Holly Schindler

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Are you a young reader? Meet me in the middle: Holly Schindler’s Middles

Do you have a reluctant reader who gravitates toward comics or graphic novels? Alexander and the Amazing Wide-Awake and Wordquake are both lightly illustrated, humorous, and fun, and make great bridge books to help your reader transition from comics to non-illustrated novels.

Alexander and the Amazing Wide-Awake

Alexander Gum, the best inventor in all of Eastwood Elementary, is naturally good at everything. He never misses a word on any of his spelling tests, his shoelaces are always neatly tied, and he never colors outside the lines. Actually, truth be told, Alexander is not naturally clever or talented—at least, no more so than any of his classmates. Alexander’s hiding a secret. He’s getting help from the most unexpected place… Have you ever wished for a magical wand that could make everything in your life—homework and tests and pre-algebra and jumping rope in p.e. and drawing tigers for art class—as easy as flicking your wrist? And what would you do if your magic wand broke? Alexander and the Amazing Wide-Awake uses a humorous yet thought-provoking storyline to show that “easy” isn’t everything. Alexander, the main character, discovers both joy and friendship when he loses his mental crutch (an old hat found in his grandfather’s house), and is forced to dig deep and work hard. Perfect for readers in the middle years of elementary school who find themselves faced with the monumental task of learning how to study, practice a musical instrument, or master a sport.

Wordquake

IT'S A TOTAL DISASTER!

Fourth grader Izzy Ashby is an outside kind of girl. She dreads her Monday morning reading class like she dreads nothing else. One day, Izzy accidentally shakes every single word out of its rightful place in every textbook, worksheet, and bulletin board throughout Eastwood Elementary. At first, it seems like a dream come true! At least, until utter chaos breaks out... How will Izzy get out of this mess? Find out in Holly Schindler’s Wordquake.

Junction of Sunshine and Lucky Folk Art / Contemporary Realism

“How Auggie and Gus save Serendipity Place and find their true calling.

Auggie Jones thinks she’s an ordinary girl. She lives with her grampa Gus, a trash hauler, in an old house. And even though most of her friends live in the same poorer section of the town of Willow Grove, it seems like everyone has a “shine”—a talent or special ability. Everybody but Auggie, that is. But winds of change begin to blow—a storm tears through Willow Grove, Auggie’s best friend ditches her for a new girl who lives in an upscale house on the well-to-do side of town, and the House Beautification Committee targets Serendipity Place, Auggie’s neighborhood, with fines and threats of demolition. Auggie insists she and her grampa aren’t run-down people. She uses the items from Gus’s trash pickups to reinvent their house and convince everyone (including her old best friend) that she’s every bit as worthy of notice as anyone from the fancier side of Willow Grove. Along the way, Auggie finds her voice, her ability to stand up to those in power, and uncovers an artistic talent that goes far beyond decorating her house. But how could a yard filled with items ready for the junkyard change an entire town’s idea of beauty? How can it save Auggie’s aging neighborhood? And how can rusted, recycled pieces of metal ever become Auggie’s special way to “shine”?

Check out my MG site, where you’ll find industry news, writing and teaching tips, and ongoing MG book discussions:

What's a wide-awake? Only the world's best thinking cap!

Finalist or Master List nominee for: Mark Twain Readers Award Bluestem Award South Carolina Children’s Book Award Alabama Camellia Children’s Choice Book Award Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Award Also chosen for the Scholastic Book Fair

Nobody Sang Like Katy Did: A Rock Poem

Introduction to Poetry / Story in Verse

A picture book that rocks! Introduce your MG reader to formal poetry and encourage them to share their own unique “song” with the world. Learn more on my picture book page.

Invent Your Own Superhero Nonfiction / Writing Instruction

Create a brand-new superhero with never-before-seen powers and the perfect arch-enemy. Learn to tell an exciting story! Psst: And it’s fun, too! ~ Award-winning author Holly Schindler turns her attention to helping young writers learn the craft of storytelling. Yes, this activity book is a guide for creating a new superhero, but it also uses brainstorming prompts to take young authors through the process of constructing a story with solid characters, plenty of pulse-pounding conflict, and a satisfying ending. Great for individual or classroom use. Suggested grades: 3-8.

