Kellee

Doodle Adventures: The Search for the Slimy Space Slubs by Mike Lowery

June 11, 2016May 27, 2016 by Kellee

Doodle Adventures: The Search for the Slimy Space Slugs
Author: Mike Lowery
Illustrator: Mike Lowery and YOU!
Published May 17th, 2016 by Workman Publishing Company

Summary: Draw your way through the story!

Doodle Adventures: The Search for the Slimy Space Slugs! is a lighthearted fantasy where the reader first draws him- or herself into the story, and then continues by following prompts and adding more illustrations and doodles. Set in space, the book invites the reader to join Carl, a duck and member of a super-secret international group of explorers, on a journey in search of a very important grail-like object. The book is sturdy paper over board with beautiful cream paper—perfect for defacing! And by the end, the reader will have co-written a tale to return to again and again, and show off to family and friends.

Kellee’s Review: I cannot wait to see this book completed by students. I think so many kids of all sorts of ages will enjoy this book. It is silly enough for young elementary students, and its plot is interesting enough for middle school students. I love the narrator, Carl, who is a puny and out spoken duck who takes the reader on a journey to the Slug Planet (in 2nd person point of view!). The illustrations are also so well done for what the book is trying to do. They are comic-esque and funny. I truly enjoyed my journey with Carl, but I am really looking forward to watching a kid complete this book in the interactive way that it is made for.

Ricki’s Review: After I review books, I almost always give them away to schools. I couldn’t help but think it would be such a great book for the boys who live next door. They are always adventuring in their backyard, and they will surely be captivated by this book. The narrator Carl (a duck) is highly entertaining, and I couldn’t help but laugh as I read the book. He talks to the reader, and the second-person narrative makes the book particularly funny. The reader will be catapulted into the story because of its interactive nature. Even kids who don’t enjoy drawing will want to put their pens to the pages.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This book promotes creativity, plot development, and humor. There are so many different ways that a teacher could utilize this book, one for each of our recommendations below. First, it could be a class read aloud where the teacher does the drawing based on the class’s votes or students can take turn drawing. It could also be a lit circle/book club book where students complete the book in groups then they can jigsaw into new groups to share their newly created book. Lastly, the book could definitely be an independent read or class read where students draw in their own books and each student will have their own unique book.

Discussion Questions: How does drawing help you interact with the story? Which drawings were particularly fun to draw?; How does the second person narration make this story engaging? What other stories are written in this point of view?; Why might the book be narrated by a duck? What does this do for you, the reader?

Flagged Passages: “I brought you down here because the unthinkable has happened! Someone found our secret HQ, broke in, and stole a PRICELESS artifact from our collection of…priceless artifacts!

I’ll pause here so you can GASP!” (p. 26)

See more at www.mikelowery.com or the author’s Instagram @mikelowerystudio

Read This If You Loved: Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey, Diaper Baby series by Dav Pilkey, Choose Your Own Adventure books, Drawing/Illustrating books

Recommended For:

and

**Thank you to Estelle at Workman Publishing for providing copies for review!**

Boyds Mills Press Nonfiction Picture Books: Fearless Flyer by Heather Lang, Dorothea’s Eyes by Barb Rosenstock, and Fresh Delicious by Irene Latham

May 25, 2016May 25, 2016 by Kellee

Nonfiction Wednesday

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday is hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and was started to help promote the reading of nonfiction texts. Most Wednesdays, we will be participating and will review a nonfiction text (though it may not always be a picture book).
Be sure to visit Kid Lit Frenzy and see what other nonfiction books are shared this week!

Fearless Flyer: Ruth Law and Her Flying Machine
Author: Heather Lang
Illustrator: Raúl Colón
Published March 1st, 2016 by Calkins Creek

Goodreads Summary: On November 19, 1916, at 8:25 a.m., Ruth Law took off on a flight that aviation experts thought was doomed. She set off to fly nonstop from Chicago to New York City. Sitting at the controls of her small bi-plane, exposed to the elements, Law battled fierce winds and numbing cold. When her engine ran out of fuel, she glided for two miles and landed at Hornell, New York. Even though she fell short of her goal, she had broken the existing cross-country distance record. And with her plane refueled, she got back in the air and headed for New York City where crowds waited to greet her. In this well-researched, action-packed picture book, Heather Lang and Raúl Colón recreate a thrilling moment in aviation history. Includes an afterword with archival photographs.

