Hey readers, Owlkids has a new book out called The Last Train by Rona Arato.
April is Holocaust Remembrance Month, and this book is about one family’s story during World War II and the Holocaust. It tells the tale of young brothers Paul and Oscar and their mother, Lenke.
You can check it out here.
-Ashley, owlblog@owlkids.com
Editor’s note: today’s interview with author Lemony Snicket is brought to us by OWL Assistant Editor, Kendra Brown. Enjoy!
If you’re not familiar with Lemony Snicket, it’s probably because he’s one of the most mysterious people around. Best known for A Series of Unfortunate Events, the secretive author has just released the first volume, “Who Could That Be at This Hour?”, in a new series called All the Wrong Questions. The four-part series is an account of Lemony Snicket’s curious childhood, told by none other than Lemony himself.
Speaking of questions, we got a chance to ask Lemony a few about his new series and his life as a writer (I hope we didn’t ask him all the wrong ones!).
OWL: How would you describe your new series, All the Wrong Questions?
LS: Unnerving, mysterious, upsetting, and probably not something you should read.
OWL: What inspired you to write it?
LS: My own unnerving, mysterious, and upsetting youth, and my association with a secret organization that led me to discover a number of sinister secrets in a small, grey town.
OWL: What is the best and worst thing about being a writer?
LS: Blank paper. Leaky pens.
OWL: Do you have any tips for young writers out there?
LS: When you are standing outside a closed door eavesdropping, have an excuse prepared if the door opens and you are caught.
OWL: What are you dressing up as for Halloween?
LS: A mailbox. Be careful when trick-or-treating and you reach the corner nearest your house.
Good to know! So bloggers, will you be reading “Who Could That Be at This Hour?” If you do, come back to tell us what you think.
In the meantime, don’t forget to watch out for mailboxes on Halloween!
-Kendra, owlblog@owlkids.com
Learn to Speak Fashion is hot off the press and if you want to learn more about the fashion industry, you should definitely check it out.
OWL had a chance to ask author Laura deCarufel a few questions about her love of fashion and her new book release.
OWL: How old were you when you became interested in fashion?
Laura: The summer before grade 9, I was on a trip with my family to the Finger Lakes. We stopped to pick up snacks at a supermarket and I became entranced with the cover of Vogue. It was the September 1993 issue, and model Linda Evangelista was sitting in the grass wearing a crushed velvet pantsuit. It seemed so glamorous and beautiful, and I remember feeling that I needed to be a part of it. I used the last of my allowance to buy the magazine and excitedly paged through it in the car. I still have that issue, and I still find it inspiring.
OWL: Who should read Learn to Speak Fashion?
Laura: Everyone! But I think it will probably be most relevant to kids who have an interest in fashion and who are looking for ways to explore it. Hopefully this book will help show kids that fashion is like a sponge that is always soaking up new ideas, interests, and people.
OWL: What does it take to get a career in the fashion industry?
Laura: I think the most important thing is to be curious, to keep an open mind, and to allow yourself to follow what fascinates you. Fashion is about so much more than clothes, and it can only benefit you to learn about all different kinds of things. If you like movies, watch movies. If you love to read, read! All of those passions will add depth to your interest in fashion. It’s also so important to have a sense of openness and collaboration.
Click here for more info about the book.
So, do we have any fashion lovers out there?
-Kim, owlblog@owlkids.com
Anyone up for a little mystery, adventure, and time travel? Or how about a lot? If you are, the new series, Infinity Ring, may be for you! The first book in the seven-part series, A Mutiny in Time, was released last week. It introduces us to best friends Dak and Sera, who discover the key to time travel: a device called the Infinity Ring. It’s not long before Dak and Sera also discover that the fate of the world is in danger, and it may be up to them to save it by traveling back in time.
OWL readers Kayla, Chris, and Mei Anne got the chance to ask the author, James Dashner, some questions.
Q: What inspired you to write this book?
A: It was mostly inspired by my love of history and adventure. I particularly love the story of Christopher Columbus, so it was really cool to include him as a character and imagine what he was like.
Q: How long did it take you to write it?
A: It took me a few months, including a lot of editing and rewriting.
Q: Did you talk to the other authors who are writing books in the series to help with your ideas?
A: It’s been so much fun getting to know the other authors! We’ve had several other occasions where we got together live or by phone and shared ideas. They are amazing to work with.
Q: Is it harder or easier to write only some of the books in the series?
A: I wouldn’t say it’s harder or easier, just different. The biggest challenge is maintaining the same style even though all authors have their own unique way of writing. But I think we’re succeeding in a big way.
So, what do our three OWL readers think about the book?
Kayla, 12
The book was a bit hard to follow, but I loved the characters and the plot. Overall, it was a great read. 7/10
Chris, 12
I found I couldn’t relate to the characters in the book and the story line was hard to follow, but there was one adventure that caught my attention. It’s not a book I would rave about, but it wasn’t bad. 5/10
Mei Anne, 11
The ideas and the suspense in this book were great! There weren’t many parts that weren’t exciting. There was so much suspense at the end of each chapter. Overall, it was an excellent book! 10/10
Click here to find out more about A Mutiny in Time and the entire Infinity Ring series.
James Dashner will also be at Indigo Yorkdale in Toronto on Thursday, September 20 at 7:00pm to help launch the series. If you live in the Toronto area, you might want to check it out!
-Kim, owlblog@owlkids.com
David Suzuki is a huge inspiration to me. Not only has he managed to raise awareness to take care of the environment, he’s also very humble and down to earth — two qualities I admire in a person. When David talks, I take notice. And I’m certainly glad I did in regard to his newest release: Connecting With Nature: An educational guide for grades four to six.
Studies have shown that spending time in nature can help kids develop in areas such as memory, problem solving, and creativity. Not only that, it’s fun! From doing walkabouts to generating discussions, this guide will get kids, parents, and teachers talking about nature. It also includes suggestions for cutting down on energy consumption at home and learning about the products you use. There’s even recipes for all-natural toothpaste and a homemade shampoo!
My favourite activities are the ones that involve being outdoors. The nature scavenger hunt is a great way to learn what exists around you. Finding a spider’s web or a bird’s nest is exciting! And it gives you a first-hand look at the wonders of nature.
I highly recommend this guide for the classroom. The resources in this guide will help you get one step closer to loving the environment around you.
Click here for more information about the guide.
-Kim, owlblog@owlkids.com
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