MAMA'S CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS, my debut full-length middle-grade novel, was acquired by Margaret Ferguson at Holiday House, and is set to publish in 2024! WOOT!
BENJAMIN BANNEKER: A COLONIAL GENIUS SHINING IN THE DARKNESS, wonderfully illustrated by Santosh Neogi, will be published in Core Knowledge’s “Voices in History” biography series this fall. Banneker, born free in 1731, was a farmer, a self-taught astronomer and mathematician who is best known for lending his scientific abilities when the U.S. capitol was first being surveyed. He used astronomy and math to write the stuff of almanacs, one of which he boldly sent, along with a personal letter, to Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, as proof of what men with African ancestry could do, if only given the opportunity. Thomas Jefferson wrote Banneker back: ."..no body wishes more than I do to see such proofs as you exhibit, that nature has given to our black brethren, talents equal to those of the other colours of men..." Young readers of this series are sure to be inspired when they learn not only about Banneker, but also about several others who shined in the margins of U.S. history, displaying bravery, ingenuity, strength, and determination They made a difference and sometimes changed the world.
Aiden wants to win! So he gets upset when new player Chloe isn’t perfect at every skill. Will Aiden remember how to be a good teammate, or will his bad attitude cause full-court drama?
FULL-COURT DRAMA: A BASKETBALL GRAPHIC NOVEL is an exciting and easy-to-read–a BIG score for young fans! Each of the titles in the series, forthcoming from Capstone, Fall 2023, is perfect for the classroom. With instructions on how to read a graphic novel, and fun after-read activities, they are sure to power up reluctant early readers, motivate budding writers, and inspire the youngest of SEL learners.
FULL-COURT DRAMA: A BASKETBALL GRAPHIC NOVEL is an exciting and easy-to-read–a BIG score for young fans! Each of the titles in the series, forthcoming from Capstone, Fall 2023, is perfect for the classroom. With instructions on how to read a graphic novel, and fun after-read activities, they are sure to power up reluctant early readers, motivate budding writers, and inspire the youngest of SEL learners.
Preorder a copy for your classroom HERE.
A POTTY PARTY is coming through! Celebrate the milestone of potty training with this energetic board book that features a diverse group of children as they ditch their diapers and flush like big kids do. Preorder HERE.
Found in a Scholastic series about our blue planet, How You Can Save Water is an essential tool to teach the earliest of readers about conserving fresh water, a valuable resource shared by 7.7 billion people. For children in grades K-2, this beautifully designed easy-reader contains colorful photos, diagrams, easy-to-digest text, and fascinating fun facts.
Purchase your copy HERE.
Discover some of the many contributions women, people of color, immigrants, and people with disabilities made to space exploration. From an engineer in the control room to a mission specialist that went on four space flights, these heroes are transforming how we think of space. Blast off to space with astronauts, mathematicians, engineers, and more who defined space exploration. Perfect nonfiction for readers ages 8-12..
Order your copy HERE.
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Uncover the stories of hidden heroes who transformed the medical field. They prevented diseases, fought outbreaks, and created their own practices. They also created programs to make the medical field more inclusive and welcoming. These medical personnel fought hard for their patients. Learn more about these heroes whose work continues to have an impact. Perfect nonfiction for readers ages 8-12..
Order your copy HERE.
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From Lerner's Tech Titans series, young readers of The Genius of Facebook will get the inside scoop of how it all started in a dorm room, quickly grew, and took cyberspace by storm. They'll also discover what cool tech the company has in its pipeline.
Order your copy HERE.
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From Lerner's Tech Titans series, young readers of The Genius of Tesla will discover what hurdles the new company had to be overcome as it set out to produce safe all-electric cars. They'll also discover what all-electric transportation the company hopes to develop next.
Order your copy HERE.
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Bre and Isabel love being part of the gymnastics team. For years, Bre has planned their routine for family night. But now Coach has added Yadana to Isabel and Bre's duo. Yadana has ideas for the routine too, and Isabel votes for Yadana's choices. Bre is upset over this loss of control. Will she allow her bad attitude to ruin her friendships and the chance to shine on family night?
