Review: Judy Moody (Mood Martian) by Megan McDonald

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

It’s Backwards Day, so Judy Moody double-dares herself to become Queen of the Good Mood for one whole week. Can she do it?

Will the real Judy Moody please stand up? In honor of Backwards Day, Judy Moody decides to turn that frown upside down, make lemonade out of lemons, and be nice to stinky little brothers. In fact, Judy becomes a NOT moody, cool-as-a-cucumber neat freak for one whole entire day. But when her combed hair, matching outfits, and good moods hang around for days after, her friends begin to worry. Could this smiley Judy be an impostor?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Judy Moody: Mood Martian by Megan McDonald is the best novel yet. In this tale, I got to watch Judy Moody show a different side to herself than her usual self. In fact, her family started to think she wasn’t really Judy…at all. The change was pleasant and welcoming.

Judy Moody is a young girl who has a wild imagination and a good heart. She wants to be good, but her plans always went wrong. There was always a big oops, somewhere if not everywhere she went.

I was surprised by how much Judy changed and grew up. Her personality is still creative as ever. I laughed a lot. Her and Stink will always be my favorite two characters in this series.

Judy Moody: Mood Martian is about Judy trying not to be her usual Moody self. Readers familiar with the series all know how moody Judy Moody can get at times. Her ways of accomplishing not being moody was interesting! I definitely recommend this book story to all. Judy did make a lot of boo boos as usual, but she somehow ended up at the top. I liked the themes and the new adventure presented. The illustrations were great. They went well with each chapter. Overall, I highly recommend this book to readers everywhere.

Review: Wonky (A Robotics Club Story) by Darcy Pattison

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

“A delightful story of friendship and teamwork.” Dori Hillestad Butler, Theodore Geisel Honor Award for King & Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats, and Edgar award for The Buddy Files: The Case of the Lost Boy

Howie ambles into robot club hoping to find a friend. But when Lincoln bounds into the room, Howie hides. The strange new bird is too big and fluffy. The teacher, however, puts the unlikely pair together. Will they be able to accept each other’s wonky ideas and become friends?

For STEM classes, this story emphasizes the discussion of form v. function.
The story encourages divergent thinking as Lincoln and Howie design a robot. For kids who are rigid and inflexible, they’ll see the value of considering different options, and accepting those who are different.

Kirkus Reviews says, “. . .offbeat and clever. . .this tale will certainly appeal to kids. . . .”

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Wonky: A Robotics Club Story by Darcy Pattison is a sweet novel that combines STEM science and friendship in one easy sweep. I liked how the characters Howie and Lincoln had differences but were able to connect with each other.

However, the book was a little bit predictable in that its two main characters were boys. Boys whose ultimate goal was to scare their sisters. It was funny. I could definitely picture boys creating that kind of robot. Robotics is cool. Unfortunately, nothing really about robotics was told her. It just showed two boys becoming friends during a robotics meeting.

Overall, I would give this children’s illustrated book a 5-star rating for the themes discussed. And I would give it a 4-star rating for it not really inserting girls and boys into the central picture. This book would be more suited to boys than girls. I liked the humor that was created with the images. The illustrations went well with the story. In the end, a great story book for kids.

Review: Eternity’s Account by both Julie Bryson and Catherine Sharpe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis: 

Patterns. They are the material weaved to make the intricate fabric of the universe. The one guiding the threads is the one teaching the 12 chosen children to recognize the complex design within the fabric of time. Each stitch aliens the essential elements of the story, revealing the intended pattern to be followed. Owr, the master creator, has tucked the invisible into the hem of the visible, allowing the children to peek between the tightly drawn threads to study how the spiritual affects the physical.

