As the story unfurls, the reader experiences character, setting, dialogue, plotting, climax, and all the parts of writing vital to becoming a writer. Teachers will find exercises and explanations, entertainment and encouragement. And teaching writing will never be the same.

"Laney is an engaging narrator. Particularly delightful is the way in which she tells the story. Each chapter has a title that is related to the narrative, such as Rising Action, Suspense, Dialogue, etc. ... Her explanation of how to write a book is just as interesting as the events that she's describing. Best of all, none of this detracts from the novel's emotional core. Thoroughly enjoyable and unexpectedly wry, this book is as intelligent as it is succinct." Elizabeth Bird, NY Public Library, in School Library Journal

Mary Jane Ettermeyer hears voices in her head, but they're all hers - and she's going to need every single one of them to get through life, now that she's fallen hard for the amazing Jackson House.

"...Mackall hits the nail on the head with her poignant description of first love..." School Library Journal, Feb. 2007

"Modern Communism is rarely depicted in children's literature, and never before this well." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

The year 1978 has been a pretty good one for Eva Lott. She has a terrific best friend, she's dating the best-looking guy in school, and she just made the varsity swim team. So when her widowed dad says it's time for them to move, she's not exactly thrilled. And when he tells her that he intends to move to Communist Poland to help with a radical underground movement. . . Well, it's all downhill from there.

This story parallels the author's experiences before "The Wall" came down.

New Rhyming Picture Books: from WaterBrook/Random House DANDILION RHYMES A GAGGLE OF GEESE AND A CLUTTER OF CATS, illustrated by David Hohn In fun, rollicking rhyme, discover the names of animal groups, from tidings of magpies, ducks in a brace, elks in a gang, in a galloping race! TIME FOR THE BLANKET SHOW, illustrated by David Hohn Make bedtime fun! "Shed those shoes./ Bye-bye, laces!/Everybody take your places. Prime-time, bedtime, bathroom races.... Time for the Blanket Show!"

New! I CAN READ books - ALI CAT SERIES I Can Read Books are well-known for stories meant to hook children on reading and give them the confidence to read on their own. Check out Dandi's new cat series of easy readers:

Starlight Animal Rescue: Where problem horses are trained and loved, where abandoned dogs become heroes, where stray cats become loyal companions. And where people with nowhere to fit in find a place to belong.
	RUNAWAY - Dakota Brown used to love all things "horse" until she lost everything, including hope. The minute she sets foot on her foster parents' farm-Starlight Animal Rescue-she plans her escape. But can an "impossible" horse named Blackfire and this quirky collection of animal lovers be the home she's always dreamed of? MAD DOG - Wes Williams, aka Mad Dog, hales from Chicago and is looking to return-just as soon as his mother gets out of rehab. In the meantime, he's stuck at Starlight Animal Rescue, where his only friend is his dog, Rex. As Wes schemes to get his old life back, will Rex and the other shelter dogs be able to rescue him . . . before his anger makes him go too far? WILD CAT - "Kat" Coolidge can work miracles with abandoned cats and rescued animals, but her struggles with classmates and cancer may be more than she can handle. DARK HORSE - The characters in Winnie the Horse Gentler have been emailing animal tips to their friends at Starlight Animal Rescue all along. But when a horrible fire devastates the rescue, it's time for a real-life visit from Winnie, Catman, and Wild Thing.

HORSE FILES: A HORSE LOVER'S GUIDE

Based on research and Dandi's experiences with her own horses, Horse Files contains observations and facts horses probably wish humans understood. This book is all about building the right kind of relationship with horses, becoming friends. Sections include: The Nature of Horses, The Art of Communication, Sizing Up Horses, Friendship from the Ground Up, Friendship in the Saddle, Trouble in Paradise.

BLOG ON! A new teen fiction series Click here to Check out the Blog On site!
	Love, Annie - Annie, aka "Professor Love" in her advice column on the blog, considers herself an expert when it comes to love. Grace Notes - Gracie Doe, a keen observer of human nature, prefers to blog-keep an online journal on her anonymous website--about her classmates at Big Lake High, not befriend them. Storm Rising - Storm Novelo, most likely to be liked and the center of attention wherever she goes, is a fake, hiding the emptiness that makes her quit everything she begins with such enthusiasm-including the blog. Just Jazz - Jasmine "Jazz" Fletcher sees beauty and art where others see nothing. But if she doesn't come up with a commercially successful "masterpiece" soon, her parents may make her drop what they consider an unprofitable hobby.
Click Here for Dandi's Top Five Internet-Safety Tips For Parents

Rudy Rides the Rails:
A Depression Era Story (Tales of Young America)
Illustrated by Chris Ellison.

