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TELEVISION FEATURES
When Coal Was Queen
Northeast Current, October 17, 2009
Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires
WNEP-TV 16, April 5, 2009
Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires
WBRE-TV 28, February 8, 2009
RADIO FEATURES
Molly Roe Interview
InternetVoiceRadio.com, Marketing for Fun & Profit with Janet E. Smith
CLICK HERE to listen to the radio broadcast.
PRINT & ONLINE MEDIA FEATURES
Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf, December 30, 2009
Review of Call Me Kate by Molly Roe
by Martha E.
This is a wonderful and engaging story that taught me much more of the coal miner difficulties during the Civil War than I remember from history classes!
Kate is just as you might imagine a young feisty Irish lass! She loves her family, is loyal to her friends, hardworking, determined and stubborn! She is the eldest of three girls born to Irish parents who lost their infant son on the passage to America - the land of opportunity.
The story tells you of the hardships that Kate’s family and young friends struggle with in a coal town in Eastern Pennsylvania. It describes the colliery and the close knit "patch" – the small village of company owned homes built near the mines. Kate has to cope with the grief of injury and death consistent with coal mining. After her father is injured and unable to work, Kate accepts domestic employment at the wealthy home of one of the mine owners. There she hears plans to capture the Molly Maguires – one of the groups who are rebelling against the conscription (draft) of the Irish men for the Union army. One of the conspirators at risk is her close childhood friend.
Many of the Irish have not been given citizenship and are looked down upon and ridiculed. They are working in terrible conditions in the coal mines where they are often paid in script that can only be spent in the company owned stores. Now the men are being forced to go to war and risk their lives leaving behind families with no man to support them.
This would be a wonderful book for teens to read for fun learning and it is a very engaging read for adults too! The book comes with Literary Circle Questions for discussion and a glossary of terms that may be unfamiliar – like colliery and patch. The writing is easy and flows with good story telling. I was sorry when the book suddenly ended as I was ready for more of Kate’s story!
I am pleased that this is just the first of a series. The working title of the next book is Sarah’s Story: The Curse on Centralia. This one is also about the Molly Maguires, but this time the story follows Kate’s younger sister, Sarah McCafferty, to the town of Centralia.
Summary: A devastating mine fire that started in the 1860s has reduced Centralia to a mere six residents. Was the fire the result of a curse placed on the Mollies a hundred years earlier? That’s the question that inspired Sarah’s Story.
J. Kaye's Book Blog, December 29, 2009
Q & A with author Leah Beth Evans
by J. Kaye Oldner
On the back cover of the book, it says that you were inspired to write this story in 4th grade. How old were you when the book was published and do you have plans to publish more books?
I was in 7th grade when my book A Different Kind of Hero was published. I hope to someday publish a book of poems that i have written.
What about writing poetry excites you the most?
I like that poetry allows me to express my feelings and ideas.
Readers can see you have a love for animals. Do you have pets? If so, would you tell viewers a little bit about them?
I do have pets! I have two dogs (Nipper and Pumpkin), a cat (Honeydew), a fish (Sweeney Todd) named after the character from Sweeney Todd, and a bird (angel). They are all very dear to me, and I love them all!
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Edgar Allen Poe and Stephenie Meyer are personally my favorite.
J. Kaye's Review:
What attracted me to this book was on the back it says that the author was inspired to write this story when she was in 4th grade. It was right after she studied about the rainforest. Stories written through the eyes of a child can be so insightful as was the case with A Different Kind of Hero.
The story centers around a rainforest monkey named Tomagochi who felt boring and plain. When men came into the forest with bulldozers threatening to destroy his home, he didn't run away. Instead, he took action and became a hero.
Miss Evans has created a relatable character that kids can connect with. The cover design and illustrations were done by Colleen Gedrich, which fit the story perfectly.
As the Pages Turn, December 24, 2009
Christmas Memories:
Shouldering the Cross at Christmas
by Ellen Chaksil
posted by Dorothy Thompson
Holiday Memories is a month long series of heartwarming holiday stories from authors all over the world. We at As the Pages Turn hope you will enjoy and have a happy holiday full of good and happy memories!
With the approach of Christmas, I confided a terrible, heartbreaking suspicion to my cousin, Ann. My son David had been staying with me temporarily, and he was planning to once more get an apartment of his own. I had undertaken the chore of helping clear out some of his things. In the process of doing so, I had come across an abundance of pills in one of his bureau drawers. Since it was not the first time I had found them, I really became alarmed, thinking, Could he possibly be addicted to those pills?
“Oh, come on!” Ann interrupted. “I don’t think so. You did say they’re prescription drugs. Maybe that old football injury is kicking up. Then, too, he’s had a few minor accidents since then, so he might need them for pain.”
After a bit more discussion, I was ashamed of myself for having shared that ugly suspicion with Ann. When she got up to leave, I felt even worse that I had burdened her, for I could see that she was becoming more and more incapacitated by her rheumatoid arthritis, yet I marveled at how she almost never complained or made reference to her pain.
After Ann left, I prayed, asking the Lord to give her the strength she needed to cope; especially with the Christmas season upon us, there was so much to do. I also petitioned the Lord, asking Him to protect David. I so hoped Ann was right in her assessment, that he couldn’t be addicted to those pain pills, yet I had my doubts, as for some time I had known that all was not right in his life.
During the Christmas holidays, I invited Ann to dinner. When we finished eating, we retired to the living room and sat before the blazing fire in the fireplace. At first its warmth and charm failed to alter her sad mood. With folded arms, appearing totally dejected, she stared down at her misshapen feet and sounded even unhappier, saying, “Ellen, thanks for inviting me over; if you hadn’t called I would probably be lying down, hoping I could fall asleep. It seems that’s all I want to do anymore.”
In an effort to change her mood, I responded, “Ann, please don’t talk that way; God had given you a beautiful family and they desperately need you.”
“Oh, come on, Ellen,” she answered, releasing a well of tears. “Just take a good look at me.” Almost inaudibly she added, “Sometimes, even though I know better, I feel God doesn’t even exist. Or if He does, He has forgotten all about me.”
Hearing her, I began to understand her quiet demeanor; she had kept all that pain buried within herself.
I responded immediately. “Ann, I know how drastically your life has changed because of this illness, but you can’t just give up on life or on God. With and in Him you can find the peace and comfort you need to carry on.” A shiver of determination went through my body as I reached for my Bible. “You may not be up to it right now,” I said. “But let’s see if the Lord has a Word for us, one to lift us up.”
She gave no sign of either objection or agreement, so I simply went ahead and randomly opened the Bible. My eyes fell upon Matthew’s Gospel, Chapter 16; in briefly scanning it, I considered it a most appropriate passage for us in that moment in time.
Before I began reading, I silently thanked God, knowing the scripture had opened to that exact page only through the guidance of His Holy Spirit:
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to be a follower of Mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow Me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lost it; but anyone who loses his life for My sake will find it. What then will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life?”
Reading from the accompanying reference notes, I added, “Ann, here we read that the word ‘life’ means the life of our soul as well as that of our person. Jesus is telling us that even if we possess the entire world, we are not able to buy an extra second of life on Earth. And that’s okay, because what we must be concerned about is the life of our soul, our spirit, because it lives on after physical death. And we cannot risk the loss of our soul by turning away from God.”
“In that Scripture reading, Jesus is telling us to accept our burden, to carry our cross, whatever it might be. He did, after all, lay out the pattern for us; we need only follow in His Way and we will find the strength we need to persevere.”
I could see the tears running down Ann’s cheeks and I handed her a tissue to dry her eyes. I also needed one for myself. It grieved me to see my beloved cousin suffering so much. After a few moments had passed, I said, “Ann, I know it’s difficult to accept this hope-filled message, especially when you are suffering as much as you are, but remember Jesus promised that when we accept and carry our cross, it will be lightened. C’mon, what do you say? Let’s continue getting together to pray, read, and learn about the Way He offers.”
I was so pleased when I saw her nod her head in agreement.
In the following months, I was even happier as I watched an almost miraculous change take place in Ann. While her physical condition continued to worsen, she no longer appeared to be depressed. Once again we could see her beautiful dimples, because she smiled more often.
 ELLEN CHAKSIL (pen name for Helen Silvestri) is the author of “With God There Is Hope: Hope for Humanity.” She is a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group in Scranton, Pa. She began receiving messages from God in 1978. She needed to share what she experienced with church officials. Her quest led her from her home in Northeast Pennsylvania to the Vatican. After numerous attempts, she was able to make contact. In 1992, she met Pope John Paul II and in 1996 she received official recognition that he had read her letter detailing the prophecy she received from God. Ellen also contacted Boguslaw Lipinski, Ph.D of Harvard Medical School. He provided hypothetical proof of the concept that when people gather to pray, energy is emitted. Now Ellen’s goal is to help unite the world in prayer to generate the power great enough to forestall catastrophe and enable humanity’s continued existence. She hopes her book will be an instrument to raise awareness of the power of prayer.
Visit Ellen’s blog at: catholiccharismaticprophecies.blogspot.com
Visit Ellen’s Facebook page : HERE
Sparrow Review, December 22, 2009
Call Me Sonya Grey Review
by Catherine Clark
Call Me Sonya Grey was, to say the least, heartfelt and poignant. Emotionally, the reader is put through the wringer; I might consider picking this one up on an especially gloomy day.
I'm a big fan of poetry. In this case, not all of the poems were my cup of tea (not to say that I there weren't plenty I found fascinating- which I did!) There were times that I just didn't connect with what Lloyd was trying to get across, but I think that because her situation was one that I cannot truly relate to, it was harder for me to completely link myself to the writing. However, I did enjoy reading it almost as if a diary...it chronicled her journey of growing up.
If you're a poetry fanatic, I'd suggest you pick this one up. It's an interesting view on how the author has chosen to express her life through words... and well chosen ones at that.
As the Pages Turn, December 21, 2009
Christmas Memories:
An Old-Fashioned Christmas at Pardee Square
by Molly Roe
posted by Dorothy Thompson
Holiday Memories is a month long series of heartwarming holiday stories from authors all over the world. We at As the Pages Turn hope you will enjoy and have a happy holiday full of good and happy memories!
“A tree? In the house?” Pat and James laughed when I shook my head at the doings in the parlor. Mrs. Pardee had ordered the strongest servants to remove some heavy pieces of furniture to make room for a ten foot tree.
“The ways of the wealthy are strange, Katie. When you have too much money it scrambles your brain,” said James.
“Guess my senses will never be addled then,” I said.
“Mrs. Pardee imported all the decorations and candle-holders from Germany. Christmas trees are a popular tradition there,” said Pat.
“Here, here, get to work and stop gossiping about your betters,” said Mrs. Lane, who had only heard Pat’s last comment. Mrs. Lane directed the staff in decorating the branches with candles, glass balls, and tin ornaments. James’s towering height and long arms were needed to reach the highest branches. The candles sat on the boughs in cleverly designed pendulum holders that were balanced by weighted stars. With the candles lit, the dangling glass balls and tin ornaments reflected a soft radiance. Baby Frank reached out a chubby hand to grasp the colorful objects, but his nursery maid whisked him out of range. Once the evergreen was in place, I had to admit the piney aroma and cheerful appearance was a welcome change from the parlor’s usual stuffy atmosphere. A Christmas tree was a lot of work, but the finished product was lovely. As I stepped back to admire the effect, small fists tugged on my uniform skirt.
“Katie, Katie, look how I stayed in the lines!” Six-year-old Bart Pardee and his older brother, Izzie, were helping to decorate, cutting out Thomas Nast’s newspaper sketches of Santa Claus and coloring them. I complimented the boys and cut pieces of tinsel garland to tie their artwork onto the tree.
My favorite display was the three-tiered pyramid contraption on a side table. The draft created by small red candles moved wooden paddle blades, and a carved Nativity scene twirled before my fascinated eyes. I wished my sisters could see the delights. At least I was able to take the stubs when the candles were replaced. I would send them to Murphy’s Patch so a candle would remain burning in our window through the Christmas season.
One afternoon Mrs. Pardee announced a shopping trip to the Kristkindlmarkt in Pottsville. The outside fair would feature imported gift items for Christmas. German cuckoo clocks, Moravian stars, creche scenes, and intricate toys for the younger children were among the items for sale.
Mrs. P. planned to buy a large ceramic stein. She started planning a trip by train to the city. The most exciting news was that I would attend Mrs. Pardee and the children.
On the day of departure, we hustled to the station with enough luggage for several days. Porters carried the bags onto the train, but I would be in charge of everything once we were on board. A reddish-brown car with crisp gold lettering was already pulled up at the siding. I was more excited than Izzie and Bart since we were traveling in a luxury box with soft leather seats and plush velvet hangings for privacy. Our tickets gave us access to the lounge car and other exclusive areas that I had never seen before. To give Mrs. Pardee some quiet time, I took the two children for a walk through the cars to the observation deck.
“Oh, look at the horses in the field… and the hex sign on that barn.” I pointed out the green-glazed windows at highlights of the landscape to keep the children occupied. When we went back to our berth, we played counting and memory games until the children were lulled into naps. The lurching of the train stopping at Pottsville station awoke the children, and we gathered our possessions and left the car.
A coachman was waiting for us at the brick P&R station when we alit from the train amidst a cloud of steam, and he swept us by carriage to Pennsylvania Hall where a luxury suite was set aside for the Pardees. Visiting coal barons to the Schuylkill County seat always stayed in the hotel’s deluxe accommodations. Even my room, on the least exclusive floor, was delightful. I bounced onto the wide bed and giggled as I was almost launched off the other side.
I freshened up and had a cold luncheon before going to the outdoor market with Mrs. Pardee and her sons. The street scene was bustling with excitement. Large kegs at the intersections blocked out traffic to provide safe travel for pedestrians through small wooden booths and canvas-covered displays.
Mrs. Pardee examined and ordered many items. Some were to be personalized or created especially to her taste. The children wove between people in the crowd and raced each other from booth to booth.
“Boys, stop!” I chased them down a crowded lane and scolded them. “Your mother is looking for you.”
“Mother, can I buy something?” asked Bart, pointing at a toy display.
“Nothing for yourself, but you may purchase something for your brothers and sister.”
Mrs. Pardee took note of their choices for Christmas gifts. The long day was beginning to wear on the boys, and they started to push each other and bicker.
“Time to return to the hotel,” said Mrs. Pardee amidst complaints from her sons.
Once Izzie and Bart were settled with a maid from the hotel to oversee their supper, Mrs. Pardee and I returned to the market to choose items for the children. By five o’clock the vendors had fires and lamps lit to allow their customers to see their merchandise. The festive scene was very enjoyable and since I was wearing my warmest outer garments, including gloves and scarf, the bite of the cold air did not affect my pleasure. Every breath filled my lungs with the smell of chestnuts, pretzels or spicy sausages roasting on open grates. Candles, incense, toasted candied peanuts, gingerbread, and other exotic scents mingled in the air. Laughter and music met my ears. It was as much a social event as it was a market.
My employer smiled and discussed the merchandise with the vendors, but her good mood disappeared when time came to order. Spoiled by the constant pandering of merchants in Hazleton and Philadelphia, Mrs. Pardee was dumbstruck that she would have to wait for some of the items.
Turning to me with a stern look she said, “You’ll have to stay in the city two extra days to collect my purchases and ensure their quality.”
“Yes, M’am.” I answered in a demure way, but beneath my composed face I was delighted.
Annoyed that she would have to take the trip back without my help, Mrs. P. pushed a purse into my hands and gave me last minute instructions. The money was to pay for the orders, for cab fare and tips, and for the return trip to Hazleton. She and the children bustled off to the station to catch the train home.
Early the next morning I set out on my mission. One of the bellboys was especially friendly. He called a cab and refused the tip I offered.
“Sure you need the money more than I do, darlin’. Buy yourself something at the fair.”
The cab lurched off before I could refuse the bellboy’s generosity, but I had an idea of what I’d buy with the unexpected spending money. The leather seat sighed as I settled into it.
I paid the driver and stepped onto the slate sidewalk. I thought about what I could buy my parents and sisters at the market. The small drawstring bag in which I kept my money clinked as I jiggled it. I wished that I had more money. It would be difficult to stretch the funds four ways.
Just as the thought entered my mind, I had a brainstorm. The ticket! I searched through my bag and located the return ticket that Mrs. Pardee pushed into my hand last night. It was a first class seat! My emotions soared. I could exchange the expensive ticket for a cheap seat in a combination car. I didn’t mind traveling with the ordinary passengers and baggage, especially since it meant several extra dollars in my purse.
I sallied off to the street fair feeling like a wealthy capitalist. My first purchase was simple. I decided to purchase some fragrant spices and a cookie press shaped like an angel for my mother, the baker.
The next stall has wonderful three-tiered pyramids like the one at Pardee Square. The carving and paintwork on the tiny figures was exquisite, but the prices were far beyond my pocketbook. Fortunately a little farther along I came to a booth with small German woodcarvings. One piece, depicting a trio of girls playing Ring a-ring o’roses, reminded me of my sisters and me in early childhood. My father would appreciate both the subject and the quality of the piece, so I added that gift to my basket.
My sisters would be happy with some candy, but should it be fudge, sugar mice, parma violets, barley toy candy, or rock candy strings? Apothecary-style jars lined the open shelves in the rear of the stand with more choices than I had ever seen in one place. The colorful and tempting plate of broken candy for sampling helped with my decision. Red and green barley pops finished my shopping list.
I swung the string-wrapped parcels and imagined my family’s delight on Christmas morning. I collected the merchandise for Mrs. Pardee and returned to the hotel. Passing my friend the bellboy, I smiled and told him that my little sisters would appreciate his kindness on Christmas morning.
 MOLLY ROE (pen name for Mary Garrity Slaby) is the author of “Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires” and a contributor to “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk High School.” She is a veteran language arts & reading teacher at Lake-Lehman Junior Senior High School. Mary holds a Ph.D. in education from Temple University, and Pennsylvania teaching certification in six areas. She has pursued the hobby of genealogy for the past decade. Mary was born in Philadelphia, raised in Schuylkill County, and currently lives in Dallas, Pennsylvania with her husband, John. They are parents of two grown children, Melissa and John Garrett, cover illustrator of “Call Me Kate.” Digging into the past has given Mary newfound respect for her ancestors and a better understanding of history. Call Me Kate is the first in the author’s trilogy of historical novels loosely based on the lives of the strong women who preceded her.
Visit Molly’s blog at: conversationsfromthesideporch.blogspot.com
Visit Molly’s Facebook page : HERE
Stretching the One Income Dollar, December 21, 2009
Review and Giveaway: A Different Kind of Hero
by Monique Rowe
I recently had the opportunity to review A Different Kind of Hero.
This book was wonderfully written by a 4th grader after her studies about the rain forest, truly touched and inspired her. I could tell by reading this book that she really felt for the animals that were being driven out of their homes by the men with their bulldozers and equipment.
The illustrations are great and the book's writer could really touch that on the level of another child.
Words 4 Autism, December 18, 2009
Words 4 Autism
by Gilda Horgan
Xmas giving idea for tweens or teens on the spectrum: Sandra Gerencher's book, Second Chance: How Adoption Saved a Boy with Autism & His Shelter Dog. Being adopted myself and having a son on the spectrum, I like many aspects of this story. Check it out!
A review of this book reads, "It is a delightful quick read about the adoption of an animal shelter dog who goes home with an autistic child...also adopted."
Every child with Autism should have a dog. I truely believe it opens up communication and personalitly. It has with my boy.
Electric City, December 17, 2009
Electric City's Best Of 2009 Awards
Best Local Author
Jay Luke
Conversations with Writers, December 12, 2009
Interview: Molly Roe
by Ambrose Musiyiwa
In this interview, Molly Roe, the author of Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires (Tribute Books, 2008), talks about her writing:
How would you describe the writing you are doing?
Until about five years ago, I wrote only academic papers, but I began writing fiction as an outgrowth of my genealogy hobby. At first the stories were just for my family and myself, but later publishing became my goal.
My writing combines family genealogy, Irish and coal region lore, local history, and imagination to create historical fiction for young people.
What motivated you to write for this audience?
Since I teach junior high students, they seemed the logical target audience. I read and evaluated middle grade and young adult library favorites and decided that an historical fiction novel similar to the Dear America series books would suit my style and abilities.
I also wanted my students to learn more about local history - of which coal mining and the Molly Maguires are a huge part. Imagine my surprise when I found that the grandparents and great grandparents of my teen and ‘tween audience were also fascinated with Call Me Kate. Now some of my most avid fans are octogenarians!
Which authors influenced you most?
Two young adult authors, Susan Campbell Bartoletti and Suzanne Fisher Staples, have had a big impact on my writing. They are both Newbery Award recipients, and both grew up in northeastern Pennsylvania, as I did. Last spring I had the enormous pleasure of sitting with Susan and Suzanne at a library luncheon. Both women are fantastic writers and unbelievably gracious people.
Susan Campbell Bartoletti’s historical fiction and nonfiction works relate to my area of interest, and she has been kind enough to give me advice about writing.
Suzanne, on the other hand, writes knowledgeably about an entirely unfamiliar but fascinating world. She worked in India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan for twenty years and brings that exotic setting to life in her books. I could never hope to match her global experience, but I become a virtual world traveler by reading her books.
Have your own personal experiences influenced your writing in any way?
My personal experiences influence my writing since my beliefs often surface in my characters’ lives.
I feel strong ties to my female ancestors who were so strong and enduring through the tough times of past generations. I feel their sense of injustice over discrimination, I feel for today’s immigrants because of what they endured. I get angry at the cavalier attitude of big business just as they evidently did against the Coal Companies that ran their lives.
What are your main concerns as a writer?
A general concern is that people will stop reading for pleasure. The modern world moves so fast that many people say they don’t have the time to sit and savor a book. I think writers and publishers are dealing with this issue by changing to meet the needs of the “modern” reader who like to jump right into the action.
A personal challenge with writing is making the time to write. Since I teach, most of my day involves reading and writing. When I get home, grading papers consumes much of the evening. I don’t always have the energy to write. On the other hand, teaching is a part of my platform and motivation, so my career is a double-edged sword.
Do you write everyday?
I wish I would buckle down and write every day!
When the muse is with me, I get an idea and start off great guns. Sometimes, I try to picture my current heroine involved in an ordinary chore and wonder what tools she had to use, how long it took, etc. Research on the internet and in book and old newspapers also spurs my imagination. Usually a writing session ends when my eyes blur and the pins and needles in my legs become unbearable.
How many books have you written so far?
Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires is my debut novel. My other published works are academic articles and short stories.
Call Me Kate was published in November 2009 by Tribute Books. It is the fictionalized life of my great great grandmother, Catharine McCafferty.
Kate lived at a time when the Great Hunger struck Ireland, and droves of poor peasants were shipped to the US by their English landlords. Kate arrived in the US at a time when nativists persecuted immigrants, and her teenage years coincided with the Civil War.
Her family and friends had to depend on each other to survive.
Some factions of this group became militant in their struggle for safety, justice, and human rights. A group of Pennsylvania miners became known as the Molly Maguires. There is still controversy about whether the group were labor activists, criminals or even whether they actually existed. One fact is known: Twenty men were hanged for crimes committed by the “Molly Maguires.”
What will your next book be about?
The working title of my next book is Sarah’s Story: The Curse on Centralia. This one is also about the Molly Maguires, but this time the story follows Kate’s younger sister, Sarah McCafferty, to the town of Centralia.
A devastating mine fire that started in the 1960s has reduced Centralia to a mere six residents. Was the fire the result of a curse placed on the Mollies a hundred years earlier? That’s the question that inspired Sarah’s Story.
Book Pleasures, December 11, 2009
Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires
by Amy Lignor
As a huge Irish fan (the language, the ideals, etc.) and being a complete research geek when it comes to The Civil War, this book seemed like the absolute perfect match for me. And, thankfully, I wasn’t wrong.
We meet fourteen-year-old Katie McCafferty. This is your typical Irish gal. She is funny, smart, quick-as-a-whip, hard-working, and absolutely loves her family. Her father works in the coal mines of Pennsylvania – Murphy’s Patch, to be exact – east of the Panther Creek Valley. Now, the living is hard in these hills. Coal mining, of course, was never – and still isn’t – an easy or safe job, and her father is soon involved in a mine collapse. The family is devastated. The bread-winner has lost the use of his legs, and Katie’s sisters are too young to help the family. Her mother bakes bread and other foods to sell in order to keep the family on their feet. But the coal company is tough; if you can’t pay the rent, you can’t live in a Company House, so Katie leaves school to work and support her family by being a domestic servant.
She’s friends with many large Irish families, including twins by the name of Dinny and Con. Con is a young man who Katie feels a great deal for, and her family can see her marrying one day. But Con gets himself into something he simply can’t get out of… The war is coming, and once the shot is fired at Fort Sumter, Pennsylvania boys have only a short time before the signs of DRAFT are placed in their town. The hardest part for me about this story is when they told of how the Irish marched into battle, while Americans (Christians, by the way) threw things at them and reviled the immigrants who were about to give up their lives for their country.
Anyway, Con gets mad. He’s sick and tired of his people being treated badly. Why lay down your life for people who don’t even care? Who think of you as second-class citizen? So he joins up with a man who feels that the only way to stop the anger and frustration towards them is to make a war of their own.
Katie, by now, is in a huge home working for a very rich family. She hears the news of the “uprising” that’s about to happen, and dresses herself up in men’s clothes to attend the meetings and try to stop her friend – and perhaps future husband – from getting himself killed.
The politics of the time, the history of how hard the struggle was for many poor families, is absolutely inspirational. The writer did a wonderful job bringing us back to the past, and making us understand that bigotry – in any form – can only harm. I wish we’d learned our lesson by now. For any school or library, this is the book you want the kids to read. I am always so thankful when a writer comes out with a story that teaches something more than “unrequited love with a supernatural being.” Don’t get me wrong, those are fun, too. But this is a great story that will teach something and be fun at the same time. When you take your kids to the library, pull this one off the shelf. You’ll be very glad you did.
Steph Burkhart, December 10, 2009
Book Review for "What Was I Thinking? How Not to Date"
by Steph Burkhart
Earley pens a sharp and witty memoir with What Was I Thinking? How Not to Date. Recently divorced, Earley decides to enter the vast space of Internet dating. It’s adventurous, hazardous, and humorous as Earley shared her experiences with the reader.
The book opens with Earley revealing her Internet profile and the members of her “advisory committee.” I loved the idea of an advisory committee, trusted friends and family members who helped give Earley guidance and wisdom through her Internet dating adventures.
Earley writes with a unique brand of humor. While sharing her experiences, one of her first adventures involves a man called Antonio who wears leg warmers. He’s a decent enough guy, but definitely too quirky for a serious dating relationship.
Earley has several misadventures. There’s a Sponge Tom who is so cheap he can’t swing for an ice cream cone, and a busy body called “Skip to my Lou” Stew. There’s also a gangster looking guy with a shaved head that Earley refers to as Peter Lorre.
Early soon realizes it’s good to have rules. Always meet at a public place for the first time. If the man’s picture is a little fuzzy, there’s probably a good reason for it. The world of Internet dating is definitely challenging for Earley. Will she find the man of her dreams on the Internet? Only time will tell.
Earley’s writing is sharp and crisp, laced with warmth and compassion. Each chapter is framed with a whimsical picture that embodies the theme of the chapter and makes the reader smile. She writes in a conversational style which engages the reader. Earley’s story is hard to put down. Her humor and honesty are a refreshing reminder that dating can have its rewards and its failure.
