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Sunday, October 28, 2018

My Thoughts on Pittsburgh

Some of you know the book I am working on is a contemporary story about a girl who faces anti-semitism in elementary school and middle school. I woke up this morning and realized I need to make changes because after the event in Pittsburgh yesterday, my main character’s reactions have changed. 

Yesterday when bullies used words to make fun of her, she was upset, but could live with it, 
Today she is scared they will use more than words.

Yesterday they threw money at her and she thought that was annoying and stupid.
Today she’s scared they won’t stop at throwing money.

Yesterday they painted swastikas on the side of buildings and she saw that as a personal attack.
Today she understands they aren’t just attacking her, they‘re targeting all Jews.

Yesterday when they sent her a text showing her family in a gas chamber, she destroyed her phone.
Today she’s afraid they will try to set fire to her house.

Yesterday her synagogue was her one safe place. She went there every Saturday.
Today she fears that someone will come to her synagogue with a gun.

Yesterday she walked inside her synagogue with the backpack she used for her sleepover.
Today that bag will probably be checked or she won’t be able to bring it at all.

Yesterday as these things were happening to her, she kept silent, afraid telling people would only make things worse.
Today she will still stay silent, because she is not sure that anything will change and she’s scared things will get worse. But she also hopes and prays that something will happen soon to make her feel differently.

Yesterday I hoped I would get a new agent who would find an editor who wanted to publish my story.

Today, I hope that agents and editors will find more stories like this to publish, because we need these stories and right now kids can only find anti-semitism in Holocaust books - 
and on the news.  


Monday, October 15, 2018

#IMWAYR October 15, 2018


Each week I try to join Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee from Unleashing Readers to share all of the reading I've done over the week from picture books to young adult novels. 

Here's what I read this week:

Middle Grade


Louisiana's grandmother has taught her to be a problem solver. What ever she wants, she knows how to talk her way into getting it. But when Louisiana's grandmother forces her to get in the car in the middle of the night, leaving her friends (introduced in the companion novel Raymie Nightingale), her dog, and her cat, the one person she cannot convince of anything is her grandmother. And when her grandmother leaves her alone in a hotel, with only a note to explain what has happened, Louisiana's problem solving skills will be tested. A heartfelt story which I found even more enjoyable than the first in the series.


Young Adult (Mature Audiences)


The Half Bad trilogy follows Nathan, a half black and half white witch who faces stereotyping and prejudice as he grows up and tries to find his own way in the witch world. The series is full of themes of racism and prejudice and would be a good conversation starter with teens. It could be a companion to the movie, The Wave


Every time I go back into the Throne of Glass universe, I want more. After reading this book about Chao's experience, I had to reread Empire of Storms to see where it fit into the time line. I cannot wait until Kingdom of Ash releases on the 23rd. I may have to start at book one and read them all again to prepare!


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Stacy Barnett Mozer is a teacher and a middle grade author. If you like what she's been reading follow her on Goodreads. Please leave a comment below. 

It's Monday, what are you reading?