Posted in Duncraig Primary School, teachers' resources

Darius Bell and the Glitter Pool: book review

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Darius Bell and the Glitter Pool, by Odo Hirsch, ISBN 9781741757163, Allen & Unwin.

Reviewed by Year 5 students at Duncraig Primary School.*

Darius Bell and the Glitter Pool (cover)Darius is worried. Time is running out. Will he and his family ever decide upon this generation’s Bell Gift from the family to the town so they can retain the family house and name? When he and his friends find a mysterious glittering pool in the grounds of the house they wonder if it might provide an answer.

This imaginative book will appeal to some tween readers but does not work as a read aloud book as the detail slows the plot. Quirky, well-developed characters carry the story. Our class thinks it would help retain interest if the author moved between locations and plot lines more frequently. We enjoyed the unexpected plot turns and the overall quest structure.

This acclaimed author has written the much-loved Hazel Green series and others such as Amelia Dee and the Peacock Lamp.

—

*Duncraig Primary School is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. A review copy of Darius Bell and the Glitter Pool was provided by the publisher.

"Undercover Readers Club logo"

Posted in Christmas, info

Summer issue coming soon!

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

The summer issue of Alphabet Soup is only a few weeks away. We can’t wait to show you the cover by the winner of our design-a-cover competition! As you know, the theme for the summer issue is Medieval. Here’s a taste of what you’ll find inside:

  • Q&A with Norman Jorgensen, author of The Last Viking
  • WA fencer Ben Peden
  • Poems, stories and book recommendations
  • Writing tips from the Book Chook.

… and lots more!

Magazine covers
Subscribers receive four copies per year

Christmas subscriptions: Light to post and perfect for kids who love books and creative writing! Let us know if you’re ordering a subscription as a gift.  You can request that the first copy be posted to you (so you can wrap it to put under the tree) or we can post it to the recipient with your message attached on 20 December 2011. Simply add your message in the ‘message to seller’ box if ordering via our website. Or email our editor with your instructions/message.

Plus, subscribers with an Australian delivery address go into a draw every issue to win a $200 book pack. The book pack for our summer 2011 draw is provided by Scholastic Australia! (Note: books in pack may differ from those pictured.)

Books from Scholastic Australia
Subscribe and go into a draw for a $200 book pack!

Keep reading and writing!

Rebecca (Editor)

Posted in info

Three Quick Questions – Sally Murphy #22

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

All through October, Alphabet Soup has been celebrating turning three. We had lots of writers and illustrators visiting our blog to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS. Today we have our last visitor, Sally Murphy—poet and author. Her books include Pearl Verses the World, Toppling and many more …

"Pearl Verses the World"

toppling (cover)

1. Where do you like to write?

At home—either at my desk or on the kitchen table. My desk has lots of piles of paper—ideas, drafts, books to read, and so on. So sometimes I have to move away from my desk to the kitchen table.

But I can write anywhere.  I carry a notebook in my bag and if I have a few minutes to spare, or if inspiration strikes, or I suddenly know what is going to happen next, I can grab the notebook and start writing.

2. Can you name a book you’d recommend to our readers?

Just one? I am happy to say that I read all the time (even more than I write) It is a great way to improve your writing skills, and of course it’s fun, too. One book I read recently that has stayed with me is Angel Creek, by Sally Rippin, about some kids who find an injured angel and decide to keep it.

Angel Creek (cover)
Sally Murphy recommends Angel Creek by Sally Rippin

3. Can you offer a word or phrase that kids could use for inspiration if they have writer’s block?

Fang.

Find out more about Sally Murphy—visit her official author website, her website for kids and her book review website—Aussie Reviews.

That’s the end of our Three Quick Questions series. In case you missed any, here are links to all our visitors. (Check out your favourite writer or illustrator’s recommended read and writing prompt!)

