About Sherry Ellis

Sherry Ellis is an award-winning author and professional musician who plays and teaches the violin, viola, and piano. When she is not writing or engaged in musical activities, she can be found doing household chores, hiking, or exploring the world. Ellis has previously published Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China, Bubba and Squirt's Mayan Adventure, Don't Feed the Elephant, Ten Zany Birds, That Mama is a Grouch, and That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN. Ellis lives in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information about her work, she invites you to visit her website at www.sherryellis.org.
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Mojo Picks: Books that Celebrate Equality

February celebrates Black History. In honor of this, we have selected books that celebrate equality. Here are our selections: The Stars Beneath our Feet by David Barclay Moore.  It’s Christmas Eve in Harlem, but twelve-year-old Lolly Rachpaul and his mom aren’t celebrating. They’re still reeling from his older brother’s death in a gang-related shooting just a few months earlier. Then Lolly’s mother’s girlfriend brings him a gift that will change everything: two enormous bags filled [...]

By |2021-02-05T14:29:06-05:00February 5th, 2021|Mo Reading, Uncategorized|0 Comments
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Mojo Picks: Around the World

This month, we are featuring middle-grade books about different cultures and countries around the world. Here are our selections:   The Golden Orchard by Flora Ahn and performed by Kathleen Choe is a totally unique inter-generational time/travel for middle-grade readers that is full of Korean food and culture. It is hands down one of the best time-travel stories ever. LSB Buy Bubba and Squirt's Mayan Adventure by Sherry Ellis: This second book in the Bubba [...]

By |2021-01-07T13:12:01-05:00January 7th, 2021|Mo Reading|0 Comments
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Mojo Picks: Middle-Grade Holiday Stories

With the holidays quickly approaching, we decided to share our favorite middle-grade books that celebrate this festive season.  Greenglass House by Kate Milford: It's Christmas at Greenglass House, and the hilltop hotel is snowbound. In spite of the snow, some very strange guests arrive. Each has a secret connected to the house and is very dangerous. Full of mystery, it is a magical Christmas story. -SE Buy         Winterfrost by Michelle Houts: [...]

By |2020-12-02T13:45:28-05:00December 3rd, 2020|Mo Reading, Uncategorized|0 Comments
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Mojo Picks: Books that Inspire Gratitude and Kindness

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we decided to feature our favorite middle-grade books that inspire gratitude and kindness. Here's our list:   Hope in the Holler by Lisa Lewis Tyre:  Right before Wavie's mom died, she gave Waivie a list of instructions to help her move on. When Waivie is forced to live with her dastardly aunt in Conley Hollow, she finds beauty in the mountains and makes friends with friendly, kind-hearted souls. Together [...]

By |2020-11-04T10:26:45-05:00November 3rd, 2020|Mo Reading|0 Comments
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The Benefits of a Critique Group and How to Find One

Writing is a solitary occupation. Many hours are spent listening to characters speak in your mind, choosing the right words, and analyzing everything that goes down on paper or a Word document. A critique group is a group of writers who can make the job a little less lonely and help you polish your manuscript. Being part of one provides a network of people who understand the world of a writer. Their experiences, knowledge, and [...]

By |2020-10-27T09:38:22-04:00October 27th, 2020|Mo Writing|0 Comments
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Happy Book Birthday to Cinders and Sparrows by Stefan Bachmann

About the Book: When Zita Bridgeborn, a twelve-year-old orphan, receives a letter from a scarecrow informing her that she is the sole heir to Blackbird Castle, the residence of a prominent family of witches, her world is turned upside down. Little does she know of the treachery that awaits her behind the walls of the cursed castle. Will she prevent the evil Magdeboor from coming back from the dead and bringing more wretched souls with [...]

By |2020-10-13T07:52:41-04:00October 13th, 2020|Book Launch, Mo Reading|0 Comments
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Ten Tips to Become a Better Writer

Most authors do not begin as excellent writers. It's a life-long process. Here are some tips to help you improve: Writing takes practice. To get in the habit of doing it, follow tips one and two: Find your writing space. Have a comfortable space without distractions that’s conducive to writing. Create a writing ritual. Set aside a specific time each day or week that is used only for writing.  Learn from others. Tips 3 through [...]

By |2020-09-02T08:05:28-04:00September 2nd, 2020|Mo Learning|0 Comments
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Incorporating Research into Writing Juvenile Fiction

Our job as writers is to create believable and entertaining stories for our readers. This is true whether you’re writing for children or adults. Details about the setting — location, time period, and everything that goes with it — are what make the story realistic. Research is part of the process. Writers need a clear picture in their minds to build their imaginary worlds.   The trick is knowing how much information to include without [...]

By |2020-07-23T08:43:17-04:00July 23rd, 2020|Mo Learning|0 Comments
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Tips for Writing Short Stories

  Short stories offer the opportunity to practice the craft of writing. They don’t take months or years to complete, and the sense of accomplishment once you finish is satisfying. Short stories also provide a chance to explore genres you might not otherwise try. Here are some tips if you would like to write your own: Figure out the basic plot. Short stories are usually 3,500 words or less, so you’ll need to make every [...]

By |2020-06-11T08:14:57-04:00June 11th, 2020|Mo Learning|0 Comments
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An Interview with Author of The Popularity Code, Stephanie Faris

Hi, Stephanie! Welcome to Middle-Grade Mojo! Middle Grade Mojo: Tell us about your latest book, The Popularity Code which is being released on April 28th.  Stephanie Faris: The Popularity Code focuses on an app called SlamBook, which allows students to anonymously post comments about each other online. Many of the comments are mean, which puts the main character, Faith, in a tough position. She figures out how to hack into the app and see who’s [...]

By |2020-04-28T09:59:15-04:00April 27th, 2020|Book Launch, Mo Reading|0 Comments
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