Kids’ Summer Book Club

June 26 2010

This summer I have an exciting opportunity to interact with young readers in the Jacksonville area. Two branches of the Jacksonville Public Library have invited me to lead a discussion on my newest book, Ghosts on the Coast: A Visit to Savannah and the Low Country, over a five-week period. Each week we will focus on five to six chapters, giving special attention to the history, geography, architecture, cuisine and some of the more colorful characters of Savannah, Charleston and Pawleys Island, South Carolina. And of course, there will be more ghost stories. I’ll share photographs of many of the places featured in the book, helping make history come alive for kids.

The Southeast Regional Library on Deerwood Park Boulevard will host its Book Club on Wednesday afternoons at 2:00 PM, starting on June 23. Evening sessions will be held at 7:00 PM at the Mandarin Regional Library on Kori Road, starting on June 29. Kids ages 8-14 are invited to join, but must pre-register in the Children’s Department at each library.

Back to Jekyll Island, Georgia

I helped celebrate Earth Day this year at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s Shell-e-Brate Earth Day event. In my book Trouble on the St. Johns River, my main characters visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and learn about some of these endangered sea creatures, including the large loggerhead sea turtles that nest along the East Coast this time of year. If you’re looking for a great place to take the kids this summer, consider a visit to Jekyll Island. And if you’re there on June 26, come see me at Jekyll Books in the Old Infirmary in the Historic District where I’ll be signing books that afternoon from 2:00-4:00 PM.

 
 

For more information about the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, visit www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org
And remember, summer is a great time for kids to read a good book.

WE’RE CELEBRATING – TWICE!

February 04 2010

New Book Released

My fourth book, Ghosts on the Coast: A Visit to Savannah and the Low Country, is being released this week.  Aimed at young readers ages 8-14, this book features the same popular characters as in my other three books, only this time they visit Savannah, Charleston and Pawleys Island, South Carolina – all cities rich in history and ghost stories.  Kids love ghost stories, and this book is full of adventure!

I’ll be celebrating its release and signing books at the Barnes & Noble at St. Johns Town Center in Jacksonville on Saturday, Feb 6, from 1:00-3:00 PM, and at the Barnes & Noble in Savannah, Georgia, on Saturday Feb 20, at 2:00 PM.  Books may be purchased at these stores, or on my website at www.janewoodbooks.com.  All of my books retail for $8.99, with discounts offered to schools on my website.

Book Wins National Award

And there’s more excitement—I just learned that Voices in St. Augustine has received a 2010 Mom’s Choice Award® in the juvenile fiction category.  This is a national award that recognizes “quality family-friendly” products.  My other two books, Adventures on Amelia Island: A Pirate, A Princess and Buried Treasure and Trouble on the St. Johns River received Mom’s Choice Awards® in 2009.

Amelia Island Book Festival

I will be joining authors Marianne Berkes and Melissa Conroy on a panel, discussing the ABC’s of Writing and Publishing for Children and Young Adults at the Amelia Island Book Festival on February 12, 2010, at 2:15 PM, at the Betty Cook campus in Yulee.  I will also be doing a reading and book signing on Saturday, Feb 13, at the festival site at 8th and Center Streets in Fernandina Beach, Florida.  You can learn more about this wonderful event at www.ameliaislandbookfestival.com. 

It’s here!  My fourth book is hot off the press!

December 10 2009

Ghosts on the Coast: A Visit to Savannah and the Low Country takes Joey, Bobby and Katy to the historic cities of Savannah, Charleston and Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Not only do they learn about the challenges the early settlers faced, the boldness the greedy pirates exhibited, and the determination shown by feisty women who helped save some of the architectural heritage of Savannah and Charleston, but they also encounter numerous ghost stories.  Young readers won’t know they’re learning history; they’ll only know they’re having fun as they follow these kids on their latest adventure. 

Ghosts on the Coast: A Visit to Savannah and the Low Country will be released in February 2010, when it will be available in book stores.  However, advance sales are being offered through my website.  The price is the same as my other two books –

    Retail price - $8.99

    School Discount - $7.00, plus shipping

Books may be ordered on the Shop page at http://www.janewoodbooks.com , via fax at 904-268-8165, or via phone at 904-268-9572.  School Visits may also be scheduled by e-mailing me at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or calling 904-268-9572.