My Thoughts: I love Ruth. She just doesn’t care if anyone tells her she cannot do something. She just goes about it her own way. Law is definitely a woman who should be taught about in schools because she really embodies someone that is not going to let lower expectations for women get in her way of doing exactly what she wants to do. And even next to flying, Law goes against everything that is stereotypical about women because she is also mechanical. (Also, interestingly enough, there is a flying book called Flying Solo which is about another Ruth pilot.) Ruth Law will definitely be added to my “Biographical Picture Books about Strong Women” update post when I do it.

Dorothea’s Eyes
Author: Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: Gérard DuBois
Published March 1st, 2016 by Calkins Creek

Goodreads Summary: After a childhood bout of polio left her with a limp, all Dorothea Lange wanted to do was disappear. But this desire not to be seen helped her learn how to blend into the background and observe others acutely. With a passion for the artistic life, and in spite of her family’s disapproval, Dorothea pursued her dream to become a photographer and focused her lens on the previously unseen victims of the Great Depression. This poetic biography tells the emotional story of Lange’s evolution as one of the founders of documentary photography. It includes a gallery of Lange’s photographs, and an author’s note, timeline, and bibliography.

My Thoughts: Friends and family of mine know that art is dear to me because my father is an art museum director, and photography is especially dear to me because my mom is a photographer. Dorothea Lange’s Migrant Mother is one of the most famous photographs ever taken but not Dorothea Lange herself isn’t often talked about. Her life is fascinating, and I love the messages that she focused on in her artwork. I definitely would love to team this book up with Photos Framed because it is the biography behind the photo.

Fresh Delicious: Poems from the Farmers’ Market
Author: Irene Latham
Illustrator: Mique Moriuchi
Published March 8th, 2016 by Wordsong

Goodreads Summary: In these vivid poems, blueberries are “flavor-filled fireworks,” cucumbers are “a fleet of green submarines in a wicker sea,” lettuce tastes like “butter and pepper and salt,” but sometimes “I crunch into a leaf the very same flavor as rain.” The unexpected, ingenious imagery and enticing artwork in this collection will inspire the imaginations of young readers, and show how poetry can be as fresh and delicious as the farmers’ market produce it celebrates.

My Thoughts: I love poetry anthologies that make poetry accessible yet is still well written, and Fresh Delicious definitely fits this bill. Latham has done a very nice job at making each food’s poems unique and fit the topic. I love that it also brings personality to vegetables. As a mom to a son that doesn’t eat them, maybe seeing them in this light will make him want to try them again. Many of the poems also include figurative elements that can be taught through the poems. such as alliteration in “Blueberries:” flavor-filled fireworks, teeth and tongue, and best thing about blueberries, and similes in “Tomato:” smooth like a balloon and red like a fire truck.

All Recommended For:

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 5/23/16

May 23, 2016May 23, 2016 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!

Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Last Week’s Posts

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Tuesday: Ten Books We Picked Up on a Whim and Enjoyed

Wednesday: Blog Tour, Giveaway, and Review!: Bubonic Panic by Gail Jarrow
Giveaway open until Tuesday! It’s a great nonfiction text!

Thursday: Poptropica: Mystery of the Map by Jack Chabert

Friday: Agent Darcy and Ninja Steve in Tiger Trouble by Grant Goodman

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “Taking the Fear out of Shakespeare” by Stephanie Kate Strohm, Author of The Taming of the Drew

Congratulations to Kimberly G. for winning the Bucky and Stu vs. The Mechanical Man Giveaway!

Last Week’s Journeys

Also, lit circles/book clubs are starting to come to a close in the classroom (some students chose to take 3 weeks and other chose to do 4 weeks), so I have started finishing some of the books I was reading with my students.

