Donna L Martin's THE STORY CATCHER: Titanic

Showing posts with label Titanic. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

BOOK NOOK REVIEWS: Allan Zullo

Title: Titanic Young Survivors

Author: Allan Zullo

Publisher: Scholastic

Ages: 9-11

Synopsis:

Young people from all walks of life climbed aboard the Titanic for what should have been a wonderful maiden voyage. Now, on the night of April 14, 1912 they all face a life-or-death crisis aboard the Titanic. When the unthinkable occurs, how would these ten children survive?

Why you should read it:

If you are as fascinated with everything Titanic like I am, Mr. Zullo's book of ten true tales involving children who sailed on the Titanic will definitely be one to add to your own collection.

The Titanic was considered a ship of wonders, virtually unsinkable, so when this modern marvel of early twentieth century ingenuity struck an iceberg and sank in less than three hours, millions of people around the world just couldn't believe it. I've read many books covering this tragedy and yet I was still pleasantly surprised to discover new things about some of names I had read about over the years.

TITANIC YOUNG SURVIVORS will give children, and adults, a glimpse into the lives of some of the brave children who faced the possibility of dying that night and lived to tell about it.

Like-o-meter Rating scale**: 5 out of 5...grab it!

**Rating scale**

5 out of 5...grab it!

4 out of 5...think about it.

3 out of 5...take or leave it.

2 out of 5...maybe not for you.

1 out of 5...forget about it!

Blurb:

Addie comes from a long line of readers or "story catchers" as her family likes to call themselves. Every time Addie tries to catch a story on her own the wiggly words play tricks on her. She tries different ways to make those words sit still but it will take a little faith for Addie to become the next STORY CATCHER.

Buy Links:
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Membership includes:

Membership Certificate
Bi-montly Newsletter full of mazes, puzzles, games, news, and other goodies
Reading Log for earning STORY CATCHER AWARD
Short story starring YOU!

Monday, May 4, 2015

STEPPING INTO THE PAST TO SEE MY FUTURE

Years ago my son and I used to watch the TV show DR WHO. Who doesn't know about the famous time-portal tardis? Well, this weekend I didn't use a tardis but I did go back in time when I ventured downtown to check out the activities.

Even the buildings were celebrating the past as this one let the world know it's been around for more than 100 years!

There were also many people celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and the contributions made by both Caucasian and African American soldiers in this time of civil unrest. Ben Vereen, known for his role as "Chicken George" in Alex Haley's ROOTS, was in town to talk about the struggle of slaves on the road to freedom as well as his role in the epic movie. Locals chatted with Confederate soldiers while I tried to chase down a Union Captain but he got away from me.

There were many musicians celebrated their own musical "roots" and I got the chance to listen to everything from Bluegrass on the left to old style Country on the right.

In case you were wondering where he was, I even found Elvis! The guy on the right was a little Jewish fellow playing beautiful Hebrew music on his violin and singing in his native language.

People's toes were tapping when the Ragtime band got started but it was the Scottish performer that had me glued to my seat. I had already circled downtown trying to find the way back to my car and was on my second trip after getting directions from one of the street vendors when the sound of bagpipes literally stopped me in my tracks. I would have recognized that sound anywhere and made a beeline to Krutch Park where I listened to this lovely man with the Scottish accent play and chat with the crowd about the upcoming Scottish Games that will be happening in a couple of weeks in Maryville. I even have a recording of him playing the bagpipes but it wouldn't load properly so you will just have to imagine it.

There were street vendors everywhere selling everything from handmade pottery to veggies to beautiful jewelry. There was something for everyone and reminded me of a time long ago when there was no money and people bartered for the things they needed.

I even ran into this unique street vendor. There was a huge line waiting to belly up to the bar which surprised me. People in Knoxville really enjoy their liquor but it was nice to see there were still plenty of people, like myself, that enjoy a cold beverage of another type!

After getting yet another set of directions...this time from two police officers...I found myself heading in the right direction towards where my car was parked and stumbled into a lovely indie bookstore called Union Ave Books. Of course I just happened to have one of my cards on me and chatted with the lovely ladies behind the counter about my picture book, THE STORY CATCHER. They gave me information to follow up for an author visit and I got a chance to check out their inventory. Of course, I made a beeline to the children's section. Union Ave Books had part of the back of the store set up for picture books and another section set up for chapter books. I saw a lot of books from many of my author friends and even saw some that were calling my name to take them home! I'm currently doing research on one aspect of the Titanic that has never been covered and I was pleasantly surprised to actually find a Titanic book there I didn't have so I quickly grabbed the only copy to take with me.

Union Ave Bookstore even had a local author section that I will try in the near future to convince those lovely ladies to add my book to that shelf...;~)

I had a wonderful "play" day Saturday but I realized by stepping into the past, hearing the sounds and seeing the sights of another time, I ended my day being more focused on where my future lay. I heard stories that I wanted to share with future generations. I saw memorials to the human spirit that made me proud to call myself a writer because I will be able to share those lives with others so that they may not be forgotten. And maybe, if I'm really lucky, I will have more stories to add to the shelves of bookstores like the one I found on Union Ave to be discovered by young readers some time in THEIR future...

Saturday, April 18, 2015

A To Z Challenge: BOOK NOOK REVIEWS "P"

Title: Polar The Titanic Bear
Author: Daisy Corning Stone Spedden
Illustrator: Laurie McGa
Publisher: Little Brown and Company
Ages: 9-11

Synopsis:

A young boy’s toy bear begins a journey all the way from the shelves at F.A.O. Schartz toy store in New York City to far off places halfway around the world before ending up on the Titanic. Will Polar and his young master make it off the great ship alive?

Why you should read it:

During my research for my own creative nonfiction book about the Titanic, I came across this cute book based on the true story of a toy bear’s journey around the world. Young readers will not only learn about a little boy named Douglas Spedden, but will also have a peek into the lives of the rich during the Edwardian era where the latest adventure was a gangplank away.

Like-o-meter Rating scale**: 5 out of 5…grab it!

**Rating scale**

5 out of 5...grab it!

4 out of 5...think about it.

3 out of 5...take or leave it.

2 out of 5...maybe not for you.

1 out of 5...forget about it!