The Eternity’s Account series continues – beyond the creation, the inception of evil, the fall of man, the division of kingdoms, and the fusion of dimensions. As the children tug on the seam of the cosmos, a new set of patterns is exposed. They prepare to witness the next stage in the saga; the rise of the rulers and the effects they will have upon the fate of the universe.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Eternity’s Account: Rulers by both Julie Bryson and Catherine Sharpe. This novel was different to many others in the way it was written. It combined fantasy with biblical elements. Intriguing and creative, this book hooked me. The themes in this tale such as evil versus good are clearly seen. The scenes were vivid. Characters were interesting. I found the entire book to be complex, entertaining, and diverse. Darker than most Christian reads yet more engaging. The characters pulled me into their fictional world. There was enough action to keep me turning the pages. Overall, I would recommend this to fantasy lovers.

 

Review: Evokations by Hawkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

EVOKATIONS is a spiritual awakening, a term I’ve coined to implement the meditative healing of America’s very soul.

The thoughts and emotions conjured EVOKE figurative pillars of esoteric collaboration where semantics, style, and purpose adjoin feelings within the principal scope one calls the promise of TODAY.

Therefore, one can internalize, as free will demonstrates, that Humans, Nubians, plus Oceanic and Stellar Beings alike, shall literarily grasp at the ideological straws of peace and compassion for the mind, through the self, and ultimately counteract the various negativities which LIE within current earthly cerebral and logistical illusion. 

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Evokations by Hawkins is an easy read. It’s a beautiful collection of prose on various subjects that intermingle with each other. Themes such as peace, compassion, free will and many others. Humanity shines through each piece. This collection of poetry is different than what I normally read but it only takes minutes to go through the book. A calmness reigns as I went through it. There’s a religious theme that centralizes everything written here. I thought it was well-done. Overall, Evokations is an entertaining book that I recommend to all.

Review: Don’t Ever Look Behind Door 32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

The magical Hotel of Hoo is a mysterious place with some very unusual occupants. As our guests explore the strange hotel, they are invited to experience everything it has to offer with just one warning… don’t ever look behind door 32.

This imaginative picture book aims to take children beyond the first ten cardinal numbers, and introduces them to the patterns of counting in a fun and accessible way. With rooms to explore and unique objects to count, children will enjoy lingering on each page as they make their way closer to the forbidden door.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Don’t Ever Look Behind Door 32 by B.C.R. Fegan is another brilliant children’s book. This one is beautifully illustrated. Captivating to look thorough and easy to follow along. The words are just engaging. The words rhyme together and bring a variety of characters to children everywhere. Overall, this entertaining journey was educational, funny, and full of mystery. I highly recommend Don’t Ever Look Behind Door 32 to all parents, guardians, and teachers.

Review: Professor Ladybug Teaches Basic Cursive

Synopsis:

Welcome to the wonderful world of Professor Ladybug! This workbook provides hundreds of cursive writing practice pages. These exercises are perfect for helping children practice their letters and simple sentences in traditional cursive (also known as longhand or script). This helpful resource includes practice pages for all 26 letters of the alphabet, uppercase and lowercase review, proper nouns, sentence practice, and number words. The simple activities will provide hours of educational fun for your child. 

These worksheets are perfect for home or school. Presented in an easy-to-use format, this workbook is designed primarily for early learners. 
Skill areas include: 

• Cursive Practice
• Memory Recall
• Drawing Skills
• Simple Sentences

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Professor Ladybug Teaches Basic Cursive is another excellent source for both teachers and parents alike. Their easy and big page layouts make this a must-have workbook. Every page can be colored. There are plenty of fun activities that help the children learn how to write in cursive. Writing, reading, and analyzing are required of children throughout this book. I loved how engaging the activities were. They made learning fun and entertaining. A good dose of English grammar and punctuation are taught here. Tons of pages for the children to complete. This, creative workbook teaches it all. I would highly recommend this to all teachers, parents, and guardians. 

Review: Reagan Through the Looking Glass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

She’s stepped into a world where everything and everyone has a price, and her time is running out to discover who holds the bounty on her head.