Order your copy HERE.
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Zoe is excited to try wheelchair basketball camp. She's focused and athletic, and she sets a goal to play basketball well before camp ends. Zoe makes smaller goals along the way, and meets each one. But her goal of being able to make a basket escapes her. Zoe's frustration builds. On the last day of camp, her new friends step in to help. Will Zoe be able to meet her goal before camp ends?
Order your copy HERE.
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Myra encourages her best friend, Gabi, to join the lacrosse team. But learning the sport isn't easy for Gabi. She struggles to control the ball, costing the team a painful loss. Myra, a star player, loses patience with her best friend. Will Gabi and Myra learn to be more understanding of each other before their friendship is lost?
Order your copy HERE.
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Maddie loves being on the ski team with her friend Sarah. Sarah is the fastest skier on the team. Maddie wants to beat Sarah's time but is having trouble. She takes her frustrations out on Sarah. Will Maddie realize that she needs to stop comparing herself to others before she ruins her friendship with Sarah?
Order your copy HERE.
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For five years. I curated the content for the Highlighter, the ezine serving the Mid-Atlantic region of SCBWI. I was handed a blank content sheet, and from there created all kinds of kidlit features, wrote gobs of informative copy, and ensured each issue was chock full of the kidlit awesomeness that belongs to our members.
Having so many Mid-Atlantic SCBWI members, as well as members from other regions, express appreciation and gratitude for the newsletter made it worthwhile. I was especially blown away when, as a thank-you, the amazing Meg Medina had her publisher send me a copy of her lovely book EVELYN DEL REY IS MOVING AWAY, and the talented Jacqueline Jules did something similar. Serving others is a lovely privilege!
While it's true, I will miss working with my amazing coeditors, Susan VanHecke (who rocks socks with her red pen), and Tami Traylor (who rocks all things layout and design). I won't miss the maddening hours I spent curating the content for our ezine each quarter. After the fall issue of 2021, we decided to move on, leaving the Highlighter in other capable hands.
If you're an SCBWI member, you won't regret logging into SCBWI to check out our team's publication, published from 2017 through 2021. It might just take your breath away! Every issue took mine.
Having so many Mid-Atlantic SCBWI members, as well as members from other regions, express appreciation and gratitude for the newsletter made it worthwhile. I was especially blown away when, as a thank-you, the amazing Meg Medina had her publisher send me a copy of her lovely book EVELYN DEL REY IS MOVING AWAY, and the talented Jacqueline Jules did something similar. Serving others is a lovely privilege!
While it's true, I will miss working with my amazing coeditors, Susan VanHecke (who rocks socks with her red pen), and Tami Traylor (who rocks all things layout and design). I won't miss the maddening hours I spent curating the content for our ezine each quarter. After the fall issue of 2021, we decided to move on, leaving the Highlighter in other capable hands.
If you're an SCBWI member, you won't regret logging into SCBWI to check out our team's publication, published from 2017 through 2021. It might just take your breath away! Every issue took mine.
SCBWI members, you can find the Highlighter archive HERE.
©2021 Cricket Media, all rights reserved.
A friend of the pen once told me, "No writing is ever wasted writing." And the above article, which appeared in the February 2021 issue of Spider magazine, is proof of just that. I had learned about Holly, a marine biologist who collects whale snot, while doing research for my work-for-hire book about orcas, published by Scholastic Press in 2019. While the Scholastic editor thought the information was fascinating, it just didn't fit into the scope of book. Though I had to kill my darlings by deleting the 160 words, I couldn't forget Holly's story. I knew kids would find it fascinating. And so, not long after I completed my orcas book, I pulled the research about Holly's work from my orcas folder, opened a new folder, and labeled it "Hexacopter at Work." Eventually, I turned my attention to the idea, caught up with Holly, and fleshed it out with more research, which included learning about humpback whales. In the end, I upcycled the cut section from my orcas manuscript by spinning it into an article that eventually sold to Cricket Media. How delightful it is to see in all six pages of snotty glory!
Purchase your February 2021 issue of Spider HERE.
