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Tue 16 Oct 2012
Posted by annastan [6] Comments
Win a copy of The Universe of Fair ! Details at the end of this post.
Chapter 1 The Force Field On the way home from school on the bus I’m staring off into space and thinking about how weird it is that I ended up to be me, Miller Sanford, from Holmsbury, Connecticut. I think how much more likely it is that I would have been born in China, because there are more than a billion people there and only three hundred million here, and even less in Connecticut, and way less in Holmsbury. Then I think that if I was born in China, I’d probably be allowed to ride my bicycle home from middle school. Unless I had the same mom in China that I have now. Which I guess I’d want, even if she wouldn’t let me ride my bicycle home from school. Which she wouldn’t. What’s even weirder to think about is that if my molecules and atoms and electrons and quarks were put together in a different way, I could just as easily be an earthworm. Or a rock. Maybe I am a rock. Maybe I’m a rock that just thinks I’m an eleven-and-a-half-year-old boy. “How do you know you’re not really a rock?” I ask my friend Lewis, who’s in the seat behind me. “Because rocks don’t make movies,” Lewis says. He waves his hand sideways, keeping his eyes glued to the flip screen of his video camera. “Stand up and look out the window.” Excerpt copyright © 2012 Leslie Bulion
Chapter 1
The Force Field
On the way home from school on the bus I’m staring off into space and thinking about how weird it is that I ended up to be me, Miller Sanford, from Holmsbury, Connecticut. I think how much more likely it is that I would have been born in China, because there are more than a billion people there and only three hundred million here, and even less in Connecticut, and way less in Holmsbury.
Then I think that if I was born in China, I’d probably be allowed to ride my bicycle home from middle school. Unless I had the same mom in China that I have now. Which I guess I’d want, even if she wouldn’t let me ride my bicycle home from school. Which she wouldn’t.
What’s even weirder to think about is that if my molecules and atoms and electrons and quarks were put together in a different way, I could just as easily be an earthworm. Or a rock. Maybe I am a rock. Maybe I’m a rock that just thinks I’m an eleven-and-a-half-year-old boy.
“How do you know you’re not really a rock?” I ask my friend Lewis, who’s in the seat behind me.
“Because rocks don’t make movies,” Lewis says. He waves his hand sideways, keeping his eyes glued to the flip screen of his video camera. “Stand up and look out the window.”
Excerpt copyright © 2012 Leslie Bulion
About the book:
For young science whiz Miller Sanford, an eagerly awaited day at the fair turns into a wacky adventure with more twists and loops than the BlastoCoaster! Instead of enjoying a freewheeling day on his own, he’s drawn into a series of mishaps involving a string of tagalong first graders, his dad’s prize-worthy lemon meringue pie, and flying death heads!
What people are saying:
“…this winsome effort not only lovingly celebrates the color and magic of the fair, but endearingly depicts the inner landscape of a maturing child encountering his first taste of the adult world. A cheerful and totally entertaining look at fairs, friendship and the value of family.”– Kirkus Reviews
“…Bulion captures the boisterous, chaotic nature of the fair, as well as its primacy in the grade-school social calendar. Dormer’s characteristically sketchy and childlike illustrations match the upbeat mood of this entertaining story.”– Publishers Weekly
About the author:
Leslie Bulion has graduate degrees in oceanography and social work. She has written parenting and education articles and is the author of several children’s books, including Uncharted Waters, The Trouble with Rules, and At the Sea Floor Café. Leslie lives in Connecticut with her husband, Rubin Hirsch, and at the youth exhibit of her town’s agricultural fair. Visit her at www.lesliebulion.com .
About the illustrator:
Frank W. Dormer, a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, is an elementary school art teacher. In addition to illustrating many children’s books, he wrote and illustrated The Obstinate Pen and Socksquatch. He has drawn dogs, kids, cowboys, pens, imaginary creatures, and now thanks to Leslie Bulion, bumper cars. Rank lives in Branford, Connecticut. Visit him at www.frankwdormer.com .
Giveaway:
The publisher has been kind enough to contribute a copy of The Universe of Fair for a giveaway!
The contest is open in the US and Canada, and ends on October 31st at midnight EST.
