Writing is like being able to put life into a snow globe. It takes the things that are too big and scary and reduces them into a form that I can put away when I want and look at from a distance. It also takes all that’s good in life and captures it into something I can take out when I want and look at close up and keep forever. It makes the bad things into something I can hold…and the good things into something I can hold onto. Both help so much that I need that little souvenir of life.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Book Blurb Friday #37

Hooray for Book Blurb Friday, a meme hosted by Lisa Ricard Claro of Writing in the Buff! The challenge is to write a book jacket blurb (150 words or less) to go with the pretend book cover.  The goal is to write a blurb so enticing that potential readers would feel compelled to buy the book.
My offering this week is 141 words.


~Survival of the Finnest~

Twelve-year-old Ian Spindly was not tough. He was the sort of boy who preferred to stay indoors and read. When his father forced him to join the Fun in Nature (FINs) club, they both knew it was really an attempt to keep the bullies at bay.

But during the big campout, Ian got separated from his group and went missing. When the day turned into weeks, no one held out any hope that Ian could survive.

Ian Spindly had a secret weapon, however—one that everyone underestimated: a thorough knowledge of Jack London, Gary Paulsen, Jean Craighead George, Scott O'Dell and others. Ian, it seemed, wasn’t quite as helpless as everyone thought.

Survival of the Finnest is a story of parents who must survive a decision that probably killed their son…and about the remarkable boy who must survive so much more.


Mind what you have learned. Save you it can. ~Yoda

9 comments:

  1. Oh, Tammy, I have to know more. I love the name Ian, and "Spindly" cracks me up, but I need to know how all his reading gave him a secret weapon, and how he used it.
    Pity the poor parents.

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  2. ..But don't most people die in Jack London novels? (he he he)

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  3. Thanks, Kay!

    Oh, shoot, Tom--you're right!! Maybe that's the real twist at the end....

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  4. Oh my gosh, this is a winner. I want to know all about the boy and the parents' ordeal. Nice.

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  5. Tammy, this is honestly a terrific plot for a middle grade novel, and I LOVE your author references. "My Side of the Mountain" is still a kid fave, as is "Hatchet." You ought to really consider fleshing this one out. You've got a great hook here, and a plot line already proven to appeal to kids.

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  6. Tammy, this would be a great, great story! Reading books is never a waste of time, and this story would help to reinforce that. I'd love to see how he survives and teaches us about his ordeal. In an off way, this reminds me of "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon".

    Kathy M.

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  7. I think my parents sent me to that same "FIN" camp and yes Ian spindly I am. :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  8. My name is Ian Spindley from the UK. When I was 12 - and only about 4 feet tall, six stones in weight, and bullied at school - I got into nature and some great adventures! I went on to become a journalist and have done my utmost to support nature conservation, anti-bullying campaigns and personal self-development! The book sounds great. . .

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  9. Dear Mr. Spindley: This has to be the greatest plot twist of all! I'm so glad you are such a great sport about your accidental "namesake," but by all means, please let me know if you are at all put out by the coincidence and I will of course remove this immediately! So glad to hear from you, though, and hooray for your wonderful endeavors. I wish you the best!

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