Today I’d like to introduce you to a great middle grade and young adult author, Shellie Neumeier. I first heard of Shellie when her first YA book, Driven, was published. Here’s a quick look at it:
Robyn loves her friends, enjoys her youth group, and looks forward to meeting cute Caleb Montague. But when a caustic news reporter challenges her school’s prayer team, Robyn must choose: defend their right to meet on campus and pray for whomever they wish or back down at the principal’s request.
Now she must learn what God wants her to do. And she had better learn fast, because there’s a supernatural enemy in town whose sole mission is to stop her—no matter the cost.
Then Shellie and I both became part of an online critique group for middle grade stories. Her latest book, The Wishing Ring, is for a younger audience – more middle grades than YA/teen. It’s just been released, so check it out:
The King’s castle stands alone atop Grand Ur Mountain, but even that does not match the solitude surrounding Princess Ally. With a carrot-shaped nose, she trudges through her princess duties with the most unfortunate face. With her pet greybar (a creature with the head of a greyhound, body of a polar bear, and wings of an eagle) as her only friend, Ally dreams of becoming a beautiful princess.
When Cory, a ninja-in-training, drops through the royal chimney, he does not intend to enlist the help of anyone, much less a girl, but she holds the key to the Creator’s map. The ancient map marks the secret hiding place of the magic Wishing Ring, a ring that grants the wearer one wish.
Cory’s mysterious need for the ring and Ally’s dream of beauty send the pair to a forgotten land. Only the war ravaged clan of Odana can translate the map’s key. But even if they manage to find a translator, the question remains—can they beat the Ogre who guards the ring?
One cool fact about The Wishing Ring is that Shellie’s children helped her think out and plan the storyline. So, you see? Kids of any age can write a book!
Shellie’s now working on the sequel, The King’s Scribe. That’s the manuscript we have the pleasure of reading in our critique group. I’ll be selfish and say it’s a great experience for me to be in a critique group with a published author – someone who knows the business and can help me learn so much. I’m enjoying reading The King’s Scribe, and bet you’ll enjoy The Wishing Ring.
Learn more at Shellie’s website. Then check out her books at Amazon.com or ask your school librarian about them. Enjoy!
Writing Stars 