Just comment on this post to enter.
For extra entries:
-Be a follower on Twitter or like us on Facebook [+1 entry each].
-Link to this contest on Twitter, Facebook, etc. [+1 entry per each link].
Please list your extra entries in the comments.
Good luck and happy reading!
Tags: Adventure , Contest , Humor , Illustrated , Middle Grade , Realistic
Elisabeth says: October 16, 2012 at 1:58 pm I love the voice in this! What a great opening.
I love the voice in this! What a great opening.
Ann Herrick says: October 16, 2012 at 2:24 pm Sounds like a wonderful story, especially since I grew up in CT too. 🙂
Sounds like a wonderful story, especially since I grew up in CT too. 🙂
Carl says: October 16, 2012 at 8:59 pm How do you know you’re not really a rock? Darn good question, and one that we all probably asked at one time or another. Thanks for the look into Miller’s mind. I’d love to win a copy of this book. I follow on Twitter: @carlrscott I’ve liked on Facebook: Carl Scott and I tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/258310904821719041 What more can one man do, I ask ya?!
How do you know you’re not really a rock? Darn good question, and one that we all probably asked at one time or another. Thanks for the look into Miller’s mind. I’d love to win a copy of this book.
I follow on Twitter: @carlrscott
I’ve liked on Facebook: Carl Scott
and I tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/258310904821719041
What more can one man do, I ask ya?!
Nina Fort says: October 21, 2012 at 2:17 pm Love it! What a great thinking young man. Can’t wait to read it.
Love it! What a great thinking young man. Can’t wait to read it.
Beth MacKinney says: October 27, 2012 at 2:32 am Already like his voice. : ) For extra pizzazz, I follow you on Twitter and Facebook, and I tweeted about this post in both of them. : )
Already like his voice. : )
For extra pizzazz, I follow you on Twitter and Facebook, and I tweeted about this post in both of them. : )
Veronica says: October 31, 2012 at 12:04 pm I love Lewis’ logic! Sounds like a fun book 🙂 (btw, I also follow you on twitter and facebook)
I love Lewis’ logic! Sounds like a fun book 🙂
(btw, I also follow you on twitter and facebook)
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Featured Authors J. Anderson Coats Andrea Alban Crystal Allen Sarah Aronson Monica S. Baker Hannah Barnaby Rebecca Barnhouse Hilari Bell Charlotte Bennardo & Natalie Zaman Julie Berry Lauren Bjorkman Jan Blazanin Ellen Booraem Hélène Boudreau Julie Bowe Robin Bridges Leslie Bulion Marissa Burt Erin Cashman Lara Chapman Sheela Chari Julie Chibbaro Lena Coakley Kristi Cook Kate Coombs Leah Cypess Carole Estby Dagg Karen DelleCava Amy Fellner Dominy Marissa Doyle Deva Fagan Beth Fehlbaum Greg R. Fishbone Janet Fox Sonia Gensler Cole Gibsen Hilary Weisman Graham Tessa Gratton Alissa Grosso Lia Habel Teri Hall Kiki Hamilton Janice Hardy Kim Harrington Merrie Haskell Danette Haworth Cat Hellisen Karyn Henley Leanna Renee Hieber Tess Hilmo Amy Holder Elissa J. Hoole Jennifer Hubbard Kirsten Hubbard Denise Jaden Terry Lynn