My groups reading Flight #116 is Down! by Caroline B. Cooney originally wanted to do it over 4 weeks, but on Wednesday we were talking about the cliffhanger on the end of the page they chose to stop at, and they all decided they wanted to finish before Friday. It is quite a suspenseful and well put together book.

boy who saved

The Boy Who Saved Baseball book always wanted to read it in 3 weeks, and they all finished it in just over 2 because they wanted to know the end so badly. It was much deeper than just a baseball book, and I loved the end. My only complaint was the 3 boys who were reading the book like to read the end of books first (ACK!), so they spoiled stuff for me before I got there.

The Red Kayak group was one of my 3 week groups, and they were very jealous of me rereading other books with groups and not theirs. I did remember the basic premises of their book, but not enough to ask specific questions, so they asked me to read it. I brought it home Wednesday night and devoured it. It was the first time I’ve read it since I was a mom, and it is a whole different point of view!

Undercurrents‘s group is not finishing until this upcoming week, but I couldn’t remember how it ended, and I just couldn’t wait, so I finished reading it on Saturday (as soon as I could!). Willo Davis Roberts really knows how to put together a mystery!

I also was able to squeeze in my two library books, both third books from series that I love!

Finally, because I’ve been reading the lit circle/book club books, I realized I was a bit behind on the books I needed to read for review, so also read the books that I am reviewing this week. You can read about my thoughts of them later this week!

Ricki

I’ve had a busy week, but I was able to read the ARCs of some incredible picture books. All of these books are published by Penguin and will be available in August-September. I recommend all five highly and will be posting a full review of each a bit closer to their publication dates. It will be hard to hold out that long! I’ve listed them below in the order they will be published.

My Friend Maggie by Hannah E. Harrison hit me right to the core. I read it aloud to several family members who were visiting, and they were all in tears. It is a story that includes themes of friendship, strength, and bullying. I’ll be reading this one to my pre-service teachers, for sure.

The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles by Michelle Cuevas is a quiet book that will be lovely to use in classrooms. The teaching possibilities are endless for this text. When I closed the cover, I couldn’t help but sit in solitude for a few minutes. Even my toddler was utterly silent during and after the reading. It leaves much to think about.

Dear Dragon is the second book by Josh Funk that I have read, and I have fallen in love with his writing. He makes learning and reading very accessible to kids. I can imagine the giggles from students as this book is read aloud. Teachers won’t have to think very hard to find ways to integrate this text creatively in the classroom. I am excited for this one to come out!

The Water Princess by Susan Verde is a stunning story set in Africa. It connects with so many books that are taught in classrooms today (e.g. A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park). I would love to read this book to kids to increase their awareness of the world and to connect them to this beautiful story.

I’ve read Shy by Deborah Freedman at least 12 times since I received it two days ago. My son absolutely loves the story. When my husband walked him upstairs to bed, he didn’t even make it to the top of the stairs before he requested his reading choices for the night, “Race car books and Shy, please.” The book features a character who is Shy and who is unable to say hello to a yellow bird. I won’t give anything away, but this is a book that will teach many lessons to readers (and not just the shy ones!).

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee

I still have three lit circle/book club books that I am reading:

I am almost done with Kingdom Keepers, but I am hardly into Heir Apparent and Peak (I have not been keeping up with them–for shame!), but I hope to chug through them this week. After I am done with these, I have no idea what I am going to read! I may jump into John David Anderson’s Ms. Bixby’s Last Day.

And I’m still reading Touching Spirit Bear with my 2nd period.

I’m still currently listening to Grimm’s Fairy Tales from Listening Library, and each story is from a different AMAZING narrator–I’m loving it!

Ricki

Tonight, I am going to start Doodle Adventures. It looks like it will be very entertaining.

I am still loving The Memory of Things. I spent the week working on a manuscript, so I spent my nights writing rather than reading. But I really miss this one and can’t wait to read more.

I am excited to start listening to Grimm’s Fairy Tales from Listening Library!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Ten Books We Feel Differently About After Time Has Passed

Wednesday: Boyds Mills Press Nonfiction Picture Books

Thursday: Dump Truck Duck by Megan E. Bryant

Friday: Doodle Adventures: The Search for Slimy Space Slugs! by Mike Lowery

Sunday: Author Guest Post!

