I'm always on the hunt for new middle grade "boy" books and SAVING REDWIND hits the bullseye. Both the boys and the girls in my class went crazy for this story.
All eleven-year-old Nick Stevenson wants is an adventure like his dad's. Oh, and for the creepy ceiling in his bedroom to stop storming and spinning. When he's asked to save a world that exists inside his bedroom's wallpaper, Nick thinks he's found his very own adventure. But he has no idea it will involve talking rocks, dream stealing birds, and becoming friends with wizards. Can Nick save Redwind and his new friends before his mom calls him home for hockey practice?
Here are some questions and comments from the 5th Grade Trenches...
Why did you call the monsters Krogs? Maya
Where did you get the idea for SAVING REDWIND? Myles/Vanessa E./Clarissa/Tameem
How did you come up with the strange names? Ben
When will there be more Redwind adventures? (This was the #1 question)
The final battle was exciting. (This was the #1 comment)
I'm still pumped thinking about the ending. Mariah
Loved all the different character personalities. Cayze
It was heart warming. Megan
I loved the details. I felt like I was right there in Redwind. Katie
Loved the humor in the story. Skyeler
Thank you, Kris Yankee for taking us all through the wallpaper.
photo credit
photo credit
This blog will resume its regular program schedule on Wednesday, December 7, 2011.
That sounds cool. Very imaginative.
ReplyDeleteThe author's name is very familiar.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out the book for my younger two kids.
Holy cow, what a cool premise! Now I'll bet kids with wallpaper will look at their rooms differently.
ReplyDeleteYour kids are awesome, and I loved their brilliant questions and comments. Thanks, class!
Awesome!!! If I were the author I'd be in seventh heaven right now. :D
ReplyDeleteHoly Smokes!!! I am stunned and humbled. Thank you so much for reading my story to your class. I love their comments and questions! Can you please give them my answers after break?
ReplyDeleteWhy did you call the monsters Krogs? Maya - Maya, that's a great question. I'll tell you the truth if you promise not to laugh, okay? Promise? I spend a lot of time at a grocery story called Kroger and sometimes I feel like I'm in a jungle there with all the other mom's and dad's trying to get their shopping done before the kids are out of school. So...I came up with the Krog from the name of the store.
Where did you get the idea for SAVING REDWIND? Myles/Vanessa E./Clarissa/Tameem - Another great question, kids! When my family moved into our house, my oldest son's bedroom was covered with really ugly wallpaper. It was huge pink and gray flowers - not something my hockey-loving son would want at all! While taking off that wallpaper, I started to think about a boy being sucked into a world within the wallpaper and how he'd have a ton of adventures.
How did you come up with the strange names? Ben Wow! You guys have great questions! The strange names are actually variations of peoples' names. For instance: Keymi is Mikey. Claria refers to my aunt Clara, Coach Nomis is Coach Simon backwards - did you catch that? :) Redwind is a variation of Redwing - our favorite hockey team! Keyra is a variation of my name and my husband's name.
When will there be more Redwind adventures? (This was the #1 question) I love to hear this! I'm hoping soon. I'm currently working on a Young Adult book, that I'm co-authoring with a screenwriter. When I'm done with that story, I hope to get back to Nick and his adventures.
The final battle was exciting. (This was the #1 comment) - Wow!! I'm so happy to hear you all enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun to write and imagine.
I'm still pumped thinking about the ending. Mariah _ Thanks so much, Mariah!
Loved all the different character personalities. Cayze - Thanks, Cayze, you know a lot of those character personalities are people that I actually know. You have to be careful when you're around a writer - you may end up in their book!
It was heart warming. Megan - Aww, Megan! That's so sweet to hear.
I loved the details. I felt like I was right there in Redwind. Katie - Katie! I hoped that the reader would feel that way. Glad it worked!
Loved the humor in the story. Skyeler - Skyeler- I totally believe in making life fun, and humor is a great way to make even the toughest times bearable.
Thanks again!! You have given me the best early Christmas present! Hugs to you all!!
Kris Yankee
Oh very cool--I love the idea behind this book. I'll put this one on my list to grab from the library!
ReplyDeleteAngela @ The Bookshelf Muse
Thanks for all the way cool vibes, everyone.
ReplyDeleteWow, Kris, the kids will be thrilled when I share this with them on Monday. You are a rockstar.
Hey Leslie! Please let the kids know that they have inspired an old writer to keep writing! Well, I'm not too old, but you know what I mean.
ReplyDeleteOh man, that sounds so creative. And I love the questions from the kids. I ask the same questions about my own writing. (hehe) What an awesome author to respond and I LOVED her answers. THanks for sharing Leslie.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for the blog, Leslie! Please keep these coming. And how wonderful of Kris to come on and answer the kids' questions.
ReplyDeleteHave you read Elliot and the Goblin War to your class yet? I just started it and love the voice and narrative style, and I think it might work really well for you.
Hiya Leslie! Enjoy your blog break - I hope you really do come back. So many bloggers say they'll be back, but...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the 'boy book' recommendations. I'll add them to my list. Have you read Patrick Carman's Skeleton Creek series? Also a good one for boys. :)
PS I'm having an early Christmas giveaway on my blog this weekend. Come enter!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLove the questions, Leslie! You should share the link to this post with the author--I'm sure Kris would love to see them! : )
ReplyDeleteWell, the kids are the best sellers of a book, ever. Think I might get this one for my kids for Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read that one yet! I'll definitely have to check it out - thanks :)
ReplyDeleteThanks again, Leslie, for posting about this. I'm still so excited and am always telling people - a whole 5th grade class likes it! And, it's not my son's 5th grade class!
ReplyDelete