 

 

When Reagan’s student adviser is found dead, the police say he’s the victim of a burglary gone bad, but it’s not that simple. Jabberwock-the kingpin of the deep web, and the man who killed her brother-knows she’s close to discovering his identity.

 

 

Two men insist they can keep her safe and help her find answers. Hare is sweet, soft-spoken, and introduces her to a wicked walk on the wild side, spiced with temptation and thrill.

 

 

Hatter has kept secrets from her since they met. But he speaks her language, and a single touch from him ignites her desire.

 

 

As she follows the tracks down the rabbit hole, Reagan is dropped headfirst into a world of the dangerous and surreal, where everything and everyone has a price. And her time is running out to discover if it’s the Hatter or the Hare who owns Jabberwocky’s bounty on her.

 

 

 

Author’s Note: This book is part one of a duet. It does not stand alone.

 

 

 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Reagan Through the Looking Glass by Allyson Lindt is a fascinating new world. One that caught my attention right away. Some many references to the Alice in Wonderland that it’s intriguing. All the codes names and secrets. Reagan’s brother is killed by a notorious man. One that is well connnected and knows everyone’s secrets. Yet Reagan aka Alice soon discovers his. That’s when the game becomes deadly. She’s super smart when it comes to computer technology. And soon, the Jabberwocky won’t know what hit him until it’s over…

Allyson Lindt is a talented writer. Her books are addictive. This one, is part of a duet. Making it a must read and leaving readers like myself hanging for the next release. Exciting, dangerous, and intriguing. Reagan Through the Looking Glass is creative yet thrilling read. I enjoyed the mystery, suspense, and the risks the characters took. Hot, sexy, and entertaining to follow. I loved reading it. Reagan is a strong yet determined heroine that kept me guessing. Overall, I highly recommend this soon to be released title.

Review: Pangaea (The End of Days)

Synopsis:

At the dawn of humankind came the end of all that stood before.

This story is one such fairytale. Except it is not truly a fairytale. It is the story of Giants and Immortals, and of Earth’s greatest legend, Pangaea.

The great continent and the ocean Panthalassa were more than just the earth and the sea—they were the future. They were more than the children that ran across their playgrounds, the farmers that plowed their fields, and the sailors that travelled their waters. More than the hopes and fears of their inhabitants. And much more than the myths and legends who walked the Earth three hundred million years ago. They were a dream, a covenant made long before this universe ever took shape.

This is the tale of an end of an Age.

These are its tragic last days.

Pangaea is being torn apart by magic, and an old evil is set to return. Its greatest champions are blinded by ambition, choked by politics, and crippled by pain. 

Brought together by fate, seven young heroes set out to save the world.

But what can children do against living gods?
Preview the book here (click The Book)

https://www.pangaeathelegend.com/ 

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Pangaea: The End of Days by Bolivar Beato is a fascinating book. Inside are tales full of other tales. Each one was pure magic fantasy…myths, events, wars, and other things. Detailed, carefully planned, and entertaining. The book held a intense environment…breaking into more intense moments. Every tale inside connected to the next one. Short, entertaining, and magical. There is so much to read that readers will be taken from their seats into a whole new universe unlike any other. Bolivar Beato is a talented writer. Creating worlds that capture my attention and held until the end.

Review: Love Your Enemies in Case Your Friends Turn Out to be Bastards (Organizational Case Studies Examining Worksite Politics)

Synopsis:

Know Your Enemies… features two sections written from totally different perspectives, each vantage point designed to assist in the interpretation and survival of worksite politics.

