Here’s another quarantine gift from me to you! Download this FREE Activity Packet to be used with Home, James. It includes 13 fun activities based on the book, like re-creating the artwork that James–OOPS! That would be a spoiler. Never mind. Once you’ve got the packet, see how that last activity is writing to the author? Please do that, okay? ‘Cuz I’m stuck at home, too, recovering from COVID-19, and it would totally make my day to hear from you. (Please get a parent’s permission before you download anything from the Internet AND before you email anyone, even nice authors.) Don’t…
Author: <span>Emily</span>
For those of you who have been waiting for the print version of Home, James to be released, I have great news: it’s here! Home, James is now available on paperback through Amazon.
Grab yourself a copy today! You can also buy a copy as a gift for an expat family you love, or for friends and family who’d love an entertaining glimpse into the world of a kid in global transition.
And in other exciting news… I’ve received my first piece of fan mail!
It made my day when I got this sweet, handwritten note from Abby, an American girl living in China. She really resonated with James and his story. Here’s what she had to say.
Today is an extra-special day for me. First of all, it’s Read Across America Day! As you might guess, I’m a big fan of books and reading. Why was March 2nd chosen as Read Across America Day? Well, it’s the birthday of one of America’s favorite authors, the one-and-only Dr. Seuss. I’m a big fan of Dr. Seuss, too. But there’s one more reason today is special to me. March 2nd also happens to be MY birthday, too! And, hey, I’m a big fan of birthdays. So, to celebrate all these wonderful things, I’m giving you a gift. You can…
I’m incredibly happy to let you know that HOME, JAMES has been released! Even better news? It’s FREE in the Kindle store for the next 24 hours. Get your copy here: http://amzn.to/2skvdoW and be sure to share the link with family and friends who love a good book. I hope you enjoy the story! If you do, would you please leave a quick review on Amazon? Thank you!
The cover for HOME, JAMES is ready! Here it is: I love this cover! The world map will stretch to the back of the book, and I think it’s perfect that China is on one side, and the U.S. is on the other. The puzzle pieces look great and are an important theme for James throughout the story. I can’t wait for you to read the book. HOME, JAMES will be released in just four more days, on February 10, 2018 on Amazon. Subscribe to get a notification email with a link when the book comes out!
The launch of my book, HOME, JAMES, is less than a month away. I’m so excited! I’m putting together a rockin’ Launch Team for the big occasion. Interested in joining? By signing up for the Launch Team, you will get: FREE Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of my debut novel, HOME, JAMES Access to a behind-the-scenes Facebook group Exclusive Launch Team drawings and giveaways My undying gratitude! As part of the Launch Team, you commit to: Reading the ARC and writing a short review to post on Amazon on Launch Day, February 10, 2018 Sharing posts about HOME, JAMES on your…
Congratulation to @a.lau320 for winning the Book Bundle Giveaway! Woo-hoo! If you entered the giveaway but didn’t win, never fear. More giveaways, sneak peeks, and bonus material are coming your way. And if you missed your chance to enter, you can sign up now to get in on all the fun.
I love finding good fiction books that talk about living cross-culturally. This year, I found three great middle-grade novels that featured main characters living in a new country. I think they are excellent stories, especially for TCKs and expat families. It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel by Firoozeh Dumas The Unforgotten Coat by Frank Cottrell Boyce Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan In fact, I like them so much that I’m giving away these three books to one lucky winner! By signing up, you’ll also receive news on my upcoming cross-cultural middle grade novel, HOME, JAMES, due…
What are some of the unique things facing TCKs and their parents while they are living in a host country? Loneliness, schooling issues, and health matters are just some of the things that spring to my mind, and there are plenty more. I’m writing about about 10 Lessons I’ve Learned From Raising TCKs over at Taking Route. Join me there, and add your comments about the lessons you’ve learned in your own experience.
You’ve probably heard a lot about “Inside Out.” How it’s ambitious, how it’s really a film for adults, how it’s a tearjerker. That may all be true, but it’s also a deeply helpful tool for TCKs and their parents as they face transition and grief.
The quick version of the story is that 11-year-old Riley and her parents have just moved from Minnesota to San Francisco. While Riley faces the challenges of this change, her personified emotions (Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust) are facing turmoil and chaos of their own inside her head. The plot isn’t that complicated, but the emotions are, and that’s the beauty of viewing this film as a TCK family.
The emotions of transition
First of all, the movie resonates with TCKs because it takes place as Riley and her family are dealing with transition. Riley has been lifted out of her familiar life in Minnesota, where she had a best friend and was a star player for the hockey team. Now she’s in San Francisco, where she’s the new girl, and feeling lost.
It’s fascinating to see how the movie portrays the different emotions of transition. During this time, Joy is gone, and the major components of Riley’s personality are crumbling. Fear, Disgust, and Anger literally take control of Riley, and she’s no longer the goofy, cheerful girl she was in Minnesota. It’s not a stretch to say similar things happen when our TCKs are going through major changes.