KIDS SAY (AND CREATE) THE DARNDEST THINGS . . .

One of the joys of my work is the creative response from kids. 

1)  This web site for How to Survive Middle School was created, I assume, by a student:  http://htsms.weebly.com/index.html.  To say I was impressed by the effort would be an understatement.

2)  Found out How to Survive Middle School is on the Battle of the Books list for Chicago Public Schools, grades 4-6.  Love how educators make reading fun with events like Battle of the Books. 

Here are some of the things kids have said about the Battle of the Books in Chicago:

"We all felt so excited that we almost fainted!" 

"All the books I read helped me understand more about the world."

"I came to the U.S. two years ago.  I was a very slow English reader.  Now I can read a book in a day!"

3)  And the extraordinary educator, Deb Tyo from Ohio, sent me this video invitation created entirely by her 6th grade students.

To fully appreciate this short video, you need to know four quick things:

• When I graduated elementary school, the math award I received was a dictionary (that I still use today).
• There is "an unfortunate hula hoop incident" in my book, Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen.
• The upcoming title for my 2014 middle grade novel is Death by Toilet Paper
• To celebrate World Read Aloud Day, an annual event created by LitWorld, I will be one of many authors Skyping into classrooms to read and interact and have some fun.  For a list of authors available to Skype with students on WRAD, check out Kate Messner's blog post.

Now, onto the FUNtastic video, created by Deb Tyo's inventive students:

What do you think?  Should I Skype with these kids on WRAD?  You betcha!  And I think I'd better bring my hula hoop, too.

Young Artist

Thank you . . .

by Sailor, age 9

SHE'S HERE . . .

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY, OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN!

Crystal, rockin' a pair of red sunglasses.

To read Ken Jennings' (Jeopardy! champ) quote about Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen or to get a FREE reader's guide or to challenge yourself with some fun trivia, click HERE, then hit the Olivia Bean tab.

Two years ago, when How to Survive Middle School came out, I was up to my eyeballs in work and dressed like a homeless person when two friends arrived with amazing surprises.  Read about it here.  

This year, I worked like crazy the weeks leading up to today, so I could enjoy the day.  It's not every day your book lands on bookstore shelves across the country!

My talented author friend Maria Padian reminded me yesterday of the brilliant chapter in Anne Lamott's book Bird by Bird, where she talks about publication.  I re-read it last night.  (By the way, Maria's gripping, glorious book JERSEY TOMATOES ARE THE BEST is also celebrating a book birthday today -- the paperback release.  If you haven't read it yet, treat yourself!)

So, what happens when a book is released?

Nothing.

That's right.  Absolutely nothing.  There are no parades, fireworks or marching bands to mark the day.  

Unless . . .

You have the most wonderful friends and family!

Two years ago, this is how I celebrated my book's release.

Today, my dear friend, Sandra, stopped by to deliver these . . .

Sandra owns a local music school, Jupiter Academy of Music.  She's forever doing wonderful things for the community, including creating the Grace Notes Foundation, to provide music education for children who can't afford it.  Love that lady!

Sandra Baran

Later, my friend Holly and I are having a quiet lunch to celebrate my book's birthday and her actual birthday.  Then hubby is taking me and the boys out for a fun dinner.  Can't wait! 

So, I'm going to enjoy my book's birthday for the same reason I enjoy every day -- my wonderful friends and family.  

Thank you!

With love,

Donna (and Olivia)

Update:

And from my wonderful friend, Holly:  Lunch out and these carrot cupcakes with citrus cream cheese frosting and a specially designed Olivia Bean card . . .

When I came home, I found these waiting for me . . .

Thank you, uber-amazing agent, Tina Wexler!  Olivia LOVES her birthday balloons!

I'm having more fun today celebrating Olivia's book birthday than I have celebrating my own birthdays!  Thanks so much for all the cards, gifts, kind words, hugs, emails, etc.  You sure know how to make a girl feel special!

Hubby and sons just took me out to Howley's -- a fun diner in West Palm Beach.

And gave me this Jeopardy! card . . .

What is "Woohoo?"

So, what's the plan for tomorrow? 

Writing.

And our son's winter sports banquet.  Woohoo!

Seeing Stars . . . And a New Cover!

The first e-mail of 2012 from my editor:

Hi Donna,
Here’s a great way to kick off the new year—a starred Kirkus for Olivia!
Congrats,

M

Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen (March 13, 2012) begins it's journey into the world with a starred review from Kirkus, which is exactly how the journey with How to Survive Middle School began.  And that's been a fun ride!


Here's a peek at the Kirkus review, which will appear January 15th:  "This tale will have readers cheering for the resilient, resourceful Olivia."


And here's the brand new cover for Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen that will appear in stores this March:

What do you think?

Here's to star-studded, FUNTASTIC 2012 for each of us!

I'M BACK . . . AND GIVING SOMETHING AWAY!

Hello!  My name is Blog.  And it's so good to be back!

Lots of fun things in store, but first . . .

What might YOU have in common with Alex Trebek, Ken Jennings and, um, my dad?

This . . .

I have TWO advanced reader's copies to give away.  And I want to send them (autographed, of course) to YOU!

All you have to do is tell me IN TWELVE WORDS OR FEWER why you want a copy of OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN.

Most creative comments will be selected on Thursday, September 22nd.  (Please check back to see if your comment was selected.)

The celebrity judges are as follows:

Jazzy Jaz

Tennis Ball Teddy

Benji, aka Butthead

Enter your brief creative comment and maybe you'll have something in common with Alex, Ken and Jack (my dad), who all have copies of OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN!

This contest is not open to residents of the State of Confusion or any of its territories.  Decision of judges is final.  Bribes in the form of kibble will be happily accepted.  Void where fun and silliness are prohibited.