text:
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Early Childhood and Cultural Development
University of Sydney, Australia
Updated: about 6 hours ago
Location: Camperdown, NEW SOUTH WALES
1 x Full time, 12 month fixed term positions
Develop your career in early childhood development research whilst working with a world leading group of academic advisors located at Camperdown Campus
Base Salary $113,184 + 17% superannuation
The Brain and Mind Centre, Youth Mental Health & Technology team has an outstanding opportunity for an Evaluation Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the team, to work on a collaborative research project with international reach, concerned with early childhood development, social and emotional wellbeing.
This is a global collaborative project which is being co-designed in partnership with a major software company and major international NGOs. This role will allow the opportunity for the Evaluation Research Fellow to work with leading academic experts in this field.
Your key responsibilities will be to:
undertake research in early childhood, childrearing, and digital health
evaluate the impact of childrearing content on parenting practices, behaviours, attitudes, and confidence
conduct quantitative analyses to inform the development and refinement of scientific content for a digital health solution and contribute to evaluation reports and academic papers
work with an established evaluation team to collect and analyse qualitative impact and process evaluation data
contribute to workplace culture within Brain and Mind Centre and Faculty of Medicine and Health and contribute to the strategic direction of the University
has completed their PhD in early childhood studies, digital health, brain sciences, or similar fields
demonstrates experience in literature searches and literature summaries
demonstrates the ability to write for both an academic and non-academic audience
demonstrates experience in research in early childhood development, parenting or mental health
demonstrates experience in qualitative and quantitative research analysis
displays evidence of cultural competence
possesses excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to work well with remote and non-English speaking stakeholders.
The successful candidate might also possess an understanding of neurobiological systems.
To keep our community safe, please be aware of our COVID safety precautions which form our conditions of entry for all staff, students and visitors coming to campus.
Sponsorship / work rights for Australia
Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For a continuing position, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.
Australian Temporary Residents currently employed at the University of Sydney may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length of their visa, depending on the requirements of the hiring area and the position.
Pre-employment checks
Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.
At the University of Sydney, our shared values include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community which reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this commitment through our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People , women , people living with a disability , people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds , and those who identify as LGBTIQ . We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.
Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.
If you are a current employee of the University or a contingent worker with access to Workday, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.
For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or support filling out this application, please contact Lena Germinarios, Recruitment Operations, by email to lena.germinarios@sydney.edu.au .
© The University of Sydney
The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.
Click to view the Position Description for this role.
Sunday 29 January 2023 11:59 PM
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>>> Channel Access is not intended for use in a hostile environment.
>> I wouldn't call a port scan hostile.
> intentionally send malformed packages.
What about pvAccess in this regard?
Next: Re: Port scan with nmap causes infinite loop in	casDGClient::processDG() [Re: CA gatway runs away when zero length	PV	name in UDP search request] Hartman, Steven M.


text:
Can't Keep a Baad Man Down
Digital Download available through the PURCHASE button and a CD version is available though the Add to Cart button.
Recorded live in 1999 at The Tourist Inn and The Deer Park Tavern on Deep Ride Records. Live versions of "Bad Man Down", "In My Hand", "It's A Good Thang", "Watchin' the Clock", "Phat's Where It's At", "Can't Help It", "Route 13" and "Fired Up!". Tom Larsen on guitar and vocals, Charles Calloway on bass and Aaron Walker on drums and vocals
Bad Man Down
In My Hand
Its A Good Thang
Watchin The Clock
Phats Where Its At
Cant Help It
Fired Up!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The forward balance features a 2 1/4" taper for a front heavy stick with a more forward power. If you don't like a balanced stick and want more power or forward balance, this is your stick. Also available is a Pro Mark Rebound stick for a quicker response.
All Promark drumsticks are designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA with the highest quality.


text: module.exports = exports = require('./strategy');

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Rod Stewart: The Hits
The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
Rod Stewart: The Hits Showtimes
Wed September 18 7:30 PM
Fri September 20 7:30 PM
Sat September 21 7:30 PM
Tue September 24 7:30 PM
Mon September 30 7:30 PM
Wed October 2 7:30 PM
Fri October 4 7:30 PM
Sat October 5 7:30 PM
Rod Stewart's soulful voice, narrative songwriting, and passionate live performances, have given him one of the most prolific and successful musical careers of all time. On ShowTickets.com, Rod Stewart returns to Las Vegas and continues on the heels of his recently announced and anticipated autobiography with publishing giant Random House, scheduled for release in 2012 and sold-out concerts throughout North and South America in 2011. Stewart is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Grammy Award-winning Living Legend, and in 2007 was bestowed the prestigious CBE (Commander of The British Empire). He has garnered an estimated 250 million album and single sales and an amazing 18 Grammy nominations. This is a concert like none other - with no fan more than 120 feet from the magnificent Colosseum stage at the Caesars Palace.
The British singer/songwriter legend Rod Stewart with all his hit songs
A legend performs. With iconic rock and RandB favorites that have defined his unparalleled five-decade-long career, Rod Stewart: The Hits is a high-energy show, designed to give audiences an intimate, "only in Las Vegas" experience at the Caesars Palace. Featuring favorites like ""Do You Think I'm Sexy", ""Hot Legs", ""You're in My Heart", ""You Wear it Well", ""Some Guys Have All the Luck" and "Maggie May"" with some unique tracks in the mix like, ""The Killing of Georgie" and ""Broken Arrow." Let ShowTickets.com show you why Rod Stewart is still the best, and as the title implies, Rod Stewart plays his hits, so expect all the fan favorites.
Select Dates from 9/18/19 - 10/5/19
Show Duration:
3570 Las Vegas Blvd South


* Cleaning service included in the check-in and in the middle of the week, for a minimum stay of 7 nights. The washing dishes, is not included.
Reservations should be made and confirmed via email and will have a deposit of 25% of the value of the stay.
Cancellations made 15 days in advance will be entitled to the deposit reimbursement.


