Cloning Miranda goes to Korea!

A first foreign sale for a Fictive Press title!

A Korean edition of Cloning Miranda (Fictive Press, 2017) will soon be published by Sakyejul Publishing. Young Korean readers are in for a treat with this thought-provoking sci-fi novel for middle grades!

Congratulations to Carol Matas and her literary agent, Amy Tomkins, from Transatlantic Agency, on the sale of the Korean rights to this book.

Why Science Fiction is So Important

Carol Matas talks to Cantastic Authorpalooza about her long career writing #sciencefiction and why it so relevant to young people today.

Tucson Jo Listed in Top Middle Grade Historical Fiction

Ezvid Wiki, the world's first video wiki, has selected Tucson Jo by Carol Matas for its top 10 "Engaging Works of Middle Grade Historical Fiction. 

P.J. le Pooch Goes to the Knowlton Literary Festival!

P.J. le Pooch and his author, Morri Mostow, are excited to be participating in the Local Author's event that kicks off the 9th edition of the annual Knowlton Literary Festival in Brome Lake, Quebec, on October 11, 2018. 

Morri will be talking about her series for kids 8 - 12, set in a fictionalized Brome Lake, particularly the newest book in the series, P.J. le Pooch & the Haunted Inn, published in 2018. 

P.J. le Pooch # 2 Now Available to Order!

A GIRL & HER DOG ... THE MAGIC CONTINUES!

In this second instalment of the P.J. le Pooch series, it is now autumn in the charming Quebec village of Brine Lake, a season of mists and magic in which the mysterious Lola Lamour continues to cast her spell. P.J. le Pooch, now a trusted “store dog” at Coin Héritage, helps 12-year-old Millie McTwitter and her best friend, Cassandre Bédard, solve a crime and discover something surprising when a ghost at the inn asks for their help.

Order P.J. le Pooch & the Haunted Inn in your favourite format:

Trade paperback (5" x 8", 154 pages): 

ePub and other digital formats: $8.99 USD

ATTENTION GABRIOLA RESIDENTS/VISITORS:
The P.J. le Pooch series is available at Page's Resort and Marina Bookstore on the south end of Gabriola Island.

Sibling Rivalry and Favoritism

Sibling rivalry and favoritism is the subject of Janet Heller's children's book, The Passover Surprise (Fictive Press, 2015), as Heller explains in this personal and insightful video interview.

P.J. le Pooch Gets Top Rating from CM!

Click here to order in print or ebook 

★★★★/4
Highly Recommended
by CM: Canadian Review of Materials*

It doesn't get much better than that! 

I'm working on P.J. le Pooch's next adventures for middle-grade readers, so it's very gratifying—not to mention, motivating!—to have his first novel get such a glowing endorsement.

*CM: Canadian Review of Materials is a prestigious online publication, from the University of Manitoba, of particular interest to teachers and librarians.

Surprise your Kids for Passover!

"Janet Ruth Heller’s The Passover Surprise is a nicely illustrated chapbook for young readers with clear print, great chapter titles, well-placed black-and-white illustrations, and a pleasing lesson well-told. The story’s set around 1960, when civil rights hit the schoolroom and the news, fathers might have served in the Second World War, and girls were still not supposed to like the same things as boys. It’s a deceptively simple tale in which life isn’t fair, but love and trust, with a measure of kind communication, might ease the pain. 

"Readers will learn about sibling rivalry and parental mistakes, while absorbing the joys of stamp collecting, Jewish Sabbath and Passover, and family love. As Lisa learns of the world’s many faults, her own problems fall into pleasing perspective, and her mother’s advice proves wise and comforting.

"A great book to build good family relationships (complete with a neat discussion guide), and an intriguing window into the world, The Passover Surprise is highly recommended." —Sheila Deeth, author of Psalm Stories and other books

How to Deal with Unfairness in a Father

A chapter book for middle grades

Bonnie Ferrante talks about the complex issue of how a child deals with an unfair father in her review of Janet Heller's chapter book for middle grades, The Passover Surprise.