Dandi met the real "Ramblin' Rudy" in 2000 and was inspired to capture his stories & sense of community and adventure, when Rudy "rode the rails" as a teen hobo during the Great Depression.

The Legend of Ohio
Illustrated by Greg LaFever.

This picture book combines imagination with an original Iroquois oral tradition to tell a story of sacrifice and triumph.

SEEING STARS
Simon and Schuster 2006

MAGGIE'S STORY

Controversy swirls around Josh Davidson, a former construction worker. Even CNN's covering his story. Maggie's caught in the middle, between hope and horror, as the world watches.

Maggie's Story is a contemporary look at the compelling story of Mary Magdalene. What if it happened today?

In the Beginning

Illustrated by James Kandt, who uses a unique style with the look of etched plate printmaking.

Love Rules

When Mattie Mays goes off to college in search of a boyfriend, she promises to send her best friend a postcard every week with a new rule about love. A novel for young adults...and anyone looking for love.

Picture Book:
Silent Dreams

Karen Jerome, illustrator
Eerdmans

--Camilla and her auntie are homeless in the early 1900's, forming friendships with characters like Fingers Freddy, Jake the Badger, and Boxcar Betty. But every Saturday the world changes...at the Silent Movie matinee.

ARE WE THERE YET?
Dutton/Penguin-Putnam -  Shannon McNeill, illustrator

Slumping, bumping seat-belt squeeze/ Let me out NOW, pretty please!/ Did you know our dog has fleas?/ Are we there yet, Mom?

MADE FOR A PURPOSE
(Purpose-Driven Life)
illustrated by Michael Koelsch

The story of a tough young girl who finds meaning and purpose in an unusual way. Introduction and discussion questions by Rick Warren, author of The Purpose-Driven Life.

Board books featuring the Little Blessings series.

OFF TO PLYMOUTH ROCK!
Tommy Nelson Publishing, illustrated by Gene Barretta

Mayflower ship-dangerous trip!
Waves that rock and winds that whip.
Crashing, splashing, lightning flashing!
On to Plymouth Rock!

JOURNEY, EASTER JOURNEY!
Tommy Nelson Publishing
Second in this holiday series with illustrator, Gene Barretta

Journey, journey, Jesus! Jesus took a journey,
Whirling past the angel wings. Listen as the angel sings,
"Here he comes! The King of Kings!"
Journey, journey on!

LOVE & KISSES, BUNNY
Simon and Schuster, illustrated by Hala Wittwer

Mama scratched her baby's ear.
"Mama Bunny loves you, dear."
Baby Bunny wondered, "Does she love me for my ears?"

	Books for early readers 0-6, including the Treetops are Whispering and I Love You, Daddy books.
	I'm Not Afraid Series, fun, rhyming books that feature animals facing common childhood fears

Books for kids, ages 6-10, including the Puzzle Club series and Cinnamon Lake Mysteries series.

	Books for teens, ranging from her fiction series HORSEFEATHERS! to nonfiction series on soft skills for the real world.
	Winnie the Horse Gentler Series Bestselling horse fiction.

DEGREES OF BETRAYAL: SIERRA'S STORY DEGREES OF GUILT is a trilogy that gives three perspectives on one tragic event that leads to the first murder trial in Macon, Iowa.

Books for adults, including the popular essay and quote collections by kids and Kindred Sisters, Devotions on New Testament Women.

KIDS SAY THE BEST THINGS ABOUT LIFE:
DEVOTIONS & CONVERSATIONS FOR FAMILIES ON THE GO

In this "no prep" devotional book, any family can laugh together and learn more about God and each other.

Plus: More of What Children Know About Angels & The 101 Ways to Talk to God

For God So Loved the World: My John 3:16 Book
illustrated by Elena Selivanova

With whimsical verse and beautiful illustrations, this picture book includes John 3:16 translated into many languages.

A TREE FOR CHRISTMAS
illustrated by Dominic Catalano

The story of the first Christmas, told in a metaphor of trees and wood.

Click Here For a Dandi Christmas book interview

Legend of Saint Nicholas:
A Story of Christmas Giving
illustrated by Guy Porfirio

A unique look at the teen years of the man who would become known as Santa Claus.

The Light of Christmas
illustrated by John Walker

A metaphor of why we've always needed the "Light."

A Glorious Angel Show
illustrated by Susan Mitchell

A look at the traditional Christmas story from the perspective the angels, eager to break through the sky with the good news of Christ's birth. The center folds into a glorious pop-up of the angels!

A lyrical picture book