Hot off the press (or “cold” off the press?), Frostbite Hotel is the story of budding Grade 5 businessman Kirby Katz. Following in the bootsteps of his hero, hotel tycoon William T. Williamson, Kirby is determined to build a successful snow hotel empire at recess. But soon his biggest competition, The Bear and his buddies, are stealing all of his best hotel ideas – before he even gets a chance to act. Kirby suspects that there may be a spy among his own staff. Can Kirby handle the truth?
I’m so excited to be able to share Frostbite Hotel with you. It’s already getting great reviews online, and I’m most excited by the young readers I’ve been reading to in Manitoba schools who are giving the story two (winter-mittened) thumbs up! 🙂
The Rule: No TV, no computers, no video games. For one whole month! Chloe Lambert is so angry, she’s seeing red. But soon her fiery red turns to a simmering orange, and finally to a laughing yellow. In fact, Chloe even begins to wonder if life would be better if there were no more machines! But when something happens to her good friend Mr. Z., Chloe has to decide: Are machines good for us or bad?
Read an excerpt from No TV? No Fair!
CHAPTER ONE – The Rule
Zap!
Chloe Lambert’s mom switched off the TV. Chloe scrunched up her face as she stared at the blank screen. She was in the middle of watching her all-time favourite show, The Taylor Twins. Jake and Josh Taylor were just about to perform their latest hit song, “Heartbreak Summer”.
“We’re shutting off the television for one month,” Chloe’s mom announced. “Starting now.”
Chloe’s face suddenly became unscrunched. Her eyes got very wide. Her mouth dropped open. No TV for a month? She was so surprised, she couldn’t say a word. Her mom must be joking!
Chloe checked her mom’s face. She wasn’t joking.
Stomp. Stomp. STOMP!
Chloe’s older brother Mark stormed down the two steps that led into the family room. What’s he doing in here? Chloe thought. Mark still had seventeen minutes left in his turn on the computer. Chloe knew this because in exactly seventeen minutes, the computer was all hers. Mark slumped onto the couch beside her. His dark, messy hair hung in his eyes, but Chloe could still see the grouchy look on his face. Grouchier than usual, that is. Mark was thirteen and, according to Chloe’s parents, suffered from “perma-frown”.
Chloe’s dad followed Mark into the family room and stood in front of the TV beside their mom. Chloe’s parents were still in their work clothes. Her mom was dressed in a navy skirt and a white blouse, and her dark hair was pulled back. Her dad wore a grey shirt tucked into black dress pants, and had his glasses on. He usually only wore his glasses for work, and Chloe always thought they made him look serious. In fact, at that moment, both her parents looked like they meant business.
“We’ve made a family decision,” Chloe’s mom said. “No TV and no computer in our house for the next thirty days.”
What? Chloe’s mouth opened even wider. No computer, either? It was bad enough that Chloe had to live without The Taylor Twins, My Two Crazy Lives, and Rock School, just to name a few of her favourite shows. But they wanted her to give up her computer games, too?
“No fair!” grumbled Mark. “How is it a family decision? I’m a part of the family, and this sure wasn’t my decision.”
“What about me?” Chloe said. “I wasn’t even finished watching The Taylor Twins. And I was going to beat the last level of Swamp Creature Showdown 2 on the computer today.”
* * * *
…to find our what happens next, read No TV? No Fair! by Karin Adams
Who is “No TV? No Fair!” for?
I wrote this book for young readers, but I hope that parents will enjoy the story, too! With humour and heart, this book takes a look at what happens when a modern family decides to turn off their TVs and computers for a month. (Hint – everyone struggles at first, even mom and dad!). You’ll laugh and sympathize with ten-year-old Chloe, who goes from hating the rule (“no fair!”) to trying to convince her friends to unplug all of their machines. Will Chloe really give up technology forever?