So, what are you reading?

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

and

Agent Darcy and Ninja Steve in Tiger Trouble! by Grant Goodman

May 20, 2016 by Kellee

Agent Darcy and Ninja Steve in Tiger Trouble!
Author: Grant Goodman
Published May 4th, 2015 by CreateSpace/Smashwords

Goodreads Summary: SECRET MISSIONS. SPIN KICKS. SINISTER GHOSTS.

Thirteen year-old Agent Darcy is one of the top students at the Bureau of Sneakery, where there are three rules every agent must follow: never make friends with an outsider, never speak of the Bureau, and never reveal your real name. Lately, Darcy has hit a rough patch: her rival, Agent Serena, keeps outdoing her. If things keep going this way, Darcy is convinced that no one will ever assign her a real mission.

Ninja Steve’s city, Ninjastoria, is the home of sword fights, throwing stars, and Tae Kwon Donuts. Unlike his genius older sister, twelve year-old Steve isn’t the best ninja student. He’d rather be swinging a sword instead of taking notes in class. Steve, however, is about to learn that being a true ninja means far more than being able to use a sword.

When Darcy is sent to Ninjastoria as an exchange student, it will turn both of their lives upside-down and raise all kinds of questions: What do the mecha-moles want? Who is the man in the gray mask? What do ninjas eat for lunch? And why is there a menacing tiger on the cover of this book?

Time to read and find out!

My Review: This book was such a fun read! Goodman had a very easy flow of writing that made the story so smooth and fast-moving. I ended up really liking the story for a few different reasons. First, it was action-packed and kept me reading. Although it was the exposition of what I assume will be a series, it never was slow or boring. Goodman introduced aspects of the plot in clever ways. Second, I love that there is a boy and girl narrator. It is not gender-oriented at all. The book and the cover both are perfect for all types of readers. Aspects of both characters will be easy to relate for all readers. Darcy is competitive and a hard worker. Steve is living in the shadow of a sibling. All gender neutral feelings. Finally, I love the humor in it. Goodman did a great job throwing in zingers and laughs throughout the book to make it just that more entertaining.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This is a book like Alex Rider and Percy Jackson that kids are going to love to read. It will be great for a middle school read aloud and should be accessible to kids.

Discussion Questions: What are the differences between Ninjastoria and the Bureau of Sneakery?; How are the expectations different for the kids who live in each place?; How did Agent Darcy being sent to Ninjastoria propel the action of the story?; Even though Steve wasn’t as genius as his older sister, he has talents that helped them on their journey. How did each character effect the outcome?; How did Darcy and Steve cause the mayhem that ensues in the book?; How is Darcy and Steve’s confrontation with Toran like redemption for their parents?

Flagged Passage: “Steve held his position. Sensei Raheem nodded.

‘On three,’ Sensei Raheem started. ‘One. Two.’

The ground lurched. Steve wobbled. The ground split open. Steve fell. His instinct took over.

On the way down, he sheathed his sword and made sure he was right side-up, ready to deal with the impact. There was a red light coming from below, and Steve braced for landing. He hit the gravel-covered bottom and broke into a roll to the side.

Steve got up and brushed some gravel off his arms. He wished now that he hadn’t worn his short sleeve black ninja shirt. Some rocks had dug deep into his skin.

The air he breathed was thick and smoky. The soft red light came form everywhere and nowhere at once. No matter which direction he moved in, he couldn’t track the source of it.” (Location 753-765 on the Kindle Version)

Read This If You Loved: Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz, Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, Moonshadow series by Simon Higgins

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Shannon Thompson and Grant Goodman for providing a copy for review!**

Review and Teaching Guide!: Poptropica: Mystery of the Map by Jack Chabert

August 21, 2016May 19, 2016 by Kellee

Poptrpica: Mystery of the Map
Author: Jack Chabert
Illustrator: Kory Merritt
Idea: Jeff Kinney
Published March 1st, 2016 by Amulet Books

Goodreads Summary: Based on a concept by Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney comes Poptropica, a brand-new graphic novel adventure series by Jack Chabert and Kory Merritt. In “Mystery of the Map,” Oliver, Mya, and Jorge take a ride in a hot-air balloon, only to crash-land on an unknown island filled with extinct animals and a horde of angry Vikings. Welcome to Poptropica, an uncharted group of islands whose existence is hidden from the rest of the world. As the three friends embark on a perilous search for a way home, they quickly discover the shocking reason they were brought there something that threatens the very existence of Poptropica and their ability to ever make it off the island!

