Author of Middle Grade novels about friendship, family, and figuring out where you fit in.

Monday, August 25, 2014

Emily Ungar, Author of LIBERTY BELLE, Guest Posts Today!

Today, we have a special guest with us -- Emily Ungar, author of the middle grade novel LIBERTY BELLE, which was just released on August 12.

You can learn more about LIBERTY BELLE below, but first, Emily's here to talk about her favorite childhood books:

I really enjoyed Shelley’s recent post on favorite childhood books. As soon as I saw her image of those familiar worn covers, I felt an instant comfort. I loved all of the Beverly Cleary books, Boxcar Children, Babysitters Club, Sleepover Friends, The Gymnasts...I could go on forever! Books have always been an incredible source of comfort for me. Back when I had more time, I prided myself on alphabetically organizing my bookshelf, and within the alphabet I would also organize by series. Because my family moved around a lot, books were things I could take with me that made me feel like I was at home no matter where we were living.

I’d like to share some of my favorite middle grade series and why I fell in love with each:

The Sleepover Friends (by Susan Saunders)

This was a lesser-known series, but I loved it. It was a contemporary book about 4 friends. One wanted to be a famous film director. Another only wore outfits with red, black, and white. It’s funny the little details about people that we remember. Reading this series as a 10-year-old gave a glimpse into the splendor of teenhood--shopping in the juniors’ section, wearing yellow leg warmers (eeek!), and roller skating on Friday nights.

Babysitters Club (by Ann M. Martin)

This series is classic for anyone born into the late 70s or early 80s. You have a terrific cast of characters, strong plotlines, and no shortage of babysitting drama. Plus, how cool was it that Dawn was (as she called it) “bicoastal?” The idea of living on both coasts was pretty exotic!

The Gymnasts (by Elizabeth Levy)

I wasn’t a gymnast. In fact, I’m terrified of even doing a somersault. But there was something awesome about the group of young gymnasts who competed in events and did things I couldn’t do, like rub chalk on their hands and fly around on the uneven bars or do a back handspring from a vault. Plus, in the Halloween edition there was a gymnast in a hot dog costume. Now what other book can boast that?

The Mandie Books (by Lois Gladys Leppard)

I didn’t read too many historical books as a middle grader, but I loved the Mandie books. The main character was a turn-of-the-century girl who along with her beloved Uncle Ned solved many mysteries. It was a really sweet and suspenseful series that I read over and over again.

There are so many other series and standalone books that I adored, and I wish I’d kept more of them like Shelley did. Thanks for walking down memory lane with me, and I urge you to revisit those innocent childhood reading days of reading your favorite book under the covers with a flashlight!


Thank you for sharing, Emily! I hadn't read the Gymnasts or the Mandie books, but I loved the others.

Here's more about Emily and her fantastic-looking book, which I've read the beginning of and can't wait to read more:


On the same day she turns twelve years old, Savannah moves away from everything she’s known in sweet, sunny Georgia to preppy Washington D.C. Not only will she miss her best friends Katie and Tessa, Savannah will start a new school. She soon discovers that her schoolmates love to brag—about their clothes, their parents’ governmental connections, and even who has the in with the school authorities.

Unhappy and lonely, Savannah decides if she can’t make life better, she can at least make it sound that way. Soon she is living in the childhood home of George Washington, riding in the limo of the vice president’s daughter, and even moving into the former Luxembourg embassy.

All is well until she learns that her true friends from Georgia are coming for a visit. Now Savannah must create the life she’s been talking about in her letters—and fast! Will Savannah find herself or lose her friends?

Buy the book here:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Liberty-Belle-Emily-Ungar-ebook/dp/B00MMZCR34
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/liberty-belle-emily-ungar/1120079472?ean=2940046058567
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/455093

And also check it out here:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21802855-liberty-belle
Anaiah Press: http://www.anaiahpress.com

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About Emily:


Emily Ungar is a graduate of Indiana University, where she majored in journalism. After living in seven different U.S. states by the time she finished college, she now lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, with her husband and very curious twin toddlers. When she isn’t chasing after her twin boys, Emily loves to curl up in a chaise lounge with a book in one hand and a lemon cupcake in the other. Emily loves connecting with her readers, so she welcomes you to say hi on her blog at emilyungar.com.

Twitter: @emilyungar
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/emilyungar/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13863166-emily-ungar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilyungarauthor

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Monday, August 18, 2014

Dear Old Friends, AKA Childhood Books

During one of my most recent trips visiting my mom, I had the pleasure of going through an old box of books.

It felt like reuniting with old friends!


These were just some of the familiar faces I saw. I wanted to hug them.

Perhaps my favorite discovery was the very first book I'd ever read on my own (besides picture books and early readers): Ramona the Brave by Beverly Cleary


I remember sitting at my desk in first grade and opening this book for the first time. My teacher (one of the best teachers I'd ever had) praised me for challenging myself and reading above grade level. She pointed out that I was the only one in my class who wasn't reading a picture book during silent reading time.

This beloved book has my name on the inside cover AND includes little check marks next to each chapter title in the table of contents. It must have been quite a task to finish my very first non-picture book!

Which books were special to you when you were little? Did you happen to keep any books from your childhood?

(Please note that this is a scheduled post. I'm not around today to visit blogs, but I'll see you guys as soon as I can.)
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Monday, August 4, 2014

Writing With Chronic Illness

Hey everyone, before I point you in the direction of Misha Gericke's blog, where I'm a guest today, I'd like to share one thing:

My book, Wishing for Washington, has been entered in a contest held by IndieReCon. The category is Best Middle Grade Book of 2014. If you feel like voting for Wishing for Washington, that would be way awesome and I'd be your friend forever: http://indiereconlive.com/?contestants=wishing-for-washington

Anyway, onto today's topic...

I'm at Misha Gericke's blog today, talking about ways I manage to keep writing while chronically ill. Please feel free to check it out at: http://sylmion.blogspot.com/.

Misha's got a very engaging and popular blog, so I encourage you guys to check out the other posts, too!

See you over there!
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