Read Bonnie Ferrante's in-depth interview with Janet Heller, "A Life-long Mission of Equality and Inclusion."

P.J. le Pooch Featured in Nanaimo Bulletin

A big thank-you to Rachel Stern
of the Nanaimo News Bulletin
for her article about my middle-grades novel,
P.J. le Pooch & the Magic Sketchbook.

The Passover Surprise: Recommended for Children 11-15

"In Janet Ruth Heller’s The Passover Surprise  (illustrated by Ronald Kauffman; Fictive Press, 48 pp. $11), Jewish traditions, stamp collecting, sibling rivalry and familial affection are all part of the story of Lisa, who craves a “big blue stamp album” as a gift for finding the afikoman. Readers will root for Lisa and a happy holiday."

Reviewed by Gloria Goldreich, "Stories for Children to Celebrate and Commemorate," Hadassah Magazine, Dec., 2016

Serious Moral Issues Discussed in Wide-ranging Interview with Carol Matas

Tucson Tales, a publication showcasing new and established writers, has posted a thoughtful, wide-ranging interview about Tucson Jo, Carol Matas' award-winning historical novel for middle grades.

 

Carol talks about the story behind the story—cowboys and Jews, antisemitism, even in the American Wild West, and important moral issues of relevance in today's world. A must read for teachers—and for kids of all ages.

Carol Matas talks about the meaning of fredom in this excerpt from the Tucson Tales interview:

Q: Incorporating more serious themes into your work for children seems to be an important part of what you do. Does this ever extend beyond the page? Do you ever engage in a dialogue with children, say, after a reading? If so, what comes of it? How do you children react after reading your stories?

P.J. le Pooch Launched at Gabriola Library Dec. 3

Author Morri Mostow
with artist Vicky Bowes

Gabriola artist Vicky Bowes received lots of well-deserved kudos from the folks attending the book launch of P.J. le Pooch & the Magic Sketchbook at the Gabriola Library, for her wonderful cover art.

PJ. le Pooch Officially Launched!

A fine turnout for the launch of P.J. le Pooch & the Magic Sketchbook at Brome Lake Books in Knowlton, Quebec, where the book is set. 

Author Morri Mostow and fan

 

The launch attendees,
including some enthusiastic kids

The window display promoting the book

BOOK LAUNCH FOR P.J. LE POOCH

Knowlton, QC’s Famous Store Dog Comes Alive in New Novel

Morri Mostow will launch her first novel, P.J. le Pooch & the Magic Sketchbook, at Brome Lake Books in Knowlton, on Saturday, October 1, at 3 p.m. 

The novel, for children 9 to 13, features P.J., the well-known dog who greeted visitors to the England Hill store that once graced the top of the hill on Lakeside Rd. in Knowlton, also known as Brome Lake. The author’s friendship with storeowners Jean McLeod and her mother, the late Audrey Nevins McLeod, inspired the book’s main characters. Long-time Knowlton residents may enjoy recognizing themselves or others in this thinly veiled roman à clef, set in a fictional Brome Lake, called “Brine Lake.”

“Fond memories of my years in Knowlton compelled me to write this book, and launch it here,” says Morri. “The story weaves magic into the tale of a spunky 11-year-old girl who struggles to keep a rescued dog against her mother’s wishes, while also paying tribute to Knowlton’s recent past, when the town celebrated its Victorian heritage with an annual dog pageant and games.”

A COVER FOR WHO AM I? — AT LAST!

After soliciting feedback on a selection of covers from a large and varied audience of adults and children, we feel confident that we have made the right cover choice. This sci-fi thriller for middle grades deals with cloning, and we think this cover—with its cloned heads and stylized DNA helix—indicates that in a compelling way.

Do you agree?

Who Am I? is scheduled for a fall 2016 launch. I'll be sure to keep you "posted" on developments, including pre-launch discounts for blog readers.

Tucson Jo Featured by Jewish Book Council

Delighted that Tucson Jo, Carol Matas's award-winning historical for middle grades, has made into the Jewish Book Council's Weekly Reviews mailing this week. Yeah!