Poetry Friday: Two to Sixteen

Two to Sixteen

Furiously, you
worked to capture an image.
I still watch in awe.

Lorie Ann Grover, 2009

Happy Sweet Sixteen, Ellen!

Catch the full roundup with Kate Coombs at Book Aunt.

Thank you, Karla Kuskin!

My thanks to Karla Kuskin, children's author and illustrator who gave us so much. She died last Thursday at her home in Seattle, age 77.




From Traces

We will continue to treasure her beautiful voice and imagery.

Happy Anniversary, Chicken Nugget Lemon Tooty!

Chicken Nugget Lemon Tooty is celebrating their three year anniversary this month! Woot!

Z-Dad invited illustrators to springboard off of one of the children's illustrations and contribute to the party. Here's Gracie's version of "Smitten" at age 6:

And that's mine. Drop over to the site and enjoy their 400 drawings!

Poetry Friday: On Point

So I realized how to make a new header this week with only Powerpoint. I've lost all my Photoshop software on my new computer. Anyway, I settled on this image for now. And I thought why? So here's a haiku response:

On Point

Strung through darkened time
turquoise ideas pop on
past groping branches.

Lorie Ann Grover, 2009

Catch the roundup with Kyle at The Boy Reader.

Defending Bella, What a Girl Wants

Colleen Mondor at Chasing Ray has posted her latest discussion in the "What a Girl Wants" series. This time she asked us about vampires. I stuck with my position. Here you go:












Lorie Ann Grover: "I don’t typically read horror, so I can’t comment on the general trend in the vamp books, but I have read the Twilight series. Awhile back, Martha Brockenbrough, author and MSN Cinemama, wrote an article with my opposing point of view: Does Twilight Suck the Brains Out of Teens? She fell on the yes side, and I fell on the no. Going back and reading my entry, I still agree with my position. Edward’s the hot, superhero in teen lit who raises the bar for today’s boyfriends. His looks aside, here's a quote:

“Note how completely enamored Edward is of Bella. He sees her weaknesses and finds her humanity endearing. He listens to every word. He never pressures her for sex. She pursues him. Into that perfect mix, pour danger, that alluring trademark of any great hero, just enough for tension to vibrate. We cheer as he denies himself because of his passion for her.”

Is Bella a passive role model for teen girls? I still say she can be seen as a positive role model. She isn’t consumed about her appearance. She’s strong in school and anticipates college. She thinks of others, acting with generosity to family and friends. She solves crises through her actions. So she’s attracted to a dangerous boy. She weighs her possibilities and acts.

In 2007, we hosted Stephenie Meyer at readergirlz. Next month we are featuring Graceling by Kristin Cashore.



Katsa is a very different heroine, but the sparks fly when she crosses Po. Who doesn’t like a little romance? I obviously do."

Happy Birthday, Priya!

The sweetest birthday wishes
for Priya today!

May her day
be full of delicious
book crumbs
and cake crumbs.

*blowing my horn and doing a little dance* xox

Poetry Friday: Hair Today

Hair Today

There are some days that
my thoughts simply can't be shut
within my brain. Poof!

Lorie Ann Grover, 2009

Catch the full roundup with Andromeda Jazmon at a wrung sponge.

Video Sweetness: Bedtime Kiss for Little Fish!

Is this not the cutest ever?

If you recognize her, please don't divulge her name in the comments to protect her anonymity.

Thanks to her family for filming the moment and allowing me to share this. It just cheers my heart! Doesn't it do so for you?

What a Girl Wants: Tell Me the Truth

Colleen Mondor posted her next entry for What a Girl Wants. This round she asked us about nonfiction for YA. Here's my response. Check in on everyone's input at Chasing Ray!

Lorie Ann Grover: "I do believe teens can access adult nonfiction without hesitation, Colleen. So, this hasn't been a concern for me, currently. However, with two teen girls in my house, I can say that when the perfect topic crosses their path in a YA format, that book is well-loved. A perfect example is Deborah Reber and Lisa Fyfe's In Their Shoes: Extraordinary Women Describe Their Amazing Careers.

The work is toted about, read again and again, and shared with friends. The nonfiction is accessible and pertinent. In the same vein is The Great Jobs series by Blythe Camenson.



Particularly in our house, Great Jobs for Geology Majors and Great Jobs for Anthropology Majors have been checked out repeatedly from the library.

Believing teens can access adult works, I ask myself what subjects are particular to teens that maybe could be explored more? How about: health for teens, more series on careers, dating and relationships, teen finances and savings, and goal setting as a teen. I'm thinking practical topics that are particularly relevant to the teenager.

I'd personally love to see a collection for teens about teen life around the world. Maybe that's a future endeavor for my cultural anthropology major...

Writing Retreat, August, 2009, Poetry Friday

*waving to you from Dia Calhoun's orchard*

No connection for Poetry Friday this week, my peeps. I'm writing my heart out! See you when I return!

5 minutes later...

Okay, so I just squeezed this in at a bakery stop. Haiku inspired by coffee which has no sugar because I don't even have a second to get up and get it!

The Orchard

The blue sweeping sky
brushes words and story through
my mind with the breeze.

Catch the roundup with Tricia at The Miss Rumphius Effect.

A Tribute to Linda Villanueva

I'm headed off for a writing retreat. Unfortunately, I'll miss a memorial service for the dear Linda Villanueva. Her son, Wilson, created the most beautiful, immediate, truthful video of his parents. Watch and be touched by the love of a family. Thank you to all the Villanuevas for their example. Prayers for you in this time of grief. Especially to Mel, Linda's husband.

Here's to Linda: