Jennifer Sommer
Contact me
  • "Jen"reflecting
  • Book Reviews
    • Children's Book Reviews >
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
      • 2010
      • 2009
      • 2008
      • 2007
      • 2006
      • 2005
      • 2004
      • 2003
      • 2002
      • 2001
      • 2000
      • 1999
      • 1998
    • Young Adult Book Reviews >
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
      • 2010
      • 2009
      • 2008
      • 2007
      • 2006
  • Published Articles
  • Autographs
  • Contact Me

Concentrated Course in Nonfiction - a Highlights Foundation Workshop with Peter Jacobi

3/16/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Peter Jacobi - center - with attendees

Read More
0 Comments

Time for a Few of my Favorite Nonfiction Books 2015 - Part 2

3/5/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives
Caitlin Alifirenka & Martin Ganda with Liz Welch
Little, Brown and Company
 
Told through alternating chapters by Caitlin from the United States and Martin from Zimbabwe, this memoir will impress readers with the strong dedication from two teens to maintain a friendship by mail that many would have given up on. The inspirational writing will have many searching for their own pen pal. The photographs of the pair show their obvious differences and it was a pleasure to return to them again and again as the suspenseful story progressed. The book is organized into four parts (Hallo!, Clues, Generosity, A Future) following the deepening friendship of Caitlyn and Martin. The cover design resembles an airmail envelope reminding us this takes place before e-mail is common. The epilogue at the end updates readers on where the pair are now. This is a unique story and a cultural lesson full of love and caring that will appeal to tweens and teens.


Read More
0 Comments

Time for a Few of my Favorite Nonfiction Books from 2015 - Part 1

3/4/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Jump Back, Paul: The Life and Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar
Sally Derby
Candlewick Press
 
This book has not only an Ohio connection, but a Dayton, Ohio connection, which is one reason I appreciated it so much. Kid here have heard of Paul Laurence Dunbar, are taught about this fellow high schooler of Orville and Wilbur Wright, can visit his home just west of downtown, and can probably even recite some of his poetry. (Most adult readers will be familiar with his line from Sympathy, "I know what the caged bird feels, alas!")
The voice of this book is distinct, 
reminiscent of a grandmother sharing Dunbar's story. There wouldn’t be a story without the inclusion of some of the poems written by Dunbar, and since his poems couldn’t tell his entire story either, this is a wonderful combination of both. 


Read More
0 Comments
    Picture








    I am a writer of Children's and Young Adult books. I received my MFA in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, and am an active member of SCBWI. I also have my MLS in Library Science with an emphasis on children and happily worked as a Children's Librarian for nearly 20 years. One of my favorite activities was reading books aloud to kids, especially to school-aged kids. Like the kids, I enjoy having stories read to me, so I listen to many of my books on audio and serve on audio judging committees.
    Another favorite activity is creating fun snacks for library programs, friends, and family. I do that a lot and continually search for more ideas.
    I have a very large Russian Blue mix cat named Bosley from the shelter, and a rescue dog named Prince Albert. He's a Cavapoo, which means he's part Cavalier King Charles and part poodle, and adorable. I am married and live in Dayton, Ohio with my husband Rod.

    Picture
    You can find more detailed information about me by clicking the link below:
    View my profile on LinkedIn
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    September 2019
    July 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013

    Categories

    All
    ALA Youth Media Awards
    Alumni Weekend
    American Library Association
    Audie Awards
    Brandon Marie Miller
    Characterization
    Christmas Cooking
    Cinquains
    Debut Author
    Dia De Los Muertos
    Easter
    Enhancing Books With Activities
    Fantasy
    Fox Stories
    Fun Snacks
    Gatlinburg Fires
    Halloween
    Hamline
    Harold Underdown
    Highlights Founders Workshops
    Holiday Distractions
    Illustrator Notes
    Karen Cushman
    Katherine Kellgren
    Kathy Wiechman
    Keila Dawson
    Kerrie Logan Hollihan
    Kirby Heyborne
    Late Bloomer Award
    Libba Bray
    Mad Scientists Lab
    Marcus Sedgewick
    Mary Kay Carson
    NaNoWriMo
    Nature Bootcamp
    New Year's Resolutions
    Non-fiction
    Octopus Capers
    Odyssey Awards
    Peter Jacobi
    PiBoIdMo
    Picture Books
    Pizza
    Redhot Carolinas Conference
    Robert F. Sibert Award
    SCBWI
    Showing
    Soups And Stews
    Steve West Interview
    Submissions
    Summer Listens
    Tara Lazar
    Techniques For Revealing Physical Emotion In A Story's Narrator
    Teen Books
    Telling
    The King Cake Baby
    Thoughts On Halloween
    Trends
    Understanding ABC Books
    Valentine's Day
    Vocabulary
    Writing Areas
    Writing Conferences
    Writing Craft
    Writing In Dialect

    Categories

    All
    ALA Youth Media Awards
    Alumni Weekend
    American Library Association
    Audie Awards
    Brandon Marie Miller
    Characterization
    Christmas Cooking
    Cinquains
    Debut Author
    Dia De Los Muertos
    Easter
    Enhancing Books With Activities
    Fantasy
    Fox Stories
    Fun Snacks
    Gatlinburg Fires
    Halloween
    Hamline
    Harold Underdown
    Highlights Founders Workshops
    Holiday Distractions
    Illustrator Notes
    Karen Cushman
    Katherine Kellgren
    Kathy Wiechman
    Keila Dawson
    Kerrie Logan Hollihan
    Kirby Heyborne
    Late Bloomer Award
    Libba Bray
    Mad Scientists Lab
    Marcus Sedgewick
    Mary Kay Carson
    NaNoWriMo
    Nature Bootcamp
    New Year's Resolutions
    Non-fiction
    Octopus Capers
    Odyssey Awards
    Peter Jacobi
    PiBoIdMo
    Picture Books
    Pizza
    Redhot Carolinas Conference
    Robert F. Sibert Award
    SCBWI
    Showing
    Soups And Stews
    Steve West Interview
    Submissions
    Summer Listens
    Tara Lazar
    Techniques For Revealing Physical Emotion In A Story's Narrator
    Teen Books
    Telling
    The King Cake Baby
    Thoughts On Halloween
    Trends
    Understanding ABC Books
    Valentine's Day
    Vocabulary
    Writing Areas
    Writing Conferences
    Writing Craft
    Writing In Dialect

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly