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?

JUST PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH – THE FOUNDATION OF ETHICS

IS THERE A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR THE ETHICAL CONCEPT OF THE GOOD?

Danish-Jewish thinker Andreas Simonsen explores this “ancient all-important question initially debated by the Sophists, Socrates and Plato” using an ancient technique – the dialogue form. Three separate conversations, three different interlocutors, three different worldviews: skeptical, rationalist and existentialist.

This eclectic, thought-provoking work takes the reader on a fascinating journey through Western philosophy and scientific theory – to the author’s unique adaptation of Niels Bohr’s theory of “complementarity” to ethics.

Two New "Shorties" by Doug Long

Coming soon, I hope, is Doug Long's second book of "shorties" (55-word stories). In return, I have promised to publish both his books in print as well as ebook format. For now, his first book of shorties—The Fool Who Invented Kissing—the first book ever published by Fictive Press, is still only available in ebook.

Doug is always writing shorties and these two are his newest, with thanks to a dear friend for the inspiration.

FIRST DATE
He's my perfect man: handsome, smart, funny, rich!
Our first date is on his private beach, complete with
dance band, buffet, open bar.
He invited my family and his, who chat amiably with a local rabbi.
We stand shaded 'neath a white, fringed canopy.
Do I like this first date?
I do ... yes ... I DO!
         
PERFECT MAN
He's my perfect man: handsome, smart, funny, rich!
We fall in love so fast it scares us.
But love and life are full of risks, I tell myself.
I miss him dearly when he's on frequent business trips,
but never suspected a thing until his wife called to say
he'd died in a plane crash.

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

FREE Study Guide to Running: The Alex Decoteau Story

ATTENTION TEACHERS OF ABORIGINAL & MÉTIS STUDIES (GRADES 5 AND UP)

Now available for download! FREE Study Guide to Charlotte Cameron's inspiring play about an aboriginal World War One hero.

The Study Guide has everything you need to bring Running: The Alex Decoteau Story alive for your students, while teaching them language arts, history, maths, research skills and more.

Click here to download your free Study Guide.

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.”

Five-Star Review of The Ape & the Peacock

Thank you Neil of Devon, England, for your 5-star review of Ralph Hancox's The Ape & the Peacock. Always a delight when someone gets and appreciates what the author is trying to do.

"I loved this book. Although set in parochial Canada, the themes are universal. The author's sense of social indignation and his distaste for political hypocrisy are the background to two juxtaposed story lines, but the characterisations and the story-telling are sure-footed and the two extremes of the same world are skilfully contrasted. Above all, the book is well written and with a delightfully wry humour." SNM. Devon, England

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!