Earley’s tale is one many can identify with. Who hasn’t had a date that didn’t go well or clicked with someone over the phone only to discover there were no sparks when they met in person? Earley learns a lot about Internet dating and candidly shares her experiences. By the end of the novel, I just wanted to reach out and give her a reassuring hug. Earley’s story will touch the reader’s heart.
What Was I Thinking? How Not to Date is a great read for those who Internet date or are interested in Internet dating. It offers guidance, tidbits, and anecdotes that while humorous, also educate. Two thumbs up for Earley’s story.
A Different Kind of Hero
ExtraordinaryMommy.com, December 9, 2009
Kids Holiday Gift Guide - Books
Conversations with Writers, December 9, 2009
Interview with Jay Luke
by Ambrose Musiyiwa
Musician, graphic designer and local historian, Jay Luke is a graduate from Marywood University. He is also a project engineer with the Olyphant Coal Miner Memorial Association.
His first book, When Coal Was Queen (Tribute Books, 2009), looks at the history of Olyphant, Pennsylvania.
In this interview, Jay Luke talks about his writing:
When did you start writing?
I began writing while in grade school. It was mainly lyrics. I would write these songs and kept at it as often as I could. I think, looking back, my earliest attempts are very laughable, but on the same token they were the springboard to better things. Without those early fearless attempts, I may not have had the courage to dive in later on in life. So I never gave up and kept refining my writing craft.
I think things really heated up for me during my high school years. I think it was where my creativity came into its own. With each song I'd write, I noticed they always told a story of some sort and that was when I decided maybe I can put together a real story that doesn't have to rhyme or fit into a musical score. So again I assembled parts little by little and eventually I got some short stories.
I put the writing on a shelf as my art career took off a bit and my band played continuous shows. My recent publication came about due to my activity in the town of Olyphant, PA. I'm a project engineer for The Olyphant Coal Miners Memorial Association. We set out to erect a bronze statue in town that would memorialize the countless men who'd sacrificed their lives in the anthracite abyss. When we accomplished that goal, the next step we planned was to put a little book out, as a "Thank you" to those who donated for the statue. Once I began writing, it quickly turned from a small project into a very tireless research project and it ended up as the greatest history lesson I'd ever had.
How would you describe the writing you are doing?
My writing, for the book I'm promoting now, is historical/documentary style. I took on the difficult task of delving in the origins of the town history of Olyphant. I learned relatively quickly that this was to be no easy task. Often during research I found dates from previous publications clashed with others, and spellings were inaccurate. It was sometimes a maddening experience, but it meant a lot to me to get this as accurate as possible. I didn't want others to have to go through as much trouble as I did in search of good information.
My target audience for this publication are people in the area of Northeastern PA. Not just Olyphant residents but even those of surrounding towns. I felt strongly that as more time passes, places and names of historical significance seem to disappear. That isn't as much of a problem for people of my generation and older, but younger kids today really have nothing to teach them what their town was like when their early ancestors first came here. We were fortunate enough to have had our grandparents tell us tales of the old days, and today it's a different story. So I was motivated to try to bridge the gap and help those who are curious of their area's origins learn where it all started.
Which authors influenced you most?
Being that this book is a history book, I really didn't have any authors that I could say were a direct influence. I kind of went from my heart on this one more than anything.
Had you asked me who influenced my upcoming novel, I would have said Dan Brown, Ian Caldwell, Dustin Thomason, and Elizabeth Kostova. (Hopefully I can speak more of that closer to publication time.)
How have your personal experiences influenced your writing?
I think the most obvious answer here is that I grew up in this town and have been lucky enough to have spoken to countless people who had a great knowledge of the area.
Nothing beats first-hand accounts, and in a lot of ways, I look at the elders of the town to be like living national treasures. They know the real story, because writing about history is so hard since most of the writers weren't there. In my case, I've been lucky enough to have talked to those who were there and discussed the important events and facts about the subject matter.
What are your main concerns as a writer?
My concerns were that when I finished this book no one would have to travel the difficult road I did in finding the information. I hoped it would be a great shortcut to accurate knowledge. I wanted this to be a great help to students and new residents of the area alike to find out more about the area.
My concerns as a writer were numerous. I wanted to make sure that the dates, spellings, and events were all accurately described. So many dates clashed and the biggest error I caught was that when researching the first woman ever to enlist in the U.S. Navy, Ms. Loretta Walsh of Olyphant, I found that her name has been misspelled on a historical marker in town for years. I found it to be a great injustice and hope that when I get some responses to the request it will be fixed. I mean, not everyone may read my book but every day people are walking by that marker and it is inaccurate.
So many things that have been previously published had data that didn't match up, so I really had to do my homework and live in libraries to trace things as far back to the sources as I could to get the final data.
Do you write everyday?
I try to write a little each day, most of the time if I'm too busy to do anything else. It'll be journal entries. They either begin in the morning or before I go to bed. I find writing before sleep can be better than a sleeping pill. Getting everything out before sleeping definitely helps get a better night's rest.
As for the right time to write, I have to say that it could be anytime. Inspiration hits everyone at different times, and in my case it'll take me by surprise and I have to hope I'm within quick reach of a pen and paper when it occurs.
How many books have you written so far?
As of this very moment, I have only one published work entitled When Coal was Queen, published by Tribute Books in August of this year (2009).
The book is about the origins of a town called Olyphant, PA. Interesting events that have occured through its history, famous residents and visitors, as well as its storied anthracite-rich past.
How did you choose a publisher for the book?
It was published through Tribute Books in Eynon, PA in August of 2009. The publisher was chosen because we wanted to keep this publication as local as we could, as that was a theme of ours, and also because I know the owner of Tribute Books very well. So it seemed the obvious choice to go with a reliable publisher rather than someone we had no connection with.
Which were the most difficult aspects of the work you put into When Coal was Queen?
I found the fact checking and editing to be the most difficult portion of the entire process. Right up until the hour it was sent to the publishers, I was still trying to go over everything with a fine tooth comb to make sure my information was accurate, and that was a good thing because that was when I noticed a name I had down was misspelled, not within my book, but on a historical marker for Loretta Walsh, the first woman in the U.S. Navy.
I was going over my information and looked at the plaque and thought something was out of place. It turns out the marker spelled her first name as "Lorretto." So it pays to really look over your subject matter thoroughly.
I enjoyed the researching and speaking to people about what they knew the most. Not only was it enjoyable to hear the stories, but the education it provided me was remarkable. Out of all my research, the oral discussions were the most informative. They gave the whole human element that can often be lacking in library research.
I also got to travel around town with my camera in very obscure locations which almost made it feel like an Indiana Jones style adventure.
What sets When Coal was Queen apart from other things you've written?
For one, I've usually only written fiction.
I have always had a serious interest in history but never imagined I'd one day write a book on it. I am the sort of person that will pass through a place and always wonder what it might've looked like 300 years ago. So this book is a stark contrast to my usual writing and songwriting.
It was a great departure but a very thrilling one.
What will your next book be about?
I might do a second edition to When Coal was Queen.
I am also underway with a novel I began some years ago. It is a thriller with a looming suspense throughout the book. It is about two childhood friends that grow up very differently and one goes on and accomplishes some truly miraculous feats. The greatest part will naturally be the climatic ending, which I hope you all get to read soon.
What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?
Aside from getting published, I would have to say it's been the warm reception I've been given. I had no idea this book would've struck such a nerve. Seeing people get very emotional when they come up to me is a feeling I cannot describe. People have such fond memories of the coal miners and it is a wonderful tribute to them to keep their memories alive, even if it is just by re-telling their stories.
On the opposite end, when younger kids come up to me and ask me for help or advice on Olyphant for their school projects that is the entire reason I started this process, and to see a goal continually get accomplished is one of life's greatest gifts.
I thank each and every person who has helped me along the way. This has been one of the best experiences of my life.
Lainey Bancroft Romance, December 7, 2009
An Interview
by Lainey Bancroft
Ms. Earley is published with Tribute Books, and their marketing department contacted me to see if I'd be interested in doing a Q & A with their author. Nice.
After reading WHAT WAS I THINKING? HOW NOT TO DATE, I felt rather like I'd been gifted with a sneak copy of the diary of an interesting chick I'd like to meet up with and grab a drink. If you're looking for formal fiction standards, forgetaboutit. Annie's dating disasters are told in episodes, like short stories, almost like a blog or email to a long-distance friend. IMO, with the material--boy-o-boy, did Annie make some interesting connections--and her sense of humor, she could have built this into a solid chick lit/hen lit tale that would have held wider appeal. As it stands, How Not to Date is a quick entertaining read, a bit like sitting in a cafe, drinking coffee until your hands sweat just because the gossip at the table next to you is too interesting for you to leave. Not that I ever listen to other people's conversations, of course.
Welcome, take it away Annie!
Thank you for the opportunity to be interviewed on your blog! I have received other opportunities in the past but did not respond; mainly because I am so busy. However, I really liked your questions, so here goes.
1. How long have you been writing?
I have been writing since I was a kid. At first it was poems. I have also written lyrics over the years, but always wanted to write a book.
2. Cute little illustrations for the chapter headers in your book! Did you draw them?
Yes, I did draw the cartoons at the beginning of each chapter. My art talent is limited compared to the artistic talent that runs in my family. However, each cartoon represents what was actually happening at the time. I took what was in my head and put it on paper. I wanted the reader to have a visual image to go along with what they were reading.
3. Did you set out to make WHAT WAS I THINKING?! HOW NOT TO DATE a book, or did you journal your experiences and decide later that perhaps they were book-worthy?
Well, as I said, I had always wanted to write a book. When I was going through the dating experience and telling these stories to my friends and family the response was always the same, “Annie, you should write a book!” So I did. It was therapy for me to write down my thoughts and helped me to sort out what was happening in my life.
4. What made you decide to choose Tribute Books as your publisher?
When I start something I finish it. So, when I was in the process of writing my book I was also looking into having it published. I had talked to people who had gone through the process of hiring an agent to find a publisher, etc. That sounded like it would be too time-consuming and too expensive. So I started to research the topic on the internet and found out that you can find a publisher and pay to have your book published. Somehow I came upon Tribute Books’ website and when I saw that it was a local publisher I called them. After talking to the owner, Nicole Langan, on the phone I made the decision to go with them. She was so helpful, guiding me along the way and is still doing so many things to get my book out there.
5. Promoting a book can be an uphill scramble for a new author. Is there anything you've learned in the process that you've found successful that you'd like to share with other new or aspiring authors?
I have to say here that one thing I did not even consider was promoting my book once it was published. I did not have any expectations other than finishing the book and getting it published…project completed. When my publisher set me up for book signings around the area I was quite taken off guard; especially since I had used a pen name. I found myself looking for a wig that looked like Annie’s hair and a pair of sunglasses to disguise myself. Actually, it was quite appropriate for Annie to wear sunglasses since the last chapter of the book is entitled, “My future’s so bright…”
Getting back to the question, my publisher is constantly sending me information for opportunities to promote my book, like this, but I am so busy that I just don’t have the time to do it all. As I said, I do not have great expectations of becoming famous or making a lot of money (although that would be nice) and there are things in my life that are priorities. So the only thing I could say to other authors is get a good publisher who will guide you and keep plugging away for you.
6. Is there a particular message you want readers to appreciate from WHAT WAS I THINKING?! HOW NOT TO DATE?
I think the main message I would like readers to appreciate is this: “Don’t get discouraged about meeting someone special to spend your life with. Set goals for yourself, stick to your values and have faith in God or whatever higher force you believe in. Learn how to be happy even if you are alone by doing things you enjoy and spending time with friends and family. Have a positive attitude in life. I do believe that if you have a positive attitude in life positive things will happen to you.”
It is because of this message that I did not include a chapter about how I met my husband. Stories don’t always have happy endings but you can be happy without a happy ending.
7. What is one thing you think readers would be interested to know about you?
Actually, I think I would tell them I am just a person who had an idea and followed through. I don’t limit myself by what others say. My parents never told me I couldn’t do this or that. When I wanted to try something new they encouraged me. When they all said, “You should write a book,” I did.
8. What’s next for Annie Earley? Do you have other books in the works?
Actually, I do have some more quirky stories about what happened after the last chapter in the book. However, I have led a very adventurous life and have experienced many things such as camping on the Continental Divide with a Brahma bull 100 feet away from my tent and am considering writing about those adventures.
9. Finally, leg warmer guy...really? You fictionalized him, right?
Haha! Well, if you read the disclaimer at the beginning of my book you will see that all the stories are fiction. So, the question here is, “Were these characters a figment of my imagination?”
In my “mind’s eye” the answer is “no”. So if that is the case, then yes, the leg warmers guy was “real.” I always said, if leg warmers guy ever read my book and figured out I was referring to him and called me on the phone I would say, “What, do you think you are the only guy around with a comb-over and leg warmers?!” “Sheesh!”
And those answers are pretty indicative of the sort of fun content you'll find between the pages of What Was I Thinking? How Not To Date. You can check out Annie's author page at Tribute Books or drop by and visit Annie at her blog Doting On Dating.
Thanks for joining us, Annie!
BookMac, December 6, 2009
Call Me Kate
by Meg Hill
Getting to Know Molly Roe, author of Call Me Kate
1.) Where did you get the idea to write Call Me Kate?
Catharine McCafferty was born out of my excitement at finally learning the name of my great grandmother. The genealogy bug bit me back in the late 1990s when my son had to make a family tree for school. While I wasn't able to find out everything I wanted to know about Catharine, I learned that she lived through "interesting times." She survived the great potato famine in Ireland, came to America, and married twice. Her nephew was one of the hanged Molly Maguires, and she had a son who rose to some heights in the academic world. I wondered what she must have felt about all the good and bad events in her life. I decided she must have been torn about what was happening to the people she loved. Call Me Kate actually started out as a short story, basically chapter two of the book.
2.) How do you connect with your characters?
I go to reenactments of Civil War battles and to museums where some of the everyday tools and household appliances of the 1800s are displayed, and I imagine what it was like not to have all the conveniences we have today. I understand the indignation and pain my ancestors suffered at the injustice they experienced in the coal fields of Pennsylvania. I think their hope and faith must have sustained them.
3.) How much research did you put into your book?
I researched my family history first, without ever considering that the information would turn into a book. After about four years of US research, I headed off to Ireland with over a dozen family members in tow. We had a wonderful trip, and eventually located the tiny town land of Mollyroe, County Donegal, where one branch of the family began. What a great day that was!
4.) Have you ever visited Ireland yourself?
My trip in 2002 was my second visit to Ireland; my first was at age 17 when I was a college student. We spent five days in Ireland as part of a European tour. I highly recommend visiting. The people were fantastic, and the countryside is beautiful.
5.) Do you plan on writing more young adult books in the future?
I'm currently working on a sequel called Sarah's Story: the Curse on Centralia. It's also based on Molly Maguires lore and features the life of Sarah, Kate's younger sister. Legend has it that Father McDermott, parish priest in Centralia, PA cursed the Mollies for their violent activities and therefore that's why the town was devastated by a mine fire a hundred years later.
6.) Who is your favorite character and why?
Kate is my favorite because she is so spirited and independent. She reminds me of Jo March from Little Women, one of the heroines of my childhood.
7.) Which character can you relate to the most?
I'm personally more like Sarah, less spirited than Kate, more studious and into nature.
8.) What was the best part of writing your novel?
Probably seeing it all come together and having my family read it. I still feel a surge of excitement seeing the book on a store shelf.
9.) What was the worst part of the writing process?
The decision-making and editing were both hard for me. I wanted to use first person point of view, but it was difficult to give Kate access to all the information she needed at a time before phones, the internet, TV, or even radio. Kate had to see and hear the information herself or read it in letters or newspapers. That was a challenge.
10.) When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I don't remember the exact moment. I drifted into writing as a natural extension of reading and researching.
11.) What made you pursue writing a novel?
My aunt Margaret must have said, "You should write a book" at least one hundred times before I took her seriously. I give her credit for motivating me. She has been my #1 fan throughout.
Review
I was interested in reading this book when I was asked to review it, for two reasons. 1.) I'm Irish myself (go pale skin, freckled, st. patty's day lovers!) and 2.) I usually find myself to enjoy young adult historical fiction novels. Under the pen name of Molly Roe, Mary Garity Slabby delivers a powerful young adult historical fiction novel that will make even reluctant history buffs give it a try.
The story starts off quick paced when Molly learns that her father has been a victim to a terrible accident and now she and her mother must support the family. Throughout the book we see Katie grow up from child to adult, take on responsibilities far beyond someone of her age, and actually grow from these experiences.
The writing was very fun as well as educational, the characters were deep and inspiring, and it was an overall good read. Short enough that people won't be scared, Molly definitely has some amazing writing talents and I can't wait to see more of her work in the future.
Freda's Voice, December 5, 2009
Call Me Sonya Grey by Sonya Tupone Lloyd
by Freda Mans
Knowing how theraputic poetry can be, I read with an open mind. I really loved reading it, and with each poem, I could feel whatever emotion Sonya felt when writing. I notice she had mostly painful memories, as the majority of poems were quite somber.
I absolutely loved Poem 17, Face. My favorite in the book, by far. I also thought the second version of April Walk was much better. The only poem I had mixed feelings about was, Poem 53. It was a fantastic poem, but the nature of it was immensely sad, and I found my heart wrenched.
All-in-all, if you like poetry, then you will love this little book! A huge recommendation from me!
Book Ideas, December 2, 2009
Journey Along the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Review
by John Hoh
This book, as the title suggests, takes the reader on a trip to the Poconos. It follows the route of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. The "stops" include Delaware Water Gap, East Stroudsburg, Analomink, Henryville, Cresco, Mount Pocono, Pocono Summit, and Tobyhanna.
The book is a collection mainly of postcards from over the years. Most belong to the author, but scattered throughout are reproductions of postcards from museum and private collections the author found to fill the gaps. Each postcard is credited with its owner. Scattered among the postcards are some ads, a bill for construction, a hand-written menu, and other items for promotion of lodges and the Poconos.
Yes, even human foibles are displayed as one ad stated "We do not take Hebrews or those suffering from lung trouble." The author informs us several times that a lodge would advertise "Gentiles only." Was is overt racism? Or simply a business decision not to have to get into the expense of providing a kosher menu? I can understand the lung problems as tuberculosis (TB) was common and contagious. That could put a damper on business.
Each "stop" is a chapter in the book, with lodges at each place featured. Of course if one was riding the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad one would get off at the depot. So each chapter begins with postcards of the depots at each stop.
Although the cards are in black and white, the beauty of the region is breath-taking. The nature shots would be especially inviting to residents of New York City who would vacation in the fresh air and spacious areas among the Poconos. It was the city clientele that the lodges aimed for.
The author could have explained some details, such as a hotel that "offered both American and European plan accommodations." What was the difference? Did it matter?
Scranton's Mayors Review
by John Hoh
This book covers the 29 mayors in the history of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Each mayor occupies a separate chapter in the book. Also, the number of mayors is open for debate. A handful of mayors had non-consecutive terms. Grover Cleveland, the only U. S. President to serve non-consecutive terms, is counted as the 22nd and 24th president, so one could argue that Scranton had more than 29 mayors if non-consecutive terms are counted separately. Better to refer to the 29 men who served as mayor (unfortunately, no woman has been elected to the office yet).
Along with the brief biographies (the mayors of the last 40 years are more extensively documented) is a running history of Scranton and its politics as well as the state of Pennsylvania. A law meant to address a problem elsewhere in the state of Pennsylvania affects Scranton. Pittsburgh and Scranton are both 2nd class cities in Pennsylvania. Perhaps an explanation of what it meant to be a "2nd class city" would have been helpful. Why was Scranton a 2nd class city but not Philadelphia?
The author for the most part documented law changes, such as Pennsylvania changing mayoral terms from three to two years. Yet later mayors "seem" to serve three year terms so did the law change again or did mayors not serve their full term? A unique situation was with the first mayor. The unique "salary" arrangement went as follows:
The early mayors of Scranton were figureheads when it came to everyday operations. Mayor Hill received a salary of $300 a year, which was little more than a skilled miner, took home. The city attorney received $200 a year but the Tax Collector got 5% of all revenues he collected and the City Treasurer received 2% of all the money he spent.
Did the treasurer have any incentive not to spend money?
Overall the book ably portrayed a city and those who served that city.
This Dangerous Life, December 1, 2009
Review - The Evolution of an Identity
by Jessica Danger
In my junior year of college a woman in one of my Postcolonial Literature classes I shared her story of how she felt as though she was a traitor. Her problem, she explained, was that if she told people that she was American, then she was a traitor to her Indian heritage. If she told people that she was Indian, then she is a traitor to her American heritage. That is her story of immigrant assimilation- constant limbo.
I was constantly reminded of this classmate while reading Diya Das and The Evolution of an Identity. The Evolution of an Identity is published by Tribute Books, and tells one person's narration of an attempt at assimilation in America, in reverse. What is most amazing to me is that Das is remarkably young for such an ambitious narratology. The book opens with "This novel was the result of an honors project for an American studies course during my junior year of high school". Yes; high school. As though not ambitious enough, Das offers the disclaimer "for the present, the most recent version must remain the product of a high school junior's mind and hands" as though it were not good enough to take full fledged credit as a novel.
Das is wrong. It is more than good enough.
Das transcribes a binder full of notes, taking over the course of a little under a year, of one family's remarkable story and culture. Aware of the importance of this project, Das concedes that "I would like this alum to survive, so that it might become a repository of family history for my own descendants".
The novel is separated into three major portions- The First Wave, The Second Wave- Settling In, Post 1965 Chicago and Generation X: A Separate Identity New York City 2005.
In the first wave, the first of the migratory Indians, who traveled to Northern California for agricultural work, are summarized. Some examples are Lala Har Dayal and Taraknath Das, both well known Hindus who studied at Stanford. Lala Har Dayal founded the Ghadr Party,whose aim was to gain Indian independence from Great Britain, in 1912.
In the second wave, Das high lights the growing gap between migratory generations. Such gaps are clear with a statement like this that opens the section; “The first Indian immigrants and the post-1965 Indian immigrants are two separate worlds. It is a class thing. They came from the farming, the lower class. We [come] from the educated middle-class. We [speak] English. We went to college. We were already assimilated in India
before we came here.”- Indian immigrant, post-1965
The last section, Generation X, is where Das, and millions of other Indian immigrants live now. This too can be blanketed with this quote; “So not quite Indian, and not quite American. Usually I felt more along the lines of Alien...The only times I retreated to one or the other description were when my peers didn’t understand me (then I figured it was because I was too Indian) or when my family didn’t get it (clearly because I was too American).”83 - Dimple Lala, Born Confused
Still humbly modest about this great project, seen to fruition by publication, Das states "this snapshot of my family’s experience in the United States does not seem a significant achievement". A small book, 92 pages, with a large story, the story of how Indians have assimilated into American culture.
Elfster, December 1, 2009
Elfster Recommends: Books
by Julie Negrel
Leah Beth wrote and illustrated “A Different Kind of Hero” at the age of 12 after a lesson about the rain forest. The story is about a monkey named Tomagochi and a problem in the rain forest,” Leah Beth said. “He doesn’t believe he has anything special about him. The rest you have to read about it.”
Mommy PR, November 29, 2009
Red in the Flower Bed: Children's Book Review
by Dawn Speese
Taking on a subject that is near and dear to my heart Red in the Flower Bed, by Andrea Nepa is an adorable children’s book about interracial adoption.
The story follows a seed’s journey from her original home to her final destination with her new garden family where, although different, she is a perfect fit. The book is beautifully written in a simple and touching way.
I read the story to my 6 year old daughter who has been home with us for two years and she also loved it. I was not sure how she would react since she always gets emotional if she feels like someone is losing something or being left out. She did not relate the book to herself, but was very happy for the flower seed who safely settled into her new home, and since she loves flowers she enjoyed the illustrations as well. When we finished the story I was able to use it to open discussion with my daughter about how even though the seed did not start out with this flower family, she was very well loved and completed the family just like she herself completes our family.
About the author: Andrea Nepa is the author of Red in the Flower Bed: An Illustrated Children’s Story about Interracial Adoption. She is the mother of an daughter adopted from Vietnam in 2001. In 2008 Andera wrote and dedicated this book to her daughter Leah.
My thoughts: This is a fantastic book to add to your child’s book collection and a wonderful gift for any family that has been touched by adoption. I am always on the lookout for ways to encourage open discussions with my daughter and this book is a perfect tool for helping with that!
Money Saving Moms Club, November 28, 2009
2009 Holiday Gift Guide
by Kristin
Red in the Flower Bed: An Illustrated Children's Story about Interracial Adoption
The journey of adoption is beautifully depicted with the comforting imagery of a poppy flower who is welcomed into a garden family. It is a charming story of "seeds" being planted in the perfect place - exactly where they belong. Children and adults will enjoy this simple yet meaningful story and homespun illustrations. The book's loving approach helps children to understand adoption. Andrea Nepa has captured the essence of adoption and family, and has illustrated it beautifully with images and poetry that even a small child can comprehend and enjoy.
Confessions of an Overworked Mom, November 26, 2009
Review: A Different Kind of Hero
by Ellen Christian
A Different Kind of Hero is an adorable children's book about a little brown monkey who think's he's nothing special. His friend's are beautiful and multi-colored and he's just a plain small brown monkey. When his home is threatened, he proves to himself just how special he is when he fights off the intruders in his rainforest.
This children's book has beautiful color pictures throughout and is sure to keep your child's attention while teaching a special message - just how important we all are. This would make a really special gift for the child in your life.
Book Dragon's Lair, November 24, 2009
Three New Review Books
by Gina
Red in the Flower Bed
An Illustrated Children's Story about Interracial Adoption
The journey of adoption is beautifully depicted with the comforting imagery of a poppy flower who is welcomed into a garden family. It is a charming story of "seeds" being planted in the perfect place - exactly where they belong. Children and adults will enjoy this simple yet meaningful story and homespun illustrations. The book's loving approach helps children to understand adoption. Andrea Nepa has captured the essence of adoption and family, and has illustrated it beautifully with images and poetry that even a small child can comprehend and enjoy.
Second Chance
How Adoption Saved a Boy with Autism & His Shelter Dog
Over the past 10 years, author Sandra Gerencher has been on a mission to save dogs from high-kill animal shelters. Her first rescue was P.J., the black and white Pomeranian in the story. She also adopted the orange Pomeranians Shelby and Lil Rascal, and of course, Chance, the big black Rottweiler/German Shepherd mix. All characters in the story are based on Sandra's real life family. The book is filled with softly blended watercolor photos of her loved ones. Her most significant adoption was her son, Terry. He was considered a special needs child because he was born with a genetic disorder known as Fragile X Syndrome. The disorder can cause many cognitive disorders, such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, mental retardation and depression.
Nine Things Nathan Noticed at Night
Nine great things happen when the sun sets for the evening. Each page includes a statement about what is happening and then some fun facts and information about that event. Written from a Christian perspective, the story describes how God made things when He created the Earth. While the story was written specifically for ages 3-8, children of all ages will enjoy this book. Even adults can admire the beautiful watercolor artwork.
3 Peas in a Pod, November 21, 2009
Red in the Flower Bed: An Illustrated Children's Story about Interracial Adoption
by Alyson LaBarge
To go along with National Adoption Month, I have come across a wonderful book, written by an adoptive mom. Her name is Andrea Nepa and she is the author of Red in the Flower Bed: An Illustrated Children’s Story about Interracial Adoption.
The journey of adoption is beautifully depicted with the comforting imagery of a poppy flower who is welcomed into a garden family. It is a charming story of seeds being planted in the perfect place – exactly where they belong. Children and adults will enjoy this simple yet meaningful story and homespun illustrations. The book’s loving approach helps children to understand adoption.
I read it and loved it immediately. As the Mama to a foreign-born child myself, and one who knew the moment my daughter was placed in my arms that my family was complete, this story resonated especially true. I have shared it with my daughter who, although she is only three, loved the bright cheery colors and tender message of the book. Andrea, the author of the book, was kind enough to allow me to interview her.
What inspired you to write this story? How did you come to choose adoption?
Thanks for the interview. I was inspired to write this story when my daughter Leah was a toddler, because she asked questions about her adoption that we didn’t know the answer to (we were not given any info. about her biological parents), and because she sometimes would cry that she missed her birth mother. Although she really didn’t know her birth mother (she was given up the day she was born), I took this to mean that she felt abandoned by someone very close to her. It must be upsetting and confusing for a child to know this. I wanted Leah to know that she was very much wanted and loved by us, but that we would never ask her to forget her roots. The story took on more significance when she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 5. Since my husband and I are both health professionals, and live 20 minutes from the best children’s hospital in the country (and probably the world), it seemed that she was meant to be with us. In fact, I work at that hospital and that is where Leah was cured (actually she has been in “remission” for 2 1/2 years).
Did you choose to not use the word “adoption” in the story on purpose?
I deliberately did not use the word adoption in the story so that the reader can interpret the book in their own way at their own pace according to their age level.
When you decided to adopt your daughter internationally did you feel that there would be challenges unique to becoming parents of a child with a different cultural background?
As far as adopting a child of a different cultural background, our adoption agency encourages all international adopters to learn about their child’s culture of birth.
How have you chosen to help her have pride in her birth heritage?
We were in Vietnam for 2 weeks when we adopted her, and participate in Asian New Year events, etc. and take Leah to Vietnamese restaurants (along with other ethnic restaurants, too). We enjoy learning about Vietnamese culture, too, which makes these experiences positive. Leah is proud to call herself Vietnamese, but I do remind her that she is also American, so that she feels that she belongs here too.
As your daughter grows older, have you found any unique challenges from being a multi-cultural family?
So far we have not encountered much prejudice, and there are a lot of Asian adoptees in our neighborhood and school system. Leah doesn’t seem bothered by the fact that she doesn’t look like us, but this might change when she is older. She does seem a little jealous, though, that I look like my twin sister!
Those who choose to adopt internationally go through many of the same requirements and experiences as do those who adopt domestically and I found Red in the Flower Bed to be very applicable to my oldest daughter who we adopted here in Texas as well.
We read the book together and she could really seem to relate to the thought process of how she needed to come be a part of our family, just like the seed. It was a great jumping off point for some conversation about her birth mom and how we could not be a family with out her.
There are many children’s books relating to adoption that can help families talk about their feelings and begin conversation that just come as part of the territory when you become a parent of adopted children.
Page Turners, November 20, 2009
Interview with Andrea Howells and Leah Beth Evans
by Amber Clark
I recently read two children's books, written by two young authors. I can't imagine my kids writing and publishing a book, so I wanted to ask these young ladies a few questions. I will be posting my review of their books in the next few days.
Andrea Howells
At what age did you start writing?
10
Do you plan on writing more books?
On different topics, most likely.
Where did you get the idea for your story?
It came from a dream and from all my other readings.
Did you help with the design (book cover, illustration)?
Yes, I designed the cover and the art work.
What are your favorite things to write about?
Fantasy - like werewolves and I'm currently into Steampunk.
Leah Beth Evans
At what age did you start writing?
I began writing before i even went to kindergarten.
Do you plan on writing more books?
I have actually written quite a few other stories.I hope to someday get them published.
Where did you get the idea for your story?
I thought of it after reading about the rainforest in my 4th grade class.
Did you help with the design (book cover, illustration)?
No, all credit goes to Colleen Gedrich for this question. She did such a wonderful job!
What are your favorite things to write about?
I like writing about anything that just comes to my mind. But generally my writing consists of children's stories, religious and artistic poems (music, theatre, etc.) that i can relate to, and occasionally mystery stories.
Scranton Times-Tribune, November 18, 2009
Teachers learning local history
by Sarah Hofius Hall
Area social studies teachers received a lesson in local history Tuesday.
"You can't learn about 'there' unless you learn about 'here,'" said William Gershey, a curriculum consultant for the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit, the sponsor of the class. "This area had an impact on national history. I don't think students understand that."
Organizers of the workshop hope the lessons on railroad, coal and architecture are passed on to area students.
The workshop at the Albright Memorial Library was the fifth in a series of history lessons for teachers.
After sessions with local history authors including Mary Slaby (pen name Molly Roe) author of Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires the 21 teachers toured the library and Scranton Cultural Center.
While fourth-grade students generally learn about local and state history, the organizers of Tuesday's workshop hope to see high school students, who must complete senior projects, consider projects based on local history, said Thomas Kennedy, a curriculum consultant with the intermediate unit.
Montrose High School teacher Mike Boccella, who teaches American history to ninth-grade students, said he hopes to incorporate more local history in his classroom.
"This area in Northeast Pennsylvania has a very rich history I think that's often neglected," Mr. Boccella said.
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers, November 17, 2009
Family Ties: Second Chance by Sandra J. Gerencher
by Gina
Hello, everyone! Post number two of the day (yay, me!), and what do you know, we have a book review! This one is definitely a great read for all ages. A heart-warming story for this special time of year....or any time for that matter. Let's get right done to business, shall we? Today's book of choice is Second Chance: How Adoption Saved a Boy with Autism & His Shelter Dog by Sandra J. Gerencher.
Meet Chance. He is the current "roommate" of Ruffles at the animal shelter. That's right, Chance is a dog. As it turns out, he's not just any dog either. He has been chosen by a new "mommy" for a forever home, her home. Along with a cast of other rescued souls, his new Mommy shares her endless love with her young son, Ryan. Ryan is a special child, apart from the fact that he has Autism. Ryan's special factor lies in how he came to be with his current family. You see, Ryan and Chance are very much alike. They both have had to adjust to new surroundings; both have had several "mothers" throughout their lives. Above all else, their common bond lies in the fact that they were both....adopted. Follow along with Chance as he learns the ins and outs of his new domain, discovers the amazing connection amongst his new family, and finally learns the true meaning of a forever home. A touching story for readers of all ages, and an eye opening look at new ways to open our hearts.
I must say that I was thoroughly surprised by this one! I did not anticipate the narrator being Chance, but it definitely worked for the story. How cute is it to see a book from a dog's perspective? (Oh, I forgot, you probably haven't read it yet...but trust me, it is definitely an experience.) Knowing that this "tail" (pun intended) is based on true life events makes it all the more memorable. Another interesting aspect (in my humble opinion) is the fact that the human characters take a backseat to the animals throughout most of the story. You meet P.J., Little Rascal, and Shelby (or as I like to call them the "Pom Squad") (yes, they are Pomeranians) throughout the course of Chance's thoughts. My favorite scene, although so hard to pick, was when young Ryan explains adoption to Chance. Due to his special abilities, Ryan is able to communicate with his furry pals better than most, and so this conversation is especially heart-warming. He explains that their new mommy made "the unselfish decision to adopt" and that this means they are "loved forever." Now how can you truly compete with a message like that? (WARNING: Have a tissue handy, just in case you get weepy eyed....it's not said, just heart-breakingly sincere and beautiful.) (Oh, one last note, a portion of the proceeds for each book sold go to the Humane Society....a very fitting and noble cause, if I do say so myself.)
From the Heart, November 17, 2009
Review: But Then Again I Could Be Wrong
by Scarlett Haines
This book was so good. I thought it would be alright but nope it was soo good. Jim Rising has got to be one of the coolest guys around.
The book is short but it is full of humour.
I found Jim Rising to be a fascinating guy and his book is pure genius. There's little else I can say about the book. Definitely check it out.
From the Heart, November 14, 2009
Review: What Was I Thinking?
by Scarlett Haines
This book is so funny. And incredibly interesting. When I read the description I knew I would enjoy this book. So basically, I wanted to read it for a change of pace.
As I'm getting married next month I thought this one would be really interesting to read to see what I was missing out on in the dating scene. And Annie Earley was a very interesting woman and she met some very interesting people online.
There's not much more that I can say about What Was I Thinking? other than it is a really interesting and good light read. Anyone looking for a book about the not so great side of online dating then this book would definitely suit you.
I've read a few other reviews of this book after reading it and the ones I found were all negative which I thought was unfortunate but at the end of the day you cannot please everyone.
3 Boys and a Dog, November 12, 2009
Girls 13 to 15 Holiday Gift Guide
by Kelli Miller
This was a good book! But then, I am a reader. As a homeschooling mom, books are a major part of my life and the lives of my kids. :-) The book seemed a little drawn out, like the author needed to reach a certain word count, but all in all I give it an “A”.
Page Turners, November 11, 2009
Call Me Sonya Grey
by Amber Clark
This collection of poems written by a young girl, beginnings at age nine, and finally by the young woman she becomes. She started writing following the death of her mother and the poems explore her fears, guilt, anger and wonder surrounding her life.
Her writing is intriguing and I found myself reading faster to get to the next phase of her life. She explores her emotions and some of them are very painful. She puts her emotions out there for all to read as only a young girl can. My heart breaks for her as she works through what is happening around her in terms of family and coming to terms with growing up and becoming an independent woman.
Page Turners, November 11, 2009
In Mind: A Collection of Poetry
by Amber Clark
This anthology, written by a 16 year-old girl from India, covers six years of her life. It is broken up into 9 sections and encompasses different phases of her life. The sections include the titles “First Drafts”, “A Writer’s Hands”, “In Mind”, “Fantasy Moments”, “It’s not me, it’s you”, “Pondering”, “Daydreams and Nightmares”, “Wandering Home”, and “Intercepted Conversations”. I was excited to read the words of a teen and get her perspective on life as she was experiencing it.
The first few poems are obviously written by a young person. The word choice and lack of formal structure are not an issue. They seem to be written in a stream of consciousness manner and remind me of listening to a teenager talk. The early poems are simplistic in form and topic. As the poet ages, the tone of the poems changes and becomes more emotionally focused rather than on topics outside the poet.
I enjoyed the earlier poems, but as the poems and poet matured, I was less involved with the words. I felt that she was trying too hard to make the poems profound and deep rather than letting the poems happen, and I found myself struggling to get through some of them. However, I think this poet demonstrates a lot of potential in her writing, and I believe teens may find themselves in her words through similar experiences.
All American Mommy, November 11, 2009
Holiday Must-Haves for Kids
by Tonia Butterworth
Tribute Books offers many great ideas for children's books! A Different Kind of Hero: The rainforest is under attack. One monkey is determined to save it. His name is Tomagochi. He’s brown. He’s small. He’s plain. But when a group of men enters the rainforest armed with bulldozers and axes, Tomagochi the monkey springs into action to defend his natural habitat. While larger animals like Peshe the tiger run and hide, Tomagochi charges into battle. Will he be victorious? Will the rainforest be saved? Join Tomagochi as he fights to protect his home and discovers just how special he truly is.
Fantasy Pages, November 11, 2009
Guest: Molly Roe
by Denyse Bridger
This week begins an on-going feature for authors with TRIBUTE BOOKS. In the coming weeks I will be introducing you to the talented poets & historical authors with this wonderful independent press. My first guest is Molly Roe, who has written a wonderful novel entitled Call Me Kate which I think will be enjoyed by anyone who reads history, and history-based fiction. So, before we get to the interview, let me introduce you to the author:
MOLLY ROE (pen name for Mary Garrity Slaby)
Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires
Molly Roe is the pen name of Mary Garrity Slaby, a veteran language arts & reading teacher at Lake-Lehman Junior Senior High School. Mary holds a Ph.D. in education from Temple University, and Pennsylvania teaching certification in six areas. She has pursued the hobby of genealogy for the past decade. Mary was born in Philadelphia, raised in Schuylkill County, and currently lives in Dallas, Pennsylvania with her husband, John. They are parents of two grown children, Melissa and John Garrett, cover illustrator of Call Me Kate. Digging into the past has given Mary newfound respect for her ancestors and a better understanding of history. Call Me Kate is the first in the author’s trilogy of historical novels loosely based on the lives of the strong women who preceded her.
The interview:
1. Have you always been drawn to history, or did something in particular trigger the idea for an historical novel?
Certain historical eras have always intrigued me, but overall I was never a history buff. Genealogical research led to discovery of a connection between my great grandparents and the Molly Maguires, a big topic in local Pennsylvania history. Once started, I continued delving into topics related to the Mollies: labor unions, immigration, and the Great Hunger in 18th century Ireland.
2. Do you feel that fiction and fact are well married in historical fiction, or does the make-believe overshadow rather than enhance the reality of history?
I am a strong proponent of historical fiction and definitely believe it enhances reality. My readers have told me that they were fascinated by the glimpses of daily life in the coal patches and are looking forward to my next book to learn more. People who would never pick up a book about anthracite mining will learn many facts about the industry in Call Me Kate, but the facts are couched in a heart-wrenching, suspenseful story.
3. How much research has gone into your book? A lifetime, or was the researching done as it was required throughout the process of creating your book?
I began researching when my son was a freshman in high school and he is now 26, but those dozen years went quickly! I also had to dig up expert information during the writing. My writing group friends kept me busy checking details that they were curious about. Researching is very enjoyable activity for me. I am currently researching the mine fire in the town of Centralia, and the Molly murders in that area.
4. What “message” do you feel you are trying to convey with your work, or is there one?
There are several messages, but a primary one is: Respect your immigrant ancestors- they gave you the life you have today.
5. What would you like to tell readers about your specific book that would encourage them to buy it and experience it for themselves?
Call Me Kate has a nice mixture of history, adventure, suspense, emotionality, and humor. It informs the younger generation about the rigors of nineteenth century life, but it also sparks memories in the older generation who lived during the era when coal was king. That quality makes it a great gift to share with young and old alike.
Scranton Times-Tribune, November 9, 2009
Sweeney's name enshrined at Civil War museum
by Roger Dupuis II
On the seventh day, members of the Sweeney family always knew where to find dad.
"He spent every Sunday at the historical society," Kara Sweeney said of her father, Alan.
The former president of the Lackawanna Historical Society - a beloved fixture at the group's Catlin House on Monroe Avenue - died of cancer in December at age 55.
"If he wasn't there, he was upstairs, reading his history books," his daughter recalled.
As dusk fell Sunday, Mr. Sweeney's family and friends gathered in the pastel-hued basement of Scranton City Hall to help cement his own place in the book of local history.
The warren of rooms that once housed the city's police headquarters became the new home last year of a century-old Civil War museum, thanks to the efforts of Mr. Sweeney and other dedicated volunteers. On Sunday, the space was rechristened "Alan Sweeney Hall" in his memory.
"I think he wouldn't like everyone making a fuss over him," Ms. Sweeney said. "But I think he would be proud."
Speaker after speaker - friends, family, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty - recalled a low-key kind of guy whose passion for local history was matched only by his reticence toward self-promotion and the limelight.
Mr. Doherty said Mr. Sweeney came to him three years ago when the museum - which had been on the second floor of the historic GAR Building at Penn Avenue and Linden Street since 1904 - needed a new home. Mr. Sweeney asked Mr. Doherty whether the basement of City Hall was available after the Police Department's relocation to a modern facility on South Washington Avenue.
Mr. Sweeney assured the mayor that group members would see to renovations.
"It was characteristic Alan," the mayor said. "He said it would be no big deal."
He was right.
Members of the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Association of Scranton, which runs the museum, quietly went about putting in new carpets and painting the walls to ready 1,000 square feet of space for their collection of artifacts and literature related to the War Between the States.
In late 2007 the group signed a 10-year lease and began work. A grand reopening ceremony was held Nov. 1, 2008.
"Alan was that rare person who just wanted to make a difference and make everything nice in the city he lived in," Mr. Doherty said. "And he loved history. He embodied history."
The mayor on Sunday presented a commemorative plaque to Mr. Sweeney's widow, Judy, and daughters Kara, 20, and Rachel, 21, before the two young women unveiled a larger plaque in the hall outside the museum's rooms.
About two dozen people then trekked across the street to a reception at the Scranton Club, and a speech by local history columnist Cheryl Kashuba, who teared up during remarks about the man she described as "a mentor and a true friend."
When she first went to volunteer at the historical society, Ms. Kashuba said she expected to find a place that was "staid and stuffy."
"How wrong I was," she explained with a smile. "It was a hopping joint."
She credited much of that energy to Mr. Sweeney and his indefatigable passion for local lore. Indeed, he had a special place in his heart for the Civil War, Ms. Kashuba noted, but that was only one of his many well-plumbed niche interests.
"He could rattle off facts about railroading and coal mining," she said. "He was a walking history book."
In addition to his work with the historical society, Mr. Sweeney wrote books about local history, lobbied for library funding and historic preservation and served on numerous fraternal and civic boards, including that of the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority.
No small feat, that, considering Mr. Sweeney was not a professional historian but a district sales manager for Schiff's Food Service who joked with self-effacing humor about how he sold "french fries for a living."
"He didn't think of himself as important," LVHA Executive Director Natalie Solfanelli said. "He was so down-to-earth. I can't tell you how I miss him."
Ms. Kashuba agreed.
"Alan left us too soon," she said. "It's that simple."
ABOVE: Jason Farmer / Staff Photographer: Rachael Sweeney, left, and Kara Sweeney reveal a plaque in the Civil War museum in Scranton City Hall in memory of their father, former Lackawanna Historical Society President Alan Sweeney.
Blazing Trailers, November 8, 2009
Meet Jay Luke
by Kim McDougall
Interview with Jay Luke, author of When Coal was Queen. Read an excerpt and watch the trailer at Blazing Trailers.
Why do you write?
I write because like most people, it provides an outlet for me. It’s a great way to vent and get things off my chest. Some people aren’t fortunate enough to use their artistic talents in that way. I find it’s like a form of therapy. Some people end up doing very regrettable things when they have no outlet, so I feel lucky that I have writing, my music, and painting as a form of escapism for life’s daily frustrations.
What kind of promotions do you do for your books?
I have been very fortunate to have a great publishing company behind me (Tribute Books) that have kept me in the press quite a bit since my book has been released. They’ve set me up with plenty of book signings, television appearances, newspaper articles and interviews, etc. I try to be as available as my schedule allows me when I’m not working or performing with my band. I love to be able to network and connect with people as often as I can. It reminds you why you get into writing and art in the first place.
Who do you think you are?
I guess there are a million labels that can be put on anyone but more than anything I consider myself an artist. I love to write, play music, paint, and create. So I think the simplest answer to describe myself in a nutshell is an artist, as it encompasses all of my passions without pushing me into a corner. There’s a great degree of freedom to know that art is everywhere and each day is like a blank canvas for us to paint in any way we choose. Some people just choose not to pick up the brush.
What would you tell aspiring writers about the publishing business?
My advice is to always listen to your heart, because if you listen to everyone else you’ll find your creativity and desire in a grave. Criticism is fine but don’t let it deter your vision or dreams. In my estimation, success comes with unshakable perseverance and determination. You have to be willing to get your feelings hurt and not let it destroy you. Personally, when someone says I can’t do something I go out of my way to try to prove them wrong and it fuels me to accomplish goals.
The late Randy Pausch said it better than almost anyone I can recall in his book, The Last Lecture when he said, “Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want something badly enough. They are there to keep out the other people.”
I try to let that statement be my mantra through life. It’s a blueprint for success.
Do you belong to a critique group? How has this helped or hindered your writing? What do you see for the future of publishing and e-books?
I don’t belong to a critique group but I do know who to turn to for honest advice and brutal truth. I think it is very important to have people to turn to for advice and direction-pointing at times. It’s great to have self confidence but it’s also good to learn from others that you respect. You don’t always have to take their advice but getting different viewpoints makes you a well rounded writer. You might get into a conversation with someone and then realize a whole portion of your book needs to be rewritten. For as many times you reread your work you’d be amazed that all it takes is for someone else to glance through it to pick out mistakes that you missed a million times.
As for the future of publishing, I think there will always be a market for having printed books. Music, movies and magazines have all felt the massive wrath the internet has dealt them, but I am pretty confident that printed books will always have a place in the world. E-books are gaining popularity but there’s just something about holding the physical book and turning the pages on your own that has a certain romance to it.
They say authors have immensely fragile egos. How would you handle negative criticism or a negative review?
As I said, if you try to please everyone else you’ll find the one person who gets the least satisfaction is you. Negative reviews are something you have to deal with in all walks of life no matter what your job is. You can’t be loved by everyone, not even God can claim universal acceptance. I think the fact of the matter is most people have an easier time talking about what they dislike more than what they like. So you have to accept that people will like your work and people will dislike your work. A bad review can be disappointing but I try to let my heart be my guide. Sometimes critics like to slam others out of jealously or because of their own failures in the writing world, so I might have developed a thicker skin than others. They can be brutal in the music world and I have learned to let it roll off my back. I just put my helmet on and run like hell towards the next goal. My advice is to not live your life by the viewpoint of critics, be true to yourself and you’ll never be let down.
Technically speaking, what do you struggle with most when writing? How do you tackle it?
I think most often the answer here would be writers’ block, but over time you learn when you get in a quandary it’s best to step away for awhile and do something else. I try to keep my writing fresh and not reuse a lot of phrases or repeated quotes. So coming up with new ways to say certain things can be a great challenge in writing. You’re not going to reinvent the wheel but it is nice to have a few different ways to say things to avoid a stale sounding piece. Certain people think time schedules and feeling rushed can also be a big problem, but I was always the kid in school that waited until the very last minute to do anything. Knowing the deadline is approaching is when I really get my motivation. The creativity seems to be the purest for me in moments like that.
Do you have a website/blog where readers may learn more about you and your work?
Yes, I’ve been trying to keep all of my social networking pages updated with all my goings on such as shows, book signings, and appearances. I can be found at:
www.myspace.com/jayluke
www.facebook.com/jaylukepage
www.twitter.com/jay_luke
Do you have another book in the works? Would you like to tell readers about your current or future projects?
My next book will be a thriller novel with some very exciting twists and turns about two childhood friends that live very different lives in a big city, and each go on to accomplish incredible things that seem impossible. I am hoping it will be finished by 2010.
Thanks for visiting Blazing Trailers, Luke!
24/7 Moms, November 7, 2009
Call Me Kate
by Trisha Novotny
Like most teen girls my two daughters enjoy reading fiction. So, when introduced to Molly Roe's new historical fiction book Call Me Kate - I as the mom thought WOW what a great opportunity for my girls to read books they enjoy and at the same time learn a about history.
Being that historical fiction is typically based on real historical events, but in which the characters are not real, and the minor events may not be realistic. So a sort of mix of fiction and history.
Page Turners, November 6, 2009
Red in the Flower Bed
by Amber Clark
Great story, to discuss adoption (interracial adoptions), I loved the illustrations. There really isn't much I can say about this book, that hasn't already been said in the synopsis. I was excited about reading this book, my mom was adopted and we have family members who have recently adopted. I will definitely, tell them about this book.
The poppy seed has to leave its home; it is carried by the wind. The poppy seed finally lands in a garden. It blooms into a beautiful red poppy. The color red was missing from the garden, so adding a red flower made the garden a rainbow of colors.
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers, November 6, 2009
Scranton: The Electric City by Alyssa Amori
by Gina
Taking a nostalgic walk down memory lane today...okay, a walk down a path that ran right by my memory lane...to sample the simpler and more familiar things in life. Memories of home and days gone by (hey, not that many days...I'm not THAT old....just enough days to be in the past). Today's pick is....
Scranton: The Electric City by Alyssa Amori
A pictorial tribute to a place that meshes both golden and modern times, Scranton: The Electric City provides a little piece of home for those that have been there, or a tantalizing look at what those who haven't, have been missing....depending on your view. (Score one for longest run on sentence!)
This is one of those books you keep on a coffee table...not because it is the size of one, but because you love to look through the pictures held within. You feel the desire to share those same said pictures with guests that grace your living room or sitting area. Their beauty, the light, the architecture, the simple quality that is threaded throughout their gathering and assembly. It easily takes you to the city to get a birds eye view of some of the most beloved and memorable places the area has to offer.
Ah yes...another one that definitely brought back memories of childhood. Some of the places shown, I have actually visited and they are as lovely as the pictures reveal. It amazing how your memory actually works. I mean, your mind is like a giant camera. (well more like a video camera with sound and picture options, but you get the idea) snapping various photographs of your life. How well you remember each one and keep it living in bright technicolor clarity all depends on if you were there in the moment. For example, if you are taking a test whether it be in high school, college, or a work program, you are there under pressure and "forced" to focus on the task...try remembering one in detail. Struggling, right? Now picture your most memorable moment of a summer gone by....ah ha! See, you could instantly bring to mind the summer experience down to the feel of the sand under your feet (or whatever your memory was) whereas with the test memory, you probably were vaguely able to recall the question you were trying to answer. Being in the moment made it that much more for your life experience. Now, off the heavy stuff, on to more fun!
Favorite pictures? You bet!
 The Albright Memorial Library (big surprise right?)! Though I've never been there (that I recall, unless I was REALLY little), the outside is gorgeous! I'm not a historical architecture buff by no means, but it brings to mind castles and old Paris (just my take on it probably). That older rustic (not the right word....umm, maybe old-worldy...) look was popular in my home town as well....old cities = old buildings. As much as I love new sites, new structures, new stuff in general....I have to love the classics as well. There is a certain class, a grandeur if you will, that goes along with them. (See the picture at right? That's it! Nice, huh?)
Oh, oh, and they include a look at Nay Aug Park (totally didn't realize that was in Scranton)! We went there many times in my youth....nature, swimming (pool...no fishies swimming with me, thank you), and a small animal exhibit of sorts. Then there's Montage Mountain....summer home of water slide fun, winter home of skiers everywhere. PNC Field....we use to watch Red Barron (baseball) games there! Looks like it's been upgrades to the "home of the Yankees". Awesome!
Special notes from the publisher's site that I felt really should be passed on (just in case you didn't click the link in the title)...
Alyssa’s ultimate hope is to get the book into the hands of as many Scranton service men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan as possible. The book is designed to provide the troops with a much welcome glimpse of home.
Tribute Books will donate $1 for every copy sold to the memorial fund for the son of the late Sgt. Jan Argonish of Peckville, PA.
So whether you've been there, done that, and missing it like crazy (mE, Me, ME!)...or you are a fan of location based pictorial histories (yep, made up my own genre there...no, but seriously...), this is a book that (I feel at least) can be enjoyed by one and all.
eGalley copy made available for review by Nicole at Tribute Books! (Thanks!) Tribute Books can also be found on Twitter (yep...another "tweeple" to add to your publisher lists) so take a moment to check them out!
A Bookworm's World, November 6, 2009
Scranton: The Electric City by Alyssa Amori
by Luanne Ollivier
When I hear "Scranton" I immediately think of the television show The Office - set in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
But Alyssa Amori's photographic essay, Scranton The Electric City, gives a face to the name. It is those who live in a community that really see and know it the best and are able to show us the beauty of their surroundings.
I am always fascinated by architecture - it gives you such a wonderful glimpse into the history of a city or town.
Amori has covered it all, featuring shots covering the downtown area, new additions, parks and recreation, religion, statues, sports, the annual St. Patrick's Day parade and much, much more. Some of my favourites (go figure) were the Albright Memorial Library and the Lackawanna County Children's Library. Both are older, distinguished buildings, promising a suitable home for books! I was surprised by some of the pictures - great ski resort - who knew? And impressed by others - The David J. Wenzel Handicapped- Accessible Treehouse was a marvel. Scranton has a rich coal mining history as well.