What events most often make up oral healthcare development for children?
Why is the first orthodontic visit so important?
Why should you schedule your child's first orthodontic appointment now?
Why should you take charge of your child's oral health now?
What are some benefits of fitting your child with braces now?
What foods should your child avoid if he or she wears braces?
What is your child's sleeping habits telling you about their orthodontic health?
Is your child's mouth as healthy as it can be?


text:
An Abundance of Books
Interview: Jennifer Caloyeras
YA Titles:
Urban Falcon
Urban Falcon Summary:
Evan Falcon was all set to finish high school in Elbow Creek when his dad's job forced the family to move to Lincoln Heights, a booming metropolis. Now, his best friend won't even talk to him and he suspects that his mom is having an affair. Caught between who he used to be and the possibility of who he could become, Evan is thrown into a world of dating, out of control parents, and family drama. -- Goodreads
Buy Urban Falcon | Publisher's Site | Author Site | Facebook | Author's Crafting/Cooking Blog
How did you get the Urban Falcon started? Where did the idea of the book come from?
When I finished my MA program in English literature I had a big void in my life. While working on my graduate thesis (focusing on gender and sexuality in Victorian literature) spending hours a day in front of my computer had become quite meditative. So when that project was completed, I stayed at the computer.
But what should I write?
Then Evan Falcon (the 16-year old male protagonist of my novel, Urban Falcon) came to me. He first showed up as a whisper -- a sort of nagging in my mind. As I stared at a blank screen I got to know Evan - his likes and dislikes -- and then I started creating a world around him. For me, a story always begins with a "what if…." statement. For Urban Falcon, the question became, "What if Evan Falcon is forced to move to a new home and discovers his mom is having an affair?" How would he react?
I was drawn to this idea because usually in young adult novels, the adults tend to act like…adults. They don't make tons of mistakes. How would it feel for this boy on the verge of manhood to learn that his parents aren't the superheroes he once thought they were? How would it feel for Evan to fall in love for the first time? How would it be for Evan to have to start over -- a country boy suddenly placed in a big city? How would he find his way?
And then, the writing began. The story took so many different turns before it found its direction. At one point, Evan had a little sister (she was later cut). In another version -- his mom was a doctor. Cut. I couldn't tell you how many drafts I wrote, but I recycled lots and lots of paper.
How long did it take you to write the novel?
I would say that from the initial inception of the idea to the completion of the novel took about two years. I think it would have been shorter had I not enrolled in a MFA program in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. In addition to working on the novel (which I was able to further develop in a children's literature class I was taking) I had a lot of other course work and reading to complete, so my immediate goal was to get through each semester with my head on straight rather than finish the novel -- that was more of a long term goal.
How many revisions did you do?
Too many to count! I'm not a "start at the beginning and work my way forward" kind of reviser. Initially, it begins this way, but if I continue to start at the beginning, the first half of a novel can seem overworked, overwritten, over-revised. I like to work in small chunks. I always keep a few running lists next to me as I write. The first is a timeline of events. When working on a novel-length piece, this is especially helpful to make sure that things are taking place in the correct order and if a major edit happens early on, I use this list to see how this impacts the rest of the story.
Another list I keep next to me while working is a list of research questions. Some of these questions for Urban Falcon included things like, "what does a periodontist do?" "What kind of camera would an aspiring photographer use?" "What kinds of snakes are kept as pets that might be on a semi-endangered list?" Because this world is fictitious, I had less research questions. The novel I am currently working on takes place in Santa Cruz, California, so I have a lot of questions related to that specific region. The female protagonist is obsessed with biology facts, so there's been a lot of research there. And there also is a juvenile delinquent component, so my research involves the California juvenile court system. But no matter where the book takes place, I have a running list of questions. It's so satisfying to cross of the list as I research. And truth be told, on days when I don't feel like writing or editing, I make my way down the research list.
The third list I work with is a character list. I keep this handy for practical reasons like their names and descriptions but also I use it to trace character growth. How does a character change throughout the novel? What is their arc? I am much more aware of this now working on a second piece.
Did you work with a developmental editor while revising and writing the novel?
I did not work with a developmental editor, but I suppose that since I completed this piece of work in graduate school, my peers and professor acted as developmental editor. Writing workshops were an integral part of the shaping of this story. Fellow students questioned parts of the story that weren't working and sent my characters off in new directions. Now that I am out of school and I don't have the safety net of peer editors or an acclaimed instructor / writer such as Glen Huser (recipient of the Governor General award for his children's fiction -- which is the Canadian version of the Newbery). I have, instead, a select group of fellow writers whose honest opinions I trust.
How did you approach editors to get Urban Falcon published?
I am a huge fan of Poets and Writers Magazine and I recommend getting a subscription as soon as possible! They have a wealth of information on publishing and writing and what's happening right now in the world of writing. In any case, I began my search there. I felt like this book screamed to be published by a small press -- it just felt like a right fit. I was thrilled to find that my publisher, Diversion Press, was run by two academics, both college professors. Because I also write short fiction -- I am very well versed in sending out queries and stories to literary magazines. Which means I'm also very well versed in receiving rejections. You have to have thick skin to be in this business. You have to be able to tell yourself, "okay, that story is not right for that particular agent, editor, publisher" and then you have to believe it will be right for someone. So you press on.
Was there anything else about your writing process or publishing experience that was particular memorable or difficult?
When the publishers sent me the initial cover for the novel I admittedly wasn't thrilled. It was a cityscape scene with a male and a female in a romantic embrace. It wasn't the mood that embodied the book (for me), but I understand why it may have been appealing for a certain audience. I was really worried about alienating a male-teenage audience. Since the story has a male protagonist, I tried to think of teenage boys I knew who would want to carry a book around with a romantic scene on the front! I expressed my concern to my publishers who sent four or five more options, which were better, but still didn't quite hit home. I'd imagine that the cover image is such a personal thing for a writer! I just wanted it to reflect the heart and soul of the story. My childhood friend, Lizabeth Zindel (author of three young adult novels including the wildly popular Girl of the Moment) said, "let's do a free clip art search". She explained that that is how most major publishing companies find their covers. We spent hours going back and forth typing in key words that I thought encompassed my novel. I have to credit her for finding the image that is now the cover of the novel. And I was so thankful that my publishers also supported the photo which is a teenage boy walking towards the city with a suitcase. The fact that he's alone is so important as it symbolizes the solitude and alienation he feels throughout the story.
I do have a little remorse about starting my writing career in my late 20's! I keep thinking about all the free time I had in my early twenties, before I had a job, before marriage, before kids! Now I write in small spurts. My youngest (age two) takes a two-hour nap every day, so I try and get some writing done then. But I can't help but think back to an earlier time in my life when I had days free when I could have been writing! So time is my biggest hurdle now. But I've always worked well on a deadline. I began a second young adult novel in January of 2010 and I gave myself a deadline of December 2010 to complete a draft (which I did) and then a deadline of June 2011 for a completed draft ready to send out ... the finish line is approaching, but I find that I work much better on a deadline, even if self-imposed. You have to have a lot of discipline to be a writer, otherwise you end up spending far too much time staring at a blank screen while fiddling with a pile of paper clips, organizing highlighters and doodling on post-its (yes, I spend far too much time doing all of the above). On good days I'm able to quit procrastinating and start writing!
Thanks for stopping by Jennifer, and best wishes
Posted by sarah s at 1:00 PM
Labels: author interview, blog tour, guest post
Search An Abundance of Books
sarah s
I recently completede my Master's in Publishing from Portland State University where I studied all things publishing and YA. I've recently rediscovered YA lit and have become obsessed with everything that's going in YA right now. Hopefully one day (likely many, many years from now) I will open my own publishing company devoted to Young Adult and Children's books, but for now I will be reading and writing about YA and whatever else strikes my fancy.
Reviewers, Authors, Publishers, etc
If you would like to have An Abundance of Books review a book, host a giveaway, or do an interview, please contact me at sarahschmalzer@gmail.com. Please note I accept ARCs and published books, but not unpublished manuscripts or self-published works. Thank you for your interest in An Abundance of Books!
Note: An Abundance of Books is no longer accepting ebooks for review.
Review: Urban Falcon
Author Interview: Robert Bresloff
Review: Wanderland
Diversion Press Blog Tour
Awesome Inc. theme. Theme images by Sarah Schmalzer. Powered by Blogger.


