Part 1 of 6

Hi All,

WOW! Has it been a crazy month!  As you know, I finished the non-Gaia Girls book…first draft, anyway!  I’m back to working on GG-Air Apparent.  Right now there is a ‘09 publication date, can’t say much more than that.

I’m working on some fun things for you!  First, a Holiday Surprise!  I feel bad you all have to wait so long for GG-Air Apparent and I want to give you a treat for being such great fans. You will get your treat December 21st.  Many of you will get an email…but it will be on the blog as well.

Second, I’m working on ‘virtual visits.’ This is video conferencing that would allow me to visit almost any school in the country. If you thought I was too far away to visit you…that will change in ‘09!

Third, I’m working on an internet-based radio program!  In ‘09 you will be able to call in and talk to me and my guests live!  If you are doing somethign to help Gaia…I wanna know about it.  You could be my guest!  Again, more on this as it develops.

As you can see, I’m busy.  But it’s all good-busy and Gaia-friendly busy.  Let me know what YOU’RE up to!

The American Association of University Women is sponsoring Lee to speak at the Steele Memorial Library.  Her topic? “The Journey of an Accidental Author!” 

If you’ve every wanted to know how Lee became a writer, this is a great event to attend.  Copies of her books will be available for sale.

Lee will be speaking to Ms. Parr’s Life Science classes at Cooperstown Central School during the day. 

For the public, she will be at the Cooperstown Village Library from 4-5pm.  Hear her speak, and get your own, signed copy of a Gaia Girls book!

As some of you know, I’ve been working on a different Middle-reader book (non-Gaia Girls)  I’m DONE! With the first draft anyway.  I think it’s a great story.  I wrote it based on someone else’s creative vision and other products they are creating (games etc.) 

I can’t wait to introduce you to it.  I’m going into ‘editing’ mode and then…TADA, back to Gaia Girls!

The Moorchild by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m a sucker for new stories that incorporate old myths! This is an extememly enjoyable read. Saaski is a changling. Half-human and half-fairy folk, she is swapped at birth for a human baby.

The other children are repulsed by her oddness and Saaski doesn’t much care for them either. When she befrieds a goathearder, Tam, she finds an ally. The adventure gets rolling as Saaski slowly remembers her origins and goes back to Folk. I enjoyed the role music has in Saaski discovering her ‘real self.’

A must-read Newberry Honor book


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Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
It was a bit of a letdown after Stargirl. I think I liked wondering what is going on in Stargirl’s mind (the first book) vs. being privy to all her typical teenage insecurities (this book) The diary/letter format struck me as a bit of a cop out as well. Especially when it drifted into lenghty dialog and detail. Nobody journals that way.


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I was just getting ready to write in my journal for a while and it made me wonder if you, dear blogger, journal as well. 

I write almost every day, about three pages longhand. I’m very picky about what pen I use.  I had a favorite brand and now I can’t find it!  So yesterday I bought four different kinds of pens and I’m going to test drive one a day for the next four days.

I started my first journal in fifth grade.  I still have it! I started that notebook in fifth and didn’t get through it until seventh grade.  Its interesting reading.  I now have a huge stack of journals up in the attic. 

My journal is where I complain, whine, worry, and speculate about the future.  That way, when I go to bed, I don’t have to take it all with me!

I haven’t written in a while.  Correction–I haven’t blogged in a while.  I’ve been writing a LOT!  Over 45,000 words to be exact.  I’m about four chapters from the end of the “other book!”  I’m working out the details with the creator to give the fabulously imaginative bloggers I mention before their review copies.  Hang in there, it’s coming. 

It’s a fun story.  I’ve had a good time writing it.  I’m also anxious to get back to Gaia Girls!  Tonight, I will be at the Barnes & Noble in Big Flats for Educator’s Night.  If I haven’t met you yet, stop on by!

l8r, g8r by Lauren Myracle

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I’m still charmed by the format. I was also tickled that a reference to a series of web cartoons were actually real and viewable, (Big Bunny) Call me naive, but I just get uncomfortable with books that have at their center, girls coniving against girls. These girls don’t seem to have much going on besides revenge and boys. There is a lot of talk about college, but no mention of life aspirations.


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