Section One is a collection of 37 Vignettes, some humorous, some not so humorous – anecdotes describing examples of worksite dysfunction, interspersed with diagnostic clarification (summaries every fifth or sixth Vignette) to help generate ideas and increase awareness and knowledge of the ploys utilized by a few to manipulate the unwary.
Section Two is a 180-degree shift in writing style, this time utilizing an integrated methodological approach to examine organization dysfunction and the predators within the infrastructure, and to provide coping strategies/techniques, in essence a cadre of survival skills, to reduce risk of exploitation and increase quality of work life and empowerment.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Love Your Enemies In Case Your Friends Turn Out to be Bastards by Jake Hagerman is quite an interesting read. The book is easily written in a way that anyone can relate to as well as enjoy. Entertaining, informative, and powerful. Tons of situations that are a combination of real and fake that lures readers deeper into the messages being presented. A creative nonfiction piece that is part memoir and part fiction. I found it enlightening. The writer’s experiences were believable. Readers can put themselves into these parts. The understanding and knowledge are clear. Jake Hagerman carefully divided his nonfiction book into two sides. One that shows readers what happens and the other how to survive through those events. Legal, personal, and environmental aspects played an important role in this book. The topic entirely focuses on the mental health care and the work environment. It was great reading the writer’s insights to everything happening. His reflections were deep and thought provoking. The way the professional and personal lives overlapped made this a great book. It was like reading the same content from two perspectives. In the workforce, it’s like a zoo. Without proper organization, communication, and proper strategies nothing will work as effectively or efficiently as it should. I found everything inside motivating. Jake Hagerman was like a coach guiding and showing me the way. Love Your Enemies…is indeed a book that I would recommend to others. Skill sets are crucial and this book helps to build them.

Amazon link: Love Your Enemies

Review: Under the Sea (Coloring Book for Children)

 

Synopsis:

A Seashell Meditation for Children, Under the Sea, is a unique coloring activity book that contains a short meditation story rhyme using a seashell as a tool for focus and concentration. With a simple and easy meditation technique, even the youngest children can engage and have fun. The book encourages the child to use their imagination while listening to the story as it is being read. The child then can color the pages that corresponds with the meditation story as well as create their own images in spaces provided. Mindfulness meditation techniques help to relax kids, creates many benefits of meditation, and encourages the child to engage and participate. Very interactive and fun for all.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Under the Sea is an excellent coloring book for children everywhere. Inside are pages filled with engaging rhymes, thinking activities, and hands-on skilled activities. Each page has a different request. Hours of coloring…relaxing images. Numbers, rhymes, and questions. Color, count, listen, read, and put your drawing skills to test. I love it. Imaginative…great for children of all ages. Amazing illustrations to fill in with color. Children will be busy filling this creative, inspiring and meditating coloring book. Perfect children’s coloring book for any situation that kids can take with them anywhere. Also, I loved the variety of sea wildlife that’s on every page. Overall, Under the Sea is the perfect coloring book for children. I highly recommend it to all.

Review: The Spring at Moss Hill

 

Synopsis:

Kylie Shaw has found a home and a quiet place to work as an illustrator of children’s books in little Knights Bridge, Massachusetts. No one seems to know her here—and she likes it that way. She carefully guards her privacy in the refurbished nineteenth-century hat factory where she has a loft. And then California private investigator Russ Colton moves in.

Russ is in Knights Bridge to keep his client and friend, eccentric Hollywood costume designer Daphne Stewart, out of trouble. Keeping tabs on Daphne while she considers starting a small children’s theater in town doesn’t seem like a tough job until he runs into Kylie. Her opposition to converting part of the old hat factory into a theater is a challenge. But his bigger challenge is getting Kylie to let loose a little…like the adventurous characters she depicts in her work.

Kylie and Russ have more in common than they or anyone else would ever expect. They’re both looking for a place to belong, and if they’re able to let go of past mistakes and learn to trust again, they might just find what they need in Knights Bridge…and each other.

My Rating: 5 stars

My Review:

The Spring at Moss Hill by Carla Neggers is one fascinating romance. One that comes tapping the characters on the shoulders unaware. Or at least one of them is captured unaware. Carla Neggers never disappoints her readers. There’s always a new surprising story filled with adventure, suspense, and romance. The Spring at Moss Hill will show readers a realistic way of how one man sweeps a woman straight into his arms and into his heart.