A protest in favor of gun rights gathered dozens at the Middleburgh Rod and Gun Club on Saturday. The event, attended by local officials, concerned citizens, and pro-Second Amendment groups highlighted opposition to the 2013 SAFE Act.
The event was covered by both local and Albany press and began with a noon firing of single rounds from the attendees in unified protest. The event then moved inside, led first by Senator James Seward. Seward talked about the process in which the SAFE Act was passed, which he described as rushed. Next was Sheriff Tony Desmond, who spoke of the importance of history in dealing with such a law. He was reminded by the Schoharie Valley being the Breadbasket of the Revolution and how the law was opposed by most of the Counties in the state. It was noted that Sheriff Desmond was the only New York State Sheriff not invited to a conference with Governor Cuomo recently.
There were a series of speakers from local groups that spoke of the importance of gun rights and how they opposed the SAFE Act.
The last speaker was Assemblyman Peter Lopez, who spoke of the logistical challenges of how to overturn the law-- either through the Courts or through the state legistlature. He said that the pressure was like that of boiling lobster-- some pressure is noticeable when amplified.


When using SAPI, we require that you send us information about certain usage 'events'. These events are primarily based around "generating leads" for participating businesses. For example, we want to know when a user of your application views the details of a business listing or selects to visit a business's website. We only ask that you provide us with events related to business information sourced from our API.
Below is a list of all the event types that we ask to be captured. We understand that not all of these will be relevant in all cases, so if you cannot report on any of these events, please contact us so we can agree an appropriate level of reporting for your application.
Add to Contacts addToContacts When a user adds a business's details to their contacts/address book.
Add to Favourites addToFavourites When a user bookmarks the web address in their browser, or saves the business to a 'favourites' list.
Appearance appearance When a business listings details (ie, business name & address and/or phone number) is displayed to a user.
Click to Call dial When a user selects a function to dial the business's phone number.
Get Directions getDirections When a user selects a function to view driving directions to the business from a location.
Print Business Details Page printBusinessDetails When a user prints the business listing details.
Send Email sendEmail When a user selects to write an email to the business.
Send to Friend sendToFriend When a user selects to share the business details with friend, such as via email or SMS.
Send to Mobile sendToMobile When a user selects to send the business details to their mobile phone.
View Business Details Page viewDetails When a user selects to view detailed business information (ie, more details than what is displayed for a business listing appearance). This event should not be used when a user clicks through to the business details page on yellowpages.com.au, as this event will already be identified by our website.
View Map viewMap When a user selects to view the business location on a map (use the Get Directions event instead if the map contains driving directions).
Website Referral viewWebsite When a user selects to visit the business's website.
View External Link viewExternalLink When a user selects to view one of the business's external links (ie, links returned in the externalLinks field. See Listing Schema).
View YouTube Video viewVideo When a user selects to watch a linked YouTube video (ie, any external link of type VIDEO. See Listing Schema).
Write Review writeReview When a user writes a review about the business.
Of course, your application may pioneer new events that are not listed above – in fact, we may not have even thought of them. If this is the case, please contact us to discuss ways we can set-up new events for you to provide this important "lead generation" information.
Click to Call dial The content parameter specifies the phone number from the value field of the contact.
Send Email sendEmail The content parameter specifies the email address from the value field of the contact.
Website Referral viewWebsite The content parameter specifies the URL from the value field of the contact.
View External Link viewExternalLink The content parameter specifies the url field from the external link.
View YouTube Video viewVideo The content parameter specifies the url field from the external link.
Note: For event types that require the content parameter (ie, the events listed above) you cannot specify multiple reporting IDs per request.
If a user searches for hairdressers and one of results displayed to the user is 'Bob's Hairdresser', then all you have to do is send an HTTP POST request to the report endpoint for an appearance event (see Report endpoint).
If a user then selects to call the phone number, send an HTTP POST request to the report endpoint for an dial event (see Report endpoint).


