Albert, Lisa Rondinelli. Lois Lowry: The Giver of Stories and Memories.
Enslow, 2007. $31.93 128p 978-0-7660-2722-0
This book allows the reader an insight into a popular author. Lois Lowry has written many books, including two Newbery winners. Her most popular, The Giver and Number of the Stars, are covered in this book. Lisa Rondinelli Albert has created an easy to read book for young readers that will inform the readers about the life and books of Lois Lowry. The factual details are interestingly presented as well as informative and educational. The inclusion of several lists, where to obtain more information and a glossary/index make this a useful research tool. The inclusion of web sites for youngsters is also important in school classrooms today. The flow and balance of both the text and full color visuals are integrated to present a very stimulating book for both young and reluctant readers.
(cut)
This is a very well written book that will relate well to many young readers. It is recommended as a basic book for any middle or junior high school library. LM
http://tristatereviews.blogspot.com/2008/0
Thank you, TriState Review!
- Mood:
pleased
I've been working on an outline for a new NF project (due May 1st), preparing to do another outline (due August), and just send an interview request in for yet another NF book. This interview, should it be granted, will be amazing...so send vibes! Big, honkin' Lisa-needs-you kind of vibes.
It's good to be back in the loop! I've missed you all!!!
xo Lisa
- Mood:
giddy - Music:I Wish
In my last Nonfiction Monday post, I listed books by authors and publishers of NF who I admire. There are lots of nonfiction books out there that make me go, “Wow, I wish I would’ve written that book.” It’s so nice to see those books and authors get the recognition they deserve!
When Ann Bausum’s, Muckrakers: How Ida Tarbell, Upton Sinclair, and Lincoln Steffens Helped Expose Scandal, Inspire Reform, and Invent Investigative Journalism won the SCBWI Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction, I cheered! This is the 4th award Ann has received for this book. Way to go, Ann! www.annbausum.com
I had the pleasure of attending an SCBWI-Wisconsin Luncheon this weekend and the group cheered for Ann as she passed around her book adorned with four medals. Afterward, several of us talked about going to the SCBWI National Conference in August to cheer her on while she accepts her award in that beautiful ballroom.
I said I wouldn’t go to LA this year for budgetary and other reasons but now, I really want to go again. So...let me do a LA Roll Call...who’s going this year?
-----Also, go check the NF Monday post by
![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
laurasalas
Laura Salas blogs about my first nonfiction book, LOIS LOWRY: THE GIVER OF STORIES AND MEMORIES. Laura compliments my writing and work. She also points out that the cover of a book should sometimes be overlooked. This made me think about American Idol and how the judges sometimes make comments about what a singer may wear or how they appear on stage. Ryan Seacrest will usually chime in and say, “It’s a singing contest...it’s about their voice, not their outfit.” I’m glad Laura was channeling Ryan Seacrest this morning. I'm glad she found my biography of Lois Lowry, enlightening and entertaining.
(not sure why my fonts are wonky...please ignore LJ's issue this morning.)
- Mood: hopeful
It’s my very first Nonfiction Monday post!
I’ve been doing some research on authors, publishers and editors who’ve produced books I admire. I love to research even when that includes researching markets for my work.
A Web site that I find very useful in determining where my nonfiction may fit in is Renaissance Learning
Here, I was able to find out the word counts on several of my favorite biographies. If you’re looking to learn from the pros, these titles should be in your collection to read, study, and read again.
Doing this sort of research allows me to hone in on publishing houses that may be a good match for my projects and determine if I’m on target with my projected word count.
It’s also a great place to go to see if the market is overflowing with a particular topic or not. In my recent visit there, I’ve discovered that the THREE subjects who I plan on writing about are practically nonexistent on this site, and generally underserved in the market overall. Knowing my ideas haven’t been overdone really gives me a boost and gets me excited to research further and start outlining.
Happy NF Monday!
Lisa~
because...
Good luck, Carrie!!
I bought four great seats even though I can't afford them. But this is STEVIE WONDER!! And, it'll be my b-day present. :-)
Anyone planning on coming to the Milwaukee area for Summerfest? If you haven't heard of it, go to www.summerfest.com and check it out. The line up this year is amazing.
So, hubby, teens and I had all decided on the week we'd take to go away and get out of town for vacation. Hubby set it in stone at work. Last week, the Stevie tour announced they'd be HERE! During my week of vacation. It didn't take much pleading since we didn't actually have plans yet, but my family agreed to only go away for half the week so that I could go see Stevie Wonder. I'll be counting the days!!!
"Do Yourself a Favor...... " http://steviewonder.com/ If there is one bio I'd love to write, it'd be Stevie Wonder's. Oh yeah.
For more reasons than one, my favorite Stevie song is "I WIsh." :-)
I feel lucky today!