©2019 Cricket Media, all rights reserved.
I was super delighted when the April 2019, Cricket magazine arrived in my mailbox with my article "Papa G'Ho: One Grumpy Great Horned Owl" inside! The layout was as gorgeous as my raptor hero. (He may be a sour grape when it comes to humans, but he's a peach when it comes to taking care of babies.) Papa G'Ho has been a surrogate father to at least thirty orphaned owlets rehabilitating at the Wildlife Center of Virginia. He teaches each bundle of fluff how to survive as great horned owls of the wild, though he can no longer live in it. Papa's story warms my heart, and I hope kids will fall in love with him too! Learn more about Papa G'Ho HERE, and purchase a copy of the April 2019 issue of Cricket HERE.
Orcas! There’s nothing quite like them in nature—magnificent marine mammals that play, work, move, and live together in perfect harmony. They're intelligent, collaborative hunters that are all about family, never straying far from mom—no matter how old they get. Children in grades 3-5 will be filled with awe and inspiration as they discover fascinating facts about this amazing animal. Every spread within this Nature's Children title is filled with captivating photographs. Like all titles in the series, Orcas contains a fact file that breaks down vital data points in an easy-to-follow and understandable format; fast facts; a family tree to show how this animal fits into the wider category of its scientific order; a glossary and more. The last chapter discusses human impact on the animal and its environment. Published by Scholastic Press, February 9, 2019, order your copy of Nature's Children: Orcas—library bound or paperback--HERE!
Working for hire under the direction of editor extraordinaire Stephanie Fitzgerald of Spooky Cheetah Press, I created Brave Explorers: How Did Lewis, Clark, and Sacagawea Shape America? It's a leveled social studies readers for first graders. I only had a few weeks to do all my research--a crash course in the Lewis and Clark expedition and my brain was aglow! Good thing I LOVE research and learning new things, especially about subjects I know little about but always wanted to know more.
Though this was only one title, I had to write it three times, once for students reading below grade level, once for those reading at grade level, and once for students reading above grade level. Yet each subtitle was to include the same basic information and use the same graphics. I also had to tell the story inside very few pages and with very few decodable words. What a challenge! I thought I knew how to disseminate facts for younger kids, but this assignment opened my eyes. I hadn't a clue! Now I see that a child's reading ability should determine not only my word choice, but also what content I include, the sentence length and my story structure. Less is always more.
Brave Explorers became available to schools during the fall 2018-19 school year through Nystrom Education and Social Studies School Service (S4). It is just one title of the many Nystrom offers to K-5 students as part of their elementary cross-curriculum teaching program that includes a teacher’s guide, a book of student handouts, sets of textbooks covering a wide range of topics, desk maps, globes, and activity cards. The books are also used in the Nystrom Education and Social Studies School Service Active Classroom, which is a digital and printable teaching tool that allows teachers to display Common Core topics in an engaging manner with correlated lessons easily adjusted to the reading level of the students.
Though this was only one title, I had to write it three times, once for students reading below grade level, once for those reading at grade level, and once for students reading above grade level. Yet each subtitle was to include the same basic information and use the same graphics. I also had to tell the story inside very few pages and with very few decodable words. What a challenge! I thought I knew how to disseminate facts for younger kids, but this assignment opened my eyes. I hadn't a clue! Now I see that a child's reading ability should determine not only my word choice, but also what content I include, the sentence length and my story structure. Less is always more.
Brave Explorers became available to schools during the fall 2018-19 school year through Nystrom Education and Social Studies School Service (S4). It is just one title of the many Nystrom offers to K-5 students as part of their elementary cross-curriculum teaching program that includes a teacher’s guide, a book of student handouts, sets of textbooks covering a wide range of topics, desk maps, globes, and activity cards. The books are also used in the Nystrom Education and Social Studies School Service Active Classroom, which is a digital and printable teaching tool that allows teachers to display Common Core topics in an engaging manner with correlated lessons easily adjusted to the reading level of the students.
Check out Nystrom's engaging educational programs HERE and their Social Studies School Service (S4) Active Classroom HERE. Meet Editor Stephanie Fitzgerald over on my BLOG, and learn more about her publishing company Spooky Cheetah Press HERE.