text:
Offer reservationsReservation management
For wineries
For other concepts
Create an eventEvent management
Explore Tock
Talk to a real life Tock Team member who can take you through a demo of everything Tock has to offer. No hassle and no commitment.
Get in touchRequest a demo
Offer reservations
See all positions at Tock
Senior Software Engineer (Frontend) — Chicago, IL
About Tock
Tock is changing the way restaurants, wineries, and culinary event organizers run their business and how guests explore, discover, and book at these places all around the globe. This includes a robust reservation, guest, and table management system for businesses of all sizes.
Nick Kokonas and Chef Grant Achatz opened Alinea to international fanfare in 2005–now a perennial Michelin three star and widely considered one of the best restaurants in the world. For years they were spending $140,000 a year on staff dedicated to managing reservations and losing an average of $260,000 a year on cancellations. Knowing there had to be a solution to this problem, Nick started work on a new reservation system. The homemade platform was a success. Soon after, Nick founded Tock with Brian Fitzpatrick, founder of Google's Chicago engineering office, to turn his simple idea into a robust platform and change the way people dine around the world.
Tock's explosive growth (as of January 2020):
Reached a global customer base of over 1,700 businesses in over 28 countries operating in 100+ cities
Booked over 25 million guests
Processed over $700 million in prepaid reservations
Named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative companies
Named one of Built In Chicago's 100 Best Places to Work
Won Chicago Tribune's "Game Changer" Award for industry innovation
About the position
We're looking for a Senior Software Engineer (Frontend) to join our team to help build fast, easy and beautiful tools for thousands of restaurants. As a Senior Software Engineer (Frontend), you will work directly with the product designers and software engineers in the team to build and maintain the frontend architecture, build high-quality re-usable web-component on HTML5, CSS and JavaScript. You will bring to the team industry best practices around modularization, code-organization, accessibility, and responsive layouts.
People who do well on this team are self-motivated with a passion for the problems we're out to solve and how technology can help. We look for individuals with a deep knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and those who are ready to champion our web-based and mobile-first philosophy. Our team is pretty small (almost a dozen engineers and a few designers), and undergoing exponential growth, so there's a great opportunity for you to make a difference.
You will be building the next-generation web applications that are fast and responsive using modern HTML5, ES6 standards
You will be able to build a feature or enhancement, starting with design & engineering taking it all the way to production
You will be a generalist who will work on multiple products as needed, whether it is our customer-facing dashboard or guest-facing consumer site
You'll write and push production-ready HTML, CSS, and JS within our React based framework.
Experience with TypeScript, SASS, Node.JS would be a plus
You'll contribute to core team culture and contribute code to efforts across a fast-growing company
You'll support, maintain and upgrade code and participate in necessary design and implementation of a complex system
At least 3 years of experience building frontend software. Experience being a tech-lead is a plus
Understand all parts of a modern web-based application stack from Frontend, Backend to Production
A specialist in frontend technologies
A self-motivated individual who works well with little direction
Enjoys being part of a team that works and learns together
Has excellent written and verbal communication skills
Prefers to experiment and use data to drive decision making
Loves making and building things as part of a growing team
Full benefits (medical, dental, vision), 401k
Free daily lunch
Stocked kitchen and nitro coffee on tap
Sunny office in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood
Please submit your resume and cover letter, letting us know why you're interested in Tock, using the link below.
Why TockOffer reservationsCreate an eventResourcesTeam TockOpenTable Analyzer
Request infoCompany contactsPartnershipsCareersTerms of usePrivacy policy
Explore what makes Tock, Tock.
Find great culinary experiences by city or category, download our app, and devour your next adventure.
Visit exploretock.com
© Tock, 2020


