The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Descriptive Scene Contest Winner Announced!

Congratulations Caroline Stanton!

Caroline is our Nate Rocks Virtual Sketchbook writing contest winner. Her depiction of Meet Marie Grace by Sarah M. Buckey and Christine Kornacki was brilliant, and Nate had a fabulous time bringing her words to life!

Nate's sketch of a scene from Meet Marie Grace based on Caroline's description below.

Everyone could have fallen in love with that place. It smelled of sweets and fruit. You heard laughter of children. To the eyes in it, it was everything. The dance studio for carnival was packed. None of the people were crying. All the colors of costumes.

~ Caroline Stanton

We'd like to thank everyone who participated!

Keep imagining! You never know what's going to appear. ;)

Caroline Stanton from Ridgefield, CT holding the original sketch drawn by Jessica Haight

The next Descriptive Scene Writing Contest is

HAPPENING NOW!

Send us your scene today!

*Contest is open to US and international and runs until December 2014

Is there a scene in a story that you would just love to see come to life? Send us one paragraph that describes a scene from your favorite middle grade book using your own words, and Nate will put his pencils to work. We'll choose a scene that we think is awesome and feature it on Fairday's Blog. Not only will you get to keep the sketch, but you'll be famous!

You can send in your scene description to: haightjess@gmail.com.

The Nate Rocks Series by Karen Pokras Toz

Stop by Nate Rocks Virtual Sketchbook for a dose of hilarity!

Rock out with Nate on the Stage ...

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Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Will Phillip Ever Speak?

Zoe’s house is always full of flying fur! Her mom rescues Great Pyrenees dogs until they can find a safe and permanent home. Dogs are always coming and going, except the one dog that is always with them, Kodi. Zoe and her sister, Alice, love the dogs and get very attached to them. When the girls see a car drop off a young boy at the house next door, they're instantly curious. Out in the country new kids are rare. Zoe and Alice don’t learn much about the new neighbor, just that his name is Phillip, and he's living with his aunt and uncle for some unknown reason. It's hard to find out any information because Phillip won’t talk, but he does seem to enjoy the company of Kodi. He also listens to the girls as they talk to him, but he seems lost in his emotions and doesn’t want to let anyone in. Of course, Zoe is curious about him and his reasons for not talking, but she agrees to wait it out. When Phillip goes missing during a major storm, everyone is frantic. To make matters worse, Kodi is missing too. Where have they gone? Will Phillip ever let his emotions out and tell the girls about himself? Why is he so afraid to talk to them. What will happen if Phillip and Kodi can’t be found? If you're looking for a short read with an emotional impact, this is the perfect book for you!

White Fur Flying by Patricia MacLachlan is a book about patience, acceptance, unconditional friendship, and being comfortable enough to be ourselves. Zoe is a character I can relate to, she's kind and loves those around her. My heart went out to Phillip and his aunt because they were both going through their own struggles. I especially enjoyed Zoe’s mom because she seems to have wonderful intuition about animals and humans. I think kids in second grade and up will enjoy this book, as it's a shorter chapter book, but has important themes and will make them think. It's always fun to read a book in one sitting! This story makes you realize what an important emotional connection people and animals have!

Has anyone else read White Fur Flying? Or have you read another book by Patricia MacLachlan? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

We were lucky enough to meet Patricia MacLachlan at the 2013 UCONN Children's Book Fair!

Happy Reading! ~L

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Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Answer to Monday's Riddle: Emotional Rescue...

Excellent guessing Riddlers! This week we're tapping into our emotions. Lizzy's review will bring out our real feelings, and Friday the Character Book Club gears up for another great year, so be sure to check back! See you all around the book block. ; ) ~ F

We're the gang that points the way, giving you direction throughout the day. We're all in cahoots, though not the same, each of us having our own unique name. There's one who'll make you jump with fright, and one who claims to always be right. One that likes to fill you with hope, and another who constantly tells you "nope". One is delightful and full of good cheer. One takes you away, but keeps you near. One can't stand anything and just waits for a turn, while one feels empty and can't help but to yearn. One makes you cry, sometimes for no reason. One will fight anyone, whatever the treason. But there's one among us who's top of the heap, giving you strength when it's your time to leap. This is the one who holds you together, keeping you safe no matter the weather. When in time we knock on your door, you'll let us in to feel some more, but we don't have to hang out for too long, just remember the one who knows your true song.

In time, as it should go, the light inside will always glow. We're in your head to help you get through. The scene's as it is, whatever you do.

What are we? Answer: Emotions!