Or, here are a few places where you can order online:
CANADA
USA
Worldwide
“No TV? No Fair!” is carried by most major booksellers around the world! To find an online seller in your country, or just want to see more shopping options, you can do a web search for “No TV? No Fair!” by Karin Adams.
Each summer in Ellis, Manitoba, Frank Derksen stages “The Legend of Cow Valley”, a play about an exciting town legend. Traditionally, the town’s grade-seven kids are the stars. This is all about to change when Mr. Derksen sells part of his farm to the government as a historic site.
There is no greater fan of The Legend of Cow Valley than Becky Kowalski, who has dreamed all her life of playing Catastrophe Cate, the show’s hero. When the play is going to close for good, charismatic Becky rallies her best friend Greg and the rest of their grade-seven friends to save it. However, Ms. Noring, the stern government official in charge of the new historic site, stands in the way of their plans. Worst of all, Ms. Noring is planning to stage a new play that the kids recognize instantly as an incredible flop.
With determination and plenty of hilarious twists and turns, Becky, Greg and their friends begin to practice The Legend of Cow Valley in secret and plan a surprise performance for the town. But with an adversary like Ms. Noring, can they really pull it off?
Read an excerpt from Lights! Curtains! Cows!
CHAPTER ONE – Curtains For Cow Valley?
Bang!
I slammed my locker door. “I can’t believe it!” I said.
“Get a hold of yourself, Greg,” said my friend, Mike Leduc. He glanced up and down the hallway, looking nervous. It was crammed with students hurrying to class.
“No more Legend of Cow Valley?” I asked.
“For the three-hundredth time, yes! That’s what my dad told me,” Mike said. “Now would you keep your voice down, Neufeld? I had to promise not to say.”
I lowered my voice. “He’s absolutely positive that Mr. Derksen is cancelling the show?”
“Yes,” Mike whispered back.
“This summer?”
He nodded.
“Even though it’s finally our turn to star in it?”
“I don’t think that has anything to do with it,” Mike said.
This was crazy! The Legend of Cow Valley was a play performed on Mr. Derksen’s farm every summer for only about the last gazillion years! It was a tradition in our town, Ellis, Manitoba, for the grade seven kids to be the cast.
“How can this be happening?” I wailed. “Every kid in Ellis waits their whole lives to be in Cow Valley. It’s practically the law!”
We were supposed to have auditions for Cow Valley in the school gym next week. Then, we were supposed to rehearse the play with Mr. Derksen and our drama teacher for the last few drama classes of the school year. Then, for the whole summer, we were supposed to perform The Legend of Cow Valley once a week on Mr. Derksen’s outdoor stage. How could it be cancelled this year, when it was supposed to be our turn? It wasn’t fair!
“My dad said that Mr. Derksen is selling part of his farm to the government,” Mike said. “They’re going to build a museum, or something.”
“A museum?” I asked. “Like a history museum?”
Mike shrugged. “I dunno.”
“But Cow Valley has lots of historic parts already!” I said, trying not to shout. The story of The Legend of Cow Valley takes place in Ellis over a hundred years ago. My mom said that like most legends, it wasn’t exactly a true story, but that lots of stuff in it was based on history. For instance, the play got its name from Ellis’ old nickname “Cow Valley” (because of all the cattle farms in the area, of course). Some of the characters in the play were named after real people who had lived in Ellis in the olden days. And then there is the outdoor set, which looks like a street from a cowboy movie. My dad told me that Mr. Derksen had studied black and white photos of Ellis’s Main Street from a hundred years ago when he built the set, to get the details just right. That was pretty “historic”!
“A museum won’t be the same. It can’t possibly be as fun as Cow Valley!” I said.
…
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Who is Lights! Curtains! Cows! for?
I came across a terrific quote the other day from none other than Mark Twain. Since nobody says it better than Mr. Twain, I’d like to use his words to express who I think should read Lights! Curtains! Cows!:
“Although my book is intended mainly for the entertainment of boys and girls, I hope it will not be shunned by men and women on that account. For part of my plan has been to try to pleasantly remind adults what they once were themselves, and of how they felt and thought and talked, and what queer enterprises they sometimes engaged in.”
