It’s pretty outside. Large flakes thickly carpet the ground, the trees, the road. And there’s the rub — it’s also very slippery. So the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library had to cancel my presentation today with Karen Day. Bummer.

But don’t worry. We’ll reschedule. In the meantime, back to work!

Children librarian and blogger of A Patchwork of Books has given No Castles Here a fabulous review. She starts off:

What a gem this book is! It isn’t often that I come across a book that I truly love from the first page, but this was, indeed, one of them. First time author A.C.E. Bauer has written a novel that will capture the attention of both boys and girls (and obviously adults).

Stating that it is “easily one of [her] favorites that [she's] read this year,” she bemoans that she’s too late for the Cybil Awards. But, she adds:

As long as some of you read it now, I won’t be disappointed!

Thank you Amanda!!

You can read the full review here.

In writing No Castles Here, I tried to portray how a target of bullies might respond to the daily assault and intimidation bullies inflict. There’s nothing glamorous about it — being a target is painful and destructive. Finding the respect of one’s peers can be one of the hardest things for a child, and sometimes it’s impossible. I gave Augie, my main character, strong anchors in the story. These were both people and situations that helped him find his way out of the bullying he was suffering. Not every child is so fortunate.

C.J. Bott, a retired teacher and now consultant, created a website called Bulliesinbooks.com. Her goal is to use children’s and YA literature to start a discussion about bullying, and she has compiled a list of books for that starting point. I am proud that NCH was added to her list.