The Lost Subway Station of New York
The City Hall station–worse for wear, but still elegant today.
Mayor George B. McClellan (front, center) inspects the brand new subway.
In The Ring of Honor (third in the Secrets of the Seven series), our intrepid heroes Sam, Marty, and Theo must flee through the New York subway system and wind up here–in the City Hall station, the very first ever built in New York. When you think of New York’s subways, do you think grime–trash–rats–filth–delays and frustration? You should have been there in 1904, under tiled and vaulted ceilings, glowing skylights, and elegant chandeliers, lining up for your five-cent ticket.
The station is long since abandoned (the curving platform is too small for today’s trains) but occasionally opens for tours. Wish I could have taken one!
Read MoreSunshine State Young Readers List
The Eureka Key
Whoo-hoo! The Eureka Key is on Floria’s Sunshine State Young Reader’s List! I note that fellow Mainer Megan Frazer Blakemore has made it on this list as well. Hey, Megan, we’re snowbirds!
https://www.floridamediaed.org/ssyra.html
Read MoreReview of Secrets of the Seven
From a perceptive and talented fifth grade reviewer:
Read MoreThe Founders
Death Valley, CAHistorians are thrilled by the discovery of an artifact in a remote region of Death
Valley earlier this week, and rumors are that more are to be discovered. I assume you are wondering what this artifact is. If I told you, I’d have to kill you. Before you go all whiny on me, make sure to write your will.
This artifact is a key. I know, disappointing. But not just any key. This key is valued at over $6,000,000. This is the key of Benjamin Franklin, the Founding Father of the United States of America. The one from the famous story about the kite.Benjamin Franklin did more than just mess with electricity. He also started a group call the Founders . The Founders is a group of seven famous figures of the late eighteenth century, and early nineteenth century, including Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benedict Arnold.
Each of the Founders chose one artifact to represent them.
Finding all of the artifacts will supposedly do something amazing,
if not magical.
Best Question
Mella also does not suffer fools gladly.
Best question I’ve been asked during a school visit this year: If you were a character in one of your books, which one would you be?
Hmmmmm…. I had to give this some thought. My first reaction was Kata, from Deadly Flowers and Deadly Wish, because who would not want to be a deadly female ninja? But Kata’s life is very difficult. I’m not sure I actually want to live like that. In the end I said Marty, from the Secrets of the Seven series, since she is a) brilliant and b) rich. But after thinking it over, I’m leaning toward Mella from Dragon’s Egg. Because I want my own herd of small pet dragons. Yep.
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