Mark Twain, Preface to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, 1876
In other words, young readers – this book is for you! But parents and grown-ups, I hope you can join in on the fun, too!
Purchasing a copy of “Lights! Curtains! Cows!”
You can ask for “Lights! Curtains! Cows!” by Karin Adams at your favourite local bookstore. It is published by James Lorimer & Company Ltd. and distributed by Formac Lorimer Books in Canada, and by Orca Book Publishers in the USA. ISBN10: 1-55277-426-0 or ISBN13: 978-1-55277-426-7.
Or, here are a few places where you can order online:
CANADA
USA
Worldwide
“Lights! Curtains! Cows!” is carried by most major booksellers around the world! To find an online seller in your country, or just want to see more shopping options, you can do a web search for “Lights! Curtains! Cows!” by Karin Adams.
What’s all the buzz about? You can find out here! Check out these cool reviews and accolades for books by Karin Adams, author …
“Frostbite Hotel” by Karin Adams
Review from Ionia Martin on goodreads.com – November 12, 2014
“I thought this was undoubtedly one of the most original children’s stories I have seen in long time. Forget the standard lemonade stands and lawn mowing, the main character in this book is much more advanced in the world of business than that.
The characters are cute and the story flows well and keeps you giggling at the mishaps along the way. I think kids and parents alike will enjoy this story. Children will no doubt relate to the struggles of the main character to find his place within the schoolyard, and parents can feel good about their kids learning something from this book as well as being entertained…Recommended for teachers, parents, grandparents and anyone who wants to have a good time reading with the little ones in their lives.”
Review from Second Bookshelf on the Right – October 27, 2014
“If ever there was a book that’s perfect for budding entrepreneurs, it’s this one . . . I thought this was a pretty clever book. What better way to teach kids about the principles of (hotel) business than by inserting them into a novel? I liked that the lessons were incorporated in such a way that it doesn’t feel like a lesson book and feels more like a natural progression of the story . . . As for the ending, I liked that it championed cooperation, not only in business but also in life.” (Marianne Reyes, Reviewer at Second Bookshelf on the Right 2014-10-27)
Review from Bill Baker – Published on Amazon.com – October 10, 2014
“Kirby learns a lot about what really works to make a success in this really cool fast and super imaginative read!”
“No TV? No Fair!” by Karin Adams
CM Magazine – November 19, 2010
“Chloe is a likable character, and her good humour, mood swings, and enthusiasms are presented in a realistic and sympathetic way. The dynamics of the family ring true, and complications appear reliably throughout to move the story forward…As a teaching aid for debating the role of technology in our lives, No TV? No Fair! is a useful book for young children.”
Resource Links – December 1, 2010
“There are some funny moments in this story—mom gets caught watching TV by the kids and has to the do the chicken dance. Adams describes this scene perfectly, capturing Mom’s embarassment and good humour. I was laughing by the end as well…A fun and thought-provoking addition to the library.”
“Lights! Curtains! Cows!” by Karin Adams
From “Booklist” (review by Miriam Aronin)
“In Adams’ debut novel for children, a group of seventh-graders works together to save a beloved local tradition. Greg, Mike, Becky, and their friends are just old enough to act in their Canadian town’s signature summer show, “The Legend of Cow Valley.” Unfortunately, a pompous government official is trying to replace the show with a dry historical production. The young actors take charge and try to bring back the original play. The characters are older for a middle-grade story, but the plot is simple, and the kids deal with challenges in basic, straightforward ways. In the end, it takes enthusiasm, teamwork, and perseverance to carry the day, as well as the fact that no one can resist a play that culminates with a herd of cattle stampeding across the stage. The often silly humor of this Streetlights book may prove equally irresistible to readers. Grades 4-6.”