My Review: I love learning about new graphic novels because they are so popular in my classroom, and I think this one will be another one that will be loved by students. Although the Poptropica idea was made by Jeff Kinney, I see it more as a ladder rung for late elementary school/early middle school before students jump to Amulet or Doug TenNapel books. I also know that there are millions of Poptropica users who will love to explore Poptropica through Oliver, Mya, and Jorge’s journey.

Although, I hadn’t played Poptropica when I first heard about the book, as soon as I knew I was getting it, I went onto the website to play, and I loved it! I can see why so many kids/teens like it–it is a role-playing game with adventure, puzzles, and a great story. However, I will say that when I read the book, it would not have mattered if I’d played the game or not. I think that is the beauty of it. It can be an extension of the game, an intro to the game, or an adventure-filled graphic novel separate from the game.

The graphic novel itself is very well done. The graphics are fun and easy to read, the story is a page turner filled with adventure and humor, and it has fun history facts. I look forward to the rest of the series.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation, Discussion Questions, and Flagged Passages:

The teaching guide below that I wrote for Abrams Books includes vocabulary, cross-curricular activities, and cross-curricular discussion questions as well as example passages.

You can also access the teaching guide here.

Read This If You Loved: Bird & Squirrel series by James Burk, Rutabaga series by Eric Colossal, The Great Pet Escape by Victoria Jamieson, Little Robot by Ben Hatke, Salem Hyde series by Frank Cammuso

Recommended For:

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 5/16/16

May 21, 2016May 16, 2016 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

CONGRATULATIONS
Julie M.
for winning a copy of Invisible Fault Lines!

Last Week’s Posts

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Tuesday: Ten Favorite Book Titles

Wednesday: Review and Author Interview!: Camp Rolling Rills series by Stacy Davidowitz

Thursday: Review and Giveaway!: Bucky and Stu vs. the Mikanikal Man by Cornelius Van Wright
Giveaway open until Thursday!

Friday: Rescued by Eliot Schrefer

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “Science Fiction and Science Fact: World-building in The Riven Chronicles” by Amalie Howard

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee

I was able to finish two of the seven books I was reading last week! (Though I added on two more!)

First, I finished Hidden by Helen Frost for my faculty book club last Friday. The beginning of Hidden really just sucks you in like not many books can. There is no tip toeing around, it just jumps right in. I also love how clever Frost was in putting in a secret message within her vignettes.

I also finished listening to Masterminds by Gordon Korman, and I am waiting on the edge of my seat for book 2 to be available at my library; however, I just found out book 3 doesn’t come out until March 2017 which makes me so sad! I cannot tell you much about the book without giving things away, but it is so good that when I told my husband the spoilery premise of the book, he said we should buy the movie rights!

Ricki

I got a little bit crazy this week. Henry and I spent a lot of time in bookstores and libraries (see picture below).

I absolutely love Sherman Alexie’s first picture book, Thunder Boy Jr. I pre-ordered it out of excitement. It’s a darling story about a boy who wants to have a different name from his father. There are a lot of great lessons in this book.

Kobi Yamada’s other picture book (What Would You Do with an Idea?) is one of my favorite picture books, so I was thrilled to see What Do You Do with a Problem? in the bookstore. It is very similar to the first book but the theme is a bit different. I’d love reading this with students. The lesson is just as important as the first book.

I’ve never read Audrey Penn’s The Kissing Hand. Wow! I am so glad I decided to pick up this book. I imagine many of you will comment that you loved this book, too. What a wonderful story that will be very helpful to me when I parent.

Bob the Artist is a cute story by Marion Deuchars. Bob is teased for his skinny legs, so he decides to get creative. I would love to use this book to talk about bullying or to introduce an art unit.