Today Kid Lit Frenzy welcomes Sally J. Pla to the blog. Sally's debut middle grade novel, The Someday Birds, came out on Tuesday. Thank you Sally for sharing about Charlie.
There is not much about travel that I like—I'm not a carefree tumbleweed sort of person. I wish I were, sure. But instead, I'm more of a rigid-rooted worry-tree, my mind branching off into anxious "what-if" travel scenarios, whenever it's time to uproot. I mean, I do travel, of course. I'm a grown-up! I do it! But it doesn't come naturally.
Which is maybe why I've always been so fascinated with tales of travel adventure.
My debut novel, The Someday Birds, is about a 12-year-old autistic boy who is forced on a difficult cross-country journey to see his war-injured father. He, too, hates any change to routine. He likes order, calm, and a small group of comfort-foods. He'd prefer to live out his life admiring nature from afar, sketching birds out of books, and never setting foot on the grass.
As a child, I was a really anxious kid—basically terrified of everything outside my front door. But when I was twelve, I stumbled across a fascinating road-trip story at the local library. I pulled it at random off the shelf, because there was a dog on the cover, and I loved dogs above all things on earth. Also, I thought I vaguely recognized the author's name. It was John Steinbeck.
In Travels with Charley, Steinbeck and his standard poodle, the eponymous Charley, take off in Rocinante, the old camper-truck he named after Don Quixote's valiant steed. The goal was to wander, have an adventure. And to take stock of America in the summer of 1960.
I loved the book. I'd never read anything like it. Travels with Charley was the first "adult" book I'd ever finished, and I remember feeling so proud.
The thoughtfulness of the writing pulled me in. The descriptions of nature–of autumn leaves bursting with sun-soaked color in New England, of flat, undulating fields of the Midwest – struck a cord in me and filled me with wonder. I had never been much beyond my home state.
He mentioned the loss of regional accents, which he supposed was due to the breakdown of individualism into a collective, media-influenced way of speaking and thinking. He foresaw the media-driven dangers of groupthink. Or of Mobthink.
It's interesting, flipping back through this book today, imagining the child's brain that first read it. What had I made out of those passages?
What I most remember, at twelve, were the portraits of people Steinbeck met along the way. There were some horrific caricatures—a description of a lady of sallow cheek who, when she entered a room, turned the very air to grey. I felt that way about some of my junior high school teachers!
But mainly, the people he met were kind.
His journey demystified, for me, the fearful realm of What Lay Beyond, both geographically, in America, and emotionally, in adulthood. At twelve, I was on the cusp. And scared. I read this book, and a light flickered, out there in the Beyond, past my home and school and my small, fearful, circumscribed life. A tiny flicker of a light. Who knows? Maybe, in my future, there really is some navigable terrain out there. Maybe someday, I'd be ready for a journey, too.
But for the moment, as a twelve-year-old, I got to go along, safely.
My main character in The Someday Birds is named Charlie, as a private nod to the influence Steinbeck's book had on me as a middle-grader. My Charlie also travels the country, coast to coast, as an act of bravery, He, also, travels with a dog, and has difficult adventures. He makes observations about nature, and people, that remind us about being human, and being kind, and relating to each other.
My Charlie learns, all too well, in Steinbeck's words, that "we do not take a trip; a trip takes us." He learns that travel can be hard, as life can be hard.
But the people along the way? For the most part, they are kind.
Pick up a copy of The Someday Birds by Sally J. Pla at your local indie bookstore.
About the author: Sally J. Pla is the author of The Someday Birds, a Junior Library Guild Selection for 2017 and a starred review in Publishers Weekly. Kirkus called it "hopeful, authentic, and oddly endearing." Booklist called it "a delight from beginning to end."
She's an advocate of neurodiversity, and currently lives with her husband, three sons, and an enormous fluffy dog near lots of lemon trees in Southern California, where she's hard at work on her next novel.
Today author, SF Said, drops by to talk about his new book Phoenix (Candlewick, October 2016) and share about his love for science fiction.
I was 10 years old when the first Star Wars film came out. It was a life-changing moment for me, as for many of my generation. As I looked up in awe at that first starship filling the screen, I remember thinking that I wanted to write a story as big as that one day. I wanted to write a book that contained an entire galaxy.
I loved science fiction. I grew up watching Star Trek and Doctor Who on TV, and wishing there were more children's books set in space. There weren't many, even then; film and TV were boldy going where publishing was not. But I wanted to see a sci-fi space epic for young readers – so I finally sat down and wrote one myself.
When Phoenix was published in the UK in 2013, it stood more or less alone. British children's literature had seen waves of books about wizards and witches, vampires and werewolves, post-apocalyptic dystopias – but somehow, not space. The prevailing wisdom was that it wouldn't work, despite occasional books in which space was an ingredient, like Frank Cottrell-Boyce's Cosmic. Space stories had yet to take off.
But a new wave of science fiction is rising in children's literature. In the last three years, we've seen big sci-fi titles from some of the UK's leading children's authors, such as Philip Reeve (Cakes In Space, illustrated by Sarah McIntyre, for younger readers; Railhead and Black Light Express for older ones), Malorie Blackman (Chasing The Stars), and Paul Magrs (Lost On Mars and The Martian Girl).
I've seen booksellers and librarians make fabulous displays from all the new space-themed children's books. Many authors have told me they're now writing one too, and the next few years will see the field expand still further. Sci-fi is even being mixed with other genres; I recently shared a panel discussion with writers of sci-fi thrillers (Kat Ellis, Purge) and romances (Lauren James, The Next Together).
It makes sense, when you consider the resurgence of public interest in space itself. NASA's Mars missions have restored a sense of discovery. Astronauts like Chris Hadfield and Tim Peake have used social media brilliantly to spread the wonder of space exploration.
Meanwhile, breakthroughs in astronomy have revealed a truly awe-inspiring universe. We now believe there are 2 trillion galaxies, each with hundreds of billions of stars. The incredible images captured by the Hubble telescope have only amplified the awe people have always felt when looking up at the stars. Such images are thrilling to young people, who are also enthusiastic followers of figures such as Neil deGrasse Tyson. His new Cosmos series means as much to young people today as Carl Sagan's original Cosmos meant to people like myself.
I have to admit, though, Phoenix is not exactly 'hard' sci-fi. It's a story about a human boy and an alien girl who have to save the galaxy. Its scientific plausibility matters less to me than its metaphorical resonance. I've certainly tried to write a story that taps into all the things I find electrifying about space: the science of stars, black holes, dark matter. But I'm also interested in the mythic dimension; the sense that there's something transcendent about the stars.
They pose the biggest questions imaginable, making us consider our place in the universe, and what it means to be alive in it. We now know that the atoms in our bodies were created in the hearts of exploding stars: something that feels closer to ancient myth than astrophysics. That's one reason why Phoenix contains as much mythology as science, and why I'm as comfortable calling it 'mythic fiction' as 'science fiction'.
But I think the same is true of Star Wars. So when I visit schools to talk about Phoenix, I always start by telling kids about seeing that first Star Wars film, so long ago. They know exactly what I mean; they've felt the same awe with each new Star Wars film. It belongs to them as much as it does to me – even if they never believe me when I say it wasn't called "Episode IV: A New Hope" back then, but just "Star Wars"!
It's been wonderful to see that young readers in the UK are thrilled by the idea of space and hungry to read stories about it. I hope readers in the US and beyond will be open to it too, and will enjoy flying through the stars with the new wave of children's science fiction.
Lucky lives a relatively normal life on a remote moon of the planet Aries One, safe from the turmoil and devastation of the interstellar war between Humans and Aliens. Lucky has seen images of the horned, cloven-hooved Aliens before, but he's never seen one up close. Then one night, he dreams that the stars are singing to him—and wakes to evidence suggesting that he is not so normal after all. When Lucky's mother sacrifices herself to help him escape an elite Human military force called the Shadow Guards, he must rely on the Alien crew of a ramshackle starship, where he finds that humanity's deadly enemies seem surprisingly Human up close. In fact, they may be more Human than Lucky himself, who has a dangerous power that could change the course of the war and the fate of the galaxy—if he can learn how to use it. Star Wars fans seeking another saga to love need look no further than this epic middle-grade adventure from SF Said, illustrated by Dave McKean with remarkable white-on-black spacescapes.
A boy with unprecedented power must turn to the terrifying Alien enemies of humanity to discover his true nature and bring peace to a galaxy at war.
Happy Book Birthday to Kate DiCamillo's newest book, Raymie Nightingale. There is something about a Kate DiCamillo book that just draws in readers. Sure the chapters are short, and the characters quirky. However, those quirky characters will resonate in very deep ways with readers. The writing is both efficient and very real. Raymie, Louisiana, and Beverly learn more during the summer of 1975 than just friendship. They learn about life and growing up.
If you haven't put Raymie Nightingale on your list of books to read, pick up a copy today at your local indie bookstore.
Check out BuzzFeed's interview with Kate DiCamillo, click here.
Twelve-year-old AJ dreads spending an entire month living with her strict Grandma Jo. Not only does her grandmother dictate how she walks, what she eats, and which rooms she can enter, she fills all AJ's free time with boring sewing lessons. Grandma Jo wants nothing more than to transform her adventurous, fun-loving granddaughter into a prim and proper lady.
But AJ's dull summer takes a sharp turn when she discovers that her grandmother's "bridge group" is actually a heist club. When Grandma Jo offers to let AJ learn lock-picking instead of embroidery in exchange for help with a few capers, AJ is happy to join her grandmother's madcap band of thieves, who claim to steal only for ethical reasons. But even the most respectable ladies can hide truly surprising secrets, and AJ finds she must decide for herself what it means to be one of the good guys.
Today, Alison Cherry stops by to talk a little bit about her new Middle Grade novel, THE CLASSY CROOKS CLUB. Thank you Alison for visiting Kid Lit Frenzy.
In looking over the books you have written, THE CLASSY CROOKS CLUB seems like a departure from your Young Adult books. What prompted the change?
It's really only a departure in terms of age group! At their cores, all my books are about relationships between girls and women, set against backdrops that raise the stakes and the absurdity level. RED is a mother-daughter story set in the world of beauty pageants, and FOR REAL is a sister story set on a reality TV show. I think a grandmother/granddaughter story set in the world of heists fits right in! As for the departure into middle grade, I wanted the chance to write something with completely goofy, over-the-top elements, and that's hard to get away with in YA. Kids are much more open to that kind of thing!
THE CLASSY CROOKS CLUB would have been my favorite type of book to read at age 10. What were you reading at 10 and did you ever imagine yourself as a character featured in one of those books? What adventures did you imagine yourself doing?
Every author does some research for books they write (even for realistic fiction), what kind of research did you do for THE CLASSY CROOKS CLUB and did you have any favorite discoveries?
I watched tons of videos about lock-picking on YouTube—I don't think I ever truly understood how locks and keys worked until I wrote this book. I also did lots of research on parrot behavior, including talking to an exotic bird expert. I had no idea parrots could make so many noises aside from talking—creaking door sounds, car alarms, phone ringtones, etc. It's pretty amazing.
Can you share a favorite part of THE CLASSY CROOKS CLUB without giving away any spoilers?
What is your creative writing process like? Do you have any particular routines when you write? Can we get a picture of your writing space?
I'm a huge plotter—I can't start writing until I'm pretty clear on the ending—and I always write in order. My favorite place to work is a cafe near my house—picture attached! They have amazing waffles and baked brie sandwiches and mint-lime iced tea, and the baristas all know my name. My brain works best between the hours of 11 and 5, so I'm usually at the computer then. But I'm not very good at sticking to a routine, and I can write pretty much anywhere, as long as it's relatively quiet and there's room for my laptop. The only place I absolutely can't get work done is on an airplane; flying freaks me out too much.
What is your favorite indie bookstore? Can you tell us a little about it?
My all-time favorite bookstore is the Harvard Bookstore in Cambridge, MA. I have such excellent memories of it from when I lived in Boston—I'd always stop by after I took an exam and buy myself a book as a reward. But my favorite local indie is BookCourt in Brooklyn. It's really big for a Brooklyn storefront, I love the open-plan layout and the way the books are arranged, and it has a large children's section with a reading area. I've had all my launch parties there, and the staff is super friendly and helpful!
Check out Alison Cherry's THE CLASSY CROOKS CLUB now available at your local indie bookstore.
Description from GoodReads: A rescued beagle and his boy owner seek love and understanding for their troubled small town in this holiday companion to the Newbery Medal–winning Shiloh, from Phyllis Reynolds Naylor.
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's fourth book in the Newbery Award–winning Shiloh series—following Shiloh, Shiloh Season, andSaving Shiloh—is full of heart-thudding suspense, as well as comfort and joy.
Thank you for Phyllis Reynolds Naylor for stopping by Kid Lit Frenzy to answer a few questions.
This is the 4th book in the Shiloh series. The last one (Saving Shiloh) was published in 1997. What prompted you to continue the story?
There was still something I felt that needed to be dealt with--Judd's restitution as a member of the community. The movie producers were interested in a Shiloh Christmas story, and as I thought it over, the whole thing seemed to come together for me: just as the first Shiloh books dealt with the gray areas between right and wrong, the last book deals with enemy versus friend, and Marty's belief that religion--which also plays a part--- should bring people together, not separate them. By the end of the third book, Judd Travers has redeemed himself by saving Shiloh, but he still needs to pitch in and contribute to the community, and in "A Shiloh Christmas," he finds a way.
Shiloh is a beloved book. What is one way that writing about this special dog and the people/community around him changed you or your life?
Well, it's certainly kept me busier. Because many schools have added Shiloh to the curriculum, I get an enormous amount of assigned letters ( "my favorite character is....because...." "the book made me sad (happy, angry) because...." Etc. And of course I've done much more traveling and speaking because of the Shiloh series than I ever had before. But just thinking and writing about the resiliency of this rural family brought back so many memories of how my own parents guided us through the Depression, and made me appreciate anew the creativity of people who struggle to keep a household going, and their joy in simple pleasures.
Over the years, you have probably received an amazing number of letters from children. Any one letter stand out from all the others? Was there a very funny letter? Please share.
Two letters in particular brought tears to my eyes. A teacher had obviously assigned each child in her class to copy a letter she either dictated or wrote on the board that read, "Dear Mrs. Naylor: Our class started to read Shiloh, but there are two bad words in your book, and we will not finish it. We will not buy any more of your books and we will tell all our friends not to read your books until you stop using vulger (her spelling, not mine) words in your books." Each letter was dutifully signed by a child and folded in half, but two boys, using pencils with very sharp lead, had printed, in the tiniest letters along that gray crease, "But we love your book anyway."
A letter that made me laugh, was a child telling me about all the pets inhis family, then all the members of his family and their characteristics, and of his brother, all he wrote was, "His head is bigger than mine." Another letter, instead of telling me the state or city in which he lived, began, "I live on earth...."
As the new year approaches, what advice or insight do you have for children or adults who want to write a story?
Write it as you would tell it out loud. Read each paragraph aloud to see how it sounds. Put it away for a month or a week or an hour and come back to it to see how you feel about it then--what changes you might make. If you have trouble thinking of a good topic, think about the time you were most embarrassed, most angry, were the most sad or scared. Write a short paragraph about it. Then rewrite it, making it happen to someone else. Maybe even make it funny. Put a different beginning or ending on it--turn it over to your imagination and give it wings. The best stories come from some deep emotion in the writer, and blossom into stories everyone can enjoy.
At 82, Newbery Medal–winning author Phyllis Reynolds Naylor has been tugging at heartstrings for generations with a little beagle called Shiloh—including my own. Since making his first appearance in 1991, Shiloh has been the pup who stole our hearts in three beloved books that have sold more than two million copies. It's been 18 years since Saving Shiloh, and now, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor revisits the Shiloh series for a Christmas adventure in A Shiloh Christmas (Atheneum; Ages 8-12; 9/22/15; ISBN 9781481441513;$17.99).
Phyllis has written more than 135 books and A Shiloh Christmas, the final book in the Newbery Award–winning Shiloh series—following Shiloh, Shiloh Season, and Saving Shiloh—is full of heart-thudding suspense, as well as comfort and joy.