Kids love ghost stories and these books make great stocking stuffers for young readers who follow the antics of Joey, Bobby and Katy.  Happy Holidays!

New Book Coming out Soon!

October 12 2009

And other announcements...

Back-to-school 2009.

I know school budgets are especially tight this year, so I’m offering my own “stimulus package.” Any school that orders 30 books or more before September 30 will receive 5 free books. My books retail for $8.99 each, but I offer schools a discount of $7.00 each. Simply e-mail or phone me to take advantage of this special offer - (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 904-268-9572.

New Book

During my school visits, I’m constantly asked by students, “When are you going to write your next book?” I now have an answer for them. I finished book number four this summer. The new book called Ghosts on the Coast takes Joey, Bobby and Katy to the historic cities of Savannah, Charleston and Pawleys Island, South Carolina. But they learn more than just history on this trip. They hear many of the traditional ghost stories that haunt those areas; and in fact, Bobby has a close encounter with one of them. The book is scheduled for release in November. Stay tuned.

School Visits.
I’m already receiving calls for Author Visits to Schools, so if you’re interested in scheduling one for your school, give me a call - 904-268-9572. Details regarding an Author Visit may be found here

Mom’s Choice Awards

February 17 2009

Florida Kids Press, Inc. recently received exciting news.  Two of my books, Adventures on Amelia Island: A Pirate, A Princess, and Buried Treasure (2007) and Trouble on the St. Johns River (2008) are both recipients of the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award for 2009 in the juvenile fiction category.

The Mom’s Choice Awards; is known for establishing the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. This annual competition recognizes authors, inventors, companies, parents and others for their efforts in creating quality family-friendly media products and services.

Both of these books may be ordered through my website.  Discounts are offered to schools.  Schools interested in an Author Visit may contact me at 904-268-9572 or (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Adventures on Amelia Island: A Pirate, A Princess, and Buried Treasure is also the recipient of a Benjamin Franklin Award in 2008, and is included on the Accelerated Reader program.

Mom’s Choice Awards

February 01 2009

Florida Kids Press, Inc. received exciting news this week.  Two of my books, Adventures on Amelia Island: A Pirate, A Princess, and Buried Treasure (2007) and Trouble on the St. Johns River (2008) are both recipients of the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award for 2009 in the juvenile fiction category.

The Mom’s Choice Awards®  is known for establishing the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. This annual competition recognizes authors, inventors, companies, parents and others for their efforts in creating quality family-friendly media products and services.

Parents, educators, librarians and retailers rely on its evaluations when selecting quality materials for children and families. The Mom’s Choice Awards® seal helps families and educators navigate the vast array of products and services and make informed decisions.

For more information about each of these books, visit http://www.janewoodbooks.com.  Books may be ordered through my website or through Amazon.com.  Discounts are offered to schools through my website.  Schools interested in an Author Visit may contact me at 904-268-9572 or (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Adventures on Amelia Island: A Pirate, A Princess, and Buried Treasure is also the recipient of a Benjamin Franklin Award in 2008, and is included on the Accelerated Reader™ program.

2008 – A Very Good Year!

January 06 2009

It was indeed a very good year for me and my books.

I especially enjoyed meeting with students and teachers during my Author Visits to 38 schools in 6 states, including South Carolina, Maryland, Nevada, California, Colorado and of course, Florida.  I also participated in book festivals in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Amelia Island, and Decatur, Georgia.  My company, Florida Kids Press, Inc., has now sold more than 10,000 books in its short history.

My third book, Trouble on the St. Johns River, was released on Earth Day, April 15, 2008.  With an environmental theme, it has been very popular with schools across the country, and it will go into its second printing this month.

Adventures on Amelia Island: A Pirate, A Princess, and Buried Treasure, was selected as a finalist for a Benjamin Franklin Award in Juvenile Fiction given by the Independent Book Publishers Association.  It is also now included in the Accelerated Reader program subscribed to by many schools.  It has just gone into its third printing.

