You know, children aren't the only ones who dream dreams. A friend of mine did too, and finally it came true. Her dream was to publish a book for you. So, here it is, The Ballad of Jessie Pearl by Shannon Hitchcock. This beautifully written book illustrates the trials and tribulations of life. The life of a young girl living during the 1920's. She, like all of you has a dream that some day she may go to school, yes school and become a teacher. But like most things, something unexpected happens and her plans are pushed aside to care for her deceased sister's baby, Ky.
Through this poignant story a reader is brought back to the South with powerful episodes, and believable dialect and dialogue.
While reading this novel you may have noticed the author wrote the story in present tense. I contacted Shannon Hitchcock and asked if there was a reason she crafted the story in this manner.
Here's her reply:
Yes, JESSIE is intentionally written in first person, present tense. The reason I chose first person is to draw the reader in closer to the narrator, and the reason I chose present tense is to make Jessie's life and problems feel relevant and immediate rather than set so far in the distant past as not to be relatable to kids today.
That is certainly a good reason. And so is the notion that you, as an evolving young reader use this novel as a point of reference. Not only should you enjoy the storyline for all the character endures within her young life, but to also take notice of this different style of writing.
Reading and writing and writing and reading go hand in hand.
I can tell you this much, after reading the first few chapters, this author's style soon gripped me in a most unexpected fashion. I found myself rereading select sentences to be sure I understood exactly what had occurred because events were unexpected. The Ballad Of Jessie Pearl is listed under historical fiction, and it was inspired by Hitchcock's own family's history. I hope you will take a look, and make this book part of your reading list.
To find out more about Shannon Hitchcock and her first book, click here.
View this beautiful trailer and you too will be captivated.
During the summer of 2010 I discovered a book by first time children's writer, Jacqueline Kelly. She authored The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate which did receive a Newbery Honor Award. I was so engrossed by this book, that I created a summer reading program for it.
Here's a portion of my summer reading series.
One of the reason's I found this book to be especially unique, was the fact that this author interwove facts about Charles Darwin with her storyline. There was a double bonus here; not only did I learn about Calpurnia's life, a character who will steal your heart, but also learned about the survival of species-something Dawin is known for. Kelly brilliantly writes about both, and has an effect of--a hand in glove; it all fits together so well. If you want to read about a character who stands up for herself, then this book is for you.
I so enjoyed Kelly's first book, I couldn't wait to read her second--Return to the Willows. When author Jacqueline Kelly was a child, she fell in love with Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows [a classic book all children should read before they graduate from middle school!] What Kelly did, was to write a sequel to Graham's original novel, hence Return to the Willows was born.
To find out more about Jacqueline Kelly and her recent book, read the article in the New York Times. Besides, I think you'll be impressed to learn she is also a medical doctor--so who says you can't do it all? Click here
My all time favorite children's writer, Karen Cushman, author of The Midwife's Apprentice and Catherine Called Birdy recently released Will Sparrow's Road. I thought this was great because just about all her books center around female protagonists. This is her first book about a boy living during the Middle Ages. If you haven't read any of her works, I strongly suggest you begin with The Midwife's Apprentice. It's a shorter read and it will set the scene for how Cushman does an outstanding job of bringing in the sights and sounds of medieval times-you'll find yourself living in the "somewhere in England in 1599."
Check out Cushman's great website. You'll find out much more about this historical fiction writer.
Be Well.
The Teach.
