What I'm reading now...

My SCBWI bulletin (excellent article about writing query and cover letters), Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo, and a great mid-grade novel. I do love books for kids this age.

Not hot off the press exactly, but so worth reading, Emma Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree. If there’s a truer voice than Emma-Jean’s occasionally clueless, always well-intentioned, kind and smart—in a good way—seventh grade persona, I say let it speak. Otherwise Emma-Jean should rule the day. This first novel by Lauren Tarshis is a gem. Named for the woman who wrote the words on the Statue of Liberty, Emma-Jean doesn’t have much in common with her Middle School classmates. But that doesn’t stop her from coming to the rescue when she finds Colleen sniffling in the girls’ room. Colleen’s problem is a bratty mean girl whom most kids will recognize. Emma-Jean decides to take the challenge and help Colleen, and that’s when the problems begin.

I'm also reading my friend Janet's work-in-progress, my new critique group buddy G. Neri's hot-off-the-press, terrific book, Chess Rumble, and a stack of magazines and newspapers stacked high by my chair, gathering dust, big time.