We don't do stars...
We don't do thumbs...
We read children's books and grade them in 10 categories:
literary quality
plot
voice
originality
descriptive ability
humor (if attempted)
illustrations (if present)
believability of characters
believability of situations
overall reading enjoyment

There is no grading curve. There are no points for classroom participation. There is no extra credit.
If you disagree, come speak to us after class.

The Grading System

A+.....this means (guess what) we think it's great. So great it surprised even us.
A.....this means it's pretty darn good. A book we'd recommend to just about everyone we know.
B.....better than most. Not exactly Shakespeare for kids, though, if you get our drift.
C.....mediocre. Like the color beige, it didn't stand out.
D.....we didn't like it. There were more bad aspects than good ones.
F.....it reeked of badness. We read it over and over when we are in dire need of hysterical laughter.
F-.....We're pretty sure Dante had a circle of hell for the people who wrote these...and a lower circle for those who published them.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Author Interview: Lindsay Eland, author of Scones and Sensibility


Today we welcome the second of our Tenner authors, Lindsay Eland, author of the middle grade title SCONES AND SENSIBILITY, due in stores December 22.

CBR:What are ten words that best describe your book?

LE: Funny, heartwarming, utterly romantic, soaring on the wings of elation, drowning in the depths of despair, bosom friends, scrumptious baking, matchmaking, books, and family dynamics

CBR: What is one of your favorite sentences or paragraphs from your book?

LE: Oh dear! One of them is in the first thirty or so pages of Scones and Sensibility, when Polly, my overdramtic, over romantic main character is meeting up with her neighbors dog on one of her first deliveries. "Jack the Nipper stared viciously at me with his blackened eyes, but I lifted my nose to him unwilling to fall under his spell of intimidation. Still, I felt it unwise to enter the gate lest my dainty ankles be punctured by his pointed blood-thirsty teeth."
CBR: Michelangelo once said, "What do you despise? By this you are truly known." What are ten things (smells, sounds, situations, etc.) you just can't stand?

LE: The smell of syrup and cold spaghetti, the sound of a banana being eaten and macaroni and cheese being stirred which are sounds that are pretty much equal on the "despise" scale, I don't like waiting though I'm quite good at it now, the smell and the sound and the situation of throw-up is always just a horrible thing, I hate icy sidewalks, and the back of my hair when it gets too long, and I don't like long lines which kind of goes along with waiting, I guess, and I can't stand high-pitched screams

CBR: If you had to spend the rest of your life on a desert island, what fictional character would you take with you?

LE: Why, most definitely, Anne Shirley

CBR: Who are some authors that have inspired you?

LE: Kate Dicamillo, Richard Peck, Polly Horvath, Gary Schmidt, Laura Tarshis, LM Montgomery, and so, so many more

CBR: What book of the past ten years did you enjoy the most?

LE: Only one?! I guess it would have to be The Tale of Desperaux by Kate Dicamillo...I love it so very much


CBR: When you were ten years old, what did you plan to be when you grew up?
LE: A writer, actually!

CBR: If you could choose anyone, living or dead, what illustrator would you choose to illustrate your book?

LE: I adore Marla Frazee as well as David Small and Matt Phelan!

CBR: What would be your main character's theme song/some songs on the soundtrack for your book?

LE: It would an all instrumental soundtrack with lot's of tinkling piano keys and romantic melodies that whisk you away

CBR: Could you give us any hints/teasers as to what your next project might be?

LE: I'll give you the titles of two new projects!
1. The Culinary Year of Gloria Cubbins
2. My Life As An Omelet

CBR: Thanks so much, Lindsay, and best of luck with everything!

LE: Thanks so much for having me!

To learn more about Lindsay and her books, you can visit her website at www.lindsayeland.com

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