Nurikabe
A visual representation of an invisible force–this nurikabe will hunker down in front of you and block your path.
It occurs to me that I haven’t shared a Japanese demon with you in a while. Meet the nurikabe, or invisible wall.
Not terribly threatening, but frustrating, especially if you have to be somewhere in a hurry, the nurikabe will spring up out of nowhere to block your path. It can’t be seen, it can’t be scaled, and it can’t be broken–but if you run a stick or a staff along the bottom (where I imagine its feet must be, to let it move about like it does), it will vanish. Perhaps it’s ticklish.
They are said to like narrow streets and alleyways, which is where Kata and her companions encounter one (or perhaps a pair working in tandem) in Deadly Wish.
Read MoreEpilog to Deadly Wish
My editor and I disagreed about the epilog to Deadly Wish. She is a very sagacious lady so quite likely she is right and I am wrong, but I have always been fond of this epilog. If you’d like to find out what happened to the pearl with the demon’s soul inside once it ended up in the possession of a sailor from Portugal (thought by Kata to be a demon because who else could smell so bad?), read on!
Read MoreUp ahead, Luys could see the place where the path curved around an ancient chestnut tree. He knew that it would head down a small slope through Jorge Velho’s olive grove, and from there he’d be able to see the lights of his village.
Night was gathering, but Luys didn’t need light to walk this path. Even after five years, his feet knew every stone, every rut, every hollow. And his heart was fuller of joy with every step.
Curious City Besties Honors Deadly Wish!
Proud to have Deadly Wish honored as a Curious City Bestie! My tale of ninjas, monsters, friendship, and betrayal garnered a spot on the list for “Best Stalking by Giant Deadly House Cat.”
The Curious City Besties are selected by Kirsten Cappy, who knows more about kids’ books than pretty much anyone I know.
Here’s the full list–if you need books for kids on your holiday list or just appreciate a fabulously told story, this is the place to go!
Read More
Ninjas In the Stacks!
Beware the library ninja!
Don’t forget to drop by the main branch of the Portland Public Library this Saturday, 10/14, at 2:00, for an adventurous event to celebrate the launch of Deadly Wish. There will be a stealthy scavenger hunt through the stacks, ninja tattoos, Japanese snacks (green tea Kit Kats! Really!), and signed copies of Deadly Wish to purchase.
(Drop by the exhibit of art by Maine treasure Dahlov Ipcar while you are here. Gorgeous art in pop-off-the-wall color!)
Read MoreSarah L. Thomson
A children’s book author publishing award-winning nonfiction, poetry, picture books and novels including…
“Readers will treasure the blossoming friendship between opposites in this whimsically illustrated tale. Short chapters and plenty of action make for an accessible and appealing reading experience. . . . Touching and inspiring.”
—Kirkus Reviews