And Voices in St. Augustine, published originally in 2004, still continues to be popular with many 4th grade classes in Florida, as that’s where they study Florida history. However, I continue to get orders from individuals and schools from all over the country.  Voices in St. Augustine is now in its 3rd edition, and is sporting a brand new cover.

I look forward to the New Year with hopes that many more young readers will discover my books and that I’ll get to visit even more schools in 2009. 

Any school interested in an Author Visit can contact me at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Happy New Year!

Local TV show with Danielle Dolan

July 24 2008

I was recently the guest on a local TV show with Danielle Dolan, the Education Director for the St. Johns Riverkeeper.  She talked about the wonderful things that organization is doing in the community regarding education and awareness about our river.  I, of course, talked about Trouble on the St. Johns River, which has been endorsed by the St. Johns Riverkeeper.  For those of you living in the Jacksonville area, First Coast Family will air on cable channel 29 at 7:00 PM on two consecutive Fridays—July 25 and Aug 1.  I hope you’ll tune in.

Speaking of the St. Johns Riverkeeper… they are offering a Family River Ride on August 9, from 9:30-11:30 AM.  This is a great way to see the river, learn about its history and ecology, and have some fun with hands-on activities.  It costs $25 per family and leaves from downtown Jacksonville near Friendship Fountain on the south bank of the St. Johns River.  Bring the kids and enjoy a morning on the water. You must make a reservation in advance.  For more information and to make a reservation, go to: http://www.stjohnsriverkeeper.org/calendar.asp

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center, which is also featured in Trouble on the St. Johns River, released another loggerhead turtle on June 30.  Dylan was rescued as a hatchling in 1998.  Like Spitfire, who was released in May, you can track Dylan online by going to www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org.  Tracking these turtles is a great way to make science come alive for kids.

School will be starting in another month.  For teachers who are planning ahead, feel free to contact me if you’d like to schedule an Author Visit to your school.  I can be reached at 904-268-9572 or at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Enjoy the rest of your summer by reading a good book!

Off to California

June 10 2008

I’m off to California again to visit some schools on the west coast. I just returned from BookExpo America in Los Angeles where I met many new people and enjoyed the excitement of the publishing world. My book, Adventures on Amelia Island: A Pirate, A Princess and Buried Treasure, was one of three finalists for a Benjamin Franklin Award from the Independent Book Publishers Association. My book did not win, but I am honored to be recognized at the national level.
     
My newest book, Trouble on the St. Johns River, recently received a good review from The Midwest Book Review.  One comment included, “Trouble on the St. Johns River is a call to action for young children, and highly recommended for community library children’s fiction collections.” I’m told the review was done through the University of Wisconsin, where the book will be made available to Wisconsin’s public school system and community libraries.  I’m excited about expanding into other states.
     
I recently spoke to a group of very environmentally-conscious students at Fletcher Middle School in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.  They had read my book and were engaged in a number of projects, encouraged by science teacher Kathy Poe.  Not only did the students create songs, raps, poems, websites, posters, and a variety of hands-on activities, several of them wrote Letters to the Editor to several local publications, listing things people can do the help the environment.  These kids “get it.”  Let’s hope their generation does a better job of protecting and preserving the environment than the previous one.  I’m proud of these students, and commend Kathy Poe on her enthusiastic and creative way of making learning exciting and relevant for kids.
     
I’m off to California, and hopefully some cooler weather.

Last weekend my two book signings were outdoors in the sun, sand and wind.

May 09 2008

Saturday found me and my husband, Terry, on Jekyll Island for the Nest Fest launching the beginning of the sea turtle nesting season.  The highlight of the day was the release of three rehabilitated turtles from the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.  A crowd gathered to celebrate their release. Check out the video of the release of Spitfire, a large loggerhead turtle fitted with a transmitter, on the Center’s website at  http://www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org . The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is one of the places Joey, Bobby and Katy visit in Trouble on the St. Johns River.  I know they would highly recommend a visit there to everyone.

I was with my pirate friends on Sunday at the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival on Amelia Island. The weather was great…the seafood tasty…and the pirates were up to the old tricks…always fun! I enjoyed seeing many of you who stopped by my table. The Shrimp Festival is featured in my second book, Adventures on Amelia Island: A Pirate, A Princess, and Buried Treasure.

Page 1 of 2 pages  1 2 >