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My Nights at the Improv, 2005. 98p. Albert Whitman & Co. (Hardcover 0-8075-5630-0)Kansas National Reading Circle Choice, Missouri Reading Circle Choice, Judy Bradbury's Children's Book Corner Gr.5 & 6, Lamplighter Award Honor Book 2007-08 |
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My Nights at the Improv, 2005. 98p. Albert Whitman & Co. (Hardcover 0-8075-5630-0)Kansas National Reading Circle Choice, Missouri Reading Circle Choice, Judy Bradbury's Children's Book Corner Gr.5 & 6, Lamplighter Award Honor Book 2007-08 |
"Lizzie thinks she has found a quiet spot to do homework in the school where her mother is teaching an evening class, but it turns out she's actually overlooking the auditorium where a class in improvisation is taking place...the theme of learning to take chances isn't unfamiliar, but this is an original and effective approach to the notion...the improv class models the risks and benefits for Lizzie and gives her specific exercises with which to develop her abilities...the book's brevity, generous reliance on dialogue, and accessible prose will invite younger and less adventurous readers - just the sort to benefit from a gentle reminder about the rewards of trying."-Recommended by the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
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Rope Burn, 1998. 82p. Illus. Albert Whitman & Co. (Hardcover 0-8075-7109-1, PB 0-8075-7110-5)Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List 1999, New Mexico Land of Enchantment Award Master List 1999 |
"When his English teacher assigns a composition in which students are to use a proverb to explain a significant event in their own lives, 11-year-old Richard is confused and overwhelmed. Since his parents' divorce and his move to a new school across town, life has been difficult for Richard, especially with Mr. Best constantly urging him to find his writing voice. In a series of nine loosely linked chapters, Richard addresses the assignment and recounts recent incidents from his life that reveal his sadness at the divorce, his difficulties making new friends, and his inability to express his feelings to his mother. Although these are weighty issues, Siebold handles them with a comic touch that middle-grade readers will appreciate. The short chapters and large typeface will appeal to reluctant readers as well." -Kay Weisman, Booklist
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Doing Time Online, 2002. 88p. Albert Whitman & Co. (Hardcover 0-8075-5959-8, PB 0-8075-1665-1), A 2003 Kansas State Reading Circle Selection, 2003 Volunteer State Book Award List, 2003 Maryland Children's Book Award List, 2003 Great Stone Face Children's book Award List, 2003 Sunshine State Young Reader's Award List, 2005 Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Award List, 2004-05 Iowa Children's Choice Award List, 2005 Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award List, 2004-05 Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award List, 2005 Sasquatch Reading Award List, Minnesota's 2004-05 Maud Hart Lovelace Award List, 2004-05 Arkansas Charlie May Simon Book Award List, 2005-06 West Virginia Children's Book Award List, 2005-06 South Carolina Book Award Nominee |
"Mitchell, 12, is in big trouble. He is sentenced to do time twice every week at the police station because he and a friend played a prank that could easily have had serious consequences for an elderly neighbor. At the station, Mitch must be an e-mail pen pal to a nursing home resident. ...Siebold uses a simple diary format that includes Mitch's electronic conversations with his elderly friend to create an effective, contemporary novel dealing with everyday pressures that most students face. ...the current plot combined with skillful writing will attract even the most recalcitrant readers." -Susan Cooley, School Library Journal
"I wrote about the people who had gumption and the people who didn't." -Margaret Mitchell