There are over 100 full colour, glossy photographs. All are labeled, but I wish there was some text included. I would have liked to read the history behind some of the photographs.
 "Alyssa Amori first became interested in photography while living in Redondo Beach, CA during the early 1980s, having been inspired in large part by the region's abundant natural beauty. Returning to Scranton, she eventually showed off the best of her California work in a show at the Lackawanna County Courthouse. In late 2006, Amori returned to photography taking over 3,000 photos of the Northeast Pennsylvania area with a Cannon XTI digital camera. Currently, Amori is taking courses through the New York Institute of Photography in addition to her career at Moses Taylor Hospital as a certified pharmacy technician."
What I found interesting was Amori's goal - "Alyssa’s ultimate hope is to get the book into the hands of as many Scranton service men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan as possible. The book is designed to provide the troops with a much welcome glimpse of home. Amori is looking for individuals or groups willing to either provide addresses or donations to finance the printing and mailing of the books to the troops." And her publisher - Tribute Books - is also donating a portion of every book sold to another cause close to Amori's heart - The Jakub Fund - a memorial fund for the son of the late Sgt. Jan Argonish of Peckville, PA.
Email Alyssa or visit Alyssa's web site. You can find Alyssa on Facebook as well.
Want a sneak peek? Click here.
Scranton the Electric City was a General Photography finalist in the 2008 USA Book News awards.
Peek-a-Boo(k), November 6, 2009
But Then Again I Could Be Wrong: The Book of Rants
by Pratima Jayaram
I received this book last month as a review copy from Tribute Books. Thanks to Nicole for sending across this copy to me!
Jim Rising, the author, is the program director of 102.3 The Mountain WDMT and hosts a weekly show called "Rising at Ten". This book is a collection of some of these shows from the past few years.
As the title suggests, this book is nothing but full of rants. It's not really stand-up comedy, so don't expect to have a hearty laugh. But it's quite funny and a good source of entertainment. It's a collection of Jim's personal experiences and mundane activities and other random life situations which are presented in a humorous way..The nice part of the book is that Jim talks about those small things in life which we usually think about...He has a very unique take on life and it makes you wonder if he is reading into your thoughts!
Each of the rants is just about 2 pages long and that makes it an easy read. Some of them are extremely hilarious while a few others have some inspiring & thoughtful messages. However, I did find a few of them quite boring and bland which I just skipped through. Jim's style is quite different, so it takes a bit of getting used to, in order to understand his sense of humor. 10-20 snippets down the line, I got a hang of it and enjoyed reading it...
I feel that an audio version of this book would be a better choice, something that you can listen to while driving or doing some mindless tasks ...for those times when you don't want to stretch your mind a lot...
Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal, November 2009
Achievements
Pegasus at the Plow: A Poetry Collection by Patrick Walker of Factoryville is the winner of honorable mention in the Rebecca’s Reads Fall 2009 Written Art awards in the nonfiction: poetry category. RebeccasReads.com hosts the Written Art awards, a biannual literary awards program that takes place in the spring and fall of every year. It has been founded to pay tribute to authors who have had their books published by an independent book publisher. All initial judging is done by RebeccasReads.com reviewers. Criteria for judging is content/originality, presentation/design, innovation, social relevance, production quality, enjoyment/impact, plot/story line, and resourcefulness (depending on category). Five finalists in each category are determined by a point system. Final judging is determined by a jury of judges.
Pennsylvania Magazine, November/December 2009
Book Reviews
When Coal Was Queen
This book is a tribute to people, past and present, of this coal-mining community in Lackawanna County. Locals of Olyphant called their home the Queen City, when in the late 1800s and first half of the 1900s coal was the primary fuel used by most of the nation's businesses and homes.
Among the famous natives of the city are Nestor Chylak, a baseball umpire for 25 years; Loretta Walsh, the first enlisted woman in the U.S. Navy (in 1917); and actresses Patricia Crowley and Judy McLane. The book will interest Lackawanna County historians.
Sweeps4Bloggers, November 3, 2009
The Evolution of an Identity by Diya Das
by Valerie Mitchell
When I read the description of this book, it looked very interesting to me. I like reading historical fiction and learning about culture and social issues.
It was only after I received the book that I realized that the author was born in 1991. Yes, 1991. The author is a teenager. Her own family experiences and her youth have given her a unique perspective. The story itself is fictional, but she has great insight into the experiences of Indian Immigrants in the US. I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope that Diya Das will continue with her writing career.
Kali's Blog, November 2, 2009
Answering the Call
by Kali Van Baale
November is National Adoption Awareness Month and November 21 is National Adoption Day—a campaign to raise awareness about the thousands of children, youth and pets waiting in foster care, orphanages around the world, and shelters for permanent loving families. A campaign particularly near and dear to my heart. We are a family who answered the call two years ago when my husband and I adopted our daughter, Gauri, from India.
I’m often asked what made us decide to adopt, and moreover, adopt internationally. I never feel like I’ve got a straight, easy answer. Every family’s decision and journey to adoption is different. Ours was certainly filled with plenty of twists and turns. The summer of 2005, with two healthy biological boys, my husband and I decided to try for a third. Boy or girl, we didn’t care. We just knew we wanted one more to properly fill out the craziness of our household.
Alas, heartbreak and disappointment abounded with two miscarriages, my third overall. It was an agonizing decision, but I couldn’t go through it again. I was done trying. We’d be a family of four. Only…we didn’t feel like a family of four. It was a nagging sense, like an unfinished sentence about our lives. After a time, my husband and I started to talk about how, in the early days of our marriage, we’d both mentioned how much we’d like to adopt a child. I generally don’t like to discuss our three lost babies, but I did, in that moment, have a strange sense that maybe we’d suffered those losses in order to find the child we were meant to have, wherever he or she was.
We quickly settled on international adoption, attracted to the idea of bringing another culture into our family, and simply followed our gut when we chose India. A year later, we had a referral for a little girl in an orphanage in Pune, a city where my husband’s company just happened to have an office. And this little girl just so happened to have the name Gauri—as in Goddess Gauri—a nurturing form of the Goddess Kali. And if that weren’t enough, it just so happened that our Gauri was born July 16, 2005, five days before I lost the second baby, and she was relinquished by her birth mother in mid-September, five days before I lost the third baby. This wasn’t answering a call; it was practically a shovel whack over our heads. And here we are, two years later. As a writer, I sometimes can’t find the words to express what adopting Gauri has been like. Wonderful. Amazing. Frustrating. Fun. Hard. Scary.
But…oh, so worth it.
In the spirit of National Adoption Month, I recently read two really sweet books about adoption. The first, Red in the Flower Bed: An Illustrated Children’s Story About Interracial Adoption by Andrea Nepa, is a beautifully illustrated picture book about a seed that drops from a poppy flower onto ground too hard for it to grow. Soon the wind and change of seasons carries the seed to a garden where it is planted and soon blooms into a brilliant red poppy—the missing color to finally complete the garden family’s rainbow. (Short intermission as I dab my eyes.) The poetry of Red in the Flower Bed is simple but charming, and an easy way to introduce the concept of family diversity to a little one. An added bonus—a portion of each sale benefits Paul’s Kids Vietnam Children’s Charity.
The next book, Second Chance: How Adoption Save a Boy With Autism and His Shelter Dog by Sandra J. Gerencher, is told through the eyes of Chance, a rescued Rottweiler German Shepherd mix, and the bond he forms with Ryan, an adopted special needs boy who befriends him. Sensitively written with softly blended watercolor photos of the author’s loved ones, the story shows the positive effects of a stable, compassionate and loving home. An added bonus for pet lovers—a portion of each sale benefits the Human Society. Both paperbacks from Tribute Books retail for $12.95 and can be purchased on Amazon.com, and make great gifts for any newly adoptive family.
So here’s three cheers for National Adoption Month—whether you’re in the process of doing it, have done it, are thinking about it, or just plain think it’s great!
"I got more children than I can rightly take care of, but I ain’t got more than I can love."
–Ossie Guffy
Love After, October 28, 2009
Book Review: What Was I Thinking?! How Not to Date
by Annie Earley
by Jessica Linnell
After going through a divorce, Annie Earley found herself single again at 51. In her book, What Was I Thinking?! How Not to Date, Earley recalls her experience of being thrust back into the dating scene. Her comical, and sometimes painful, descriptions of men she met (mostly through online dating sites) leave the reader questioning: What WAS she thinking? But anyone who has dated, online or otherwise, should be able to relate. We’ve all been there. Putting up with inappropriate behavior from someone we’re dating or finding excuses for why we should give our relationship another chance instead of heeding the red flags and getting out sooner. From men wearing leg warmers to ones who tell corny jokes all night, Earley met all types, and she openly shares her experiences with readers.
Earley’s book provides great insight to women considering online dating, new to the online dating scene, or getting frustrated with their lack of success with dating. Readers will not only be entertained by Earley but learn some valuable safety tips and warning signs. Earley’s style of being up front with the men she dates online is a great example of how women should clearly communicate their feelings to the men they are dating. When Earley realizes she doesn’t intend to date a man longer, she calls him and tells him, instead of ignoring his phone calls or trying to send an email explaining the situation. This upfront style should be an example to all daters!
An easy read from start to finish, this book will entertain and teach. Learn from Earley’s mishaps and laugh at her misfortunes. This book is a great reminder that dating is an adventure—sometimes wonderful, sometimes laughable, and sometimes downright painful. Be sure to read through to the end, including the author bio section to find out how Earley’s dating experience ends.
Ask Wendy, October 26, 2009
10 Questions for ... Leah Beth Evans
Author & high school freshman
by Wendy Burt
Author Interview Leah Beth Evans
My name is Leah Beth Evans and I’m a freshman at Valley View High School. I live in the town of Peckville located in the state of PA. I enjoy composing songs and literature. I have one published book, a children's book, called A Different Kind of Hero.
Tell us about your latest book.
My latest published book A Different Kind of Hero is a fictional children’s book about a monkey who seeks out his special talent or prowess.
How did you get started as a writer?
Ever since I was young, I would write short story’s or poems. In fourth grade though, I was "influenced" by a nonfiction story I had read in class all about the rainforest. Soon after, I wrote A Different Kind of Hero.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My typical day consists of attending school, studying, writing, practicing the piano, and occasionally socializing with friends.
Describe your workspace.
I have a variety of workplaces. My computer desk, my kitchen table, and my bedroom.
Favorite books?
My favorite books consist of the Twilight series, The Diary of Anne Frank, Flowers for Algernon and Little Women.
Tell us 3 interesting/crazy things about you.
I am capable of writing with both hands, sometimes I sleep on the opposite end of my bed (helps me sleep better). I not only have a love for writing but also music/theatre.
Favorite quote?
I find all quotes to be special and creative and generally do not favor one over the other.
Best and worst part of being a writer?
The best part of being a writer is getting to fill just a simple sheet of paper with your own thoughts and feelings. The worst part of being a writer is being given a limit to writing. As a writer, I do not enjoy writing essays that have a limit of "at least 5 paragraphs" or "no more than 3 pages." As a writer, I believe that one should have the freedom of writing as much or as little as wanted. I believe a story should be written until the author feels it is complete, not when you are at your limit (3 pages or 5 paragraphs).
Advice for other writers?
Write what you feel and love creating. Writing is beautiful and should be enjoyed and appreciated.
Tell us a story about your writing experience.
When I started seventh grade my parents got my book published. It was an unforgetable day. One of my goals had been "achieved" and one of my dreams "come true."
Where can people buy your book?
My book can be purchased at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and Target.com. Also, fans can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/theatregirl2
Reading for Sanity, October 24, 2009
Red in the Flower Bed - Andrea Nepa
by Mindy Oja
Many children will be attracted to Red in the Flower Bed's beautifully simple, yet colorful illustrations. It shares a universal message about familial acceptance and love. In a broader sense, this book could be applied to fitting in everywhere with the message that we "bloom where we are planted."
I thought this story was very sweet, had great pictures. It's cute.
A great read for any adoptive families, interracial or not, with young readers.
Book Journey, October 23, 2009
Nine Things Nathan Noticed at Night by Christy Baldwin
by Sheila DeChantal
Night skies and little eyes ... a book of soft words and pictures with comforting scriptures for the little ones in your life.
- Sheila
Nine great things happen when the sun sets for the evening. Each page includes a statement about what is happening and then some fun facts and information about that event. Written from a Christian perspective, the story describes how God made things when He created the Earth. While the story was written specifically for ages 3-8, children of all ages will enjoy this book. Even adults can admire the beautiful watercolor artwork.
My Thoughts:
This book for young children is just a sweet read. It is small with great night pictures and short sentences and scriptures that will hold a young childs attention. I can almost picture a little 3 year olds eyes getting big at the latge moon and desriptions of the sounds of the crickets as they chirp you to a peaceful sleep.
I think this is just the perfect length for the little ones. The pictures have a water color look to them that compliments the authors words.
Book Place, October 22, 2009
Jay Luke Profile
by Morgan Mandel
Jay Luke is a musician and artist from Throop, Pa. A graduate from Marywood University, Jay is very active in all things art, whether it be through painting, performing with his band, or through his day job as a graphic designer. As a project engineer of the Olyphant Coal Miner Memorial Association, he has delved deeply into the origins of the area and the forgotten histories of the towns around him.
Passionate about not letting future generations forget their local origins, he took on this project to reconnect readers to the past. As writer and poet Wendell Berry once said, “The past is our definition. We may strive, with good reason, to escape it, or to escape what is bad in it, but we will escape it only by adding something better to it.”
Published work includes "When Coal Was Queen" from Tribute Books.
J.W. Nicklaus' Blog, October 22, 2009
An Interview with Fellow Ranter Jim Rising
by J.W. Nicklaus
Those everyday annoyances and head scratchers: bounced check fees, stupid drivers, escalating gas prices—or perhaps something not as common but equally as maddening, like mailing packages during the holidays.
Blogging offers us an outlet, a vehicle for getting those things off our chest which most likely afflict the rest of the blogging community. We comment on them, and in a sort of virtual ripple effect manage to impart at least the mere vestige of a catharsis upon lots of anonymous readers. However, some of us can’t help but let slip a written tirade once in a while—or most every day in Jim Rising’s case.
Mr. Rising has bundled his own take on the stalwart rant into a book entitled But Then Again I Could Be Wrong – The Book Of Rants. I saw “Rant” in the title and immediately knew I had to see what was up.
Rising’s rants aren’t nearly as acerbic or embittered as my blatherings. They approach the rant from a more entertaining perspective, sprinkled with humor and humanity. I was fortunate enough to have his publisher send me a copy of the book and to have Mr. Rising available for an interview as well.
I hope you’ll take a few moments to enjoy my interview with Jim Rising, and perhaps even leave a comment for him as well!
I’d like you to go waaaaay back, and recall your first rant. What was it about?
In my senior year in high school we moved from Burlington, VY, which was flowers and beads and hippies in the trees to Barre, VT, which was (to my mind) hard scrabble, carhart wearing, tobacco chewing nowheresville. The first day we had an anti-drug assembly and I wrote 1,000 words on it about how much I thought the Principal looked like an EVIL Telly Savalas. To my utter amazement they printed it in the school newspaper. Mostly because I think the editor had a crush on me.
Was this crush to be the now regionally famous “long suffering wife”?
Nope. To be honest I’m not sure what her name was…LSW is my second wife. Met her after 11 years of marriage # 1 and have been with her now for 25 years!
WOW! That’s highly commendable, respectable, and a slew of other “ables” I’m sure. That is, as you are keenly aware, no small feat. My genuine congratulations to you and the LSW for your marital longevity!
Have you always had a hunch that you were the ’soapbox’ type? When did you first have an inkling you were prone to fits of written or verbal browbeating?
I chose a career in radio where you could make fun of people with very little fear of reprisal. Being an avowed pacifist (read: Coward) this worked well for me.
I’m a big fan of the rant because I believe it showcases us wrapped in our passions about whatever the subject matter. Some don’t care for it, prefering the staid, logical approach to argument. While that may be the more academic and/or learned approach, I think it fails to completely bring across the raw power of a solid rant. Using empirical datum as a carrier to make your argument is respectable, yes, but let those same thoughts piggyback upon a wave of emotion and I think it more solidly connects with more people. You can always (and should always) question facts, but being passionate is something most folks can really dig their teeth into.
Having said all that, how deep and varied are the colors you use upon your rant canvas?
I like to think that I use very dispersant styles according to subject material. It always goes back to my radio days—that is, when I write I have clearly in mind what the voice will sound like when it’s read out loud.
Do you write (or rant) every day, or just when Catharsis taps you upon the shoulder? Do you have a routine you stick to?
When I did a daily radio show I wrote a rant a day for that and one extra for my newspaper deal. Now I only write weekly (Weakly?) for the newspaper. It doesn’t much matter where or when. I have written some pretty good ones IMHO with my thumbs, on my handheld, on a plane.
I suppose the larger question there is: Would you, could you, write it in a box? Would you, could you, with a fox?
Yes.
Is this your first book? If so, have you any plans for future tomes?
Yup-first and only one that will get published probably, although I am writing romance novels under a pen name. The problem is they all end Stephen King like with the hero and heroine being killed in a blood bath. Lots of rejection slips there. I wonder why?
I’ve heard it said that romance is overrated. You’re just putting a little more intrigue into it; I see nothing wrong with that!
Ever considered a full-length novel, perhaps ‘inspired’ by your fist-in-the-air ramblings?
See above. There is a novel in everybody. Most people should keep it there.
Rough guess: How many times have you been wrong?
I wrote once about the Silly String company not helping out the troops in Iraq. I got a note from the President of Silly String who told me how wrong I was. I wrote a retraction.
I also wrote about Budweiser taking over Rolling Rock and got an email from a local Bud rep telling me how I knew nothing about beer. I suggested a tour of the brewery so he could teach me (Free beer!) but he never responded. To my knowledge those are the only times I have been wrong…but then again I could be…well you know.
Out here, at our County and State Fairs, a huge must-have when you go is the Indian Fry Bread; awesome with honey on it! I don’t believe I’ve ever seen funnel cakes out here; are those high on your list when you are carb-loading?
OMG—as the kids text—YES! At the Bloomsburg Fair here they fry anything that will stand still long enough to dip into the oil. You have not lived until you have had a deep fried Oreo. Each serving comes with a free Heart Attack.
My brother (who lives in Arlington, TX), wrote to inform me that the big culinary thing this year at the Texas state fair is—and I swear I’m not making this up—deep fried butter. Would you consider trying such a delightful morsel?
How do they deep fry butter? Freeze it first? I think I would have to try it just to say I did.
Admittedly, I am new to you and your rants. I know you’ve been involved in radio for quite some time, and still do a stint on 102 FM – The Mountain. I’m curious as to how your rants are received by your listeners.
I actually have been off the air for about two years. I got a lot of positive feedback from what I did, more so in person when people recognized from my voice. “Oh you were the guy who got his lawnmower stuck all those times, right?”
A lot of people probably have no idea that you collect transistor radios, on the cheap if possible. Tell me the story behind the coolest, cheapest one you have!
It wasn’t cheap (at the time it was probably $50, and this was in 1969) but it was a Sony 6F-21W, I was 15-years-old and it was the radio I first heard “Progressive radio” on—WBCN in Boston. It put the hook in me deep and I dreamed about being able to work at that station. My last job in radio—The Mountain—was my homage to that format.
I’d bet you get this question all the time since the book came out: Is that your silhouette on the cover?
Nah-I’m the old fart on the back. If you look close at the back cover photo you will see the wine bottles are labeled “Ye olde paint thinner” in honor of my taste for cheap wine. Also the page in the typewriter reads “All work and no play makes Jim a dull boy” over and over again. A nod to Stephen King and “The Shining.”
In your book you tell a story about two disparate yet indirectly related obituaries. I won’t ruin it for those who might read it, but amidst all the daily junk life hands us (which you call to question) you find the smallest wrinkle upon the larger canvas, and yet that wrinkle gives the entire painting a more profound life. So the question is odd, yet I’m truly curious: Which do you find more personally gratifying, the cathartic rant or the poignant?
I like it when I can do both. I was a big fan of O’Henry in my youth. I love to turn it around at the end. I like to think that, at my best, I can make someone think. But you have to do it in a manner that doesn’t cram it down the throat.
What is your favorite food/drink item to have at your side as you write?
H2O by the gallon. Tea. I don’t drink alcohol when I write. I also don’t really eat. I am very messy and it gets the keyboard all sticky.
In your book you state all the proceeds from sales will go to the Hoyt Library in Kingston. The majority of folks who read this blog aren’t from that area, so could you explain what happened.
We had a big snowstorm and it collapsed the roof, pretty well destroying almost all the library and ruining most of the books.
That’s gotta be a whole lotta snow. For those of us who like the golly-gee-whiz kind of figures, do you recall how much snow was on the roof, preferably weight-wise?
Dunno…It was probably a few feet but I think it was very heavy wet stuff and then froze.
Finally, what sage words of advice would you pass along to any aspiring writer (or rant progeny)?
Nothing succeeds like excess. I write less than I should but the more I do the more I remember how much I enjoy it. For me it’s like breathing; I gotta get this stuff down. Like the flea market conversation I overheard yesterday: He says “It’s original!” She says “Original what?”
Priceless.
And for those readers who like a good rant every now and again, where can they pick up a copy of your book?
Amazon still has it here , and you can learn more about it from my publisher, Tribute Books.
I would certainly like to thank Mr. Rising for taking time out of his schedule to do this interview with me, and to Nicole Langan and Tribute Books, who provided me with a copy of Jim’s book, But Then Again I Could Be Wrong – The Book Of Rants. If you’re looking for an entertaining read about the everyday things that drive us all nuts, then give Jim’s book a read. As added incentive, all the proceeds go to the Hoyt Library–and we sure could use more of those!
You can also visit Jim’s blog for more of his musings/ranting!
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers, October 2009
Monkey of Steel: A Different Kind of Hero by Leah Beth Evans
by Gina
Now on with the show.... You must be wondering about the title of today's post (you know you were). 'Monkey of Steel'....I just couldn't help myself! You'll see why in a few moments (or at least I hope you do or this will be rather awkward). Today's book choice is....
Meet Tomagochi. He isn't your typical hero (but, you probably guessed that from the book title) as hero's usually go. He's not super strong, super fast, super loud, or....well pretty much "super" anything. He's just plain Tomagochi...small, brown, fuzzy monkey from the rainforest. Why is he so worried about being "super"? Well, when you have special friends like the mighty tiger and the ravishing toucan, and you are just a seemingly plain monkey, how could you not feel down? (Poor monkey!) Though his friends try to tell him it's what's on the inside that counts (Great message!), Tomagochi has a hard time accepting it. One day, their little corner of heaven is threatened by man's progress. There are BIG bull dozers threatening to tear down the very place they call home! (GASP!) What's a rainforest dweller to do? Run for the hills with his friends? Or stand up and fight for their home? In the end, Tomagochi discovers that no matter your size, shape, or color, there is truly something special or "super" about us all.
A wonderful message for readers young and young at heart...it's not what's on the outside, but what's on the inside that counts. Often times in society, we see the exact opposite. I mean whether it be with each other or simply with a book, we judge by the cover. It takes a genuine effort to look behind the veil and into the layers underneath (hmmm, this sounds more like a cake than a person, but anywho...) to find out what truly makes them the fantastic person they are.
I must say that aside from the cute (yet short....again it's technically a picture book) story, the illustrations were rather unique as well! They give the appearance of being drawn with oil pastels (they are kind of like chubby crayons, in case you haven't seen them), thus adding to the personality of each character. Also, in-between the full fledge drawings, you have what I would call "cut-outs" of the different animals and symbols in the book. You'll see an outline effect of a monkey (white space in the middle) and the actual monkey picture will be peeking at you off-center of the outline, thereby creating the "cut-out" effect. It's actually pretty neat. One more quick tidbit....for all of you aspiring writers out there, this story came as a result of a rainforest research project the author was given in fourth grade! So you see...you never know where your inspiration is going to come from....all of your experiences when funneled properly can become the golden moments you seek for your next endeavor!
But Then Again I Could Be Wrong: The Book of Rants by Jim Rising
by Gina
Today's post is similiar to another recent one in the fact that I am letting the actual book title act as the post title as well. (Well, if not for the length, come on! The title is pretty cool anyone, right?) Today's book of choice (for those of you that DIDN'T read the title) is.....But Then Again I Could Be Wrong: The Book of Rants by Jim Rising.
WHOO-whoo-WhOo! (insert flashing red lights) This is a HUMOR ALERT! Inside the pages of this book, you will not only find a memoir of sorts detailing the life and times of a radio personality (okay, spokesperson, disc jockey...whatever terminology works for you, go with it), but humor to boot!
Ever have a time when you wondered why people do such silly (*COUGH** stupid *COUGH*) things? Do you just file these instances away in the "forget-as-soon-as-possible" folder? Or are you the person that gets online and types up a storm on the lastest thing that crossed you today? Whether former or later, not to worry...there are many like you out there in either case. Jim Rising, author and "subject" of this book has the privilege of talking about his "weighings on the mind" almost whenever the mood strikes....such is the freedom of life on the radio! If you've tuned to any local station recently, you are sure to have heard the DJ's talking about this or that. If you are like me, you probably tune them out half the time and either wait for a song to play, or change the station. There are however those rare occasions when the person's personality comes through in what they are delivering and it just hits home. This book is a collection of just that. Daily "rantings" of situations encountered, thoughts entertained, and various what-not to spark conversation, laughter, and maybe your own remembrances. Take it in all at once, or merely in small doses....but I'd definitely recommend this book the next time you encounter a "what the heck" kind of day.
Now I may be a bit partial on this one, and no....not because of how I obtained the book (don't worry, it's disclosed at the end of this post). After being contacted by Nicole from Tribute Books, I was surprised to learn that not only are they located in Scranton, Pennsylvania (ah, it feels good to spell that out again), but the author and subject, Jim Rising, lives in the general vicinity, thereby making his stories and recollections all about that area! (SQUEEEE!) So....oh, wait, you look confused? Why is that important to me? Oops! Forgot to mention that. My family was transplanted to our current location FROM around the same location in PENNSYLVANIA! (LOVE spelling that! You know in school up there, it's like one of the FIRST words you learn how to spell. Yep, no PA abbreviations for you. Spell it out or face the consquences....) (overly dramatic, yes! But worth the effect..) So, as you might be able to guess, this was like a walk down memory lane...at least in the aspect of locations mentioned and such.
The stories were highly entertaining and although some of that may come from an understanding of the sense of humor and living in the area he is speaking of, I feel it would be entertaining to "outsiders" (meant in the nicest way) as well! Give it a try! You can't tell me that you've never seen someone seriously investigating the most outrageously crazy item being sold at a sale and wondered, "why on earth would anyone buy that or sell it"....or maybe you've seen a great event coming up in your area only to discover the main act is minus a few players and the main draw is the refreshments....or maybe you've had a bird feeder that mysteriously ends up clear across the yard and your thinking OMG, it's Super Squirrel! (Okay, so I'll stop now...it's really something you have to read to understand...***laughing at the screen***)
Review copy in eBook format courtesy of Nicole at Tribute Books! (Thank you for both the book and the smile!) For those of you that live in the Twitter world (GUILTY!), feel free to "follow" them! (Who isn't on there nowadays?)
Jane's Ride, October 15, 2009
Writing About History by Jay Luke
by Jane Kennedy Sutton
"If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday."