- Mood:
excited - Music:Stevie Wonder - Talking Book
I've spent the past few days revamping and building my new Web page and so glad it's done (for now!). Check it out and let me know what you think. www.lisaalbert.com
I used GoDaddy, and while I like it and it's easy to use, there's not too many bells and whistles. I look forward to the day when I can have a super cool site that someone else builds for me!
Now, to use the rest of my spring break to finish my revision! (waves to Wise Agent ; ) he he!
xo Lisa
So, I scooped my box out of the snow drift and here's what was inside:
No, that's not me on the cover, Dahlink! It's my second book with Enslow Publisher's and my first book in their Careers in Film and Television series. It'll be officially released May 1st. Yay! I totally love the look and feel of the hardcover. Enslow did a fantastic job matching photos with my text!! Here's a sneak peek of a spread in the section where I profiled Leonardo DiCaprio. Lucky me! 
I'm so excited it's here!! It's got me hankering to do another NF book or two or three.
xo L~
- Mood: ecstatic
It's my first Thankful Thursday post ever! Wheeee!
First, I'm thankful I have such a wonderful, smart and friendly agent. Our phone confab on Tuesday went great. We tossed around ideas and brainstormed a bit about my current YA revisions and I came away feeling inspired and confident. I'm stoked!
I'm thankful for good friends like
lisa_schroeder who offered to give my YA a read and lifted my spirits with compliments!I'm thankful that my fantabulous online crit group has scheduled next week for a Writing Challenge and I'll be able to focus on my MG WIP and be closer to the end.
I'm thankful that the week is almost over and that I have two big things plans for the weekend: Cleaning my office and THE PACKER GAME!!! It's going to be 9 degrees in Green Bay! Ouch!
I'm thankful that my husband understands my crush on Brett Favre. LOL
Go Pack!!
It was so fun to go to the bookstore with a dozen bookmarks that Lisa so generously sent to me and set a few next to her books, faced out on the new arrivals wall.
When I went to the desk to get my order, I chatted with the clerks and gave them bookmarks, too. I told them my friend wrote this and suggested they order more. I love doing that! :)
So, I got home and handed the book to my daughter who had her very own bookmark signed to her. She disappeared while I started supper. 20 minutes later, I called her in to set the table. Her nose was GLUED to the book and she sat at the counter reading. I set the table, I poured the milks, I got the salt and pepper. Here's what she did.
Okay, how cool is it that she just happened to be wearing a shirt with hearts all over it? Never mind the ripped knee. Ha.
After dinner, I cleaned up and she went to finish the book. She came out and was shaking her head. "I loved it and cried at the end," she said. "Wow. It's amazing."
I've bragged about my Teen Reader before but in case you're tuning in late, she's read and critted for several of my published friends and has reviewed for Cobblestone Publishing. She's working on a paying crit job now. This girl knows a good read!
Lisa Schroeder,
lisa_schroeder you're going to have many teen readers in your future and I'm so happy mine was one of the first! She plans on sending you a note tomorrow. :) I'm one lucky writer friend and mom! Order this book, people!
xo L~
Happy New Year, LJ friends!
I’m so ready to buckle again down after having several weeks of minimal productivity. I fell into a bit of a funk for a few weeks because I threw out my back – BAD – and my mushy muscle relaxer induced brain couldn’t string a sentence together.
Right after my back decided that Christmas shopping, decorating a 10ft tree, cleaning, shoveling, shoveling and more shoveling was all it could take, I received revision notes from my Wise Agent.
I’ve now joined the January Revision Club over at ![[info]](http://stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
jbknowles .This will be my second round with my agent and I want to get it right, get it done and get it out there this time.
I’m also pecking away on my new MG WIP. I love it. It’s so fun. I forced myself to write a chapter because it was my turn in my online crit group. I’m so grateful for that turn! I think I’d still be in a funk today had I not made myself write and find my MoJo again. Whew!
It’s good to be out of the funk. Funk sucks. Unless, of course, it’s Funk music, then by all means, bring it on. (We want the funk. Gotta have some funk. Yeow) LOL Have any of you even been in a funk (I want you to take me to Funkytown)? If so, what helped you to get out of it? - I’ve totally dated myself with those old lyrics but those of you who know them are grooving, I know it! J
And guess what people? lisa_schroeder 's book, I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME comes out tomorrow! Yay!
It’s going to be a great year. I can FEEL it.
XO L~
Mon., Dec. 10th - HARD LOVE, by Ellen Wittlinger
Tues., Dec. 11th - CRANK, by Ellen Hopkins
Wed., Dec. 12th - STARGIRL, by Jerry Spinelli
Thurs., Dec. 13th - STORY OF A GIRL, by Sara Zarr (National Book Award nominee)
Fri., Dec. 14th - LOOKING FOR ALASKA, by John Green (Printz Award winner)
Sat., Dec. 15th - TWILIGHT, by Stephenie Meyer
Sun., Dec. 16th - 30 GUYS IN 30 DAYS, by Micol Ostow
Mon., Dec. 17th - TRIPPING TO SOMEWHERE, by Kristopher Reisz
Tues., Dec. 18th - THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN, by Sherman Alexie (National Book Award winner!)
