Posts

MIDDLE GRADE FICTION: Thought-Watching, Not Clock-Watching

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Middle Grade FictionMIDDLE GRADE FICTION: Thought-watching, not Clock-watching

Middle Grade Fiction is one of my favorite posting headlines because sometimes, your thoughts as middle school students are simply fictional fantasies.  By fiction, I mean when you think about what you CAN’T do more than you think about what you CAN do.

Our MIDDLE GRADE years are filled with so many insecure thoughts about fitting in with the ‘in crowd,’ all we end up doing is wasting time by watching the clock, waiting for it to end.  The activity of watching the clock… Read more

MIDDLE GRADE FICTION: ‘I Got a New Pair of Shoes’

/2 Comments/in , , , /by

middle grade fictionMIDDLE GRADE FICTION: “I Got a New Pair of Shoes”

This middle grade fiction post is about that new pair of shoes you just bought.  I mean, what is it about a new pair of shoes that can make us feel so amazing?   

The minute you lace ‘em up, you feel as if you can run faster and you suddenly forget all about your middle grade fiction fantasies.  

Yes, that cushiony feeling wrapped around your foot even makes you feel taller somehow.  Oh yes, let’s face it…a new pair of shoes can make a person feel down right special.

If a new pair of shoes can make you feel this way, I would like to introduce you to an energy that is ten, twenty, thirty, perhaps one hundred times the power of a new pair of shoes. Read more

MIDDLE GRADE READING: You Are Not Alone

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Middle Grade ReadingMIDDLE GRADE READING: You Are Not Alone

Middle grade reading is perhaps the most important thing a middle school student can do.  This post on the Saltwater Taffy website was written to remind middle school children this very important lesson: You are no different than the classmate sitting next to you.

 

You are no different than the kid who bully’s you.

You are no different than the most popular kid at school.

You are no different than the smartest kid in class. Read more

CREATIVE CHILDREN: Something They Can Learn?

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Creative ChildrenCREATIVE CHILDREN: Something They Can Learn?

Creative children are creative because they are willing to practice being creative.  Some middle school readers have asked me the question, ‘Can I learn how to be creative?’  As the author of Saltwater Taffy, I am going to answer that the best way I know how:

ABSE-TUTTIE-FRUITY

Children can learn how to be creative children.  Do you think painting classes are for creative children who already know how to paint?  Do you think piano lessons are reserved for creative children who already know how to play the piano?  Being creative only means you are willing to PRACTICE at what you desire long enough to become good at it.  Then you will be called, CREATIVE.

Being creative” means nothing more than having the confidence to fail

The only difference between creative children and non-creative children is…

Read more

MIDDLE SCHOOL CONFIDENCE: The Job of a Tween

/0 Comments/in /by

MIDDLE SCHOOL CONFIDENCE: The Job of a Tween

Middle school confidence can be a tricky thing, but having confidence in middle school is essential.  This is the reason I wrote Saltwater Taffy because I had zero confidence in middle school.

You might think I’m crazy, but there is actually a science to feeling good!  As a tween-ager, it is your RESPONSE-ability to feel good about who you are and who you are becoming.  It’s like this;

Your RESPONSE determines your mood

Have you ever received an A on a pop quiz or a final exam?  Have you ever heard someone say something nice about you?  This kind of stuff makes you feel good about being you, right?  I mean, feeling good, well…feels good.  Now, on the opposite side of the coin, what happens when you…

Read more