Pearl Buck
I’d like to welcome guest blogger Jay Luke, author of When Coal was Queen. Jay is a musician and artist from Throop, Pa. A graduate from Marywood University, Jay is very active in all things art, whether it be through painting, performing with his band, or through his day job as a graphic designer. As a project engineer of the Olyphant Coal Miner Memorial Association, he has delved deeply into the origins of the area and the forgotten histories of the towns around him. Passionate about not letting future generations forget their local origins, he took on this project to reconnect readers to the past.
So without further ado, I turn you over to Jay.
I would like to discuss the topic of writing about History. While some can argue any genre of writing has its pros and cons, I have delved a bit into many of them and found that in writing about history I found my greatest challenge.
Many times with history you face a lot of things that are untrue slipping in through time as people tend to get a bit more of an imaginative recollection of things gone by.
For my writing and research I found many errors and mistakes in previous publications regarding the topic of my book, which is about Olyphant, PA and its history. Dates clashed, names were misspelled. My biggest pet peeve was getting accurate information, as I felt the entire concept of writing history is to let future generations know about their past. As more time passes us by, the youth lose the connection with their roots because when buildings and historical places get knocked down and built over they become forgotten memories for many. So, as with most things, the best way to keep a memory alive is to tell the real story and get as much information as you can that goes back to the target time period.
In my instance I did my library work but was blessed to have been fortunate enough to get firsthand accounts from some surviving coal miners in the area. For those of you that are not familiar with Olyphant, PA, it was basically built upon the anthracite mining industry and flourished through the booming business. The best stories I heard were from the mouths of the men who were there and lived it. They helped me to correct previous errors and misconceptions I had initially written.
So to make a long story short, when writing about anything, be it history or whatever, know your material because if you publicize something you're not sure about it might be passed along through time as an absolute certainty. In other words, don't take the risk of spreading lies. The source of truth is not always easy to find but when you do it's like discovering treasure and can be passed to the future generations knowing they have the facts straight to learn from.
So get out there, get the information and get writing.
Thank you, Jay. You made some excellent points about the importance of getting it right.
Now here’s a little bit about Jay’s book, When Coal was Queen:
Journey into the history of what was once called the "Jewel of the Mid Valley" - Olyphant, Pennsylvania, "The Queen City." This journey takes the reader through the earliest days of the township and notable events of the past. Included are some famous residents and visitors who passed through over the years, and of course the storied Anthracite Empire that built the town. Check out a wealth of photographic documentation as well as many interesting facts about Olyphant, such as:
- A mine disaster occurred at the location of Olyphant’s mining memorial statue in 1903 that swallowed an entire hotel into the ground below.
- The first woman ever enlisted in the U.S. Navy was from Olyphant.
- Patricia Crowley of Olyphant once graced a Life magazine cover in the 1950s.
- Nestor Chylak of Olyphant is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame for his work in the major leagues as an umpire.
- President Theodore Roosevelt came to Olyphant to try to find a solution to mining relations in 1910.
The book is available on Amazon. You can also find Jay on Facebook.
The Authors Society, October 12, 2009
Second Chance
by Susan Whitfield
Sandra Gerencher's book, Second Chance: How Adoption Saved a Boy with Autism & His Shelter Dog, is uniquely written from a rescued dog's point of view.
It is a delightful quick read about the adoption of an animal shelter dog who goes home with an autistic child ... also adopted.
Even though the book is a light read, the message between the lines is powerful. A must read for adopted children.
Scranton Times Tribune, October 11, 2009
Around the Towns - Factoryville
by Cecilia Baress
Scranton native Patrick Walker won an award in an online poetry contest for his poetry collection Pegasus at the Plow.
He received honorable mention in the nonfiction/poetry category of the Rebecca's Reads Fall 2009 Written Art Awards.
The contest, hosted by RebeccasReads.com, is held in the spring and fall. The site was founded to pay tribute to independently published writers.
Mr. Walker lives in Factoryville with his wife, Virginia, and stepdaughter, Anna.
My Life in Not So Many Words, October 2009
Call Me Sonya Grey Review
by Rhonda Tanner
I received a request from Tribute offering me the chance to review some of their books. I went online and immediately this one called out to me.
Now I'm no poetry expert or critic by any means, but I really enjoyed this book and the poems within. I was able to understand the authors battles with self image and expression, which is why I think her poems will ring true to many young people. I almost wished the book had more poems in it, but at the same time I was able to spend more time enjoying the ones it had.
Here is one that I particularly felt a kinship with:
First Kiss
Fair haired boy, I will bestow a kiss on you.
Your seraphic face upturned to mine.
Your creamy white skin leaning over mine.
Your melting eyes intensely on mine.
The sheen of my hair covers
Us in murky shadow
While your eyes mesmerize
In our iridescent embrace
Your dusky eyelashes touch
My honey brown cheek
Your slender fingers curve
Around my beating heart
Your lips on mine are a silky touch
I have never known
If you are a fan of poetry, I think you will enjoy this collection of poems.
Call Me Kate Review
by Rhonda Tanner
I found this to be an interesting story. I'm not a big history buff and it was my worst subject in school but Molly did a wonderful job telling this story. She brought the characters to life for me and even though I didn't understand some of the history parts, I enjoyed it.
The book certainly made me curious to stuff I didn't know and I have since looked stuff about that part in history. The fact that she made me curious enough to go look up stuff says tons about the book. I will say it took me a few days to read, longer than I thought it would, but that's not always a bad thing.
I like how there were discussion questions and extension activities in the back and think it would be a great read and discussion book for the younger crowd.
Marilyn's Musings, September 2009
Red in the Flower Bed:
An Illustrated Children's Story about Interracial Adoption
by Marilyn Meredith
Red in the Flower Bed is a children's book with a simple message about embracing someone who is different. A rhyming book, this would be a good book to read to pre-schoolers and has beautiful illustrations. The author's intent is to explain about interracial adoption which she manages to do in the simplest manner. It's the kind of book that could be a good teaching tool not only about interracial adoptions but about anyone who is not exactly like everyone else. Having once been a pre-school teacher, I know this age group would enjoy having the book read over and over.
Second Chance:
How Adoption Saved a Boy with Autism & His Shelter Dog
by Marilyn Meredith
Second Chance tells how adoption saved both a boy with autism and the dog from the shelter. The story is told from the POV of Chance, the dog who is rescued from the animal shelter. Because the story is all from Chance, there are some things not fully explained at first, but once the dog begins a relationship with P.J., the boy with autism, what has gone on before is revealed. This is a heart-tugging story for anyone who loves dogs and knows what a dog can do for a child--even one with autism. It lifts one's spirits to read a story like this with such a good outcome.
A Different Kind of Hero
by Marilyn Meredith
A Different Kind of Hero is about a monkey named Tomagochi and his friends, Peshe, the tiger, and Mocho, the Tucan who live in the rain forest. Tomagochi feels his nothing but an ordinary money while his friends are special--the tiger with his strips and the Tucan with all his colorful feathers and the ability to fly. The story centers on a potential disaster when bulldozers arrive to cut down the trees in the rain forest. The only one brave enough to protect the animals' home is Tomagochi. The illustrations in this book are delightful. That author, Leah Beth Evans, was a fourth grader when she learned about the rain forest and wrote this book. Not only will youngsters enjoy reading about the monkey who becomes a hero, but this book could be a means to begin a discussion about the rain forest for teachers and parents.
Nine Things Nathan Noticed at Night
by Marilyn Meredith
Nine Things Nathan Noticed at Night by Christy Baldwin is a children's book that should be added to church libraries and pre-schools that are run by Christian churches. Each of the nine things that Nathan notices has a delightful illustration, an explanation and an accompanying Bible verse. This is a charming book for a parent to read to his or her child and should bring some ideas for further conversation about the things Nathan noticed at night. Maybe the child could add some of the things he or she noticed at night. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Rebeccas Reads Written Art Awards, Fall 2009
"Pegasus at the Plow" Wins Honorable Mention
Pegasus at the Plow: A Poetry Collection by Patrick Walker won honorable mention in the Rebeccas Reads Fall 2009 Written Art Awards in the Nonfiction: Poetry category.
RebeccasReads.com is proud to have The Written Art Awards, a biannual literary awards program that takes place in the spring and fall of every year. It has been founded to pay tribute to authors who are self-published or have had their books published by a subsidy publisher, small press, university press, or independent book publisher.
All initial judging is done by RebeccasReads.com reviewers. Criteria for judging is content/originality, presentation/design, innovation, social relevance, production quality, enjoyment/impact, plot/story line, and resoursefulness (depending on category). Five finalists in each category are determined by a point system. Final judging is determined by a jury of judges.
Reviewed by Danelle Drake for Rebecca’s Reads (08/09)
Hell, Yes! I say, Patrick Walker has got it. Writing without thought to what others would think, he gets to the reader. This no-holds-bar approach to poetry hit’s the very sole. Many times you can read poetry and just not get it. Sometimes you feel as if the writer has censored their very thoughts because they were trying to conform to what others view of true poetry was. This collection is truly not the case.
Patrick Walker has always been a seeker. He began his life journey by viewing life thru his families devotion to Irish clan and the Catholic Church. From this beginning he found his way.
"Smile softly, and know that we spend our lives thus:
Sitting on benches, waiting for the bus."
Making the reader open their eyes and read between the lines, realizing what they just read means oh-so-much-more than what they have just read. This eye opening collection, "Pegasus at the Plow," will be embedded in your mind as mine, and have you reciting to yourself and trying to work the puzzle that has been placed before you, just as I.
Simply Sensational Divas Review, September 11, 2009
"But Then Again I Could Be Wrong" but I think he's usually correct
by LaDonna Harris
Tribute Books approached us to review some of their titles (you can see them here); I chose Jim Rising's But Then Again I Could Be Wrong: The Book of Rants.
From the back:
Jim Rising is the Program Director of 102.3 The Mountain WDMT and hosts a weekday show called Rising at Ten. He plays what he wants and rants a bit. Jim lives with his "long suffering wife" Nancy in Dallas, Pennsylvania along with this lawn tractor and annoying neighbor.
This book is a collection of his rants and thoughts that he has shared on his radio program. I think I'd really enjoy his radio program; I might have to see if I can listen online. I have laughed and cried; he's caused me to think and consider life with a little bit different perspective. Do I always agree with him? Certainly not. He writes about life in his world including such topics as cell phones, 9/11, fast food servers, air travel and Christmas.
Jim Rising has decided to donate all proceeds of the sales of this book to the Hoyt Library in Kingston. This library lost its roof in 2007 and with the roof went much of its collection. With the purchase But Then Again I Could Be Wrong, you will be helping this library regain some of those losses.
Jim Rising is not the only Tribute author who donates to charity. At the bottom of Tribute's homepage you can see others who have raised support for such groups as Lackawanna Historical Society, and Humane Society of Lackawanna County.
Other Tribute authors are listed on the website and books in the shop can be purchased as ebooks or paperback (but not all books offer both options). They offer a variety of payment methods and free shipping. Read about the start up of Tribute Books here.
Connections Magazine, September 2009
Write Here in NEPA
by Allison Mowatt
The next time you visit your local bookstore, whether it is a large chain or a small independent book nook, consider the shelves and tables that are brimming with books. Northeastern Pennsylvania is brimming with authors. Some of them are brand new writers; some have been writing for years, considering it a passion more than a hobby, and others never planned on becoming an author but find themselves enjoying every minute of it. One thing they all share, though, is they call Northeastern Pennsylvania home.
HELEN SILVESTRI (Pen name-Ellen Chaksil), Peckville, Pa.
Helen Silvestri is a religious author whose
decision to write is truly an amazing
experience and a blessing from God. "I
was inspired by the Holy Spirit to begin writing,"
she said. The eighty-year-old author grew
up in Eynon, Pa. and currently resides in
Peckville. She began writing seriously after she
was baptized in the Holy Spirit in 1978. During
this time, she was initiated into a Catholic
Charismatic prayer group.
After Helen was baptized, she was graced with the gift of prophecy
and began receiving words from God. The message she heard
became clear over the years by way of prayer, scripture, prophecy,
supplementary articles, and books. The words that came into
her consciousness were "When they are threatened with the loss
of all this, only then will they turn to Me." This entire process
and the prophecy that was revealed to her is explained in detail
in her first book, With God There is Hope Hope for Humanity,
which is published by Tribute Books in Archbald.
After she received these prophetic words, she saw a vision of
chaos surrounding the steps of the Vatican's St. Peter’s Basilica
and felt that this was a message that humanity was threatened.
She needed to share her experience with church officials so she
left her home in Peckville and traveled to the Vatican.
Eventually, she made contact with Pope John Paul II and received
official recognition that he had read a letter she had sent him
detailing the prophecy she received from God.
Helen spoke with someone from Harvard Medical School who
provided hypothetical proof that when people pray together,
energy is emitted. Helen views her book as a way to educate
people on the power of prayer. One of the important messages
Helen wants to share is that when the world is united in prayer,
only then can a power be generated to prevent catastrophe and
allow humanity’s continued existence. The catastrophe would be
the result of either the Earth turning on its axis, another planet
encroaching upon the orbit of Earth, or an immense asteroid
plummeting into the Earth to disrupt its rotation.
Writing With God There is Hope: Hope for Humanity was a
labor of love and required a lot of research and studying, but
Helen embraced every minute of it as she saw it as "being in
touch with God by way of His Holy Spirit."
Helen has received much recognition for With God There is
Hope: Hope for Humanity and was one of eight finalists in the
National Best Books 2008 Awards. She has been interviewed on
local television and also by the Scranton Times Tribune and the Scranton
edition of the Times Leader. In addition, she recently won the
2009 Volunteer Award from Lackawanna County Prison. The 4th
Annual Volunteers Program called "I Make a Difference" was
held at the prison this past June, and Helen was chosen for her
weekly visits with the Monday Prayer Group.
Her novel can be found at Borders in Dickson City, Barnes and Noble in Wilkes
Barre, and Amazon.com.
Reviews
"What an honor it is to know you and to have read your book. It is a wonderful story of your prophetic journey.
You were truly touched by the Spirit."
Bobbie Hunt, President of the National Council of Catholic Women
"Congratulations on one fantastic book! I couldn't put it down. You give a lot of food for thought. You have been blessed to be the messenger and courageous to share the message."
Ellen Bachman, Past President of the National Council of Catholic Women
Scranton Times-Tribune, September 11, 2009
Namedropper
Queen Coal
by Cecilia Baress
Jay Luke of Throop, author of "When Coal Was Queen: The History of the Queen City - Olyphant, Pennsylvania," recently hosted a book signing at Anthology in Scranton.
The book, which depicts Olyphant's significant buildings, events and residents, was compiled for the Olyphant Coal Miners Memorial Association.
"It was a massive history lesson for me," said Jay, who compiled the information through research and interviews with residents.
ABOVE: Jay Luke and his sister, Heather Luklanchuk, show copies of Mr. Luke's book "When Coal Was Queen: The History of the Queen City - Olyphant, Pennsylvania" during a book signing at Anthology.
The Valley Advantage, September 11, 2009
Collecting History
Area resident save images of region's past
by Christopher Cornell
A book recently hit store shelves that offers a glimpse into the history of the Lackawanna Valley area, and while it's interesting to read about the past, nothing can beat the immediacy of an acutal photo of the place and time being described. But finding them is sometimes difficult.
So, it's fortunate there are area residents who collect photos of the region's past.
The recent book "When Coal Was Queen: The History of the Queen City - Olyphant, Pa.," self-published by the Olyphant Coal Miner's Association through Tribute Books, also features many photos of a bygone era. Beneath most of them, the name Mike Grayson appears. Grayson, born and raised in Olyphant, began to be fascinated with history while still a student at Holy Ghost Elementary School. Grayson, a longtime postal worker, retired in 2003.
"The photos are images frozen in time of a different place, a different world than we know today," Grayson said of his collection. "It is very difficult if not impossible to place oneself back a century and a half. It was a time when nights were pitch black, save for a candle in a window. Streets were dirt, mud, lined with thick trees and foilage once you left the town proper. No conveniences such as running water, electricity. Life was difficult but there was a closeness that bound people together. They were more caring, compassionate and respectful."
It was in 1977, when Olyphant celebrated its centennial, that he had a chance to dig into the Queen City's past.
"My neighbor Olwyn Hoyes wrote the history for a commemorative book. My friend Bob McDonough, another history buff, and I did the research for her. We went through the newspaper microfilm at the Albright Library and the resources of the Lackawanna Historical Society. This experience gave me the ability to draw information from different sources and know how to use the resources that are available."
Grayson said he built his collection from many sources.
"I get photos wherever I can," he explained. "I've found some on the internet. Being a mailman, I got to know the people of the town. One such was John Longauer, another historically minded person. He lent some wonderful images for the centennial book of 1977."
Grayson's current project combines his fascination with Olyphant and another interest: the Civil War.
"I am following 14 men from the town who were part of the Olyphant Brass Band through the Civil War. The members of the band became part of the 56th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (PVI). On the 30th of June, 1863, as part of Cutler's 2nd Brigade, they headed the federal column at Emmitsburg, Md. That evening they began the march to Gettysburg." The brigade was one of the first infantry to open fire at that famous battle.
Grayson added that "if anyone has photos or stories of people, places and things they would like to share concerning early Olyphant, they can contact me at (570) 489-1933. I'm especially trying to contact any descendent of the members of the brass band who became part of the 56th PVI.
"There is much tucked away in attic trunks," he said. "There are stories handed down through family generations."
AuthorAutoBahn.com, September 9, 2009
Molly Roe - Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires
by Kelly Wallace
Welcome to Author Autobahn, Molly!
Please tell us about your most recent book.
Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires is the first in a series of three books based on historical events that occurred in nineteenth century Pennsylvania. All three concern the secret Irish-American society called the Molly Maguires. Each focuses on the McCafferty family, particularly the three sisters: Katie, Sarah and Maymie. The first novel tells of Katie’s introduction to the Molly Maguires.
Katie McCafferty’s world shatters when her father is paralyzed in a coal mining accident. She must quit school and work to keep her family from being evicted from their Company home. Labor unrest in the mines and the Civil War draft threaten the cohesiveness of her community. When the authorities target her old friend as a dangerous rebel, Katie risks her future to intervene.
The novel details the difficulty of life for immigrants, the Northern reaction to the Civil War, and the beginnings of the labor movement through the eyes of a teenage girl. Kate’s unflagging feistiness while facing serious troubles recalls fellow Civil War era heroines Jo March and Scarlett O’Hara.
How long did it take to write?
I’m more tortoise than hare so it took quite a while. The major part of the writing took three years, and I’d already done a significant amount of research before the idea of writing a book even occurred to me.
Where are you from?
With the exception of two years spent in Virginia, I’ve lived in Pennsylvania my entire life. I was born in Philadelphia, but reared in my grandparents’ home in the coal region of northeastern Pennsylvania, only a few miles from where all eight of my great-grandparents settled after emigrating from Ireland in the nineteenth century.
What inspired you to write?
Family history was the inspiration for Call Me Kate. I began doing genealogical research as a fluke in 1998, and the hobby consumed me for several years. I investigated all the US resources before convincing my family to seek out our roots in Ireland. In 2002, eighteen relatives from ages three to eighty set off for the Emerald Isle. The search took us to the tiny townland of Mollyroe in rural Donegal where we saw the green hills, thatched cottages, and sacred wells that our forebears left more than one hundred fifty years before. My pen name commemorates that connection.
When and why did you begin to write?
I began writing after our Ireland trip because I wanted to share some of the information I learned. I thought it was important for future generations to recognize the difficulties their ancestors (no matter where they originated) faced in launching forth to a new world, one that was often not very welcoming. Instead of just putting the details together in a booklet solely for the family, I decided to fictionalize the life of one of my ancestors, great-great-grandmother Catharine McCafferty, and share it with a larger readership.
How did you come up with the title?
The statement, Call Me Kate occurs on the last page of the book. It indicates the coming of age of the main character. In the intro, Katie is a carefree tomboy playing on the coal banks, but by the conclusion she is a young woman who has seen violence and death and has changed as a result. I wanted to include the Molly Maguires in the title because the novel is also the story of the beginnings of that secret society in America. The alliteration of the “k” and “m” sounds was to catch the attention of the teenagers I teach.
Is there a message you want your readers to grasp?
Along with an appreciation of their ancestors and their heritage, I wanted my readers to get the message that ordinary individuals can overcome obstacles and make a difference. History isn’t just made up of famous leaders and warriors, but everyday people too.
How much of the book is realistic?
The dates of events and battles and the names of coal region politicians and industrialists are real. Much of the description was taken from newspapers and historical references. There was a Kate McCafferty, and she was employed as a domestic in a mansion after she immigrated from Ireland, but she was not involved in stopping the train or any of fictional Kate’s adventures. She did indeed have a connection to the Molly Maguires though; Catharine was the aunt of one of the men hanged on the infamous “Day of the Rope,” June 21, 1877.
The actuality of the Molly Maguires themselves is still argued strenuously in northeastern Pennsylvania so my “take” on the group may differ from other researchers. The term, Molly Maguires, predated its use in the coal region, and it emerged there prior to the Civil War.
Several conscription riots occurred in Pennsylvania the year before the infamous draft riot in New York City in 1863, but they have been largely ignored in history books. The stopping of the recruit train occurred on the date stated, but I took liberties with how the events played out in the story.
Do you have a current project?
My current writing project is the second book about the McCaffertys. This one features Sarah, the second sister. The working title is Sarah's Story: The Curse on Centralia. The plot focuses on one of the first Molly Maguire murders and the parish priest who warned his flock about the results of using violence to settle conflicts. This book is set in Centralia, the town known for its devastating mine fire. Writing Sarah’s Story is harder than penning the first novel because I have to tie in the details of the first book while telling a story that encompasses a century of events.
About me
What is one habit that drives other crazy?
Humming is one habit I have that drives some people crazy. I've had this habit my entire life, and most of the time it is unconscious. My son gets particularly irked by my humming, but my daughter seems to have inherited the habit!
What's your favorite TV show and how do you relax?
I’m a fan of TV crime shows. My favorite is “Law and Order,” in all versions. My daughter gave me a birthday card that plays the show’s distinctive musical opening, and it drew a lot of laughs from those who know me well. For relaxation, I enjoy gardening, cross stitch, and doing word puzzles and sudoku. Summer mornings find me on my side porch doing one of the above.
Do you have a favorite quote?
Friends and family members buy books of quotations for me because they know how much I love them, so it's really hard to choose my favorite. One I've used several times recently is the Albert Einstein quote, “If a cluttered desk signs a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?”
Thank you for being with us today, Molly!
It was great being here today, Kelly. :)
Author Bio
Molly Roe is the pen name of Mary Garrity Slaby, a veteran language arts & reading teacher at Lake-Lehman Junior Senior High School. Mary holds a Ph.D. in education from Temple University, and Pennsylvania teaching certification in six areas. She has pursued the hobby of genealogy for the past decade. Mary was born in Philadelphia, raised in Schuylkill County, and currently lives in Dallas, Pennsylvania with her husband, John. They are parents of two grown children, Melissa and John Garrett, cover illustrator of Call Me Kate. Digging into the past has given Mary newfound respect for her ancestors and a better understanding of history. Call Me Kate is the first in the author’s trilogy of historical novels loosely based on the lives of the strong women who preceded her.
Email Molly at: molly@tribute-books.com
Visit Molly's blog at: http://conversationsfromthesideporch.blogspot.com
Buy link
Scranton Times-Tribune, September 6, 2009
'Coal' book pays homage to Olyphant
Jay Luke will be at several area locations through November to sign copies of his book, "When Coal Was Queen: The History of the Queen City - Olyphant, Pennsylvania."
Compiled for the Olyphant Coal Miners Memorial Association, the book depicts significant buildings, events and residents of Olyphant, a town built by the anthracite mining industry and the efforts of countless hard-working coal miners.
The book covers the earliest days of the borough and notable events of its past. It includes some famous residents and visitors who passed through over the years and a wealth of photographic documentation as well as many interesting facts about the town.
Mr. Luke will be at Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, 7 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, Sept. 19, noon-2 p.m.; Lackawanna Historical Society, 232 Monroe Ave., Sept. 20, 2 p.m.; Steamtown National Historic Site, 150 S. Washington Ave., Oct. 10 from 3 to 5 p.m.; Carbondale Public Library, 5 N. Main St., Oct. 17, from 3 to 5 p.m.; and Albright Memorial Library, 500 Vine St., Nov. 5, 6:30 p.m.
A Throop resident, Mr. Luke is a musician and artist. A graduate of Marywood University, he is a graphic designer. As a project engineer of the Olyphant Coal Miner Memorial Association, he has delved into the origins of the area and the histories of its towns. He took on the project of writing a history of Olyphant to reconnect readers to the past.
"When Coal was Queen: The History of the Queen City - Olyphant, Pennsylvania"
Author: Jay Luke
Publisher: Tribute Books
Pages: 152
Price: $19.95
The Valley Advantage, September 4, 2009
People on the Move
Peckville resident Helen Silvestri has won the 2009 Volunteer Award from the Lackawanna County Prison. The fourth annual program was titled "I Make a Difference." Silvestri was chosen for her weekly visits with the Monday prayer group. Deputy warden Timothy Betti presented Silvestri with the crystal globe award. Inmates prepared refreshments and entertained guests by singing, acting and reading poetry.
The Valley Advantage, August 14, 2009
Miners' Day
by Christopher Cornell
There was a hint of deja vu in the air in Olyphant last Sunday as residents and dignitaries gathered at the foot of Miners' Memorial on Lackawanna Avenue, much as they did about two years ago when the statue was first set in place.
This gathering was to dedicate a plaque that will soon be added to the statue. Delays with the Army Corps of Engineers, which must make the addition since the memorial sits on a flood control berm, prevented it and other additions from being made in time for the ceremony. But that did not dampen the spirits of the members of the Olyphant Coal Miners Memorial Committee, especially its chief, Gene Turko.
On hand were state Sen. Ed Staback and Lackawanna County Commissioner Mike Washo, both of whom read proclamations declaring the day "Coal Miners' Day."
Washo acknowledged that the memories of coal mining in this area are mostly negative, "and we can’t forget the negative stories," he said. "But we should also remember that coal miners heated American homes and made the country a better place to live."
The keynote speaker was Judge Michael J. Barrasse, himself the grandson of a coal miner, who noted that today’s residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania "have reached our goals off the backs of coal miners. Each one of these men risked their lives to take care of their families."
Also unveiled at the ceremony was a book that has just been completed about the era of coal mining in Olyphant, "When Coal Was Queen: The History of the Queen City - Olyphant, Pennsylvania" by Jay Luke. It is being published by local subsidy publisher Tribute Books.
In fact, the Valley Community Library, 739 River St., Peckville, will host an author talk and book signing by Luke on Monday, Aug. 31, at 6 p.m. Call 489-1765 or e-mail lfonash@albright.org for more information.
The book is priced at $19.95 and is available the Anthology book store in Scranton, at the Lackawanna Coal Mine Museum, the Olyphant Borough Building and Lackawanna County Visitors Center. It’s also available online at Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com, You can also order a copy by calling Tribute Books at 876-2416.
ABOVE: The soon-to-be-added plaque was on display, along with proclamations declaring last Sunday "Coal Miners' Day." The 32-piece Upper Valley Wind Ensemble performed following the ceremony.
Come Meet AusJenny Blog, August 10, 2009
Interview with Molly Roe author of Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires
by Jenny Blake
Welcome Mary Slaby/Molly Roe to my blog to day. I was offered the chance to read Call Me Kate - Meeting the Molly Maguires and found it very informative. I was given the opportunity to ask Mary some questions which I was interested in about this book. I hope you will enjoy the interview and read the book.