Johnson Mike Jung Julie Kagawa Julia Karr Stasia Ward Kehoe Lynne Kelly Miranda Kenneally Derek Taylor Kent Kami Kinard Jessi Kirby Jo Knowles Ron Koertge R.L. LaFevers Helen Landalf April Lindner Nikki Loftin Natasha Lowe Susan Lubner Elisa Ludwig Jenny Lundquist Michaela MacColl Christina Mandelski Jessica Martinez Shari Maurer C. Lee McKenzie Gretchen McNeil Kate Messner Dawn Metcalf Erin Moulton Erin E. Moulton Kate Kae Myers Anne Nesbet Jennifer Nielsen Kristin Wolden Nitz A.J. Paquette Rosanne Parry Mitali Perkins Gae Polisner Cindy Pon J.L. Powers Joy Preble Cheryl Rainfield Michelle Ray Jenn Reese Diana Renn Bettina Restrepo Laurisa White Reyes Nelsa Roberto Joanne Rocklin Lisa and Laura Roecker Caroline Starr Rose Randy Russell Jeanne Ryan Chris Rylander Kimberly Sabatini Peter Adam Salomon Jeff Sampson Tiffany Schmidt Lisa Schroeder Victoria Schwab Mindi Scott Ruta Sepetys Medeia Sharif Kristen Simmons Angie Smibert Clete Barrett Smith J.A. Souders Jessica Spotswood Anna Staniszewski Kiera Stewart Lauren Strasnick Sarvenaz Tash Sarah Tregay Audrey Vernick Danette Vigilante Sara Bennett Wealer Dianna Winget Jennifer Shaw Wolf Allan Woodrow Brian Yansky Lara Zeises Jennifer Ziegler part: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] [ 19 ] [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 22 ] [ 23 ] [ 24 ] [ 25 ] [ 26 ] [ 27 ] [ 28 ] [ 29 ] [ 30 ] [ 31 ] [ 32 ] [ 33 ] [ 34 ] [ 35 ] [ 36 ] [ 37 ] [ 38 ] [ 39 ] [ 40 ] [ 41 ] [ 42 ] [ 43 ] [ 44 ] [ 45 ] [ 46 ]
J. Anderson Coats Andrea Alban Crystal Allen Sarah Aronson Monica S. Baker Hannah Barnaby Rebecca Barnhouse Hilari Bell Charlotte Bennardo & Natalie Zaman Julie Berry Lauren Bjorkman Jan Blazanin Ellen Booraem Hélène Boudreau Julie Bowe Robin Bridges Leslie Bulion Marissa Burt Erin Cashman Lara Chapman Sheela Chari Julie Chibbaro Lena Coakley Kristi Cook Kate Coombs Leah Cypess Carole Estby Dagg Karen DelleCava Amy Fellner Dominy Marissa Doyle Deva Fagan Beth Fehlbaum Greg R. Fishbone Janet Fox Sonia Gensler Cole Gibsen Hilary Weisman Graham Tessa Gratton Alissa Grosso Lia Habel Teri Hall Kiki Hamilton Janice Hardy Kim Harrington Merrie Haskell Danette Haworth Cat Hellisen Karyn Henley Leanna Renee Hieber Tess Hilmo Amy Holder Elissa J. Hoole Jennifer Hubbard Kirsten Hubbard Denise Jaden Terry Lynn Johnson Mike Jung Julie Kagawa Julia Karr Stasia Ward Kehoe Lynne Kelly Miranda Kenneally Derek Taylor Kent Kami Kinard Jessi Kirby Jo Knowles Ron Koertge R.L. LaFevers Helen Landalf April Lindner Nikki Loftin Natasha Lowe Susan Lubner Elisa Ludwig Jenny Lundquist Michaela MacColl Christina Mandelski Jessica Martinez Shari Maurer C. Lee McKenzie Gretchen McNeil Kate Messner Dawn Metcalf Erin Moulton Erin E. Moulton Kate Kae Myers Anne Nesbet Jennifer Nielsen Kristin Wolden Nitz A.J. Paquette Rosanne Parry Mitali Perkins Gae Polisner Cindy Pon J.L. Powers Joy Preble Cheryl Rainfield Michelle Ray Jenn Reese Diana Renn Bettina Restrepo Laurisa White Reyes Nelsa Roberto Joanne Rocklin Lisa and Laura Roecker Caroline Starr Rose Randy Russell Jeanne Ryan Chris Rylander Kimberly