A Fire Truck Named Red was a nice story by Randall de Sève. My son didn’t like how only the beginning and ending pages were in bright colors, and I think the story was a bit old for him. I think we will try this one again in a couple of years.

I enjoyed the illustrations of Jack E Levin and Norma R. Levin’s My Dog Spot. This is a great book for dog lovers, and I think kids will enjoy it. There isn’t a strong message, but you can’t go wrong with a book about dogs!

Whose Story Is This, Anyway? is a fun story by Mike Flaherty. The story includes all of the components that intrigue my son: pirates, kitties, aliens, dinosaurs, knights. You really can’t go wrong! We’ve read this book numerous times, and there always seems to be something new to look at.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee

I am still reading too many books for me! I am proud of myself that I am not getting them confused; however, I am struggling with remembering character names. The up side is that they are all so good!

First, I am reading Touching Spirit Bear with my 2nd period. We just got to a pretty gruesome part which, of course, my students loved!

I am also reading Flight #116 is Down, Boy Who Saved Baseball, Undercurrents, and Kingdom Keepers with book clubs in my other two reading classes. I have read them all, but I realized it’d been too long, so I didn’t feel like I could discuss with them, so I decided to read along with them. I’m following their reading schedule. The other books my students chose to read, but I am not reading because I remember them well enough to discuss are Endangered by Eliot Schrefer, Peak by Roland Smith, Red Kayak by Priscilla Cummings, and Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde.

Lastly, I am still reading Unicorn vs. Goblins though it has been put on the side burner for a bit because I am trying to keep up with the others.

Additionally, I started listening to the new audiobook for Grimm’s Fairy Tales from Listening Library which has narrators like Jim Dale and Katherine Kellgren, and I am liking it even more than when I’ve read them.

Ricki

I am absolutely loving Bubonic Panic by Gail Jarrow, and I will be finishing it by tomorrow. I look forward to sharing it on Wednesday! I have a few other books in the works, but I will share more next week!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Ten Books We Picked Up on a Whim and Enjoyed

Wednesday: Blog Tour, Giveaway, and Review!: Bubonic Panic by Gail Jarrow

Thursday: Poptropica: Mystery of the Map by Jack Chabert

Friday: Agent Darcy and Ninja Steve in Tiger Trouble by Grant Goodman

Sunday: Author Guest Post!

So, what are you reading?

and

Author Guest Post!: “Science Fiction and Science Fact: World-building in The Riven Chronicles” by Amalie Howard

May 15, 2016 by Kellee

“Science Fiction and Science Fact: World-building in The Riven Chronicles”

According to the laws of physics, time travel and inter-dimensional travel are both possible. Having been a science fiction fan for most of my life (Star Wars, Dune, Aliens, and The Fifth Element all grace my top 10 movie list), when I wrote The Riven Chronicles, I knew the world-building and the concept of jumping between universes, had to be complex but relatable, especially for a young adult market. As a fiction writer, any world has to have rules, and those rules have to be consistent or the world falls apart. So step one was definitely research.

I really disliked physics in high school. Disliked is probably an underestimation—I loathed it. During class, I took excessively long bathroom breaks. At home, I agonized over pages of homework I could barely understand. And yet, when I was researching worm holes and parallel universes for The Almost Girl, the first book in my series, I found myself completely fascinated by the laws of physics—a nightmare realm that had instigated far more than its fair share of cold sweats during my teen years. I became sucked into a deliciously dark underworld of sub-quantum mechanics, astrophysics, advanced robotics, nanotechnology, and claytronics.

Building off of Albert Einstein’s space and time theories, physicists throughout history have been hell-bent on reverse engineering the universe and explaining it at its most basic level—discovering the so-called Theory of Everything. Who knew that Hugh Everett’s “Many-Worlds Theory” was an interpretation of quantum mechanics where every possible outcome could happen causing multiple universes (though we wouldn’t be aware of them)? Or that Michio Kaku would come up with String Field Theory demonstrating that gravity could interact between two parallel universes? Or that Stephen Hawking would contend that wormholes exist in a phenomenon called quantum foam? Mind blown. Literally.