1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Thank you for inviting me to your blog. My name is Mary Slaby, but I write under the name Molly Roe. My pseudonym is a tribute to my Bonner ancestors who immigrated to Pennsylvania from the tiny townland of Mollyroe in County Donegal, Ireland. I teach reading and language arts to junior high students, twelve to fifteen year olds, at a rural school district in northeastern Pennsylvania, not far from the coal mining setting of my books. I enjoy reading and writing, cross stitching, gardening, and traveling. My husband and I are fans of the Penn State Nittany Lions so we attend games and activities at our alma mater whenever possible. I'm in State College, PA right now as a matter of fact!
2. Where did you get the idea for Call Me Kate - Meeting the Molly Maguires?
My aunt, Margaret Bonner, suggested I write a book to record all the research I had done on the family history. The idea morphed into a novel when I realized that a lot wasn’t written about girls during that particular time period (mid nineteenth century.) The Endless Mountain Writers, my weekly critique group, has been a wonderful source of ideas. The members' suggestions and comments really motivate me. My fan base now ranges from tweens to senior citizens and the fans’ inquiries into the next installment also keep me writing.
3. I found this book very informative as I hadn't heard much about the drafts for the war and the way the mine owners took advantage of the workers before what do you hope readers will learn from your book?
I wasn’t aware that there were draft riots in Pennsylvania or so much resistance to the Civil War until I began my family history research. The info I uncovered led me into the story of the Molly Maguires. I had heard a lot about the Mollies while growing up, but I didn’t know they were intertwined in my family tree. Many of the mine owners took advantage of their workers. They somehow felt they had a divine right to manage everything without considering how to make life better for their employees. The people rose up against this injustice, but not everyone was violent about their dissent. To thwart labor unionizing efforts, the mine owners blacklisted anyone who promoted organizing. By 1878, twenty men were hanged as Molly Maguires and several of them were completely innocent. I think it's amazing how history keeps repeating itself. Wars and immigration, class struggles, and labor problems still trouble our society. I hope that at sometime we can learn from our forebears' mistakes.
4. Can you tell us about any other books you have out or have coming out?
I’m currently working on the second book in the trilogy of the McCafferty sisters. The working title is Sarah’s Story: The Curse on Centralia. In this novel, the second McCafferty sister is placed as a governess in a mine superintendent’s home to teach his daughters. One of the first so-called Molly Maguire murders takes place and the parish priest warns his flock that they face eternal fires if they persist in violence. One hundred years later the town is faced with a devastating mine fire that eventually dooms the town. The plot is slightly different in that it moves between two time settings: 1868 and 1981.
5. Finally where can readers find you on the web?
Tribute Books’ website http://www.tribute-books.com/ has a section of updates about Call Me Kate. I also started a blog, http://conversationsfromthesideporch.blogspot.com on Blogspot. I hope to be better about updating it in the future!
Coming of age amidst the seething unrest of the Civil War era, feisty fourteen-year-old Katie McCafferty infiltrates the Molly Maguires, a secret Irish organization, to rescue a lifelong friend. Under the guise of Dominick, a draft resister, Katie volunteers for a dangerous mission in hopes of preventing bloodshed. Katie risks job, family, and ultimately her very life to intervene. A series of tragedies challenge Katie's strength and ingenuity, and she faces a crisis of conscience. Can she balance her sense of justice with the law? Call Me Kate is suitable for readers from eleven to adult. The story is dramatic and adventuresome, yet expressive of daily life in the patches of the hard coal region during the Civil War era. This novel will appeal to readers of the Dear America series, as well as more mature readers who will enjoy the story's rich context and drama.
My Review
This is a great book as it has a great story based on fact making it a great educational source. I hadn't heard anything about the Molly Maguire's before this book, I also didn't know about the Irish miners. I did know Welsh miners went to America but didn't know about the Irish. The story starts with Katie's father being involved in an accident at the mines and how they deal with with his accident. We follow Katie as she also see the injustice and unrest due to the civil war and the mine owners. I beleive this book will be a great resource for students to learn about history while reading a great story. 4.5 out of 5. I cant wait to read the next book in the series.
Times Leader Scranton Edition, August 9, 2009
Throop man traces Olyphant history in new book
Jay Luke’s book, ’When Coal Was Queen,’ helped finance monument.
by Stephanie Longo
A new book on the history of Olyphant is hitting local bookshelves just in time to make your end-of-summer reading list.
“When Coal Was Queen” by Jay Luke, a Marywood University graduate and Throop resident, takes readers back to the Mid-Valley town of Olyphant during its heyday in the early part of the 20th century.
The book includes photos and anecdotes about the town’s famous residents and visitors, such as residents Patricia Crowley, who appeared on the cover of Life Magazine in the 1950s and Nestor Chylak, who is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame for his work in the major leagues as an umpire.
There is also information about a 1910 visit by President Theodore Roosevelt, who was trying to find a solution to various mining relations issues.
Luke explained that the book was written in association with the Olyphant Coal Miners Memorial Association as a way to raise funds for a coal miners’ monument in the town.
“We wanted our monument to be done without much help financially, other than donations from the people of the town as well as from families of miners who worked in the area,” Luke said. “When we had our triumphant moment and our monument was unveiled, we thought it would be a nice idea to document everyone’s names who donated and, rather than just putting a pamphlet together, we thought it would be nice to make a book that covered not only our list of donators, but also a history of the town itself.”
Part of the reason for writing When Coal Was Queen was also to teach younger generations about the area’s history.
“I realize the younger generation might not know about the anthracite-rich past that built our town, especially since all physical buildings of the time are long gone,” Luke said. “This book provides a way to reconnect to the past.”
Part of Luke’s research for When Coal Was Queen involved delving into old newspapers and books as well as interviewing older residents of Olyphant about past events.
Luke explained that his desire to make sure his work was completely accurate resulted in his discovering an error in a historical marker in the town.
“I was completely shocked when I went to snap a photo of a historical marker in Olyphant for the first woman ever enlisted in the U.S. Navy, Loretta Perfectus Walsh. I came home and looked at the picture and thought I’d made a mistake in my writing of her when I noticed my spelling of her first name didn’t match up with the marker’s,” Luke said.
“After delving into old newspaper clippings and naval research, I found out that I was right and the marker was inaccurate, which I felt was a terrible injustice. I mean, not everyone will read my book but every day people pass that marker and I think that should certainly be corrected.”
Although Luke can now count author as part of his resume, he currently works as a graphic designer as well as a member of MESS, a local band. He also paints and does portrait art and was working on a novel when this project came up.
“I definitely see more books coming out in the future,” Luke said. “Perhaps even more about local history because there is so much that didn’t make it into this current book that might come out as a continuation in the future.”
When Coal Was Queen is published by Tribute Books of Archbald.
Jay Luke will be present for several “Meet the Author” events, including one on Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. at Anthology Books, 515 Center St., Scranton; on Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. at the Valley Community Library, 739 River St., Peckville; and Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. at the Lackawanna Historical Society, 232 Monroe Ave., Scranton.
For more information about When Coal Was Queen, visit Tribute Books’ Web site at http://www.tribute-books.com
Scranton Times-Tribune, August 9, 2009
Around the Towns - Olyphant
by Cecilia Baress
Copies of a book documenting Olyphant's history will be on sale today at the dedication of the Miner's Monument. When Coal Was Queen: The History of the Queen City - Olyphant, Pennsylvania was written by Jay Luke, a member of the borough's Coal Miners Memorial Association.
Super Mommy to the Rescue, August 8, 2009
Second Chance – Book Review
by Stacie Lewin
I have had the chance to review Second Chance: How Adoption Saved A Boy With Autism and His Shelter Dog by Sandra J. Gerencher. I can’t tell you how much this book touched my heart. I won’t tell you the whole story as you really MUST read it for yourself. It’s about a dog that was adopted from a shelter. The story is told through the dogs eyes. He meets his new family and has many questions. Believe it or not the boy answers all his questions. The dog is in heaven with the answers. The story even explains a little bit of Autism.
I can relate to this story in my life as my son has autism. My son loves animals. We have a dog of our own. My son loves to bring the dog into his room to feed her and just to be with her so he doesn’t feel alone. My son’s actions with our dog is nothing like in the book. There is something about an animal where they can tell our feelings and provide us with comfort. In this story it was the total opposite. The boy comforted the dog and the dog was so happy because no one understood him before.
I highly recommend this book. It’s good for people of all ages. I promise it will make you smile just reading it. I smiled and had tears!
Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, August 6, 2009
An interview with Jay Luke, author of When Coal was Queen
by Silas Chamberlin
Looking for a new local history read? Check out Jay Luke’s recently-published When Coal was Queen: The History of the Queen City-Olyphant, Pennsylvania. The new book documents the heritage of the small, coal-mining community of Olyphant. Luke, a local artist, worked with the Olyphant Coal Miners’ Memorial Association to compile the history, which includes lots of historic photos and maps, in addition to highlights of local fire companies and famous residents and visitors.
Located northeast of Scranton, Olyphant’s economy was dominated by anthracite coal mining and transport. In the late 1850s, the 16-mile Delaware & Hudson Canal gravity railroad was extended through town, in order to access Olyphant’s high-quality anthracite. This furthered the economic development of the town and ensured that coal would continue to drive its history.
Luke does an nice job of balancing the often-colorful history of mining with its harsh realities. He recounts the devastating 1903 mine cave-in that swallowed a number of buildings and the 1911 mine fire that took 72 lives and spurred state regulatory legislation, as well as the everyday hardships and frequent labor disputes that made mining towns difficult places to live and work. Ultimately, however, the tough existence of Olyphant miners created a level of solidarity, clearly expressed in the proliferation of town assocations, such as fire companies and historic groups, even as coal mining lost its dominance over the regional economy.
The book includes short biographies of famous Olyphant natives, such as the first woman to enlist in the Navy and actresses Patricia Cowley and Judy McLane, and noteworthy visitors, such as President Theodore Roosevelt, who visited the town in an attempt to quell labor violence. Luke also documents the origins and meanings of street names, and provides plenty of historic photos of various streets and neighborhoods.
I recently asked Jay Luke a few questions about the book.
D&L: In two sentences, please tell our readers what When Coal was Queen is about?
When Coal was Queen is a detailed look into the history of Olyphant and its rich coal mining past. It is meant to reconnect readers to the forgotten past through the use of stories and photographs.
D&L: What provided the impetus for your research, and how did it evolve into a book?
I found it quite remarkable that at first glance it seemed I’d really have to dig to get information on Olyphant’s origins. But after speaking to many older residents and looking through old newspaper articles, I found such cumulative bits of knowledge that it became a case of what to leave out of the book rather than being too short on information. It was a relief but it also left the door open for a future publication.
D&L: What is your favorite historical story or fact that you discovered during work on the book?
There are so many, but I would definitely think that researching the famous residents who came from Olyphant was the most interesting part. I had no idea that famed actress Patricia Crowley was from Olyphant. She once graced the cover of LIFE magazine and made appearances in nearly every popular television series over the years - everything from Happy Days to Friends. Also it was interesting to find out that President Theodore Roosevelt visited Olyphant to seek a solution to the mining relations problems in the early 1900s. So many other stories to tell and not enough room to fit them all.
D&L: Do residents of Olyphant generally recognize their rich history, or is this book meant to fill what you perceive as a gap?
That is a question that really depends on who you ask I suppose. In my case, I found that many older residents know quite a bit of history on Olyphant. Many remember their grandfathers, fathers, and even some living residents working in the mines and toiling in the dark underworld. The important function of this book is to educate the youth on where their ancestors came from and how they helped to build what became known as the Queen City. In the eyes of the youth today, there is such little left physically from the mining days that it is easy to see why they might not have a clue what really went on in Olyphant during its booming anthracite days. So yes, I do hope that this book will bridge the gap from the past to the present.
D&L: Why should people living outside of Olyphant care about the town’s history? In other words, what unique role did Olyphant play in state, regional, or national history?
The town really played an incredibly important part in the coal mining world. Literally tons and tons of coal came out of the town and provided warmth to many families. As far as national history, there is one fact that stands above most and that is Olyphant’s Loretta Perfectus Walsh. She earned her place in fame by becoming the first woman to ever serve our country and enlist in the US Navy. The town has many interesting facts and tidbits which many people haven’t discovered yet. I truly hope that this book will encourage residents to dig a little deeper and see what they can learn about the storied past of the town.
Many people, even some of those familiar with northeast Pennsylvania, have probably never heard of Olyphant, but Jay Luke makes a good case that the town’s history is worthy of attention. For more information or to purchase the book, please click here.
Scranton Times-Tribune, August 5, 2009
Volunteer Recognition
Volunteers at the Lackawanna County Prison receive recognition for their time and talents. In front, from left: the Rev. Sandra Magor and Helen Silvestri. In back: Saundra Leventhal and the Rev. Riccardo Jackson, prison chaplain. Mrs. Silvestri was recognized as a volunteer of the year for her work in a weekly Bible study class and prayer group. The Rev. Magor and Ms. Leventhal worked as a team on a Friday evening Bible study group.
Scranton Times-Tribune, August 4, 2009
Old time concert to highlight Olyphant Miners Monument dedication Sunday
by Josh McAuliffe
In the Olyphant of yesteryear, military band concerts were a hugely popular form of entertainment for residents who risked life and limb in the anthracite mines.
Along with the mines, the concerts eventually became a thing of the past. But they're about to make a comeback.
On Sunday, the Olyphant Coal Miners Memorial Association will erect and dedicate a concrete wall with a decorative bronze plaque in front of the Miners Monument that sits near the Lackawanna Avenue bridge. As part of the festivities, a 33-piece wind ensemble led by local musician Patrick Marcinko II will perform an hour-long concert.
The ceremony will take place at 2 p.m., with the concert following at 3. Afterward, light refreshments will be served in Raymond Henry American Legion Post 327, Willow Street. Admission is free.
Rep. Ed Staback, D-115, Archbald, also will be on hand to present a proclamation from Gov. Ed Rendell declaring the date Coal Miners Day. And the commemorative book, "When Coal Was Queen: The History of the Queen City," compiled by association member Jay Luke, will be available for purchase.
Honoring the past
The project's completion comes nearly two years after the dedication of the bronze miner statue, which took nearly three years, 500 donors and almost $50,000 to come to fruition. Based on a sculpture by the late Blakely-based artist Frank "Wyso" Wysochansky, the statue represents the hundreds of miners who helped settle the Midvalley.
The bronze plaque will feature a color rendering of a colliery with smoke billowing from it, as well as the names of the project's committee members.
"This is the completion of the monument altogether," said committee member Gene Turko.
When Mr. Turko was planning the ceremony, he began to reminisce about the old Victory Band concerts he played in as a youngster. Military, church and ethnic bands were a big part of social life in Olyphant going back to the 1800s, and many of the bands' members were miners.
"There was a lot of musical activity at that time. It was very rich," Mr. Marcinko said.
The concerts haven't been performed in the borough for almost 50 years, so Mr. Turko decided the monument ceremony would be the perfect time to bring them back for one day.
"I had it in the back of my mind that it would be very nice if Pat had a concert of old-time music," said Mr. Turko.
Bringing back memories
The band will be made up of musicians from throughout Northeast Pennsylvania and New York state. Mr. Marcinko is calling them the Upper Valley Winds.
"We're using the very best talent we have," Mr. Marcinko said.
Mr. Marcinko said the concert, which will be held at the Liberty River Commons at Lackawanna Avenue and River Street, will be "patriotic in tone." It'll include plenty of Sousa marches, plus music from movies like "Dr. Zhivago" and "The Mask of Zorro" and standards like "Danny Boy," he said.
"We haven't seen anything like this in the Valley in a long time," Mr. Turko said.
ABOVE: Photo by Michael J. Mullen. From left, Gene Turko, Patrick Marcinko II, Jay Luke and Stephen Klem III, members of the Olyphant Coal Miners Memorial Association, will erect and dedicate a concrete wall with a bronze plaque in front of the monument along the Lackawanna River. A 33-piece wind ensemble led by Mr. Marcinko will perform an hour-long concert in tribute to the Victory Band concerts of years past held in the town.
Working Writers, July 31, 2009
Interview: Jay Luke
by Cherie Burbach
Today we’re talking with Jay Luke, author of When Coal Was Queen. It seems writers have a wealth of creative talents sometimes, and this is certainly the case with Mr. Luke. Like many writers, he also has talent for artwork and music. He tells us about his inspiration for writing, favorite writers, and how he came to pen his latest work. I know you’re going to appreciate his advice to other writers as well.
Enjoy this interview.
Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from and how long have you been writing?
Hello there, my name is Jay Luke. I’m a lifelong resident of Throop, PA. I’ve been writing for almost as long as I can remember.
What types of writing do you do?
Most of my earliest stuff developed from poetry, then to lyrics for songs I wrote. After awhile I got around to putting ideas together for a novel I’d been kicking around in my head. Somewhere in between it all I wrote about the history of my neighboring town Olyphant.
What’s the best thing about writing?
To me, writing is a great form of expression, and therapy as well. I think just like with music and art, it allows me to vent and get things off of my chest whereas other people might get into trouble trying to vent in other ways. It provides a safe escape to let steam off, and keeps me out of trouble.
Share some of your writing goals.
I think my goals depend on what I’m writing. If I’m writing song lyrics, my goal is to make the words thought-provoking while fitting into a melodic soundscape. For the book I just wrote on Olyphant’s history, my goals were to do the best documentation I could of this coal mining town. Writing about history is supremely challenging as it requires tons of fact checking. Someone who may have documented an event long ago might clash with another person’s documentation of the same event. So there were many dates that needed to be thoroughly researched as well as name misspelling. I suppose what I had in mind was to tell the story of the town’s rise to fame through the famed anthracite industry. Today’s generation has no idea what really took place and how important the mining in this area was for the town’s formation. The main goal was to accurately educate those who want to know how the town developed from its earliest days.
To read Jay Luke's complete interview, visit Working Writers.
Coal Region History Chronicles, July 29, 2009
When Coal Was Queen by Jay Luke
by J. Stuart Richards
For the coal region history buff a new and interesting book is out written by Mr. Jay Luke. It is entitled When Coal Was Queen by Tribute Books. This book tells the story of Olyphant, Pennsylvania - a town that was built upon the anthracite coal industry in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The book is a collection of fascinating stories about the people, the various fire companies, the life and times of the people who worked in and about the mines and especially the coal miners from the area. Also included is a look at some of the interesting and notable personages of the town of Olyphant, Pa. What interested me is the well researched history of coal mining in the region.
The author Jay Luke is a musician and artist. He has complied an interesting, well-researched history of Olyphant. Jay is a graduate of Marywood University, and works as a graphic artist. His interests in history and the arts is well represented in this great book.
Grown in My Heart - An Adoption Network, July 24, 2009
Red In the Flower Bed: a book review
by Michelle McNally
I was recently introduced to the new children’s book, Red in the Flower Bed: An Illustrated Children’s Story about Interracial Adoption, by Andrea Nepa. This gentle, rhyming children’s story tells of a poppy seed who blows out of her original garden in search of a place to bloom and grow. It’s a sweet metaphor for an adoption placement. When reading any story about adoption, I’m alway curious to find out how the author is connected to adoption. I was fortunate enough to find out that a whole lot more when I had the opportunity to ask the author a few questions.
What inspired you to write this story as symbolic, rather than use people?
I chose a flower since it is easy to see how a flower develops from a tiny seed into a beautiful being if it receives good care, and I wanted the story to be fun for a child to read. Mostly I wanted the child to be able to identify with the seed/flower in their own way. For example, if I used an Asian child as the setting for the story, then it would mostly only appeal to Asian children.
The adoption message is clear for the adults reading the story–did you not use the word “adoption” in the story for a reason?
I purposely didn’t use the word adoption so that the child can interpret the story at his/her own pace in a way that they are ready for. A parent reading this story with their child could discuss the theme with their child to see what their understanding of their adoption is and discuss it from there.
When you decided to adopt, how did you come to chose trans-racial adoption?
We were quite open to any child when we first considered adoption, but I think we liked the idea of a foreign adoption so that the birth mother couldn’t change her mind (although a disadvantage has been that we don’t know anything about our daughter’s birth mother). Also, the process of adopting from Vietnam at the time was very quick (only 9 months), and the children are beautiful.
Did you think, at the time, that there would be unique challenges to becoming parents of a child with a different cultural background? Were there fears you had that weren’t realized or did obstacles you didn’t anticipate pop up?
Our adoption agency prepared us for these issues ahead of time, although it wasn’t a surprise to learn about the challenges of raising a child in a multi-racial family. We have always been very open with our daughter about her background and expose her to Vietnamese culture. She is proud of her background and likes to tell people that she is from Vietnam. We know many other families with adopted Asian children, so I don’t think that it seems unusual to her. I grew up with a Jewish father and Catholic mother, so I can relate to growing up in a “mixed” family, which was quite difficult for me. One thing that surprised me was how sad I was for my daughter when we flew her out of Vietnam. I felt like she was being ripped away from her homeland.
As your daughter matures, do you find the challenges of being a multi-racial family change?
Right now my daughter is only 7 1/2 years old, so there will no doubt be issues that arise when she is a teenager. So far it has been hard when she asks questions about her birth family that we don’t know the answer to, and when she sees how similar I look to my mother and twin sister I think she feels left out.
This is a story that can be read again and again, and each time, your child will be able to take a little more away from the story. With illustrations inspired by Lois Ehlert and Eric Carle (two of Nepa’s favorites), it’s bound to become a favorite on the bookshelf.
Mormon Mommy Blogs, July 3, 2009
Red In the Flower Bed
by Jennifer Jackson
Andrea Nepa's new children’s book, Red In the Flower Bed: An Illustrated Children’s Story About Interracial Adoption fills a great void in the canon of books for transracially adopted children. While the body of "books for adopted kids" includes many wonderful books that would be a treasure on any adopted child's shelf, the presence of transracial adoptive themes are noticeably underrepresented. As I read and re-read this book (all the while picking the brain of the author), it was clear that this literary effort was certainly rooted in love.
Red In the Flower Bed tells the story of a small poppy seed and its long journey to a beautiful garden where it doesn't resemble any of the other flowers. As it grows tall and blooms, it learns that our differences are beautiful and needed - and we, the readers, take away the idea that transracial adoptive families are more complete and radiant because of those differences.
The author and her husband adopted their daughter, Leah, from Vietnam more than seven years ago. A registered dietician by trade, Ms. Nepa didn’t consider writing a children’s book until Leah was diagnosed with cancer at age five. In an interview with the blog Road to Ethiopia, the author said, "The idea started when my daughter started asking questions about her adoption, and we didn’t have the answers. One especially sad memory is her at 5 years-old sitting in a hospital bed receiving chemotherapy and asking, 'Does my birth mother know I’m here?'…Her journey as a young infant to the other side of the world and then fighting cancer seemed like a big journey for a little girl."
Though the author clearly intended this book to benefit adopted children - especially her own - it’s obvious that residual benefit resulted. I asked Ms. Nepa how the book-writing process was for her, as an adoptive parent, and she responded, "I think that writing this book has been good for me possibly because it has forced me to see adoption from my child's point of view and it has helped to define how I feel about adoption. More than anything it has allowed me to use my artistic abilities in writing and illustrating that I wouldn't normally use in my career. It has also allowed me to have more contact with other adoptive families."
Those contacts with other adoptive families that have come in the sharing of this book and through their adoption experience have also been of great benefit to the author. When I asked how those interactions have impacted her family, she replied, "We are in close contact with several of the families that we traveled to Vietnam with to adopt, and they feel like a second family to us. The kids call each other 'cousins' and know that they all came from the same orphanage… I think it is important for the kids to see that not all kids look like their parents and that families can be different from other families."
Through simple (but beautiful) illustrations, Ms. Nepa has created a subtle-yet-profound venue in which parents can open an age-appropriate dialogue with their children to answer the inevitable questions of "Why don’t I look like you?" and "How did I come to our family?" and the heartstring-tugging "Didn’t my birth mom love me?" Having a catalyst for those important conversations - in this case, for transracial families - is a valuable tool to create unity and understanding while celebrating the differences.
The idea of a seed and a flower is powerful, yet a concept that even young children can understand. The author said she chose a flower and a seed "because of several reasons: The seed blossomed into another red poppy like its birth mom to represent the fact that a child retains his/her heritage no matter where it lives…When my daughter asks what her birth mom looks like, I say 'She looks like you,' which she loves to hear."
You really can’t place enough value on the books written for kids that are about kids who are just like your kids. And while Red In the Flower Bed was intended for transracial adoptive families, it has great value for adoptive families at-large. As the mother of a Caucasian, adopted child (who is often mistakenly pegged as biological), I found this book to be an asset to our ongoing adoption dialogue - a conversation that grows and matures as our son does. And while "being adopted" is part of our everyday vernacular around these parts - and is as essential to our son's identity as his blue eyes and wide feet and monstrous cowlick - it's always refreshing to know that through such a routine activity as simply reading a book, we can maintain those lines of communication - the goal of which is to ensure our son that he is loved from more directions than he could possibly imagine.
After all, isn't it all about love?
Scranton Times-Tribune, June 28, 2009
Around the Towns
Blakely
by Cecilia Baress
Resident Helen Silvestri won the 2009 Volunteer Award for her work at Lackawanna County Prison.
Mrs. Silvestri was selected by the Rev. Ricardo Jackson, prison chaplain, for her weekly prayer group visits.
She said receiving the award was gratifying and humbling. "Naturally, I was pleased," she said.
She has volunteered at the prison for about 20 years, hosting a Catholic Charismatic prayer group for female inmates, she said.
Times Leader Scranton Edition, June 21, 2009
Religious author honored for volunteerism
by Shelby Fisk
Helen Silvestri, of Peckville, receives award from Lackawanna County Prison.
Local author, Helen Silvestri from Peckville, who wrote “With God There Is Hope: Hope for Humanity” under her pen name, Ellen Chaksil, has won the 2009 Volunteer Award from the Lackawanna County Prison in Scranton.
In 1978, Silvestri said that she attended her first prayer group after being invited by two friends. Although she was originally skeptical about what she would experience, she said going to the prayer group was a life-changing event. She said that she was given the gift of speaking in tongues and nine months later was given the gift of prophecy. Since then she said that she has helped volunteer with religious groups.
In the mid-1980s, Silvestri said that she began her work with the Lackawanna County Prison. Since then she has continued, making weekly visits to the prison to host Monday prayer groups for women.
“It’s a fulfilling experience,” Silvestri said about hosting the prayer groups, because “prayer could change outlooks.”
“There’s a spiritual energy in prayer,” Silvestri said. “It can move mountains.”
There have been many positive and affirming comments from the women that she prays with, Silvestri said. She did not discuss the exact conversations that she’s had with inmates, citing confidentiality. She said that she is also not allowed to speak with women after they are released from prison, so Silvestri said she only hopes for the best for the women that she has met and she feels that praying with women in the prison can help them.
She believes most of the women in the prison have come from dysfunctional families and are misguided.
“Ninety percent of the females in there are in because of drug related crimes,” she said.
Silvestri explained that she feels that there is a void left in everyone by God that can only be filled by God, even though humans sometimes try to fill it in other ways.
“They’re young girls,” Silvestri said, “hoping to get into rehab.”
“When they’re sentenced we pray that justice will be done.”
Silvestri said that she often reads Scriptures from the Bible to comfort the women.
“Jesus said we’re forgiven 70 times, seven times,” Silvestri said. “Letting them know there is help is important.”
“We’re all children of God,” Silvestri said, noting that some women have found religion through her prayer groups.