Sabatini Peter Adam Salomon Jeff Sampson Tiffany Schmidt Lisa Schroeder Victoria Schwab Mindi Scott Ruta Sepetys Medeia Sharif Kristen Simmons Angie Smibert Clete Barrett Smith J.A. Souders Jessica Spotswood Anna Staniszewski Kiera Stewart Lauren Strasnick Sarvenaz Tash Sarah Tregay Audrey Vernick Danette Vigilante Sara Bennett Wealer Dianna Winget Jennifer Shaw Wolf Allan Woodrow Brian Yansky Lara Zeises Jennifer Ziegler part: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] [ 19 ] [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 22 ] [ 23 ] [ 24 ] [ 25 ] [ 26 ] [ 27 ] [ 28 ] [ 29 ] [ 30 ] [ 31 ] [ 32 ] [ 33 ] [ 34 ] [ 35 ] [ 36 ] [ 37 ] [ 38 ] [ 39 ] [ 40 ] [ 41 ] [ 42 ] [ 43 ] [ 44 ] [ 45 ] [ 46 ]
J. Anderson Coats
Andrea Alban
Crystal Allen
Sarah Aronson
Monica S. Baker
Hannah Barnaby
Rebecca Barnhouse
Hilari Bell
Charlotte Bennardo & Natalie Zaman
Julie Berry
Lauren Bjorkman
Jan Blazanin
Ellen Booraem
Hélène Boudreau
Julie Bowe
Robin Bridges
Leslie Bulion
Marissa Burt
Erin Cashman
Lara Chapman
Sheela Chari
Julie Chibbaro
Lena Coakley
Kristi Cook
Kate Coombs
Leah Cypess
Carole Estby Dagg
Karen DelleCava
Amy Fellner Dominy
Marissa Doyle
Deva Fagan
Beth Fehlbaum
Greg R. Fishbone
Janet Fox
Sonia Gensler
Cole Gibsen
Hilary Weisman Graham
Tessa Gratton
Alissa Grosso
Lia Habel
Teri Hall
Kiki Hamilton
Janice Hardy
Kim Harrington
Merrie Haskell
Danette Haworth
Cat Hellisen
Karyn Henley
Leanna Renee Hieber
Tess Hilmo
Amy Holder
Elissa J. Hoole
Jennifer Hubbard
Kirsten Hubbard
Denise Jaden
Terry Lynn Johnson
Mike Jung
Julie Kagawa
Julia Karr
Stasia Ward Kehoe
Lynne Kelly
Miranda Kenneally
Derek Taylor Kent
Kami Kinard
Jessi Kirby
Jo Knowles
Ron Koertge
R.L. LaFevers
Helen Landalf
April Lindner
Nikki Loftin
Natasha Lowe
Susan Lubner
Elisa Ludwig
Jenny Lundquist
Michaela MacColl
Christina Mandelski
Jessica Martinez
Shari Maurer
C. Lee McKenzie
Gretchen McNeil
Kate Messner
Dawn Metcalf
Erin Moulton
Erin E. Moulton
Kate Kae Myers
Anne Nesbet
Jennifer Nielsen
Kristin Wolden Nitz
A.J. Paquette
Rosanne Parry
Mitali Perkins
Gae Polisner
Cindy Pon
J.L. Powers
Joy Preble
Cheryl Rainfield
Michelle Ray
Jenn Reese
Diana Renn
Bettina Restrepo
Laurisa White Reyes
Nelsa Roberto
Joanne Rocklin
Lisa and Laura Roecker
Caroline Starr Rose
Randy Russell
Jeanne Ryan
Chris Rylander
Kimberly Sabatini
Peter Adam Salomon
Jeff Sampson
Tiffany Schmidt
Lisa Schroeder
Victoria Schwab
Mindi Scott
Ruta Sepetys
Medeia Sharif
Kristen Simmons
Angie Smibert
Clete Barrett Smith
J.A. Souders
Jessica Spotswood
Anna Staniszewski
Kiera Stewart
Lauren Strasnick
Sarvenaz Tash
Sarah Tregay
Audrey Vernick
Danette Vigilante
Sara Bennett Wealer
Dianna Winget
Jennifer Shaw Wolf
Allan Woodrow
Brian Yansky
Lara Zeises
Jennifer Ziegler
part: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] [ 19 ] [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 22 ] [ 23 ] [ 24 ] [ 25 ] [ 26 ] [ 27 ] [ 28 ] [ 29 ] [ 30 ] [ 31 ] [ 32 ] [ 33 ] [ 34 ] [ 35 ] [ 36 ] [ 37 ] [ 38 ] [ 39 ] [ 40 ] [ 41 ] [ 42 ] [ 43 ] [ 44 ] [ 45 ] [ 46 ]
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