Frane Lessac

Wendy Orr

Susan Stephenson (The Book Chook)

James Foley

Tania McCartney

Mark Wilson

Cristy Burne

Sheryl Gwyther

Aleesah Darlison

Katrina Germein

Rebecca Cool

Sandy Fussell

Frederique from poetry blog, Fred’s Petals

Norman Jorgensen

Jackie Hosking

Claire Saxby

Kathryn Apel
Dee White

Robyn Opie

Janeen Brian

Sally Murphy

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Sally Murphy” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)
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Three Quick Questions – Janeen Brian #21

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All through October, Alphabet Soup is celebrating turning three. We have heaps of writers and illustrators stopping by to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS and today’s visitor is Janeen Brian, poet and author. Her books include Shirl and the Wollomby Show and Columbia Sneezes!, and many more …

Shirl and the Wollomby Show (cover)  Columbia Sneezes (cover)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Where do you like to write?

My favourite place to write is still my office, although I’ve tried many other places. It’s where my brain associates the act of writing best of all. I can jot down ideas or brainstorm while in bed or on a couch, but in my office I can spread work out on a central table or concentrate totally at my computer. My office has all sorts of photos and writing memorabilia in it, so it’s very much my place of enjoyment as well my writing.

2. Can you name a book you’d recommend to our readers?

I read children’s and adult’s books all the time, but I’ve just finished re-reading a book by Gary Paulsen, called Hatchet. First printed in 1987, it’s had many reprints and I think it’s a classic. The blurb reads: When a 13 year old city boy crash lands in the Canadian wilderness all he is left with is a hatchet—and the need to survive. From now on he learns everything the hard way …

It’s a wonderful read, gripping, powerful and realistic. I shared it with my grandson, which made it doubly enjoyable.

Hatchet (cover)
Janeen Brian recommends Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

3. Can you offer a word or phrase that kids could use for inspiration if they have writer’s block?

Here’s a command phrase that might kickstart inspiration: ‘Don’t come any closer!’

Find out more about Janeen Brian—visit her blog, and her website.

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Janeen Brian” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)
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Three Quick Questions – Robyn Opie Parnell #20

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

All through October, Alphabet Soup is celebrating turning three. We have heaps of writers and illustrators stopping by to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS and today’s visitor is Robyn Opie Parnell, author of many books, including the Black Baron series—and Maya and the Crystal Skull, which will be released in November 2011.

Maya and the Crystal Skull (cover)

1. Where do you like to write?

My favourite place to write is my favourite recliner chair in the lounge room. I usually write in this recliner chair with my feet up and my laptop on my lap. Talk about comfy!

2. Can you name a book you’d recommend to our readers?

In the last week, I’ve read my own book Maya and the Crystal Skull twice to check for mistakes before the book is printed. Amazingly, I still enjoyed the book after reading it twice in one week. Of course this means I haven’t read any other books in this time. Prior to that, I was researching the ancient Maya for a second book in the Maya and the Crystal Skull series. So I’m not much help in the recent reading of a children’s book department. But I can recommend a book I’ve read in the last six months. It’s a young adult book— the first book in the fifth shadow series by Alison Ashley. It was a thoroughly good read.

3. Can you offer a word or phrase that kids could use for inspiration if they have writer’s block?

Over the moon.

Find out more about Robyn Opie Parnell—visit her blog, and her website.

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Robyn Opie Parnell” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow when we talk to author and poet Janeen Brian.)

Posted in info

Three Quick Questions – Dee White #19

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

All through October, Alphabet Soup is celebrating turning three. We have heaps of writers and illustrators stopping by to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS and today’s visitor is Dee White, author of Hope for Hanna, and YA novel Letters to Leonardo. Dee also runs the Writing Classes for Kids blog.

Hope for Hanna (cover)

1. Where do you like to write?

My favourite place to write is my study or my lounge room, which have amazing views (here’s a pic).

The view from Dee's study
What a view! (© Dee White 2011)

2. Can you name a book you’d recommend to our readers?

A book I’ve read recently that I’d recommend is Head Spinners by Thalia Kalkipsakis.
Head Spinners (cover)
Dee White recommends Head Spinners by Thalia Kalkipsakis.

3. Can you offer a word or phrase that kids could use for inspiration if they have writer’s block?

A word or phrase I would use to kickstart inspiration is, “You wake up in the morning and your cat has brought you breakfast in bed.”

You can find out more about Dee White on her blog, and on her website. And make sure you check out Dee’s Writing Classes for Kids blog, too—there are writing tips, writing tutorials for download, competitions and more …

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Dee White” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow when we talk to author Robyn Opie.)

