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The Nepotism
Column
by Susan Heyboer O'Keefe
School kids often ask me if I know R. L.
Stine, J. K. Rowling, or Dr. Seuss. My
answer is no (and good thing on Seuss, too, since the dear Doctor has gone to that big library in the sky). But while I don't
know these famous writers, I do know many
wonderful writers. How did we meet?
Successful lawyers and actors may run into each other in the Hamptons.
Successful writers are more likely to run into each other
in the reference section of the library or (since
even successful writers usually have another job)
at the supermarket check-out line on double-coupon day. Another
place they meet is in a critique group. This is where I met the following
children's writers and dear friends, whom I will now shamelessly plug:
Carol Behrman is the author of some two dozen books, mostly for kids and
some for teachers. Her newest titles include a delightful
picture book called The Ding Dong Clock. In
charming verse that little ones will love, a grandfather
clock keeps watch as a family goes through its everyday activities.
The clock face on the cover has moveable hands to make the book both
a learning tool and an interactive experience.
Carol also writes wonderful how-to guides on the writing process for
middle graders. Her two newest are Writing
Activities for Every Day of the School Year and
Hooked on Writing: Ready-to-Use Writing Process Activities. Both books
are targeted for grades 4 to 8. The books are for teachers and also can be used by parents who want to help their kids write
better. Both books contain loads of exercises,
worksheets, creative ideas, and fun.
Dorothy Siegel writes absorbing non-fiction for young adults,
specializing in science, health, and biography.
Two current books are Leukemia and Dental Health.
Leukemia explains the disease and its treatment, with a hopeful
emphasis on today's better cure rates. Dental Health tells how the teeth and jaws function, it looks at common dental
problems and their treatment, and it promotes good
personal dental hygiene.
Deborah Clearman is the author and illustrator of a magical picture book
called The Goose's Tale. A quarreling brother and sister
find a decoy, which is an enchanted goose, turned
to wood as punishment for her faithlessness. In
finally settling their own arguments, the brother and sister
help the goose become real once more, while they themselves discover they can -- for just a moment -- really fly.
Chris Ocker is a Chicken Soup author, with stories in Chicken Soup for
the Kid's Soul, Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable
Soul, and by this time probably more on the way.
Her story in Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul is "Merry Christmas,
My Friend," a heartwarming tale of an old man and his dog. You might have seen last year's dramatization of this story
on Pax TV starring Mickey Rooney. For your own
pleasure, read Chris' adult story about a troubled
marriage in the Unsinkable Soul book.
Penny Colman visited our critique group once or twice but her schedule
and ours didn't mesh -- our loss. Penny is an
award-winning writer of nonfiction that really
crosses age differences. Her books can be read by eager
middle-graders, are just right for young adults, and are so packed with interesting information adults appreciate them as
well. Her newest book is Girls: A History of
Growing Up Female in America, a fascinating collection
of American girls' personal experiences throughout the centuries, taken from diaries, memoirs, letters, household accounts,
period photographs, etc.
Two of Penny's other popular books are Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts: A History of Burial, which looks at the customs and
ceremonies of death throughout different cultures
and different times; and Rosie the Riveter: Women
Working on the Home Front in World War II, which is a fascinating account of the role and impact of working women during
the war.
Nepotism also involves favoring a family relative, even if just a black-sheep nephew. Unfortunately, I have none I can plug
right now, although my teenaged son has a very
strong interest in writing. Perhaps in years to
come ....
Do I have a follow-up act to this blatant nepotism? Well, I can always review my own books -- and give them each five stars.
Children's Book-of-the-Month Club author Susan Heyboer O'Keefe has
written Angel Prayers, Sleepy Angel's First
Bedtime Story, and Good Night, God Bless. Visit www.susanheyboerokeefe.homestead.com
for fun, book info, and great parrot photos.
© 2000 by Susan Heyboer O'Keefe
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