Using quantum theory and the microscopic gaps in the universe to allow two distinct points in time and space to connect, I could jump off of Kaku’s string theory, and bolster it with Kip Thorne’s theories of anti-gravitational quantum vacuums to engineer my wormholes, and then tie it into zero-point energy as my “launch” spots to jump between universes (for which I invented the term eversion). Ultimately, I had to take whatever theory I decided to use and make it work for my intended reader. I was looking for complex simplicity—something rooted in the laws of physics, but also accessible to my readers of any strata … meaning making it credible for savvy, erudite sci-fi readers and making it relatable for high-concept teen ones. It was a delicate balance.

Here’s an excerpt from The Almost Girl where I explain this element in my mythology.

A picture forms on the flat-screens in the center of the room. It looks like an hourglass broken up into small squares. “That is a two-dimensional drawing of a traversable wormhole. It’s basically a bridge in space with two different end points. Think of the universe as made up of an infinite number of universes. Some of these universes are coupled by a gravitational field, which means that we can communicate between them.” […] “How it works is a whole other story. We’re talking string theory and sub-quantum mechanics, basically the relationship between space-time, gravity, energy, and matter.”

~ The Almost Girl

As I indicated earlier, I also came up with the concept of “eversion” or “to evert,” which in my mythology means to jump between universes. It’s based on the words trans-inversion (reversal of position) and trans-eversion (turning inside out). I knew I wanted something unique that would work within my framework and wouldn’t be something too generic. I wanted the word to convey an inimitable sense of what it intended—not just something as ordinary as jumping. The word itself had to be a process, one of flipping inside out, and one that conjured thoughts of its own journey.

All in all, writing The Riven Chronicles was an incredible learning experience, especially as it related to science fact and science fiction. I learned that the world of physics is a fascinating one, and that there is so much more to who we are and the universe in which we exist. I learned that something you experience in middle school or high-school could evolve into something extraordinary when approached in a different way—even something as painful as physics (gasp). I learned that science fiction is an awesome space to be in as a writer—it’s a world of infinite possibility with so many opportunities to create. I’m pretty sure that we aren’t the only intelligent life out there, whether that’s in alternate or parallel universes, or in other galaxies. And until that’s proven, for now, I’ll continue to exist in the universes of my own making.

About the Author: Amalie Howard is the award-winning Indie Next author of Alpha Goddess, the Aquarathi series, and the Cruentus Curse series. Her debut novel, Bloodspell, was an Amazon bestseller and a Seventeen Summer Read. Visit her website at www.amaliehoward.com and follow her on Twitter at @AmalieHoward.

FallenPrince_cover

About The Almost Girl: Seventeen-year-old Riven comes from a world parallel to Earth, a world that has been ravaged by a devastating android war. As a Legion General, she is the right hand of Prince Cale, the young Prince of Neospes. In her world, she’s had everything: rank, responsibility, and respect. But when Prince Cale sends her away to rescue his long-lost brother, Caden, who has been spirited to modern day Earth, Riven finds herself in uncharted territory.

Armed with the mindset of a soldier and racing against time to bring Caden home, Riven must learn how to blend in as a girl in a realm that is the opposite of all she’s ever known. Will she be able to find the strength to defy her very nature? Or will she become the monstrous soldier she was designed to be?

About The Fallen Prince: When a new enemy threatens her home, Riven’s only hope may be the man who made her a monster.

Riven has fought for a hard-won peace in her world, and has come to shaky terms with who and what she is—a human with cyborg DNA. Now that the rightful ruler of Neospes has been reinstated, Riven is on the hunt for her father in the Otherworld to bring him to justice for his crimes against her people.

But when she receives an unwelcome visit from two former allies, she knows that trouble is brewing once again in Neospes. The army has been decimated and there are precious few left to fight this mysterious new threat.

To muster a first line of defense, her people need help from the one person Riven loathes most: her father. But what he wants in return is her complete surrender. And now Riven must choose: save Neospes or save herself.

This exciting sequel to The Almost Girl combines science, action, and romance in a compelling, hard-to-put-down package.

Thank you to Amalie for the guest post!

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