“We have common ground (regardless of religious affiliations),” she added.
In her prayer groups, she said that she shares the same message that is prominent in her book: the power of prayer.
“Seeing the power of prayer,” she said is important.
“Yesterday (June 16) was the 20th anniversary of my son’s death,” Silvestri said. “It (prayer) helps you get through (tough times).”
Silvestri has traveled locally, nationally and for the last two years internationally volunteering her time with religious work.
“All I ever hope for is to touch a heart,” Silvestri said.
“You’ve got to do what you can,” Silvestri said adding that inspiration from God keeps her going.
“I’ve had an exciting life in the Lord,” Silvestri said.
Silvestri is a member of the parishes of St. Patrick, Holy Ghost, and St. Michael the Archangel in Olyphant, where she serves as a eucharistic minister and lector. She is also president of the Confraternity of Christian Women, coordinator of RENEW, and is a member of the parish and finance councils.
Her book, “With God There Is Hope: Hope for Humanity,” can be purchased at tribute-books.com, amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, borders.com, booksamillion.com and powells.com or can be special ordered at local bookstores.
Barnes & Noble College Booksellers on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre will host a book signing with Silvestri on Saturday, Aug. 15, from noon to 2 p.m.
Helen Silvestri
TOWN OF RESIDENCE: Peckville
OCCUPATION: Self-employed
HOW MANY YEARS: Almost 49 years
CHARITIES, VOLUNTEER PROJECTS: Religious volunteer work on local, national and international levels
FAMILY: Husband, Bruno; children, Marie, Paul, and the late John; grandchildren, Laura, 27; Sarah, 20; David, 19; Matthew, 16; Morgan, 14
EDUCATION: Archbald High School and some university theology work
HOBBIES, INTERESTS: Cooking and golf
ABOVE: Helen Silvestri greets Pope Benedict XVI.
AdoptionBlogs.com, June 18, 2009
Talking with Andrea Nepa, Author of Red In the Flower Bed
by Robyn Chittister
I was recently contacted by Tribute Books with a great opportunity - to interview Andrea Nepa, adoptive mom and author of Red in the Flower Bed: An Illustrated Children's Story about Interracial Adoption. I read the book and asked Andrea a few questions.
Andrea Nepa and her husband adopted their daughter Leah from Vietnam in 2001. Although she is a dietician, she took on the challenge of writing and illustrating a children's book for her daughter. Red in the Flower Bed was published in December 2008, and has received several positive reviews.
In the book, a seed who is unable to grow in the garden she starts it travels the world until she settles in a far off flower bed. The other flowers are anxious to see what the new flower will look like, who she will be. When the seed sprouts, she becomes a beautiful red poppy. Though there aren't any other red poppies in the garden, she and the other flowers are happy because she completes their rainbow of colors.
Now, more from Andrea herself...
RobynC: Has writing always been a favorite pastime?
Andrea Nepa: I've always loved to read, but creative writing isn't something I do all that often.
RC: When did first think about creating a children's book?
AN: I was inspired to write this story when my daughter was about 3 years old. We felt so lucky to have such a beautiful little girl from all the way on the other side of the world. Her background was a mystery to us and when she asked us questions about her birth mother we didn't know the answer. She seemed to have feelings of abandonment when she was able to understand the concept of adoption, and it was important to make her feel loved and wanted.
RC: How long did it take the idea to become reality?
AN: It took a few years to finish writing the story. I would think about it and write a little then put it away for a while. I didn't intend on illustrating it, too, but I wanted the pictures to be appealing to children and put the words into pictures. So I decided to make it look the way I wanted it, which took another year or so.
RC: The illustrations for the book are beautiful. What techniques did you use to create them?
AN: I used a collage technique for the illustrations. My favorite children's book illustrators are Eric Carle and Lois Ehlert, so I was inspired by their styles.
RC: Finally, a more personal question, because it's one I get all the time. Are you and your husband thinking about adopting again?
AN: We originally planned on having a sibling for our daughter Leah, but when we started to seriously think about adopting again she got very sick so we put things on hold. Now not only is Vietnam closed for adoptions, but we feel that at this point she would be too much older than an infant or toddler, plus we really can't afford it anyway. So that is the honest answer (I don't mind when people ask).
Road to Ethiopia, June 16, 2009
Red in the Flower Bed
by Alicia Grinberg
I had the wonderful chance to interview the author of a children’s book about transracial adoption, Andrea Nepa. She is an adoptive parent herself, her beautiful girl is from Vietnam and is already 7 1/2 years old.
Even when there are many books about transracial adoption for adults, I wasn’t able to find any other book about that subject for children.
We always wonder how are we going to explain to our children, once they are old enough, about their journey and ours, about how they became part of the family. It’s a delicate subject and each of us are trying to find a way to discuss it with the children without hurting them but also without lying to them.
Every age is different and it’s important not to say more than the child needs at each stage, more than he or she is able to understand.
And we need to talk about adoption and for many of us about race too.
That’s what happened to Andrea Nepa and it is the idea behind her book at a very special time in the life of her child, when the little girl was diagnosed with cancer and many more questions about her identity were asked.
And the answers took the form of a book titled Red in the Flower Bed. The book tells about the journey of a little poppy seed that needs to go in search of a place where she can grow up.
Here is what I asked Andrea and her answers:
Can you tell us about your transracial adoption experience?
“We chose to adopt from Vietnam because we were told that young, healthy infants were available and the wait wasn’t long. We were able to choose the gender of the child we wanted, but after that it was a first come, first serve basis. We didn’t have any choice in who the child was (and no information about the birth parents or the circumstances of the adoption were known), but in many ways it seems like we were destined to have this child. From the moment I first saw photos of my daughter I couldn’t imagine any other child as mine. We went to Vietnam when she was only 4 months old to get her. As soon as she was placed in my arms at the orphanage I felt bonded to her. I can’t say it was love at first sight, but it didn’t take long. By the end of the 2 weeks that we stayed in Vietnam she seemed fully bonded to us. The opportunity to have experienced her place of birth was priceless. I remember suddenly having an intense feeling of sadness for her when we were at the airport on the way back home. It seemed like she was being ripped away from her homeland and forever separated from her birth mother. But one thing was sure: she was a beautiful baby in need of a loving home. She is now 7 1/2 years old, and we are in touch with many Asian adoptees of her age, including those in our travel group. We also attend Asian New Year celebrations through our adoption agency and other events. Her favorite restaurant is a Vietnamese restaurant near us in Philadelphia, although she enjoys many other "ethnic" foods as well!”
How did you come up with the idea of comparing a transracial adoption to the journey of a seed?
“The idea started when my daughter starting asking questions about her adoption, and we didn’t have the answers. One especially sad memory is her at 5 years old sitting in a hospital bed receiving chemotherapy and asking "Does my birth mother know I’m here?" She often expressed sadness about "missing" her birth mother, and I suspect she had a lot of feelings of abandonment, too. She had come so far away from her place of birth and had "landed" with us. It seemed like more than coincidence that she ended up being 20 minutes away from the best children’s hospital in the country, if not the world. Her journey as a young infant to the other side other world and then fighting cancer seemed like a big journey for a little girl. I chose a seed because when you adopt a child you don’t know who that child is, but end up loving him/her for whoever they become. It is wonderful seeing a child’s personality emerge as they grow up. In the story the garden flowers accepted the seed for who she was even before they knew what kind of flower she would be. I chose a flower seed because of several reasons: The seed blossomed into another red poppy like its birth mom to represent the fact that a child retains his/her identity no matter where it lives; heritage can’t be denied or ignored. When my daughter asks what her birth mom looks like I say "she looks like you", which she loves to hear. Another reason is that with love and good care the seed blossomed into her full potential, much like a child would in a good family.”
The illustrations are beautiful. What technique did you use?
“My main goal was to attract the attention of young children with colorful, eye-pleasing pictures. It’s important in children’s books for the pictures to bring the words to life. I was inspired by the collage techniques of Eric Carle and Lois Ehlert, two of my favorite children’s book illustrators.”
Are you planning to write more books?
“I think I would be more interested in illustrating another children’s book than writing one. I asked my daughter if she would like me to write a book about her hospital experience, but she said no. So I have to respect that.”
Personally I found the book very moving and it’s a beautiful and poetic way to explain a small child how he/she became a part of our “garden” and that we love him just they way he is, with his own “colors”. The identity of the child is an important part of who he is and should be protected and celebrated, not ignored and the same goes for his/her birth parents no matter the circumstances of the adoption.
If you want to read more about Andrea’s story, please visit her blog, and if you want to know more about the book and see some examples the illustrations visit Tribute Books.
Inkweaver Review, June 12, 2009
“Call Me Kate,” by Molly Roe
by Nathan P.
“Call Me Kate,” by Molly Roe is a historical fiction story about a young Irish girl living during the Civil War era.
Kate McCafferty lives in the Patch, a small coal mining community. Most of the families of the Patch are Irish. For their entire, and sometimes tragically short, lives the men and boys work hard in the coal mines to make a living. Dangerous work conditions and unfair mine owners add to the difficulty of life in the Patch. Many of the Irish men are angry over their life and the racism shown against Irish.
With the start of the Civil War a new threat looms on the horizon. Poor Irish men are being drafted into the war effort because they don’t have the money to pay for an exemption. No concern is shown for their wives and children, who will have to suffer the loss of a spouse or father.
The Irish men of the Patch form a secret society called the Molly Maguires. Its goal is to fight the draft and protect its members from the draft. Kate’s friend Con becomes deeply involved in the effort, but Kate fears for his safety because the Molly Maguires seem to be headed toward disaster. Many of them have very angry and violent attitudes.
Then Kate learns of their ultimate plan. The Molly Maguires plan to blow up the train tracks and derail the draft train. Then the men of the Patch won’t be taken away in the draft.
Kate is afraid that this desperate plan will end with many Irish men, including her friend Con imprisoned. So Kate comes up with her own plan. By disguising herself and posing as a draft resister who was blacklisted by the mine owners, Kate infiltrates the Molly Maguires and attempts to bring about a peaceful solution to the problem.
Overall I would say that “Call Me Kate” is a decent book. Kate is an imaginative and strong heroine, and her personality really comes into action in the last few chapters of the book. However, the story takes a while to get to its climax, and for most of the first three quarters of the book Kate plays a minimal role, as she is far away from the theatre of action.
Despite the fact that this part of the book seems to drag on a little, it is full of strange gaps and breaks that ruin the flow of the plot. Many of the chapters have weeks or months of time between them, and they start with a brief summary of what happened in the interim time between. The flow of the book feels a little sacrificed as if portions of the story were edited out at the last minute.
Even if there are breaks in the plot, there are definitely no shortcomings in the excellent details that Molly Roe uses to enliven the historical scenes. I feel that the portrayal of Civil War era life is very authentic, and at the same time it subtly teaches much about how people worked, played, and thought in that time period.
“Call Me Kate” is a decent historical novel. I feel that it is a good education book, even though it is not as exciting or as polished as some other historical fiction I’ve read.
Children's Hope International, June 12, 2009
Interview with Andrea Nepa: Red in the Flower Bed (Children's Adoption Author)
by Jennifer Newcomb
Andrea Nepa is the author of the new adoption-themed children's book, Red in the Flower Bed. Andrea is the mother of an adopted Vietnamese daughter named Leah. She is a registered dietitian at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Red in the Flower Bed is for recommended for readers ages 6-8. This interview was conducted over email in June 2009. Thank you for sharing, Andrea!
1. When and why did you begin writing Red in the Flower Bed?
When my daughter was 4 months old we brought her home from Vietnam. She understood from an early age that she was adopted, and sometimes would cry that she missed her birth mother. She would also ask questions that we didn't have the answer to, as we were not given any info. as to who her birth parents were or why she was given up. Her saddness and my inability to answer her questions was inspiration for writing this story. I started writing it when she was about 3 or 4, and from time to time I would work on it. The story just wouldn't leave me. Then just when she turned 5 years old she was diagnosed with Ewings sarcoma, a rare form of childhood bone cancer. (After major surgery and 8 months of chemotherapy she has now been in remission for 2 years). The concept of the seed's journey took on even more significance, as it seemed that she had already journeyed very far (both literally and figuratively) for a little girl. She was taken from her birth place half way around the world as an infant and then fought cancer a few years later. Furthermore, I couldn't help wondering if she had "landed" in the right place, as we live only 20 minutes away from the best children's hospital in the country, if not the world. I also happened to work there. It seemed more than coincidence that she ended up with us.
2. In Red in the Flower Bed, the poppy seed flower is beautiful but does not look like the other flowers in the family garden. Although it is not mentioned in the text directly, this story is an illustration of interracial adoption. How old is your daughter now and how does she react when you read your book to her?
I deliberately did not use the word adoption in the story so that the reader can interpret the book in their own way at their own pace according to their age level. My daughter is now 7 1/2 years old. She loves the idea that I wrote a book and asked me to read it to her second grade class and is hoping that I will end up on TV! Her favorite page is the last page with the rainbow. I think she interprets this to mean that she is wanted and needed in our family, even though she does not look like us and is not a birth child like most of her friends. She also seems to be comforted by the mother poppy being sad, as it helps her feel that she wasn't just thrown away by her birth mother. Also, I made the seed turn into a red poppy flower like its birth flower, since when my daughter asks what her birth mom looks like I can say with some confidence "she looks like you", which she loves to hear. She is proud of her Vietnamese background and always answers that she is from Vietnam whenever someone asks where she is from (even if they just mean what state). I hope that she will never feel ashamed of looking different from her family or classmates. In this story the seed retains its identity no matter where it lands since its heritage can't be ignored or denied. Note that the garden flowers accepted the seed for who she was even before they knew what kind of flower she would be. The seed blossomed into her full potential because she was given the care and love she needed.
3. What are some good questions / statements an adopting parent might add to this story to further relate to their child?
Questions to prompt the child to think about the story could include: Why do you think this story is called Red in the Flower Bed? Even though the poppy did not look like the other flowers in the garden, was she still part of its family? Who did she look like? What did the seed need to grow in the garden? Do all flowers need this? How was the garden changed by the poppy flower?
4. Can you explain the choices made in the illustration technique?
My main goal was to attract the attention of young children with colorful, eye-pleasing pictures. In children's books it's important for the pictures to bring the words to life. I was inspired by the art techniques of Eric Carle and Lois Ehlert, two of my favorite children's book artists. One adult reader commented that the collage style using different prints makes that point that "we are all one and can come together to form a single family".
5. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I think that it's important to accept your child unconditionally for who they are, and to acknowledge your child's place of birth and heritage. It will always be a part of them. It is also important to respect your child's desire to know their background. It is their right to know. Allow them to talk about it and ask questions, even if you don't know the answer. Be honest.
Electric City, June 11, 2009
Power of Self-Promotion
by Alicia Grega
It wasn’t too long after graduating from Marywood University that Nicole Langan decided to defy naysayers and set up a publishing company in her hometown of Archbald. Tribute Books is now in its 5th year of assisting independent writers see their manuscripts transformed into bonafide books with slick covers, clean layouts and effective media campaigns behind them. More than 22 titles are currently available. Wonder how your long-dreamed volume might someday join them on bookstore shelves? Langan will present a workshop titled “How to Publish a Book” Tuesday at 6:30 at Danielle and Company on Adams Avenue in Scranton. A fee of $5 will be charged. Class size is limited to 20 students. Call 207-1777 to make a reservation or visit www.tribute-books.com for more information.
The Boogle, June 11, 2009
Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires
by Mark McGinty
Ladies and gentlemen, The Boogle is proud to present our first ever author interview! Please welcome Molly Roe author of Call Me Kate!!!!
The Boogle: What is Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires about?
MR: Call Me Kate is the story of the adventures and tribulations of Katie McCafferty and her family in the hard coal region of Pennsylvania. During the Civil War, conflict between mine owners and their employees resulted in labor strikes and riots. The Company owners considered the workers’ behavior treasonous, and eventually they attached the name “Molly Maguire” to anyone resisting the draft or fighting for labor rights.
Katie becomes aware of the turmoil when her best friend, Con Gallagher, joins the protesters and is blacklisted from work in the local mine. To save her friend from the inevitable consequences of his impulsiveness, she gets entangled with the anti-draft faction, and her own safety is jeopardized. The novel is a coming of age story as well as an introduction to the beginnings of the secret society called the Molly Maguires.
The Boogle: Sounds pretty cool. I’m fascinated by stories of labor strife and civil unrest. What inspired you to write this book?
MR: After years of researching genealogy, I decided to put my thoughts into writing for future generations. The family stories I heard while growing up in northeastern Pennsylvania amazed me; the stoicism of the people was astounding. I found many of my “ordinary” relatives mentioned in the historical records and trial transcripts of the Molly Maguire era and wondered how they survived the extraordinary events of the time. The “whys” and “what ifs” led to Call Me Kate, my first novel.
The Boogle: Why do you write historical fiction?
MR: Historical fiction fascinates me because it gives an insight into how people lived in past centuries. Many of the junior high students that I teach are unaware of how their ancestors lived. I hope to inspire my readers to learn about the past by providing stories that inform as well as entertain.
The Boogle: Who are some of your favorite authors and what are some of your favorite books?
MR: My reading tastes are eclectic. I’ve always loved the early nineteenth century novels of Jane Austen and the Brontes. Pride and Prejudice is my all-time favorite, with Jane Eyre and Persuasion tied for second place. On a totally different note, some other favorites are Stephen King’s horror stories, especially The Stand and The Shining; James A. Michener’s novels, and Pearl Buck’s stories set in China. Since I teach junior high, I also try to keep up with YA lit so I’ve read many popular series such as Harry Potter, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Twilight, and the works of Gary Paulsen and J.R.R. Tolkien.
The Boogle: What is next? What are you currently working on?
MR: Before I started writing Call Me Kate, I outlined the lives of all three McCafferty sisters: Kate, Sarah, and Maymie. I’m currently half way through the first draft of Sarah’s Story: The Curse on Centralia. The story line picks up the McCaffertys’ lives three years after the war when they are forced to move to another county. There the second oldest sister finds work as a governess for the mine superintendent’s daughters in Centralia, PA. Once again talk of the Molly Maguires dominate the town to the extent that the parish priest warns the people that their nefarious dealings will bring the town to a bad end. The mine fire has reduced the town to six residents as of this writing, seeming to validate the priest’s curse of one hundred forty years ago.
The Boogle: Thanks Mollie – best of luck with the book!
The Historical Novel Review, June 6, 2009
Interview with Molly Roe - Author of Call Me Kate
by Mirella Sichirollo Patzer
1. Welcome, I’m so glad to have this opportunity to chat with you. Can you share with my readers the essence of the story you’ve penned?
Thank you for your interest in my book. Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires is the story of Katie McCafferty, a girl living in the Pennsylvania coal region during the Civil War. After her father is critically injured in a mining accident, Katie seeks work as a domestic to help provide for her family. She must leave her family and friends in Murphy’s Patch to work at the estate of a coal baron in a nearby city. There she hears a group of wealthy industrialists discuss plans to ruthlessly squash an upcoming draft protest. Among the protesters are people from her community, including her childhood friend, Con Gallagher. Katie is conflicted about the best way to intervene, but she eventually launches herself into the events of the day, including the draft protest, putting her job and life at risk.
2. You’ve chosen a very interesting title. What inspired the title? What inspired the book?
The title is in two parts. The first Call Me Kate reflects the coming of age of Katie, who matures during the course of the story, hence the change from Katie to Kate. The second part, Meeting the Molly Maguires, specifies the setting, the early Molly Maguire era. The Molly Maguires, the legendary secret society of Irish miners, were considered labor heroes by some people and terrorists by others.
The book was inspired by the information I learned while researching my family history. My sense of wonder was kindled at the way people lived in the nineteenth century. Life was very difficult, but people somehow kept surmounting the obstacles set in their way. While growing up, I’d heard many stories about the Molly Maguires, but never knew how intimately connected they were to both sides of my family tree.
3. What makes this book special to you?
The basis of the story is really very personal. It’s the fictionalized story of my ancestors who came to Pennsylvania because of the Great Famine in Ireland so it’s an homage to them. Catharine McCafferty was the name of my great-great-grandmother and her mother’s name was Mary McCall, the names of the characters in the novel.
4. What makes this a book that people MUST read and WHY?
The idea that people will be forced to relive the mistakes of the past if they do not study history is definitely a motivating factor. The themes in the historical events are eerily repetitive: immigration, war protests, injustice, the greed of big business, the abuse of the working man, and the list goes on. We need to keep teaching the younger generations to learn from the past. Since I teach seventh and eighth graders, the educational value is always in my mind.
5. What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?
Connecting with people from other generations or cultures often sparks creative ideas. I’ve always enjoyed hearing the stories of the older generation, and now I find dialogue with the younger generation also fascinating. Reading is another way my ideas emerge. I’ve always been a reader and constantly wondered “what if” when reading the works of other writers. My number one tip to beginning writers is to read, read, read.
6. What has been the biggest stumbling block in your writing? Can you share some tips to help others get past similar problems?
Time is probably the biggest hurdle. Teaching teenagers is very demanding, and grading papers sometimes saps my energy. Historical fiction requires a lot of research and fact checking at libraries and historical societies, and I have limited travel time during the school year. I use the summer to accomplish as much research as possible. Regarding time, everyone has different biorhythms so each writer must find what works personally.
7. Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote your book?
I haven’t done anything too dramatic regarding promotion, although a friend jokingly suggested a float in the local St. Patrick’s Day parade. I’ve promoted my book at talks in several historical locations in northeastern Pennsylvania and managed to get it accepted into gift shops at two state and one national historical site. I’m currently creating a WebQuest for middle school students related to Call Me Kate that addresses Pennsylvania history and language arts standards.
8. Each author is different in the way they create a work of fiction. Please describe for us how you plan or plot a story.
For Call Me Kate and Sarah’s Story I developed a timeline of the actual historical dates of the events that occurred. The dates are set so I have to fill in the fictional part between those dates. For the fictional part of the plot, I follow a framework that was described in a writer’s workbook. I start with a core sentence describing the story and break it into parts that represent the main sections of the novel. Then I enlarge on the core theme and build on each part in stages. This becomes the basic outline. When I looked back at it after the novel was written, I realized the story took a few unexpected turns. When I get blocked on a certain section, I jump ahead and write the parts that I am confident about.
9. Authors are very unique in the way they write, the tools they use, when they write, etc. Please describe a typical writing day for you? How do you organize your day?
I’m an absolute night owl so my ordinary writing time is between 10 PM -1:30 AM. This is definitely my best time and always has been. My scheduled work day is from 7:15 to 2:45, but I’m usually in my classroom until at least 3:45. When I get home I nap for an hour, then make dinner, grade papers and finally settle in to writing for a while. Some nights I get a lot done, but as long as I write two pages I’m satisfied. I use my desktop computer at home for writing. When away I use my laptop. Somehow being in the same place at my desktop helps me avoid distractions so I rarely use the laptop at home.
10. What is your current work in progress?
I am currently working on the second book in the McCafferty sisters’ trilogy. The tentative title is Sarah’s Story: The Curse on Centralia. The setting of my first novel was a re-creation of my maternal great-grandparents’ town. This second novel is set in Centralia where my father’s grandparents lived from the 1860s to the 1900s. Sarah’s Story continues examining the Molly Maguire history with the murder of a mine superintendent.
11. Can you tell us where to find more information about you and your books and how readers can reach you?
My publisher, Nicole Langan, has lots of information on the Tribute Books website, www.tribute-books.com. My e-mail address is mollyroe3@yahoo.com. I also have a blog, http://conversationsfromthesideporch.blogspot.com/
12. What would you like our readers to know about you and your writing?
My writing arises from a pride in my heritage and in my ancestors’ stoicism. My pen name is a tribute to Mollyroe, the townland in Donegal, Ireland, where my great-grandfather was born. I firmly believe that we need to acknowledge that our ancestors paved the way for an easier life for us here in the present.
Extraordinary Moms Network, May 29, 2009
Special Book for Adoptive Families
by Heidi Saxton
The book I’d like to review today is entitled Red in the Flower Bed, by Andrea Nepa (Tribute Books). Andrea is an adoptive mother of a little girl from Vietnam, and I had the pleasure of asking her a few questions about her book:
1. Tell me a bit about your international adoption story.
Our adoption journey began when we went to Vietnam to get our daughter when she was 4 months old. We stayed there for 2 weeks, which was an incredible way to get to know a little bit about her place of birth. We loved watching her spunky personality emerge as she grew. Our biggest challenge so far was when she was diagnosed with Ewings sarcoma, a rare pediatric bone cancer, at the age of 5. (After major surgery and 8 months of chemo, she has now been in remission for 2 years).
She understood from an early age that she was adopted and sometimes would cry that she missed her birth mother. Her mourning and my inability to answer her questions about her adoption (we were not given any info. as to who her biological parents were or even the circumstances of her being given up) was part of my inspiration to write this story. Plus, I felt that somehow perhaps she was meant to be with us, since we live only 20 minutes away from the best children’s hospital in the country, if not the world.
2. What advice would you give parents who adopt an older child, and run into difficulties parenting that child — if the “flower” has difficulty fitting in their particular garden?
You have to acknowledge and respect the child’s cultural heritage no matter what age they are adopted at. The idea isn’t necessarily for the flower to have to fit in to the garden, but for the flower and garden to complement each other with their differences. It is no doubt much harder for an older child to adjust to a new family in a new culture than for a very young child. Ideally, the child should be accepted by their family unconditionally for who they are and not have to live up to expectations for the kind of person they “should” be. The garden flowers accepted the seed for who she was before they knew what kind of flower she would be. Also, I believe that parents need to be flexible in adapting to the personality of their child (whether or not they are adopted, but of course this is just my opinion!).
3. The image of “seed” can be a loaded one for some adoptive families, especially those whose children come from neglectful or abusive backgrounds. The suggestion is that — no matter what you do to raise the child, all he is and will ever be is already determined in the “seed.” How would you respond to this?
The seed retains its identity no matter where it lands, since its heritage can’t be denied and shouldn’t be ignored. Looking different is not something to be ashamed of. In the story the seed thrived and blossomed into a healthy, beautiful flower because it was given the love and care it needed. Superficially the poppy looks like her birth flower, but also in a good environment she is allowed to reach her full potential. Likewise, a child who experiences an abusive home will likely be influenced in a negative way. This is one good reason to adopt a needy child! All children deserve a loving home.
4. What do you say to grown international adoptees who long to know more about their roots, but don’t know how to begin?
I don’t have direct experience with this, but from an adoptive parent’s perspective I will say that it is important to be honest with your child as much as possible even if this means saying “I don’t know”. The child should not be made to feel guilty about asking questions about their past; it’s their right to know. The only question that my daughter asks that I can honestly answer with some confidence is when she wants to know what her birth mother looks like. She loves to hear “she looks like you”. This is another reason why I made the seed turn out as a red poppy like its mother flower. In terms of dealing with adoption issues, it is important for adoptees to have contact with other adoptees.
Hazleton Standard Speaker, May 5, 2009
Mollies recalled at Eckley program
by Joseph Bezares
Eckley Miners' Village Associates hosted a Molly Maguires program in their auditorium on Sunday.
The event began with some traditional Irish folk music and songs about the Molly Maguires by singer Steve Stanislaw and Jerry Sweeney.
Stanislaw sang classics like "Make Way for the Molly Maguires" and "Lament for the Molly Maguires."
Even though this was his first time doing a Molly Maguires-themed event in Eckley, Stanislaw has played at places like Molly Maguires Pub in Philadelphia.