Wed., Dec. 19th - DRAMA! THE FOUR DOROTHYS, by Paul Ruditis
Thurs., Dec. 20th - STUCK IN THE 70's, by D.L. Garfinkle
Fri., Dec. 21st - I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME, by Lisa Schroeder
Go to
lisa_schroederfor more info and good luck![Bad username: ]
My agent sent word that several editors have requested one of my picture books. Cross your fingers for me!! :)
lurban(Lind Urban) and really enjoying it. I highly recommend it! I’m happy to report that I’m making very good progress on my YA revisions. I didn’t think it would be as difficult as it’s been to actually do these revisions but I realized that I was having a hard time letting go of my beginning. I’d already reworked other sections and then today, finally, I dug in and revised my opening. Again. I had tried twice before and ended up ditching those reworked beginnings. This time it feels right to me. I tend to set a mood in my openings and then set down the hammer.
Between spurts of revising, I’ve been fleshing out a new middle grade novel. I’ve got four chapters down and I am loving writing this. It’s hard to stop, but because it's been a (fun!) distraction from revising the YA, I am forcing myself to. I want to get the YA to my agent within a couple of weeks. (don’t laugh! LOL) – Keep in mind I have two teens, a job and am in two critique groups. J
Along with YA revising and fleshing out the MG, I’ve also allowed myself reading time. Over the past few evenings, I read the suspenseful and emotional THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher. I finished it this morning and came away with such a range of emotion from the story. I’m still digesting it and coming to terms with my thoughts. It is thought provoking and intense but at the same time, it’s tender and genuine.
There were moments when I became angry at Hannah, yet I felt for her. Hurt for her. And the same for Clay. I found myself actually talking to/yelling at the book – as though I was watching a movie – and wanted to warn these characters, guide them, stop them, help them. I’ve never had this reaction to a book before. Ever.
At one point, I had to put it down to regroup because it was hard for me to take it all in during one sitting. Its raw emotion and heartfelt narration struck a deep, personal cord with me and all I can say right now is...thank you, Jay Asher.
THIRTEEN REASONS WHY gave me some long overdue tears and a new outlook on a tragic event and loss. I will try to be aware of signs of suicide and I will reach out to the Hannah’s and Skye’s around me. In memory of my brother, and to honor his life, I will try to make a difference in someone else’s.
- Mood: satisfied
Last weekend, I attended the SCBWI Wisconsin retreat in Madison and it was one of the best ever. It’s taken me a few days to regroup and settle back in but I came home pumped.
I was one of the presenters this year – my first time! – and it went really, really well. I gave my workshop titled: Six Tips for Writing Nonfiction: From Idea to Finished Product. I worked the microphone, showed 14 transparencies ans talked about my process, writing queries, proposals, finding markets, research, organizing material, the actual writing, revision, etc.
I had been super nervous for a week prior but once I got up there, I was cool, calm and collected. It was fun and I’m looking forward to presenting again. If you’d like to come speak to your chapter, send me an email at writes4kids@wi.rr.com Here I am celebrating the success of my first gig as an author.
I was reunited with my friend, amazing person and Newbery author,
cynthialordCindy’s talk had the crowd teary-eyed and inspired. I’m going to do some field research based on her ideas of how to get description just right. 
I meet online friend and picture book author, Jill Esbaum
jillsbooks. Jill’s presentation was one of the most original I’ve ever seen. Informative, entertaining and funny! 
Editor, Joy Neaves of Front Street, agent, Rebecca Sherman of Writer’s House, editor, Dianne Hess of Scholastic and Jean Gralley of Books Unbound presented their talks to the group. I came away with notes galore!
These three-day events are jam packed with group sessions, breakout sessions, critiques and after hours socializing. I had a wonderful critique with Joy Neaves. Her comments were right on target and will be very helpful as I flesh out my current WIP. All good stuff!
This was the first year that all the members of my face to face critique group were present. We had so much fun! We officially named our group, The Rolling Pens and adopted a motto: Write On! Peggy Tromblay bought us some nice plastic wine glasses and we signed them and toasted several times.
The Rolling Pens: Peggy Tromblay, me, honorary member, Dori Chaconas, Susa Silvermarie, Jenny Kloss and Denice Martin.
Write On!
- Mood:
creative
- Mood: excited
jenlyn_b) posted this test on her blog and I played along too. I posted the top 22 of 40. 23 and beyond made my eyes glaze over. To get your own results, go to http://www.careercruising.com (username: nycareers; password: landmark) and take their "Career Matchmaker" survey.My results were quite affirming!