GILBERT HUNT~
ENCYCLOPEDIA VIRGINIA ENTRY
Gilbert Hunt was an enslaved blacksmith who saved twelve women from the Richmond Theater Fire in 1811. I first read about Gilbert's heroic act while researching another man of color who lived in Richmond, Virginia, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. Little did I realize, how researching Gilbert's life would touch my very core. When I discovered Gilbert's story of heroic rescue was not included among the wonderful encyclopedic resource, ENCYCLOPEDIA VIRGINIA, I wrote the editors to say how much it needed to be included there. I also mentioned that I had just completed my research regarding Gilbert for a children's picture book biography, ARMS OF IRON, and that I could write the entry. I was delighted and honored when I was commissioned to do so! And though I thought my research was complete, little did I realize how very wrong I was. Digging deeper for this entry uncovered details of Gilbert's life, a treasure trove of documented history, that I hadn't realized I missed. I hope you'll visit Encyclopedia Virginia and read not only GILBERT'S ENTRY but also those of the many men and women found among the rich chronicles of Virginia history.
ENCYCLOPEDIA VIRGINIA ENTRY
Gilbert Hunt was an enslaved blacksmith who saved twelve women from the Richmond Theater Fire in 1811. I first read about Gilbert's heroic act while researching another man of color who lived in Richmond, Virginia, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. Little did I realize, how researching Gilbert's life would touch my very core. When I discovered Gilbert's story of heroic rescue was not included among the wonderful encyclopedic resource, ENCYCLOPEDIA VIRGINIA, I wrote the editors to say how much it needed to be included there. I also mentioned that I had just completed my research regarding Gilbert for a children's picture book biography, ARMS OF IRON, and that I could write the entry. I was delighted and honored when I was commissioned to do so! And though I thought my research was complete, little did I realize how very wrong I was. Digging deeper for this entry uncovered details of Gilbert's life, a treasure trove of documented history, that I hadn't realized I missed. I hope you'll visit Encyclopedia Virginia and read not only GILBERT'S ENTRY but also those of the many men and women found among the rich chronicles of Virginia history.
©2015 Cricket Media, all rights reserved.
In My Suit is a poem about a little boy who's all dressed up and ready to go someplace special. But once outside, he must decide between staying all spiffy or jumping into a marvelously splooshy mud puddle.
The poem was beautifully laid out alongside the delightful illustrations of Sairom Moon--a most-amazing, Korean artist--on pages 16 & 17 of the September 2015 issue of LADYBUG: The Magazine for Children, an award-winning imprint of Cricket Media.
The poem was beautifully laid out alongside the delightful illustrations of Sairom Moon--a most-amazing, Korean artist--on pages 16 & 17 of the September 2015 issue of LADYBUG: The Magazine for Children, an award-winning imprint of Cricket Media.
Lorny's Burro
Lorny Adams, one small girl amongst a slew of cow-roping brothers, had a burro. Though the poor thing looked more like a moth-eaten carpet than it did a useful donkey, to Lorny that burro was the most beautiful creature in all of New Mexico. As sure as lizards run, it was the best friend Lorny could ever have. So when a drought blew its dry breath on the Adams’ ranch, it was up to Lorny to keep her burro fed. Lorny's Burro is a short story based on a true story that appeared in Frontier Tales, January 2015, issue #64.
Lorny Adams, one small girl amongst a slew of cow-roping brothers, had a burro. Though the poor thing looked more like a moth-eaten carpet than it did a useful donkey, to Lorny that burro was the most beautiful creature in all of New Mexico. As sure as lizards run, it was the best friend Lorny could ever have. So when a drought blew its dry breath on the Adams’ ranch, it was up to Lorny to keep her burro fed. Lorny's Burro is a short story based on a true story that appeared in Frontier Tales, January 2015, issue #64.
Freedom Pen
Being mean ain't in nobody’s blood.
