Quote - George R.R. Martin

CALL ME AMY - Chapter 1

Book Title: Call Me Amy
Genre: Fiction: Children/YA aged 8 – 14
Author: Marcia Strykowski

Synopsis: For 13-year-old Amy Henderson, 1973 has been a lonely year in her small Maine fishing village. With the help of a wounded seal pup, she gets to know Craig, a tough kid in an old army jacket. A new law against handling wild marine mammals brings suspense to the story. Where can they keep Pup until he heals? Their only hope is to trust Miss Cogshell, an elderly woman keeping to herself amidst jeers from the local kids. She catches them sneaking Pup into her woodshed in the middle of the night. Throughout the book, small challenges prepare Amy for her greatest one of all. A challenge that leads her to discover that everyone, herself included, has a voice worth hearing.

Excerpt: Chapter 1 (first two pages)

Sharp ocean air raced around my bedroom before I slammed the windows shut and headed downstairs.

My big sister Nancy called out to me. “Are you going for a walk by yourself again?” She swung her dark, glossy ponytail over one straight shoulder.

Delores Fletcher, Cobweb Catcher - Chapter 3: Cahoots

Book Title: Delores Fletcher, Cobweb Catcher
Genre: Fiction: Middle Grade Fantasy
Author: Kathryn Jacoby

“I’ve shown you how to earn your paycheck,” Aunt Rita said. She was still smiling. “Now I’m going to show you how to keep your job. Broom, let’s finish up!” she said and patted the hazel broom handle. Her broom headed for the nearest open window and began to pick up speed. The spider banged against the wall with a loud “Oomph!” before being dragged upward and out the window. Delores followed behind and raced to catch up with her aunt, who now flew at breakneck speed over the forest below.

A large blue body of water appeared below them. “How about dropping him into the lake over there?” Delores suggested to her aunt. “I can cut the cord and drop him like a pumpkin fritter into hot grease!”

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab - The Giant Cobra

Book Title: The Secret of the Sacred Scarab
Genre: Juvenile Fiction/Children/Middle grade/Tweens
Author: Fiona Ingram

Simultaneously they peeped out of their hiding places. The flashlight the men had dropped, now lying on the floor of the chamber, illuminated their worst fear. In the corner, a pile of silvery coils moved stealthily, light glinting on its silver-and-black speckled skin. Its enormous body began to undulate as it uncoiled in lazy ripples, a large, triangular head protruding from the gleaming mass. A whip-like tongue flicked in and out of its jaws.

"I think this is one of the eight-foot snakes you were talking about," Justin whispered. "Maybe longer."

The giant cobra slithered across the floor with a dry, scraping sound. They shrank back into their sarcophagi, shaking.

Quote - William Hazlitt