CM Magazine – January 15, 2010
“The theme of connecting to the past and experiencing it as vibrant and alive is emphasized throughout, in an upbeat way, not at all pedantic. This lively story of a small town tradition is a warm, fun and engaging read. Recommended.”
Resource Links – December 1, 2009
“Young readers will connect to these friends who together work to maintain a beloved tradition.”
Plan a 5 day or more artist’s residency at your school with Karin Adams …
Plan An Artist Residency with Author Karin Adams
The Manitoba Arts Council’s Artists in the Schools Program brings together Manitoba artists and schools for 1 to 10 week residencies. Karin Adams is taking bookings now for literary arts residencies, offering her exciting creative writing program “From Spark to Finish!” for grades 3-8 (learn more about the program here).
An artist residency with Karin is a great way to get your students excited about the creative writing process and a wonderful complement to your ELA program. Karin has worked with hundreds of students in various schools throughout Manitoba,with wonderful feedback from students and teachers alike. Writing and working with young writers are for Karin personal passions that go hand in hand – she’d love to come to your school next!
Book a Creative Writing Workshop With Author Karin Adams!
I LOVE to visit Winnipeg-area classrooms to offer my fun and interactive workshop, “Make Your Writing Shine!”. Together, we’ll review my three essential tips for revising your creative writing, making good writing GREAT writing! I have some fun activities planned, and together we’ll learn just how important – and fun – re-writing can be (it may be the most important step of all!).
To book a workshop, please use my contact page to get in touch!
To read about my workshop experiences, check out my Blog. (I’ve met a TON of awesome young writers…I’d love to meet YOU!) Looking forward to hearing from you! 🙂
——————————————————————————– The song is here!
Lights! Curtains! Cows! now has a totally original, totally fun theme song! It’s called “The Legend of Cow Valley” and you’ll find the link to download it below.
Get out your cowboy hat and get ready to MOOOOO along with the chorus!
To save this file to your computer, simply right click on it and choose “Save As” (or “Download Linked File” if you’re using a Mac). I recommend you save it in your “My Music” folder (it’s inside your “My Documents” folder).
Once it has finished downloading, go to your “My Music” folder and double click on it to listen!
Here are the lyrics so that you can moo right along!
The Legend of Cow Valley Music and production: Paul Shrofel Lyrics: Karin Adams
In a town called Ellis Not too far from here There’s a legend that lives on ‘Bout the great stampedin’ steer
Every summer the townsfolk Come from near and far To see the legend live on On the Derksen farm.
Chorus
And the cows go Moooooo-oooo! And the kids go Woooooo-ahhh! The cows go Moooooo-oooo! That’s how the legend lives on
When the cows go runnin’ And the whole town’s buzzin’ As it did in days long ago
Each summer in Ellis The legend lives on!
Now Becky Kowalski Is a kid with one desire To play the hero of the legend Full of spirit, spark and fire
Now Becky has some good friends, Four guys and another gal There’s Leonard, Sam, Sarah and Mike And there’s Greg, her best pal
Chorus
Now it happened one day There were new folks in town And they thought it’d be a great thing To bring the old legend down
Them city folk brought a new show That they thought was fine and true Young Becky Kowalski Said “this’ll never do!”
Chorus
So if you’re ever down in Ellis And you’ve got some time to spare Remember Cow Valley It’s a legend beyond compare
And be sure that you stop by Old Mr. Derksen’s farm Where the cows’ll be stampedin’ And the legend lives on!
In my opinion, you can never have enough bookmarks! I’ve made a fun set of bookmarks for you that you can download, print out on your printer, cut out, and use in your favourite books.
For best results, you will probably want to print your bookmarks on a thicker-than-usual paper. Regular paper will work, but the bookmarks won’t be as sturdy as if you use something thicker, like card stock.
