Bangor Daily News: Azalea, Unschooled “A Little Gem”
Bangor Daily News blogger Sarah Giles reviews Azalea, Unschooled: This book is charming and carefully thought out. I expected to feel that I was “just reading a kid’s book” – but I was happily surprised. Kleinman’s use of language is well balanced and seemingly effortless. She maintains a consistent storyline with diverse and evolving (yet always relatable) characters, and expertly juggles multiple themes – family conflict, young friendship, and trust among them. With a moving plot and some unexpected turns, Kleinman upholds a sophistication that’s rarely seen in middle-reader books. Read...
Read MoreSummertime, and the Swiggin’ is…Queasy
Several people, in talking to me about Azalea, Unschooled, have pointed out that I wrote about a subject otherwise largely ignored by children’s literature. They were pleased to see that finally, finally someone has written a book that addresses the topic of… switchel. It’s true…you don’t read a lot in kids’ books about old-time beverages that were consumed at a time when plain cold water was thought to be harmful. I’m pleased to have broken the taboo. A recipe from the 1855 book Practical American Cookery and Domestic Economy by Elizabeth M. Hall...
Read MoreTalking with LitPick
I loved reading eleven-year-old reviewer GlowElm’s review of Azalea, Unschooled on LitPick. LitPick also asked me to participate in their Six Minutes with an Author feature. You can see it on their Facebook page, or read it below. **How did you get started writing? In first grade, I wrote a story in which the narrator meets a lot of barking dogs. In my mind, it was hilarious. I’ve been writing ever since. **Who influenced you? The people who wrote ‘The Muppet Show.’ When I was a kid, it seemed like the height of wit and sophistication. It still does, more or less, especially the...
Read MoreBack from Boothbay
I had a great time at Books in Boothbay. Thirty or so Maine children’s book writers and illustrators gathered in the historic Town Hall building at Boothbay Railway Village. I had the good fortune to share a table with Jane Parker, who was introducing people to her beautiful book Lily of the North. Before the public came in to browse, I got to walk around and meet a lot of people, including fellow Islandport Press writers Lynn Plourde, Mark Scott Ricketts, Brenda Reeves Sturgis, and Lea Wait. As the event got underway, many people stopped to talk about Azalea, Unschooled. Meanwhile,...
Read MoreInterview with Homeschool Literature
HomeschoolLiterature.com, a website that connects homeschooling parents and kids to literature with a homeschooling focus, recently interviewed me about Azalea, Unschooled. We talked about the writing process, hobbies (couldn’t think of any; had to make some up) and my favorite inspirational writer quote (hint: it’s snippy). Looking forward to the site’s forthcoming review of...
Read MoreComing Up!
For some reason, this cover didn’t make the cut. Some events coming up: I’ll be at the Prince Memorial Library in Cumberland, Maine from 4-5 pm on Thursday, July 9, talking about Azalea, Unschooled with the fourth and fifth grade reading group. I’m looking forward to it–please stop by if you’re in the area! (Check out some great old pictures of the library from the Maine Historical Society’s Memory Network.) Then on Saturday, July 11 I’ll be at Books in Boothbay signing from 9-12. It’s going to be a terrific event with lots of Maine authors...
Read MoreLiza Kleinman
A writer of fiction for adults and children, and a freelance writer specializing in language arts educational materials.
Liza's latest release is the children's book Azalea, Unschooled from Islandport Press.