The Adventures of Super Susan

Award-winning author Holly Schindler turns her attention to superheroes in this short adventure story. Using a character Schindler created when she was eight (a hero whose superpower is kindness), The Adventures of Super Susan offers a humorous, fast-paced read in which Susan is forced to face-off with a new arch-enemy, Blaze, a boy with super-jealousy who threatens to keep anyone at South Westport Elementary from outshining him...for good. Can Super Susan melt Blaze’s heart? Or will he simply be too much for even the most powerful kindness on planet Earth? A great read-aloud for grades 3-6, and a perfect companion piece for Schindler’s Invent Your Own Superhero.

Kindness is a superpower!

Or, try the Deluxe Edition of Invent Your Own Superhero

Includes the full text of the original Invent Your Own Superhero as well as The Adventures of Super Susan. Reading questions show young authors how the concepts introduced in the superhero journal can all come together to create a new adventure story.

Junction of Sunshine and Lucky Activity Book

Did you read The Junction of Sunshine and Lucky? Did you cheer for Auggie as she stood up to the House Beautification Committee? Did you wish you were there with her, going to McGunn’s in Old Glory, coming up with sculptures you could create with Gus? Now you can! This activity book is filled with puzzles, pictures to color, and sculptures to finish. Ideas for getting involved in your own community. Ways you can become a folk artist yourself. This book extends the fun of The Junction of Sunshine and Lucky. Makes the story last just a little bit longer. But in many ways, it’s also just the beginning of you finding creative ways to beautify your own world every day.

Are you a young reader? Meet me in the middle: Holly Schindler’s Middles

Alexander and the Amazing Wide-Awake

Alexander Gum, the best inventor in all of Eastwood Elementary, is naturally good at everything. He never misses a word on any of his spelling tests, his shoelaces are always neatly tied, and he never colors outside the lines. Actually, truth be told, Alexander is not naturally clever or talented at least, no more so than any of his classmates. Alexander’s hiding a secret. He’s getting help from the most unexpected place… Have you ever wished for a magical wand that could make everything in your life—homework and tests and pre-algebra and jumping rope in p.e. and drawing tigers for art class—as easy as flicking your wrist? And what would you do if your magic wand broke? Alexander and the Amazing Wide-Awake uses a humorous yet thought-provoking storyline to show that “easy” isn’t everything. Alexander, the main character, discovers both joy and friendship when he loses his mental crutch (an old hat found in his grandfather’s house), and is forced to dig deep and work hard. Perfect for readers in the middle years of elementary school who find themselves faced with the monumental task of learning how to study, practice a musical instrument, or master a sport.

Wordquake

IT'S A TOTAL DISASTER!

Junction of Sunshine and Lucky Folk Art / Contemporary Realism

“How Auggie and Gus save Serendipity Place and find their true calling.

Check out my MG site, where you’ll find industry news, writing and teaching tips, and ongoing MG book discussions:

Follow Me Online

What's a wide-awake? Only the world's best thinking cap!

Nobody Sang Like Katy Did: A Rock Poem

Introduction to Poetry / Story in Verse

A picture book that rocks! Introduce your MG reader to formal poetry and encourage them to share their own unique “song” with the world. Learn more on my picture book page. Do you have a reluctant reader who gravitates toward comics or graphic novels? Alexander and the Amazing Wide-Awake and Wordquake are both lightly illustrated, humorous, and fun, and make great bridge books to help your reader transition from comics to non-illustrated novels.

Create a brand-new superhero with never before-seen powers and the perfect arch-enemy. Learn to tell an exciting story! Psst: And it’s fun, too! ~ Award-winning author Holly Schindler turns her attention to helping young writers learn the craft of storytelling. Yes, this activity book is a guide for creating a new superhero, but it also uses brainstorming prompts to take young authors through the process of constructing a story with solid characters, plenty of pulse-pounding conflict, and a satisfying ending. Great for individual or classroom use. Suggested grades: 3-8.

Invent Your Own Superhero Nonfiction / Writing Instruction