I find inspiration for stories in my childhood memories. I don’t mean that I sit down, remember a specific event from when I was young, and use that to write a book. In fact, so far, none of the situations in my books have actually happened to me– the plots are developed in my imagination. However, I do have vivid memories of how I felt about things as a young person, and what was important to me and my friends.
Not only can these “thought” and “feeling” memories suggest specific things to write about, they help bring characters to life. I try to reconnect with how it felt to be a young person, so that I can remember what the world looked like to me. That helps me to give my characters authentic feelings and reactions, and put words in their mouths that sound like they come from the heart– their hearts– it helps my characters to ring true.
It’s funny, I find that because I spend so much time trying to create characters that are real, I really feel as though I know them! Becky, Greg and Mike from Lights! Curtains! Cows! and Chloe, Mark and Mr. Z from No TV? No Fair! are like old friends (or new friends, depending on how you look at it!).
Writing a book to share with others is lots of fun for the author, not only because others get to read your story, but because you get to live in a world that you create while you write (and you get to visit each time you pick up your book!)
What inspires you? Do you turn to your memories for inspiration? Or do you use your imagination to step completely outside of yourself, like trying on an exciting costume, so that you can understand the world in a whole different way?
Remember to Laugh, Feel, Think and Dream!
Do you love to write stories? If you do, how wonderful! You’ve chosen a very special, very exciting way to express yourself. With words, you can create pictures, share feelings, make people laugh, wonder and think.
If you’ve been writing stories, you probably know that it’s not always easy to get those great ideas that are in your head onto paper. It takes time and effort to turn an idea into something that others can understand and appreciate.
There are lots of tips out there for making your writing even better. (I’m always on the look out for advice myself as I grow as a writer!)
Here are my three most favourite tips (so far!) for making good writing great writing:
– Read your writing out loud. I find that this is the best way to edit my own work, to make sure that the words I’ve chosen properly express my ideas. It’s also a handy way to catch words and sentences that just aren’t working. If it doesn’t sound right out loud, it probably won’t make sense to your readers. Reading your writing out loud gives you a chance to fix what might not be working…and also to hear what sounds just right!
– Read books by other authors, especially those who are writing the kind of stories you are working on. When you study how your favourite authors tell a story, it helps you to understand techniques that will make your writing even better. I’m not saying that you should read other authors in order to copy them exactly – you need to find your own voice to tell your own story, of course! And it’s not just a matter of taking notes on how one author writes dialogue, or how another author describes a setting. There’s something magical that happens when you immerse yourself in a great book. The rhythm, pace, and feel for your kind of story gets in your bones and helps your stories to take shape. So get out your library card, and flex its muscles!
– Keep on writing! The desire to write stories is very special, and it’s important that you keep at it so that your ideas keep flowing. Sometimes, I wake up feeling that I’m out of ideas, or that my ideas may not be good enough for a story. The best thing that I can do when I’m in that kind of mood is to start writing, even if the first few sentences are nonsense. For me putting an idea–any idea–into words has a way of stirring up other ideas. Before I know it, I might have the seed for a character, the elements of a funny scene, or even the outline for a whole new book. If you love to write, keep at it! Once you start, who knows where your imagination will lead you!
The latest from Karin Adams. ‘Put your feet up but keep your boots on!’ …
Each summer in Ellis, Manitoba, Frank Derksen stages “The Legend of Cow Valley”, a play about an exciting town legend. Traditionally, the town’s grade-seven kids are the stars. This is all about to change when Mr. Derksen sells part of his farm to the government as a historic site.
I find inspiration for stories in my childhood memories. I don’t mean that I sit down, remember a specific event from when I was young, and use that to write a book. In fact, so far, none of the situations in my books have actually happened to me– the plots are developed in my imagination. However, I do have vivid memories of how I felt about things as a young person, and what was important to me and my friends.
Do you love to write stories? If you do, how wonderful! You’ve chosen a very special, very exciting way to express yourself. With words, you can create pictures, share feelings, make people laugh, wonder and think.