The Steam-Powered Classroom on Youtube

Hey, everyone,

I had to interrupt my KC Royals love to share something I found today on the Internet. The Steam-Powered Classroom. What a great resource for kids and teachers! On the episode I watched, they discussed recent graphic science novels and how cool they are.

I agree! My VAMPIRES AND LIGHT (Capstone Press) is one of the featured titles. You can see the video review at about 1:45 in.

Thanks, Steam-Powered Classroom. Great work introducing cool books to cool kids!

Jody

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiL0VJE40T4

THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS ARE IN THE WORLD SERIES!!!

Dear Friends,

Let me take this opportunity to depart from my usual blog discussions to say,

      THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS 
    ARE IN THE WORLD SERIES!!!! 
                    YEAH, BABY!!

I hope to return to my regular posts again soon. But not before I watch

         THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS 
           IN THE WORLD SERIES!!!! 
                    YEAH, BABY!!


Feeling Royals LOVE,

Jody

Go, ROYALS!

We LOVE our home team! Good luck on Thursday, guys!

Barnes & Noble Hosts Park University's River Read Authors

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of participating in a book signing at Barnes & Noble. The event was co-hosted by Sherry Polito of B&N and Park University's Shannon Cuff. It highlighted authors who will be talking with elementary students at Park University's River Read festival in mid-October. Here are some of my writing buddies. Thanks, B&N and Park University!

Debra McArthur and Anola Pickett

Ann Ingalls and Dale-Marie Bryan

Christine Taylor Butler

Teresa Herbic

Some of my books

From Down Under to a Bookshelf Near You -- BEARDED DRAGONS

Hey everyone,

It's officially fall and time to open the windows, if you're in my neck of the woods. A sure sign of the changing seasons in Missouri are the mums that decorate front porches.

I was lucky enough today to find something else decorating my porch: a box from my publisher, ABDO, with copies of my latest book.

I hope you get a chance to celebrate fall with a sweatshirt, a few colorful flowers, and a great book.

~Jody

ANNOUNCEMENT!

Hey, everyone,

I am thrilled and humbled to share this news: 

                            Nancy Paulsen will be publishing my debut picture book, ROCKY! 

Thanks to my awesome agent, Kathleen Rushall, for sending my little pebble out into the world. And thanks to Nancy for believing in him once he arrived. I can't wait to start working with her!

Here's the Publisher's Marketplace announcement.

April 21, 2014 - ROCKY by Jody Jensen Shaffer

Children's Picture Book

     Jody Jensen Shaffer's ROCKY, about a little pebble trying to find his place in the world alongside some famous relatives complete with informational backmatter, to Nancy Paulsen at Nancy Paulsen Books, by Kathleen Rushall at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency (World).

Lewis and Clark Elementary Rocks!

A big shout out to the fifth graders at Lewis and Clark Elementary!

I had a great time today talking with them about writing nonfiction. They listened well, asked good questions, and made me feel right at home.

They even introduced me to a resource I didn't know existed, myON.com, an interactive digital library. We listened to some of my VAMPIRES AND LIGHT book. Cool voices! These smart students and their equally-wise teachers use it all the time.

Thanks to super teachers, Ms. Raney, Ms. Williams, and Mr. Lewis, and to Assistant Principal, Katie Lawson.

Go get 'em, fifth graders! I can't wait to see where YOUR interests take you!

[Photo credit: Ms. Raney]