Inside The Spring at Moss Hill, readers will get to see a fresh personality in a leading female character. Kylie isn’t just the average of your mill character. She has a creative side to her that is highly remarkable. Yet, unlike the characters she creates she is more shy to the outer world. In her books is where she comes out more adventureous than she seems. But then there’s the good looking stranger who is tempted to show Kylie how to let her hair down. Something about Kylie lures Russ to her. Like a moth to a flame both Kylie and Ross can’t ignore what they feel. However, there’s never an easy simple way when it comes to falling in love. Each of Carla Neggers’s characters needs to get past their own issues before everything else can fall into place. The question is can they do it, or will they let a blooming romance fade? Overall, I have loved reading this beautiful, creative and intriguing novel. I highly recommend this read to readers everywhere.

 

Writing Prompt: Alice in Wonderland

The Queen of Hearts has been told of a prophecy that will happen within a year. Stating that a young human girl name Alice will come into Wonderland to cause chaos. Alice will steal the Mad Hatter heart. And this can change everyone and everything in Wonderland. The Queen of Hearts has decided to make sure that no one friends Alice and if they see her must tell the Queen immediately or have their heads taken off. Will Alice manage to find her way into Wonderland and if so will she capture the Mad Hatter’s heart? Will that then cause everything in Wonderland to change? And who does the prophecy say can help keep Alice from changing Wonderland, if she does change it? And does this someone capture the Queen of Heart’s heart?

One Page Stories!

Write one page about a character’s story featuring this title – Best Mistake. 

1. Be sure to create a powerful hook that lures readers in from the first page!

2. This character needs to start out one way and then gradually change within your page.

3. Since it’s a one page story, be sure to use the beginning, middle, and ending outline when writing your story.

4. If you need a challenge, you can change view points within your story by having each paragraph dedicated to one character.

5. Once you have finished, send your one page story in by using the form below or email us at: universalcreativityinc.2014@gmail.com . We look forward to reading your submission and publishing it inside of our online creative writing magazine for both readers and writers alike. We will be awarding the top three one page stories with a gold, silver, and bronze medal. The top three winners will not only have their work published within our magazine with their medal, but also with their interviews featured inside as well.

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Feburary’s Issue

Calling all authors and poets, if you are wanting your book/ novel / poem featured in February’s Issue please contact me right away at: universalcreativityinc.2014@gmail.com ! The February magazine issue will be released to the public on the 1st day of February.

Bloggers, if you are needing your blog to be advertised in February’s issue please, contact me as well right away. Don’t wait until the last minute!

Universal Creativity Inc. Magazine is currently looking for submissions in the following categories:

Fiction:

Adult

New Adult

Children’s

YA

All genres are welcomed. Must be double-spaced, and written in English. Short stories and novels are both welcomed for submission. Please, include your name, title of work, genre, and word count when emailing your submissions.

Nonfiction

All nonfiction categories are welcomed to be featured and published in our issue. Please, include your name, title of work, genre, and word count when emailing your submission.

Poetry

All forms of poetry are welcomed. Please, include your name, title of work, and what kind of poem you are submitting. Please, email your submission to us at the email stated above.

Bloggers

You are welcomed to send us an email telling us briefly what your blog is, what you blog about, how do readers find you, your blog’s link, and your email address for your blog if you have one. Plus, be sure to send us your logo picture and or a picture associated with your blog to be advertised in our issue. Please be sure to include your name,title of blog and the above information when emailing us.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT OR TO QUERRY ABOUT ANY OF THE ABOVE SUBMISSIONS IS: Monday January 19th.

Writing Assignment #1

Select at least two characters from your character bio sheets, and write a scene (no longer than 1,000 words in length) where one of these characters wants something—and wants it badly—but cannot get it. (This “something” can be internal or external.) Think about how this blocked desire can move your scene forward. How do the characters interact with one another? Try to include at least eight lines of dialogue.

