Genesis Begins Again is a middle grade novel that tackles huge problems like colorism, addiction, and friendship in middle school. It.Is.Breathtaking. As someone who aims to write middle grade, I’d love to know how Ms. Williams takes on such huge and consequential topics and yet makes the reader want to keep turning the page. Maybe…
Author: Josh Hammond
We’ll Fly Away, by Bryan Bliss
We’ll Fly Away is a young adult novel told through the perspectives of two best friends, Luke and Toby, who come from poverty and broken homes. The narrative of their senior year in high school is interspersed with letter from Luke to Toby – written from Death Row. The mystery of what causes Luke to…
Who’s That Girl, by Blair Thornburgh
Who’s That Girl is a young adult romantic comedy that will appeal to many. The main character is Natalie McCullough-Schwartz, who flies under the radar in her prep school in the suburbs of Philadelphia. She is smart (great at Latin,) and surrounds herself with other smart and quirky people. Her parents are delightful on the…
Thief’s Cunning, by Sarah Ahiers
Thief’s Cunning is a Young Adult fantasy companion novel to Assassin’s Heart. The protagonist of this story is Allegra Saldana, the niece of Lea from Assassin’s Heart (if you read the first book, you know who she is.) Allegra feels caged by her overprotective family, and she never feels as if she truly fits in. When…
Writing Assignment from the Wife
Bromleigh asked me to write a reflection for church last week as they reflect on their core values. My assignment was to consider the statement, “We love children and youth…and we help them grow with personal, curious, generous, and socially engaged Christian faith.” Here is what I wrote (and read to the congregation:) Hello. I…