Folks who bought Fallout 76 last year can now grab ye olde Fallout, Fallout 2, and Fallout Tactics for free. Finally, your Fallout 76 purchase will get you a good game (several, even). The giveaway is the latest part of Bethesda's ongoing apology tour over the multiplayer survive 'em up's shonkiness. Unlike the trifling amount of virtuacash offered in apology for the £175 edition's garbage bag (Bethesda do plan to replace the bags), this is available to folks who have any edition. All Fallout 76 editions were wonky enough to merit apology gifts. All of it. The whole thing. Not that Bethesda call it an apology gift, of course.
The offer is open to "anyone who logged into the full release of Fallout 76 on any platform in 2018," Bethesda explained on Wednesday. Download the Bethesda Launcher (which PC players should already have from FO76 itself?), log into your Bethesda account, and bish bash bosh you should see the Fallout Classic Collection in your library.
These are the first two Fallouts from the 90s, the singleplayer isometric RPGs from Black Isle Studios (survivors of which went on to found Obsidian Entertainment and make Fallout: New Vegas) before Bethesda bought the series. They are good games. Also, Fallout Tactics is there too (I haven't played it but people who hold grudges for baffling lengths of time tend to whoop and cheer when you slam Fallout Tactics, so shower me with your praise – or your disgust that I would so brazenly play to the braying hominids).
The Fallout Classic Collection's typical full price is £14, though it goes way cheaper in sales and I do think I've received all three games for free in giveaways on various stores over the years. But hey, it's something.
Bethesda had announced the giveaway shortly before Christmas, stuffily saying players would "receive an entitlement for Fallout Classic Collection" in early January. Ah, love those entitlements. You could've said "late Christmas present" or summat, you know.
Yesterday they also muttered about adding new bits to Fallout 76, which they've said before will include new quests and the opening of new Vaults.
Nate also helpfully reviewed Fallouts 5 through 75 for us.