Next at the podium was Molly Roe, author of the book "Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires."
According to her bio on the book, Molly Roe is the pen name of Mary Garrity Slaby, a veteran language arts and reading teacher at Lake-Lehman Junior Senior High School. Her son, John Garrett, is the illustrator of the cover.
Her book takes place in 1861, the beginning of the Civil War, and follows the adventures of 14-year-old Katie McCafferty as she infiltrates a secret Irish organization called the Molly Maguires.
After doing a family history, Mary Garrity Slaby wanted to make the coal mining era more relevant to the age group she teaches (7-8) and entice those children to immerse themselves in their own family histories.
She said this book started out as a chapter and after four years of writing, researching and editing finally blossomed into the first book of a trilogy.
"I think (the hardest part) was more decision making on how to go about it," Slaby said. Communication was so limited during that time period, it was hard to piece together the information with the many gaps in history, she said.
After her lecture, Slaby began her book signing while Stanislaw began singing Irish folk tunes again.
Pottsville Republican Herald, May 1, 2009
Around the Region
Weatherly
Eckley Miner's Village Associates will host a Molly Maguire-themed program on Sunday in the visitors' center auditorium, free and open to the public. At 1 p.m., Irish folk singer Steve Stanislaw will perform traditional Irish music. At 2 p.m., author Molly Roe will present a lecture on her latest novel, "Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires," which focuses on life in the coal region during the Civil War and the Molly Maguires' struggle against the draft act. A book signing will follow the lecture. Eckley is nine miles east of Hazleton, just off Route 940. For more information, call 636-2070 or go to the village Web site at www.eckleyminers.org.
Adoptions from the Heart, April 22, 2009
Book Review
by Heidi Gonzalez
Red in the Flower Bed: A Story About Inter-racial Adoption by Andrea Nepa - Written by one of AFTH's families, this abstract story is about a small poppy seed that makes a long journey to find itself in a garden with other flowers that don't look anything like the beautiful red poppy the seed grows into. It is a story of acceptance and teaches that you don't have to look the same to fit in. It's a good way to introduce the topic of diversity to children.
Scranton Times, April 12, 2009
History jumps off the page
by Cheryl Kashuba
Irish Miners
"Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires" (www.tribute-books.com), by Molly Roe, is fiction grounded in authentic history. Fourteen-year-old Katie McCafferty infiltrates a secret Irish organization to save her friend and prevent bloodshed. This book recreates, in vivid detail, life among the Irish coal miners in the days just before the Civil War. While the story provides a glimpse into the dangers of a mining community, it focuses on the draft practices that took Irish immigrants, sometimes against their will. The book is especially suitable for younger readers. But its careful rendering of facts makes it appealing to anyone interested in mining history and the history of Irish immigrants.
The book brings local history to life. Thoroughly researched, with careful attention to accuracy, it offers an authentic view into an interesting segment of our region's past.
The Lackawanna Historical Society carries a wide range of local history publications. For a listing, go to www.lackawannahistory.org or call the society at 570-344-3841.
Scranton Times, April 5, 2009
If You Go
by Cheryl Kashuba
Molly Roe, author of "Call Me Kate," will appear at the Catlin House today at 2 p.m. A dramatic novel about a young girl who infiltrates a secret Irish society, the story is set in the anthracite coal region during the Civil War era.
"The Lackawanna Historical Society is always pleased to see new and creative ways to promote an interest in our local history," said Society Director Mary Ann Moran-Savakinus. "We are delighted to know that local authors are using their heritage to develop new publications."
Times News, April 4, 2009
The Mollies through a young girl's eyes Dimmick Library to feature author of Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires
by Al Zagofsky
"I write as Molly Roe," said Mary Garrity Slaby, the author of Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires. Several years ago, she came to the Dimmick Memorial Library in Jim Thorpe to research her family history and in an old census, she discovered that her great grandfather came from Mollyroe, Ireland.
Slaby, a Coaldale native with a Ph.D. in education, liked the name, parsed it into two words, and adopted it as her pen name. Call Me Kate, the result of 10 years of research, is Molly Roe's first novel but not her last. She has accumulated such a wealth of material, that Call Me Kate is being released as the first volume of a trilogy.
Meet Mary Garrity Slaby, a.k.a. Molly Roe, at the Dimmick Memorial Library's "Meet the Author" event on Thursday evening April 16 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and learn about Molly Roe, her family's history and her novel, Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires.
Molly Roe's historical fiction tells the story of 14-year-old Katie McCafferty. After her family immigrates to northeastern Pennsylvania from Ireland, Katie gains employment as a servant in the mansion of coal baron Ario Pardee in Hazleton.
Over the next two years, Katie, named and loosely based-on Roe's great great grandmother, Katherine McCafferty, infiltrates the Irish resistance to the Civil War conscription - a movement that the Pottsville Miners Journal labeled, the Molly Maguires.
Disguised as a draft resister, Katie risks job, family, and eventually her life to prevent bloodshed and rescue a lifelong friend.
"All eight of my great grandparents came from Ireland," said Roe. "They started coming in 1847 - the great hunger years. Some came later into the 1870s."
"The book has several facets," she explained. "There is the immigration, the coal mines, and how the Molly Maguires started. May people think of them in the 1870s but they started in the Civil War years."
It all began as a family history research. "I didn't plan to write a book," Roe said. "When I got into it, I learned so many details. After I finished telling everyone who might be interested, I thought I had all this information, I might as well do something with it."
When not Molly Roe the author, Slaby teaches reading and language arts to seventh and eighth graders. "I realized the relevance of history is a lot greater to students if they can picture themselves with their ancestors living it. So, she wrote the novel for the 12 to 15-year-old market. Pleasantly surprised, she discovered that the book has become popular with the octogenarians who remember the era when coal was king.
Slaby, who was born in Philadelphia and now lives in Dallas, Pa., grew up in Coaldale in the 1960s and 70s. "The mines were closing and people were leaving the area to go to other places," she said. "After the Second World War, the coal industry was in decline. People still worked as miners and had the attributes of miners-missing fingers, coal particles embedded in their face, and hacking coughs into handkerchiefs because of black lung."
"My take on the Molly Maguires?" Roe was asked. "They don't seem to have been, so much of an organized group of people. The coal companies and the railroad putting their name on events. Once you call somebody something, it begins to have a life of its own."
"Like Kate in the story, there were people called Molly Maguires who had no idea of what the Molly Maguires were," she explained. "They were probably afraid of them themselves."
"There were crimes at the time. Certainly, people did commit crimes," she said. "But every crime started to become a Molly crime. Even if it was a crime of jealousy. In Summit Hill, a man committed a murder - a crime of jealousy, and he got away with it because it was blamed on the Mollies. I think they took the Ancient Order of Hibernians, plastered a name on them and then everyone was tarred with the same brush."
Roe who had suspected that her family had been close to the Mollies, had always received denials from her family. "During the research for the book, I learned that my great grandmother was the maid of honor at Alec Campbell's wedding," said Roe. "His wife was first cousin of my great grandmother." Alec Campbell, one of the alleged Molly Maguires who were hanged on June 21, 1877, is most remembered as the man whose handprint remains on the Old Jail Museum wall in Jim Thorpe.
Mary Garrity Slaby, a.k.a. Molly Roe will speak at the "Meet the Author" event on Thursday evening April 16 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Dimmick Memorial Library 54 Broadway in Jim Thorpe.
For information call: (570) 325-2131.
The Weekender, April 1, 2009
Molly of the Mines
Molly Roe, author of the historical fiction novel "Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires," will sign copies of the book beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 5 at the Lackawanna County Historical Society (Catlin House, 232 Monroe Ave., Scranton, 570.344.3841). The book is published by Archbald-based Tribute Books.
Roe is also a contributing author to "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk High School," as well as a teacher at Lake-Lehman Junior Senior High School.
Windsor Park Theater, March 29, 2009
Visiting Bottega
by Anthony J. Mussari
Clarks Summit is one of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s treasures. It is small town America at its very best. Visiting what is known as the gateway to the Endless Mountains is always an enjoyable experience. On this spring morning, the Bottega Art and Book Boutique was my destination of choice. For two hours, it would be the home to more than a dozen regional authors.
The sun was high in the sky when I made the left hand turn onto Depot Street. I parked the car, and I slowly made my way toward the attractive store front strategically located a stone’s throw from the intersection of the main drag, State Street.
I turned to my right, and I was face to face with the author of Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires. Earlier in the week, I read an article about the author, Mary Garrity-Slaby, who writes under the pen name, Molly Roe. This made it easy to begin our conversation.
Mary is a very pleasant woman with a beautiful smile and a very sharp mind. She is a teacher by profession and a writer by choice. Her novel about 14-year old Kate McCafferty has taken her to events across the once thriving anthracite coalfields of Northeastern Pennsylvania. On this day, she was celebrating her accomplishments with other authors at Bottega.
In a world that too often appears to be a world of all crime, contention, confrontentation, violence, and lack of humanity all the time, the people like the people I met at Bottega prove that this is not the case. That is not the reality of our cities or our neighborhoods. That is not what is in people’s hearts.
The writers who gathered at Bottega are dedicated to bringing people together, solving problems, telling stories of hope, healing wounds, and making our country a better place for everyone. These are the men and women who are seeking a newer world.
Albert Camus, one of my heroes of the turbulent 60s, said it best, "The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself."
the words of Emily Dickinson and William Wordsworth came to mind:
A word is dead
When it is said,
Some say.
I say it just begins
to live that day.
Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.
Visiting Bottega was a day of life and breathings of the heart.
Times Leader, March 25, 2009
'Molly Maguires' novelist to speak
Mary Garrity Slaby wrote work of historical fiction that is set in Pa. during Civil War.
ARCHBALD – Molly Roe, author of "Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires," will be making appearances at several regional venues, including at The Bottega in Clarks Summit on Saturday, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Roe's novel of historical fiction, set in the Pennsylvania coal fields of the 1860s, is aimed at educating while entertaining a young adult audience, according to a news release from the publisher, Tribute Books.
Molly Roe is the pen name of Mary Garrity Slaby. She is a contributing author to "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk High School," as well as a teacher at Lake-Lehman Junior/Senior High School.
Her book is set during the tensions of the Civil War era, a time when immigrants were pitted against nativists, management against labor and pro-slavery factions against abolitionists. In many northern states, support for the war was weak and when President Lincoln enacted the draft in October 1862, resistance built up in regions where the common people's interests were in jeopardy.
Riots broke out in several states, including Pennsylvania. Many in the coal region and the farmlands resisted the draft because losing a breadwinner threatened the survival of the family.
Coming of age amid the unrest of the Civil War era, feisty 14-year-old Katie McCafferty infiltrates the Molly Maguires, a secret Irish organization, to rescue a lifelong friend. Under the guise of a male draft resister, Katie volunteers for a dangerous mission in hopes of preventing bloodshed.
Katie risks job, family, and ultimately her life to intervene. A series of tragedies challenge Katie’s strength and ingenuity, and she faces a crisis of conscience. Can she balance her sense of justice with the law?
"Call Me Kate" is suitable for readers from age 11 to adult. Roe’s work has been praised by Bill Strasner, museum director at Eckley Miner's Village near Freeland; and by Ruth Cummings, museum education at the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum in Scranton.
Slaby, a veteran language arts and reading teacher at Lake-Lehman Junior/Senior High School, holds a Ph.D. in education from Temple University, and Pennsylvania teaching certification in six areas. She has pursued the hobby of genealogy for the past decade.
Slaby was born in Philadelphia, raised in Schuylkill County and currently lives in Dallas, with her husband, John. They are parents of two grown children, Melissa and John Garrett, cover illustrator of "Call Me Kate."
She also will be at the Lackawanna Historical Society, Catlin House, 232 Monroe Ave., Scranton, on Sunday, April 5 at 2 p.m.; the Dimmick Memorial Library on Broadway in Jim Thorpe on April 16, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.; Eckley Miner’s Village in Eckley on May 3 at 2 p.m.; and the Tunkhannock Public Library on West Tioga Street in Tunkhannock on July 1 at 7 p.m.
Scranton Times-Tribune, March 8, 2009
Teen twist on Mollies
Author puts young spin on local history
by Caleb Sheaffer
More than a decade of genealogical research went into Dallas resident Mary Garrity Slaby’s new book, "Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires." But it is not a standard history book full of facts and figures.
Rather Slaby, under her pen name Molly Roe, wrote "Call Me Kate" as a novel for young adults to pique their interest in the rich history of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Ms. Slaby will conduct a book signing at the Lackawanna County Historical Society on April 5 at 2 p.m.
Slaby knows her audience well because of her day job. She teaches seventh- and eighth-grade language arts at Lake-Lehman Junior-Senior High School.
At Lake-Lehman, Slaby often has her students bring in three artifacts related to their family’s past. But usually the exercise doesn’t go over very well.
"I often find out they don’t know too much about their heritage," Slaby said.
Pique their interest
This experience encouraged her to figure out a way to intrigue junior high students with stories about coal mining and immigration. These tales made the areas from Pottsville to Scranton valuable to the country’s history.
Slaby was born in Philadelphia, but grew up in Coaldale, about 30 miles south of Hazleton. She started to research her family history later in life. Her research in area historical societies culminated in 2002 when 18 family members accompanied her to Donegal, the county in Ireland where her mother’s family originally lived.
Through her genealogical research, she discovered that her mother’s grandfather, Peter Bonner, may have been involved in the controversial Irish group, the Molly Maguires.
The main character of Slaby’s novel, Kate, is based on her grandmother, Katherine, who worked as a servant for the Pardee family outside Hazleton. In the book she befriends Con, a young man, who learns of the Molly Maguires.
To this day, the Molly Maguires remains an elusive group in the area’s history, and its members have been accused of killing individuals and committing various crimes from election-rigging to rioting. No hard proof exists for these past actions, and Slaby contends that the Molly Maguires may not have actually existed as people think they did.
"I think the name was put on them, and the conspiracy grew from there," Slaby said.
Describing hardships
The book also gives an unflinching look at the hardships of Northeastern Pennsylvania in the early industrial era. The book begins with Kate’s father receiving a paralyzing injury while working in the coal mines. Throughout the book, Slaby does her best to describe the early coal mining towns in the late 1800s. The setting almost becomes a character in the novel.
Slaby and her husband, John, have two grown children, Melissa and John, who did the illustration for the cover of his mother’s book. Slaby is on sabbatical from teaching, and it will give her some extra time to promote her new novel. Slaby also published a story in "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk High School."
Slaby is writing two more books in the series — one about Kate’s sister Sarah and her adventures in Centralia and another about her sister Mamie. Slaby knows that her books may be a non-traditional look at history, but if teenagers read them, she hopes they’ll learn to have pride in growing up in such a fascinating historical area.
"I always find that I become more interested in something when I had a personal connection," Slaby said. "This area was the Wild West of its day."
ABOVE: A teacher at Lake-Lehman Junior-Senior High School, Mary Garrity Slaby wrote "Call Me Kate" to pique the interest of seventh- and eighth-graders in local history.
The Dallas Post, March 1, 2009
'Kate' is brainchild of Lake-Lehman teacher
Mary Garrity Slaby, a veteran language arts and reading teacher at the Lake-Lehman Junior Senior High School, has written a book entitled "Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires."
Slaby, who writes under the pen name Molly Roe, holds a Ph.D. in education from Temple University and a Pennsylvania teaching certification in six areas. She has pursued the hobby of genealogy for the past decade.
Born in Philadelphia, Slaby was raised in Schuylkill County and currently lives in Dallas with her husband, John. They are parents of two grown children, Melissa and John Garrett, who is the cover illustrator of "Call Me Kate."
Digging into the past has given Slaby newfound respect for her ancestors and a better understanding of history. "Call Me Kate" is the first in the author’s trilogy of historical novels loosely based on the lives of strong women who preceded her.
She is also a contributing author to "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk High School."
"Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires" is a novel of historical fiction aimed at educating while entertaining a young adult audience.
Coming of age amidst the seething unrest of the Civil War era, feisty 14-year-old Katie McCafferty infiltrates the Molly Maguires, a secret Irish organization, to rescue a lifelong friend. Under the guise of a male draft resister, Katie volunteers for a dangerous mission in hopes of preventing bloodshed.
Katie risks job, family and ultimately her very life to intervene. A series of tragedies challenge Kate’s strength and ingenuity and she faces a crisis of conscience. Can she balance her sense of justice with the law?
"Call Me Kate" is suitable for readers from 11 years old to adult. The story is dramatic and adventuresone, yet expressive of daily life in the patches of the hard coal region during the Civil War.
The Scranton Times-Tribune, February 28, 2009
Author receives certificate
Alyssa Amori, right, author of "Scranton: The Electric City," receives a certificate of recognition for her book from her publisher, Nicole Langan, left, of Tribute Books in Archbald. Ms. Amori was a finalist in the 2008 National Best Book Awards in the Photography/General category.
The Scranton Times-Tribune, February 22, 2009
Around the Towns - Clarks Summit
by Stacey Solie
Photographer Alyssa Amori was named one of four finalists for the USA Best Books Award for "Scranton: The Electric City," a collection of photos.
The idea for the book came to her while watching Oprah. The talk-show host went on a cross-country road trip but drove right through Scranton. Ms. Amori joked that she should show Ms. Winfrey what she missed, so she started taking pictures. She was put in touch with a local publisher, Tribute Books of Archbald. Ms. Amori took 6,000 photos and whittled them to 125.
“I was a finalist, and that’s fine by me. I will take that category any day. ... I’m very pleased,” she said.
The Valley Advantage, February 20, 2009
People on the Move
Andrea Nepa is the author of the book "Red in the Flower Bed," which explains the interracial adoption process for young readers. Andrea lives with her adopted daughter Leah and her husband, David in Haddonfield, NJ. David is originally from Archbald and graduated from Valley View and the University of Scranton. His father, Felix Nepa, is a resident of Archbald.
The Abington Journal, February 15, 2009
Amori honored by publisher
(Right) Alyssa Amori of Clarks Summit, author of "Scranton: The Electric City," received a certificate of recognition for her book from her publisher (left) Nicole Langan of Tribute Books in Archbald. Amori was a finalist in the 2008 National Best Book Awards in the "Photography - General" category. The certificate was presented at Amori's First Friday featured exhibit at the STAR Gallery in the Mall at Steamtown on Friday, Feb 6, 2009. For more information, visit: http://www.usabooknews.com/bestbooksawards2008.html
Times Leader, February 9, 2009
Area author puts history into novel
"Call Me Kate" writer signs copies of her book at downtown Barnes & Noble.
by Glenda Joy Race
Mary Garrity Slaby is a local teacher and author who finds that "the personal connection to history makes learning relevant."
On Saturday, Slaby appeared at the Barnes & Noble in downtown Wilkes-Barre for a signing of her historically themed and locally relevant book "Call Me Kate," written under the name Molly Roe.
The signing was one of a series of Molly Roe book events in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Molly Roe is the pen name that Slaby chose to link her to her ancestral homeland, Ireland. Her genealogical research also led her to write her story about the poor, the scapegoated and a problem for which there was no easy answer.
The author’s main character in the book, Kate, is a 14-year-old girl living in Pennsylvania in the midst of the American Civil War. After her father is paralyzed in a mining accident, Kate disguises herself as a male draft-resister and tries to stop the draft train headed to Harrisburg.
Avoiding the draft in those days was not necessarily a sign of a lack of patriotism. It could be an act of economic necessity.
During the Civil War, the draft of one male family member could mean eviction, hunger or other severe financial hardships for the rest of the family.
Through "Call Me Kate," the reader also learns about the Molly Maguires. The term "Molly Maguire" originally was used in Ireland, where the "Sons of the Molly Maguires" was a group formed against the unfair eviction of tenants. In America, the Maguires are associated with fair treatment and fair wages for coal miners during a portion of the 1800s but were regarded by mine owners and authorities as criminals.
The term was later used by 19th-century Pottsville newspaper editor Benjamin Bannan, who "put the tag" on other Irish immigrants. Soon virtually any crime in the area became associated with the Maguires, often to make Irish people with "too much" political influence appear guilty of wrongdoing.
The author noted research for this book was done mostly in Pottsville, with some additional resources from the Bishop Library in Wilkes-Barre.
Melissa Parry, one of the people who met with the author at the Barnes & Noble event, said it was fun to put oneself "in the era."
Slaby also related the story of Kate picking up coal for heat for her family to an audience of children.
"Call Me Kate," which sold out at Saturday’s event, is available at tribute-books.com, amazon.com, barnes&noble.com, borders.com or can be ordered at any bookstore.
ABOVE: Molly Roe, aka Mary Garrity Slaby, signs a copy of her book, "Call Me Kate," for Belle Vermac, 7, at the Barnes & Noble, South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre, Saturday morning.
Scranton Times-Tribune, February 8, 2009
Around The Towns - Eynon
by Gretchen Wintermantel
At 29, Nicole Langan never really expected to start a publishing business. She was working designing heirloom books for families under private commission.
"The demand was there to expand into the wider realm of becoming an independent publisher," Ms. Langan said.
Ms. Langan started Tribute Books in 2004. The company, which publishes mainly local authors, has 26 titles to date.
Ms. Langan graduated from Marywood University with a bachelor’s degree in English and communications in 2001.
Citizens Voice, February 7, 2009
Teacher writes novel on Molly Maguires for young readers
by Caleb Sheaffer
More than a decade of genealogical research went into Dallas resident Mary Garrity Slaby’s new book, "Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires." But it is not a standard history book full of facts and figures.
Rather Slaby, under her pen name Molly Roe, wrote "Call Me Kate" as a novel for young adults to pique their interest in the rich history of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Saturday, Slaby will be at Wilkes/King’s Barnes & Noble Bookstore on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre from noon to 2 p.m., to sign books and discuss "Call Me Kate."
Slaby knows her audience well because of her day job. She teaches seventh- and eighth-grade language arts at Lake-Lehman Junior-Senior High School.
At Lake-Lehman, Slaby often has her students bring in three artifacts related to their family’s past. But usually the exercise doesn’t go over very well.
"I often find out they don’t know too much about their heritage," Slaby said.
This experience encouraged her to figure out a way to intrigue junior high students with stories about coal mining and immigration. These tales made the areas from Pottsville to Scranton valuable to the country’s history.
Slaby was born in Philadelphia, but grew up in Coaldale, about 30 miles south of Hazleton. She started to research her family history later in life. Her research in area historical societies culminated in 2002 when 18 family members accompanied her to Donegal, the county in Ireland where her mother’s family originally lived.
Through her genealogical research, she discovered that her mother’s grandfather, Peter Bonner, may have been involved in the controversial Irish group, the Molly Maguires.
The main character of Slaby’s novel, Kate, is based on her grandmother, Katherine, who worked as a servant for the Pardee family outside Hazleton. In the book she befriends Con, a young man, who learns of the Molly Maguires.
To this day, the Molly Maguires remains an elusive group in the area’s history, and its members have been accused of killing individuals and committing various crimes from election-rigging to rioting. No hard proof exists for these past actions, and Slaby contends that the Molly Maguires may not have actually existed as people think they did.
"I think the name was put on them, and the conspiracy grew from there," Slaby said.
The book also gives an unflinching look at the hardships of Northeastern Pennsylvania in the early industrial era. The book begins with Kate’s father receiving a paralyzing injury while working in the coal mines. Throughout the book, Slaby does her best to describe the early coal mining towns in the late 1800s. The setting almost becomes a character in the novel.
Slaby and her husband, John, have two grown children, Melissa and John, who did the illustration for the cover of his mother’s book. Slaby is on sabbatical from teaching, and it will give her some extra time to promote her new novel. Slaby also published a story in "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk High School."
Slaby is writing two more books in the series — one about Kate’s sister Sarah and her adventures in Centralia and another about her sister Mamie. Slaby knows that her books may be a non-traditional look at history, but if teenagers read them, she hopes they’ll learn to have pride in growing up in such a fascinating historical area.
"I always find that I become more interested in something when I had a personal connection," Slaby said. "This area was the Wild West of its day."
If you go:
What: Book signing for Mary Garrity Slaby and her book, "Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires," written under the pen name Molly Roe.
Where: Wilkes/King’s Barnes & Noble book store, South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre.
When: Today from noon to 2 p.m.
Details: "Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires" is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, or through special order.
Abington Journal, February 4, 2009
Mother explains interracial adoption with book
Tribute Books announces the release of "Red in the Flower Bed" by Andrea Nepa. The picture book explains the interracial adoption process for young readers. Nepa is an adoptive mother. She adopted her daughter, Leah, from Vietnam in 2001.
The book tells the journey of adoption depicted with the comforting imagery of a poppy flower who is welcomed into a garden family. It is a charming story of "seeds" being planted in the perfect place - exactly where they belong. The book's loving approach helps children to understand adoption.
The book has already received a lot of positive attention.
"What a charming story of "seeds" being planted in the perfect place, exactly where they belong," said LeAnn Thieman, co-author of "Chicken Soup for the Adopted Soul."
Above, author Andrea Nepa and daughter, Leah.
Blue Mountain Moments, February 2009
New Novel, “Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires” by Molly Roe
Tribute Books announces the release of Call Me Kate: Meeting
the Molly Maguires by Molly Roe. The novel of historical fiction is
aimed at educating while entertaining a young adult audience. Roe is
a contributing author to Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk High
School, as well as a teacher at Lake-Lehman Junior Senior High
School.
Novel Summary: Coming of age amidst the seething unrest of
the Civil War era, feisty 14-year-old Katie McCafferty infiltrates the
Molly Maguires, a secret Irish organization, to rescue a lifelong
friend. Under the guise of a male draft resister, Katie volunteers for a
dangerous mission in hopes of preventing
bloodshed. Katie risks job, family,
and ultimately her very life to intervene.
A series of tragedies challenge Katie's
strength and ingenuity, and she faces a
crisis of conscience. Can she balance
her sense of justice with the law? Call
Me Kate is suitable for readers from
eleven to adult. The story is dramatic
and adventuresome, yet expressive of
daily life in the patches of the hard coal
region during the Civil War.
Praise for Call Me Kate: "The writing
style employed in the book entertains,
educates and communicates to the reader a general understanding
of the hardships of life in the anthracite coal fields of northeast
Pennsylvania in the nineteenth century and Irish-American history." -
Bill Strassner, Museum Educator, Eckley Miners’ Village.
Author Bio: Molly Roe is the pen name of Mary Garrity Slaby, a
veteran language arts & reading teacher at Lake-Lehman Junior Senior
High School. Mary holds a Ph.D. in education from Temple
University, and Pennsylvania teaching certification in six areas. She
has pursued the hobby of genealogy for the past decade. Mary was
born in Philadelphia, raised in Schuylkill County, and currently lives
in Dallas, Pennsylvania with her husband, John. They are parents of
two grown children, Melissa and John Garrett, cover illustrator of Call
Me Kate. Digging into the past has given Mary newfound respect for
her ancestors and a better understanding of history. Call Me Kate is
the first in the author’s trilogy of historical novels loosely based on
the lives of the strong women who preceded her.
Citizens Voice, January 19, 2009
Teacher publishes book
by Erin Moody
Lake-Lehman Junior-Senior High School language arts and reading teacher Mary Garrity Slaby of Dallas is releasing a book about the Civil War era written under her pen name of Molly Roe.
Her book is historical fiction set in Northeastern Pennsylvania and includes information about immigration, coal mining and the Civil War. The story focuses on a 14-year-old girl who infiltrates the secret Molly Maguires organization.
The book, "Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires" is being published by Tribute Books. The author will make several appearances in the region, including Feb. 7 at the Barnes & Noble in downtown Wilkes-Barre.
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