that the United States Department of Education reading tests over the last 30 years shows us that boys are scoring lower than girls in every age group…every…single…year.  The study also showed that eighth grade boys were 50% more likely to be held back Read more

MIDDLE GRADE FICTION: Phoenix BOYS & GIRLS CLUB

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Middle grade fiction

MIDDLE GRADE FICTION: Phoenix BOYS & GIRLS CLUB

The latest stop on our middle grade fiction stop with Saltwater Taffy finds us at the Boys & Girls Club of Phoenix.

After canvasing the city with Saltwater Taffy for tweens and parents alike, Illustrator R.C. Nason and I ended up at the Jerry Colangelo Boys & Girls Club of Phoenix.  The kids at this club were my toughest audience to date.  I am sure it has something to do with the tough neighborhood they are in, but WOW…it was like pulling teeth for the first 15 minutes of my talk.  But…for those of you who know me, this is precisely the reason I am out here.  To uplift and elevate! Read more

MIDDLE GRADE CHILDREN Are Messengers of Greatness

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Flippity FlappityMIDDLE GRADE CHILDREN Are Messengers of Greatness

Why do I think middle grade children are messengers of greatness?  Well, when I sat down to write the Saltwater Taffy book, I knew I wanted to tell a story of adventure for middle grade readers.  Middle grade children are at an age where they still know what it is like to play, be silly, and dream of a brighter future.  They never worry about what other people think of them.  They simply go about their business and take no prisoners doing so.  They simply PLAY.

If we aren’t careful, however, it can also be an age where they develop bad habits that stick with them for the rest of their lives.  What kind of habits am I talking about?  The habit of… Read more

CHILDREN’S BOOKS: Getting Reviewers Attention

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CHILDREN’S BOOKS: Getting Reviewers Attention

Children's BookThe best way to get the attention of a children’s book reviewer is to BE DIFFERENT.  No matter what you do or where you go, someone is going to tell you that what you’re doing is not only hard, but impossible.

When you hear this, you must begin to KNOW that you are on the right track.  This is what is called BLAZING A TRAIL.  To be a trail blazer who wants to write children’s books, you have to…

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