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Three Quick Questions – Kathryn Apel #18

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Kathryn Apel

All through October, Alphabet Soup is celebrating turning three. We have heaps of writers and illustrators stopping by to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS and today’s visitor is Kathryn Apel, author of Fencing With Fear, and This is the Mud.

1. Where do you like to write?

Sometimes my brain likes to write by itself and I have to stop what I’m doing and dash for paper/pencil, computer—anything! —just to catch the words. My brain likes to write when I’m;

driving (alone)

walking (with the dog)

chopping vegetables

in the shower.

I like to write at the computer, because I can organize my ideas neatly and I don’t have to worry about my handwriting, which gets messier and messier the faster I write. (And even messier still when I change my mind and start scratching things out.) Sometimes I decide; It’s time. I will write. I sit at the computer … walk to the fridge … sit at the computer … walk outside … sit at the computer … go on Twitter … check my blog … go to the fridge … sit at the computer … and FINALLY … the ideas and the words come. Yay and hurray, I say!

2. Can you name a book you’d recommend to our readers?

I really enjoyed the unexpectedness of the picture book Fred Stays With Me by Nancy Coffelt and illustrated by Tricia Tusa. I think it’s cleverly done. I even gave a bark of laughter—which is appropriate, because Fred is a dog.

Fred Stays With Me (cover)
Kathryn Apel recommends Fred Stays With Me

3. Can you offer a word or phrase that kids could use for inspiration if they have writer’s block?

“Did you see that?”

You can find out more about Kathryn Apel on her blog, and on her website.

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Kathryn Apel” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow when we talk to author Dee White.)

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Three Quick Questions – Claire Saxby #17

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Claire Saxby
Claire Saxby

All through October, Alphabet Soup is celebrating turning three. We have heaps of writers and illustrators stopping by to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS and today’s visitor is Claire Saxby, author of Sheep, Goat and the Creaking Gate, There was an Old Sailor, The Carrum Sailing Club, and many more fiction and nonfiction books.

 

Sheep, Goat and the Creaking GateThe Carrum Sailing Club (cover)

 

1. Where do you like to write?

My favourite place to write was in the library, until they knocked it down to build another one. I can’t wait until the new one is opened in September NEXT year. I also like writing in cafes. Somehow the noise at a cafe isn’t at all distracting whereas the silence and call of all the housework is very distracting at home.

2. Can you name a book you’d recommend to our readers?

Surface Tension by Meg McKinlay was a great read about a girl who was born the day they flooded her town. Everyone else talks about ‘before’ and ‘after’ and she feels like the only one with no knowledge of ‘before’. After years of drought, the old town is becoming visible and bringing with it secrets. This is a wonderful story about friendship, and finding where you belong.

Surface Tension (cover)
Claire Saxby recommends Surface Tension by Meg McKinlay

 

3. Can you offer a word or phrase that kids could use for inspiration if they have writer’s block?

I didn’t do it!

You can find out more about Claire Saxby on her blog Let’s Have Words, and see an interview about a picture book’s journey.

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Claire Saxby” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow when we talk to author Kathryn Apel.)

Posted in competitions

Writing Classes for Kids online

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Australian author Dee White has started a new website called Writing Classes for Kids (& adults). You’ll find info about writing, writing tips, links to useful websites, writing competitions, and writing classes for kids and grownups (available as $5 downloads).

Check out the info about the first competition on the Writing Classes for Kids website. There’s a category for 8 to 12s and there are book prizes—the competition is free and entries close 30 November 2011. Good luck!

Posted in info

Third Birthday Giveaway – winners

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

We are pleased to announce the winners of our third birthday notebook-and-pen giveaways.

The winner of giveaway 1 (spiral-bound notebook and blue pen) is Rani.

The winner of giveaway 2 (striped hardcover notebook and blue pen) is Toni Osborn.

The winner of giveaway 3 (spiral-bound notebook with Ferris Wheel on the cover, and blue pen) is Melita.

We have sent emails to the three winners and hope to be posting their prizes in the next week.

Congratulations and happy writing!