Reckon folks will argue that one until there's no more moonshine on the mountains. But that's what Billy's sister, Sarah the Twerp, believes. And Billy wants to believe it, too. After all, he's been penned in by a violent past, and that makes him worried. Will he become violent, too, like his Pa?
It doesn't take much for Sarah to convince Billy that they ought to free Tonto & Silver, their pit bull pups, from a future of dog-fighting. And maybe, just maybe, they'll change their own futures while they are at it.
Freedom Pen is a fast-paced, middle-grade novella set in 1941 rural Virginia. It contains the lovely work of illustrator Ernie D'Elia. Freedom Pen was published in September 2012 by Pugalicious Press, a new publishing venture that unfortunately closed its doors just three months after Freedom Pen's release.
Nonetheless, Billy would still love to meet you over at his website. You're sure to enjoy reading a review of Freedom Pen over at Project Middle Grade Mayhem and at Kid Lit Reviews. And you can purchase one of the few copies of Freedom Pen remaining at the lovely indie in Madison, Virginia, MAD Arts.
And who knows? Maybe one of these days I'll breathe new life into Billy and Sarah's story by refashioning it into a graphic novel!
Reckon folks will argue that one until there's no more moonshine on the mountains. But that's what Billy's sister, Sarah the Twerp, believes. And Billy wants to believe it, too. After all, he's been penned in by a violent past, and that makes him worried. Will he become violent, too, like his Pa?
It doesn't take much for Sarah to convince Billy that they ought to free Tonto & Silver, their pit bull pups, from a future of dog-fighting. And maybe, just maybe, they'll change their own futures while they are at it.
Freedom Pen is a fast-paced, middle-grade novella set in 1941 rural Virginia. It contains the lovely work of illustrator Ernie D'Elia. Freedom Pen was published in September 2012 by Pugalicious Press, a new publishing venture that unfortunately closed its doors just three months after Freedom Pen's release.
Nonetheless, Billy would still love to meet you over at his website. You're sure to enjoy reading a review of Freedom Pen over at Project Middle Grade Mayhem and at Kid Lit Reviews. And you can purchase one of the few copies of Freedom Pen remaining at the lovely indie in Madison, Virginia, MAD Arts.
And who knows? Maybe one of these days I'll breathe new life into Billy and Sarah's story by refashioning it into a graphic novel!
(c) Ernie D'Elia, 2012
"I enjoyed reading this short and approachable book for young readers and dog lovers! It's a nice slice of life novella with a good sense of place. Young readers will certainly understand the main character's desire to save puppies from dog fighting. Dionna Mann has a lovely way with words!"
Kathryn Erskine, author of Mockingbird, a National Book Award Winner
"I enjoyed reading this short and approachable book for young readers and dog lovers! It's a nice slice of life novella with a good sense of place. Young readers will certainly understand the main character's desire to save puppies from dog fighting. Dionna Mann has a lovely way with words!"
Kathryn Erskine, author of Mockingbird, a National Book Award Winner
As a freelance journalist, I wrote human-interest articles on editorial assignment for ten-plus years for the amazing Charlottesville Family Magazine, a Parent's Choice winner. I've covered a wide-range of topics from robotics to backyard carnivals. I've written articles encouraging day trips to cool places with exotic animals, trains, waterfalls, caves, butterfly gardens, llamas. suspected hidden treasure, and the like.
I've penned sports-related articles featuring families who love lacrosse, gymnastics, swimming, volleyball, tennis, cycling, skateboarding, and more. I've interviewed fetal surgeons, breast cancer survivors, teens who love science, mothers of triplets, refugee families, foster families, adoptive families, special needs' dog trainers, and others. It's been my privilege to share their most-inspiring stories.
If you'd like to see a sampling of my work, visit my CLIPS page.
I've penned sports-related articles featuring families who love lacrosse, gymnastics, swimming, volleyball, tennis, cycling, skateboarding, and more. I've interviewed fetal surgeons, breast cancer survivors, teens who love science, mothers of triplets, refugee families, foster families, adoptive families, special needs' dog trainers, and others. It's been my privilege to share their most-inspiring stories.
If you'd like to see a sampling of my work, visit my CLIPS page.