1 Critic - Not sure if I'd be comfortable with this.
2 Writer - #2! This is good. I likey. LOL
3 Communications Specialist Okay, I was a telemarketing supervisor many years ago. Does that count?
4 Data Entry Clerk - I do this at my day job and when I'm channeling my characters. Ha.
5 Lawyer - I did consider this as a profession at one point. I repped myself in court once and the judge asked me if I was a lawyer. When I told him no, he said I should be.
6 Civil Litigator - ditto much of the above.
7 Paralegal - ditto the ditto
8 Corporate / Commercial Lawyer - I'm seeing a pattern! The thing is, I love to research and break through red tape. It makes sense to me.
9 Editor - Does a school newspaper count? :-)
10 Comedian - I found this one to be well, funny! My current WIP is very humorous but I don't think I could do stand-up.
11 Print Journalist - Does writing for the CWIM and newspapers count. ;-)
12 Activist - Don't get me started. LOL
13 Historian - I was an antiques dealer for 10 years. I love the research to this day.
14 Corporate Trainer – Nah
15 Judge - Of American Idol, maybe!
16 High School Teacher - I have teens now. I qualify.
17Professor - Of dreams?
18 Criminal Lawyer - One or the other, thank you.
19 Legal Secretary – sigh
20 Researcher - Bring it on!
21 Political Aide - Not so much!
22 Television and Radio Reporter - a fun thought. E! TV on Children's Writers....
I've been back to my school office job for 2 weeks now and settling back into a regular writing schedule. I'm loving it, loving it!
Before the end of summer, I rearranged my office and created a stunning view of my yard. I'm a big bird lover and I can't tell you how nice it is to have my windows usable again. (my blinds were often closed because the sun beat down on me while I was working). On a typical day, I have several hummingbirds feeding inches away from my window, chickadees, gold finches, cardinals, wrens, etc... to keep me company. There is also a Great Blue Heron, a Kingfisher and Northern Flicker but they stay at the edge of the property, down by the creek. I used to keep a list of birds I've identified and can now recognize the song or call before I spot the bird. I feel a bird book coming on one of these days!! :)
For now, though, I'm busy revising my YA, Mercy Lily, for my agent. She sent me a half page of revision suggestions and I think I'll be able to get it back to her by my self-imposed goal of Oct. 1st. I'm also fleshing out a new WIP and have three chapters down so far. I'm going to polish those and send them to Wise agent soon, too. This new book is so much fun to write! I'm looking forward to getting my agent's feedback on it. So far, both of my critique groups have enjoyed it and want more, which is always a good sign.
I'm also gearing up to present my first workshop at the SCBWI Wisconsin Retreat, Oct. 5,6, & 7th. We have a stellar line up and I'm excited and nervous about being part of the faculty!
cynthialord will be here presenting on Theme and doing crits. Yay!! Cindy and I go back as on-line friends and we met in person years ago when my family took a 2-week trip out east. Cindy arranged a picnic at an ocean-side lake and invited other Maine authors to join us.
amanda_marrone , anom3( Mona) , Della Ross Ferreri ( volleypop) , Sarah Brannen ( http://sarahbrannen.yellapalooza.com/ ) , elsbet_vance , Cindy and I spent the day getting to know one another. I will never forget that when I arrived with my family, we stood at the top of a large staircase, scanning the people to find the group. I spotted LISA written in huge letters in the sand with an arrow pointing to my Maine friends! They all stood there waving. We had a great time and I’m looking forward to seeing Cindy soon. It’s good to be busy!
XO Lisa
Barnes & Noble.com
Lois Lowry: The Giver of Stories and Memoriesby Lisa Rondinelli Albert | |||||||||||||||
 |
|
| |||||||||||||
Good news: My excellent agent is sending one of my picture books out to several editors. This is my first submission via my agent and I'm just so tickled. Send good vibes! (and chocolate!)
Fun news: My 15 y/o daughter (known here as Sweet A) was contacted by a well-known and large magazine group and is now one of their book reviewers. How cool is that?! Small pay, free books, complimentary copies and a great addition to her resume. She's done some professional critiquing in the past and now, she's a reviewer.
Interesting news #1: My 16 y/o son (known as Cool J, but for this post he is Lucky Joe) pierced his own earlobe after I'd gone to bed the other night. He's Lucky J because, it wasn't infected when he woke up. It was swollen and sticking out of the side of his head like a big fake, rubber ear and I laughed my butt off. It was laugh or cry and, well... ya gotta know Cool J.
Interesting news #2: My dog loves mint ice-cream. Woof!! I mean loves it!
I miss all of my LA friends! I say we kegger at Candie's house!
XO
Profile
- lisaalbert
- Lisa Albert
- Website
Syndicate
