Not only is Laura an immensely talented YA author, she’s also a mother, avid reader, member of SCBWI critique groups, and social justice activist. She
Author: Laura Fineberg Cooper
Laura Cooper loves books! When she manages to tear herself away from reading, she writes about dragons, tree frogs, math-loving kids, and more. Laura is also a Copy Editor, licensed English Teacher, and experienced College Essay Coach who has often been referred to as a walking, talking dictionary. If you're interested in brushing up on grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary in short, sweet doses, check out her blog, A Spoonful of Grammar, at www.laurafcooper.com/grammar-blog. Feel free to contact her any time for copy editing or grammar questions!
Something Spooky Comes Our Way: Nancy Tandon Talks About Her New MG Novel, THE GHOST OF SPRUCE POINT
It’s my pleasure to welcome author Nancy Tandon back to Writers’ Rumpus to discuss her second middle grade novel, GHOST OF SPRUCE POINT. If you missed our interview on Nancy’s poignant debut novel, THE WAY I SAY IT, click here. By the title alone, we can tell something spooky comes our way in Nancy’s newest book, published by Aladdin and available on 8/2/22.
THE ASSIGNMENT by Liza Wiemer: Would YOU speak up for what is right?
Imagine this scenario: Your favorite high school History teacher passes out an assignment requiring you and your fellow classmates to debate the Final Solution as members of Hitler’s Nazi Elite. You must provide five well-researched points to defend a PRO or CON position on how best to destroy all Jews. The PRO position is extermination and the CON position is sterilization, ghettos, and work camps.
SETTING: Books That Hit the Sweet Spot
What is setting in literature? In the simplest of terms, it’s where and when the action of a story takes place. Whether set in a real location or a world drawn from your fertile imagination, in the past, present, or future, setting forms the foundation of every story.
An Uplifting Trio of New Picture Books by Hope Lim, Mindy Yuksel, & NoNieqa Ramos
Hope, Mindy, and Nonieqa are all members of the Soaring ’20’s group of talented and prolific authors, and each one continues to bring us picture (and other) books full of heart.
Atinuke’s Wondrous Africa, Amazing Africa Country by Country
At nearly 10 inches by 12 inches, Africa, Amazing Africa Country by Country, written by Atinuke and beautifully illustrated by Mouni Feddag, is the perfect coffee table book. But this book is so much more than a visual treat: it’s a lyrical and engaging nonfiction homage to Africa’s diversity of people, traditions, animals, and landscapes that is sure to delight children and adults alike.
Past or Present? Learn Which Tense is Best for Your Narration
If you google VERB TENSE, you’ll find lists ranging from 12 to 16 confusing forms. Fortunately, writers of middle grade and young adult literature only
Imaginary, by Lee Bacon
IMAGINARY, written by Lee Bacon and illustrated by Katy Wu, is poignant, humorous, and sheer delight from start to finish. Released in October 2021, this early middle grade novel is centered around eleven-year-old Zack, who still hasn’t recovered from his father’s death five years earlier. Zack’s only solace is to retreat into his imagination with his imaginary best friend Shovel. If you think the narrator is Zach, guess again.
Interview with Nancy Tandon, debut author of THE WAY I SAY IT
“I can’t say my name. Not because it’s a secret or anything. Honestly I’d shout it into a microphone right now if I could. I’d give up anything to be able to do that. Even my guitar-playing fingertip calluses, which took like a million hours to get. The first half-million hours hurt. A lot.”
The 2021 Writers’ Rumpus Review
Before you turn the page on 2021, please join me in reviewing a sample of the wonderful posts that were offered this past year.
Interview with Middle Grade Author Karen Pokras
Happy Book Birthday to THE BACKYARD SECRETS OF DANNY WEXLER by talented author Karen Pokras. This middle grade novel takes readers back to 1978, to
Dare to Change Your Point of View
Ever since my eyes were opened to the importance of Point of View (POV), I’ve paid close attention to narrative voice whenever I write as well as read. I’m happy to share my observations, with a focus on books that dare to push POV boundaries.
WRITERS' RUMPUS 