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The UNPACKIN' it Podcast
Darrell Stuckey, Former Pro Bowl Safety
Darrell Stuckey is a former Pro Bowl safety with the San Diego Chargers. After being drafted in the 4th round, he played from 2010-2016 and was also a special teams standout. Playing his college football at Kansas where he made first-team all-big 12, this past fall Stuckey was inducted into the football ring of honor at Kansas. A follower of Jesus, husband, and father of four, he is currently on staff with "Called to Greatness," a ministry at Kansas.
His first memories of the NFL
A challenging rookie season
Playing with conviction
Being a father and learning self-worth
Surrendering to Jesus
"Called to Greatness" ministry
Chiefs and 49ers preview
Danny Woodhead - Former NFL RB
UNPACKIN' IT - PRESENTED BY MEDI-SHAREBIO:Danny Woodhead is a former NFL running back who played college football at Chadron State and was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He spent most of his career with the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers with his last stop in Baltimore. Danny is the host of the Out of Nowhere Podcast and can be followed on Twitter @danny_woodhead. Check out the video we referenced in the podcast HERETOPICS:The excitement level for the playoffs this weekendHis favorite teams to roots forThe fallout from the Raiders vs. Chargers game in Week 18The challenge of picking the right coachBeing in the moment with the people we see each dayThe understanding of baptismApproaching a new year
Fantasy Football Fellowship Final 2021 Season Show
FANTASY FOOTBALL FELLOWSHIP PODCAST - PRESENTED BY MEDI-SHARETOPICS:A look back at League 32Lessons and takeaways that the guys will move forward withFantasy Football Fellowship Playbook – an overview and what happens next?Most intriguing coaching and free agent changes coming upFantasy League ideas for next year
LIVE - NFL Playoffs Set, College Football Playoff Finale, NFL Coaching Firings, and More!
UNPACKIN' it LIVE PODCAST Presented by MEDI-SHAREBryce Johnson and Luke Heaton present their weekly UNPACKIN' it LIVE Podcast on Facebook. This week the guys discuss the wild finish to the NFL regular season and set us up for the upcoming Wildcard Weekend. They also preview the College Football Playoff National Championship Game and have fun with the I'm Convinced segment where they share what they're convinced of in the world of sports. In UNPACK this, they discuss the rematch between Alabama and Georgia while relating it to our own lives. The show wraps up with the entertaining quick-hitting questions from Tap Drill.
Copyright UNPACKIN' it Ministries, Inc.


The milupame website has been created to help parents with questions for their young babies.
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Founded on the principle that people are the critical success factors of business performance, IMC is dedicated to helping organisations in the region.
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A film development company, with stories that will be talked about for generations to come.
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Project-Modelino.com Learn a Foreign Language – Online Catalog of Language Learning Resources
How to use a computer?
How you can help?
Russian podcast
Something in Russian – Russian podcast
My name is Tatiana. I am Timur's wife. I'm happy to introduce you our project – Russian audio podcast. It contains some simple explanations and examples of certain words. There is a full transcript available for each episode. I wish you good luck with your studies!
Three pairs of words #19
This podcast is about the words "beautiful" and "awful"; "open" and "close"; "intellect" and "foolishness".
In this episode you'll hear the following words: talk - keep silent, down - up, today's - yesterday's - tomorrow's.
It's about strong and weak, help and hinder, holiday and weekdays.
Easy dialogues #2
Easy dialogues for beginners! The second part of the podcast about time. The transcript with full English transcription is available for a free download!
Easy dialogues for beginners! In this episode we're talking about time. The second part is coming soon! The transcript with full English transcription is available.
In this episode you'll hear the following words: clear - unclear or cloudy; cleanly - dirtily; take into account - not to pay attention.
In this podcast we're going to learn about the words "come" and "leave"; "my/his/her..." and "somebody else's"; "early" and "late".
It's about noise and silence; central and distant; smile and frown.
This podcast is about the words "real" and "made up"; "appearance" and "disappearance"; "walk" and "stand".
In this podcast we're going to learn about the words "safe" and "dangerous"; "worry" and "calm down"; "disorder" and "order".
In this episode you'll hear the following words: quarrel - make one's peace; prohibit - allow; dry - wet.
This podcast is about the ways to say "Hi" and "Bye", being sure and doubt, and also about force and weakness.
Three pairs of words #9
This podcast is about selling and buying, internal and external things, verbs "consent" and "refuse".
In this episode you'll hear about advantages and disadvantages, sunny and cloudy, soil and clean.
In this podcast we're going to learn about words "notice" and "ignore", "youth" and "old age", "find" and "lose".
It's about joy and sadness, humble and boastful, fasten (or buckle) and unfasten/unbuckle.
This podcast is about similarities and differences, going up and down, and greedy or generous people.
In this episode you'll hear about words "inside" and "outside", "gradually" and "at once", "meet" and "part".
In this podcast we're going to talk about appearing and disappearing things, drunk and sober (not only people), victory and defeat.
It's about aquiring or losing a habit, moving along or across and costs vs income.
In this podcast we're going to learn about synonyms and antonyms, learning or losing a skill, and unity of positive and negative.
EasyPronunciation.com
Vocabulary Builder Online
Practice Pronunciation Online
Phonetic Transcription Online
© Timur Baytukalov, 2006-2019


