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Because we have our very first middle grade writing and illustrating course coming up, I wanted to share one of my very favorite middle grade novels, the hilarious yet meaningful Blood Diaries: Tales of a 6th Grade Vampire by Marissa Moss. However, here’s a wee disclaimer, I know and love Marissa and her work. Also, because I want to be able to use these quickie videos to more actively help authors and illustrators support themselves through their work by also posting them elsewhere, I have to shorten them to less than 4 minutes (making brief videos are not one of my super powers) so I'm hoping my skill with brief videos will improve. I'm calling this new series The Quick Peek series. So here goes. Marissa is pretty brilliant but she also shows in this clever 129 page novel (which is somewhere around 1300 words) how doable and fun writing middle grade novels can be. We'll be looking at this book and others in our Middle Grade Mastery course. Meanwhile, here are some of her many other books - did I mention that she's quite brilliant? 
22 Comments
robin masshole mommy
1/26/2016 11:51:39 am
I wonder if my son would like this. Sounds like his age group, so I will have to ask him.
Mira
2/2/2016 01:36:19 pm
I think he will. It's super fun. Thank you for commenting. 1/26/2016 11:58:34 am
I'm so glad to hear she is taking the social problems of the middle schoolers and addressing it in the books. That is such a tough age, I remember it well. I wish I had this type of book to entertain me while dropping clues on how to navigate the social scene.
Mira
2/2/2016 01:37:14 pm
Yay Monica. Me too!!! It's such a tough time but it can also be incredibly fun. 1/26/2016 02:11:37 pm
My kids aren't into these kind of books but I am. I however wish it was longer. I like books that takes me at least 2 days to finish.
Mira
2/2/2016 01:38:14 pm
I'm glad that at least you're into it Amanda. I read it in a couple of days because it was hard to put down. 1/26/2016 02:20:44 pm
I need to pick this up for my daughter! She's in Grade 4 and we have been looking for books that are a bit beyond her reading level to help encourage her growth. I think she has a few of those other books in her bookshelf now :)
Mira
2/2/2016 01:39:36 pm
Thanks for commenting Heather. Yes I think your daughter will get a kick out of this. The pictures make it extra fun. 1/26/2016 02:26:26 pm
We always buy books for our friend's daughter...and these look like they would be up her alley!!
Mira
2/2/2016 01:40:35 pm
You sound like a wonderful fairy godmother. Your friend and her daughter are lucky to have you. Thanks for commenting. 1/26/2016 02:51:53 pm
Marissa Moss has quite the collection of writings! This is a great list for my 7th grader to take a peek at. Thanks for the introduction!
Mira
2/2/2016 01:41:50 pm
My pleasure Jessica. Thank you for taking the time to comment. I think your 7th grader will get a giggle out of this book and others from Marissa. :)
Mira
2/2/2016 01:42:49 pm
Hi Renee, thank you for commenting. Yes Marissa has quite the talented work ethic :) I'm a big fan!
Bri
1/26/2016 05:46:31 pm
Finding books that my little cousins can somewhat relate and it be interesting can be somewhat challenging, but I think that they would love to read this novel. Some of her other books look super interesting too. 1/26/2016 07:28:54 pm
Wow, what a great collection. I've never heard of most of those books! Thank you for sharing it! 1/26/2016 08:33:42 pm
If they had books like this when I was growing up, I'd be all over them. Sounds like fantastic fiction for the right age.
Rosey
1/27/2016 02:25:07 am
I do think it would be fun to sit down and write a novel for middle schoolers. IF you knew you were going to get published. ;) She's lucky. :) 1/28/2016 07:40:29 am
This book sounds interesting. I will have my son check it out and see what he thinks of it. 1/20/2017 10:10:06 am
This was great fun, Mira, thanks! I know some little people who would love this. Leave a Reply. |
We are so excited to be mixing things up at CBA, beginning with some delicious additions to the Blogfish. Meet our awesome new bloggers!!
Here's our lineup: 1st Mondays begin with Clear Fork/Spork editor/art director, former agent and former kidlit professor Mira Reisberg PhD who is also the Director of the Children's Book Academy. 2nd Mondays will feature super smart Melissa Stoller whose career is taking off with several new books. 3rd Mondays will feature Bryan Patrick Avery, published writer, man of mystery, and professional magician among other things. 4th Mondays will feature the fabulous debut author/illustrator Maggie Brown. And 5th Mondays will feature the wonderful Ave Maria Cross |
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