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| Illustrations by Sarah Watts |
Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman nods to Edgar Allan Poe and his short story The Gold-Bug. Ms. Bertman’s mystery includes ciphers, a game, school rivalry and a crime which begins with the shooting of an eccentric publisher in San Francisco. Illustrated by Sarah Watts complement the novel which was published in 2015 by Henry Holt and Company; today’s middle grade students would have been newborns and toddlers at the time and this engaging book will be new to them. Twelve year olds, Emily and James form a friendship and solve ciphers and puzzles while unaware that the publisher’s assailants are hunting them.
This is a lively mystery with vivid descriptions of San Francisco and memorable, humorous depictions of main and secondary characters.
At 343 pages long plus an author’s note with historical explanations, Book Scavenger is recommended for nine years and older.
One Question Interview with Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
ETC: Welcome Jennifer. What advice would you give to those in K - 12 school who would like to write?
JCB: My advice to young writers is to make it fun! Write as a form of play. Write to entertain yourself. Write yourself a story you want to read. If you're not sure where to start, try different writing prompts as a jumping off point. (You'll find many prompts in my Substack newsletter: https://jenniferchamblissbertman.substack.com/.) And remember, all writing counts. There are many different ways to tell a story. When I was young, I wrote plays for my Cabbage Patch Kids and skits with my friends. Once we even wrote a script for a murder mystery party! You can tell stories in the form of comics or poetry or make a zine or create art to go along with your words--follow where your imagination leads you. And have fun!
ETC: What a nice suggestion, “Make it fun.” Thank you for visiting, Jennifer.
Links:
Visit author: Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
Visit illustrator: Sarah Watts
Book design by: April Ward
Visit Greg Pattridge host of: Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
Learn more about Edgar Allan Poe:
Edgar Allan Poe Library Sullivan's Island, setting for The Gold-bug.
Richmond, Virginia Museum: Poe Museum
Baltimore, Maryland Museum: Poe in Baltimore
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site
Visit your local book store: Boulder Bookstore