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Coming Home : A Story of Undying Hope
by Karen Kingsbury
The emotional and touching conclusion to the Baxter family series
The Baxters make plans to come together for a summer lakeside reunion, a celebration like they haven't had in years. But before the big day, the unthinkable happens. As the Baxter family rallies together, memories come to light in the grief-stricken hours of waiting and praying, memories that bring healing and hope during a time when otherwise darkness might have the final word.
In a season that changes all of them, the brilliance of family love overshadows even the valley of heartache as the Baxters draw closer to God and each other. Along the way, secrets are revealed and the truth about the family's history is finally made known. Ultimately, in this portrait of family love, the Baxters cling to each other and to God's promise of forever.
From #1 NYT bestseller Karen Kingsbury comes a story of faith and a forever kind of love that will stay with you long after the last page.
The final book in the Baxter Family series
Heart-wrenching contemporary romance
Book length: 86,000 words
Includes discussion questions for book clubs
Publisher: Zondervan
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Anna Wirth
In loving memory of Anna M Wirth, August 22, 1934 to July 12, 2020. Anna passed away peacefully at her home with her family and her beloved cat Mikey by her side. Anna was born in Milford, CT and moved to Holly Hill, FL from Bristol, CT in the early 1980's. She lived in Holly Forest Estates for 38 years and New Smyrna Beach for the last two years. Anna had a passion for cooking and entertaining, and she enjoyed attending the American Legion Post #120 on Walker Street in Holly Hill, FL.
Anna is predeceased by her mother Anna Maher, her father Vacola, her daughter Madeline Wirth and her sister Net Hurlimann.
Anna is survived by her son Frank Wirth and his wife Vicky, Five grandchildren Nathan Wirth and Nicholas Wirth of New Smyrna Beach, FL, Kelly Blaise of Daytona Beach, FL, Jayme Blaise of Edgewater, FL and Joseph Baker of Bristol, CT. She has six great grandchildren, one brother Billy Scheibel and his wife Barbara of Cape Cod, MA and her nieces and nephews.
Services will be held July 31 at 6pm at Sunrise Park North 1135 Riverside Drive Holly Hill, FL 32117.


It's the summer of 1976 and there's a heatwave in England. Strange things happen in heatwaves and inside Liverpool's oldest and largest railway station, Lime Street, Martha's life starts to spin out of control. Will her cake-wielding best friend, a Roman centurion and a phantom fisher in a bowler hat be able to help her before everything's as lost as Martha?
When I discovered that The Finding of Martha Lost was set in Liverpool's main rail terminus, I was excited to read it. Probably because I've never had to use them for my daily commute, I've always found train stations to be pretty exciting places. A large station always feels like a whole world unto itself, ripe for people-watching and full of stories; people meet up or part ways at the beginning or end of a journey, or while passing through on the way elsewhere. Think about all the (possible) human connections, those made accidentally or on purpose, some fleeting, others destined to be more lasting, and those which are completely missed out on. Caroline Wallace gives us a wonderful glimpse into these lives, of some of the people using Lime Street Station, through the things they forget or discard and which eventually make their way into Martha's hands in the lost property office. For Martha has a special talent when it comes to lost things and it's one which can be quite revealing.
Martha is a magical character; she's charming and winsome, kind and friendly, wise beyond her years in some ways but naive about others. She's eccentric with her daily spinning around the station concourse, and resolutely cheerful despite a soul-crushing life with Mother. Martha shares with her creator, the author, a gift for seeing the beauty in the everyday, the quirkiness and fun, and the wonder of books: how the stories behind certain ones are every bit as important as those within their pages. Understandably, she has a library befitting such a literary heroine. Martha separates her life out into the parts of a fairytale and, as with every fairytale, there's a dark side and a curse. Only ever having known Lime Street Station as her home, Mother's convinced her that if she ever leaves, the station and everything in it will crumble.
While we get a sense of some rail passengers through their lost property, Martha's immediate world is populated by those who work or more regularly spend time in Lime Street Station: the coffee bar owner, the lady in the kiosk, the postie, the concourse cleaner, the tour guide and the homeless all feature in her life, some more than others. It's interesting to watch as Martha forges friendships and a family of her own.
Along with the mysteries that find their way onto the shelves of the lost property office, there are two that propel this book forward: the first is that of Martha herself, where she comes from, and who she belongs to. When packages starts arriving for her at the lost property office, and she starts posting questions around the station, it seems as if she might finally get some answers. Hopefully in time to hold off the authorities closing in on her. The other mystery is based on a real life instance of a suitcase belonging to Beatles roadie Mal Evans thought to contain memorabilia. Mal's case has found its way back to the birthplace of the Beatles but is adrift in the city's largest station and Martha's help is enlisted in the search.
I read and loved The Finding of Martha Lost when it came out in hardback last year, so I'm delighted to be taking part in the blog tour for this gorgeous novel which is out today in paperback. Even if I'd never read anything else by Caroline Wallace, I would have been drawn to this story of a girl abandoned as a baby in a train station, who grows up in the Lost Property Office. But having loved some of the author's other books, I knew she'd find magic in the world she creates and what a love letter she writes to Liverpool.
The Finding of Martha Lost is a darkly wonderful modern fairytale filled with misplaced belongings and people, either searching for a way home or making the best of a new one. Martha may be lost but I found her mesmerising and hard to resist going for a spin in her world. Especially when there's so much cake.
Caroline Wallace has published other novels, including Like Honey to Bees which I reviewed here and The Drowning of Arthur Braxton, writing as Caroline Smailes. You can find out more about Caroline through her Author Website, on Instagram or on Twitter.