The 12-Day Plan of Simple Writing Exercises!

The 12-Day Plan of Simple Writing Exercises

Day 1:
Write 10 potential book titles of books you’d like to write.

Day 2:
Create a character with personality traits of someone you love, but the physical characteristics of someone you don’t care for.

Day 3:
Write a setting based on the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen.

Day 4:
Write a letter to an agent telling her how wonderful you are.

Day 5:
Write a 20-line poem about a memorable moment in your life.

Day 6:
Select a book on your shelf and pick two chapters at random. Take the first line of one chapter and the last line of the other chapter and write a short story (no more than 1000 words) using those as bookends to your story.

Day 7:
Write a letter to yourself telling you what you need to improve in the coming 6 months.

Day 8:
Rewrite a fairy tale from the bad guy’s point of view.

Day 9:
Turn on your TV. Write down the first line that you hear and write a story based on it.

Day 10:
Go sit in a public place and eavesdrop on a conversation. Turn what you hear into a short love story (no matter how much you have to twist what they say).

Day 11:
Write the acknowledgments page that will be placed in your first (next?) published book, thanking all the people who have helped you along the way.

Day 12:
Gather everything you’ve written over the previous 11 days. Pick your favorite. Edit it, polish it and either try to get it published or post it on the Web to share with the world. Be proud of yourself and your work.

New Writing Prompt!

Entering the “Oracles Den” at the fair with your significant other seemed novel at first. When the oracle had you gaze in her crystal ball though and you see yourself five years down the road with someone you’ve never met, well things just got interesting. The real problem: Your significant other knows who the person is. Write this scene. Using 500 words.

Writing Challenge!

Write about an unresolved  situation that one of your characters go through in 500 words that ends up being resolved.

Write about an encounter your character goes through with an unpleasant person in 300 -500 words.

Write about a conflict that your character(s) go through using 500 words.

Using Dialogue!

Have I ever found using dialogue to be hard? 

Yes, I did find writing in dialog very, very, very hard! At first, as a newbie writer I was overwhelmed by the mention of the need to use dialogue to make any novel a good one. So, what did I do?

 

I took the task of doing this:

Hi, Sam. How are you?

Hey, Sally. I’m good. What about you?

The above are two phrases with words being exchanged between two people. So, first. I went through writing any conversation between one of more characters like the above. Then I did this:

“Hi, Sam. How are you?”

“Hey, Sally. I’m good. What about you?”

In this second set, I then went back and added quotation marks. Then, I did this:

“Hi, Sam. How are you?” Sally asked as she walked by.

“Hey, Sally. I’m good. What about you” Sam asked turning around to face her.

I hope this helps you all!

Best Wishes,

Danielle

New Writing Assignment!

Craft a premise sentence for your story. Be sure it includes your hook, main character, objective, opponent, and disaster.

New Challenge!

Create a “perfect review” of the story you hope to create. Begin with a back-cover type summary, then move on to a professional-style review of your entire story from the perspective of a reader who loved every chapter. Have fun with it, but be as thorough as possible, touching on character, plot, setting, and theme. Aim for 800-1,000 words.

Best of luck!!! 🙂

Writing Prompt: Answer the four questions!

Your character’s an excellent conversationalist who easily makes friends. He goes to party, where he notices an awkward-looking girl sitting alone in the corner, ignored by everyone. Feeling sorry for the girl, he decides to go talk to her. He succeeds in engaging her in conversation. Unfortunately for him, he is too successful. The girl attaches herself to him, and he can’t get rid of her. She seems absolutely determined to follow him home…

– What happens next?

– What does he try to do?

– Why is she attaching herself to him like glue? Is it on purpose? Or is she just crazy?

– Will you use this to write a murder mystery? A thriller? A paranormal YA novel?

 

Post your answers down in the comment area below!!!! Thanks!!! 🙂 

Happy Writing, everyone! 🙂