Book Review & Giveaway
By Georgia Miller
Rip the Page! by Karen Benke is great for the young, aspiring writer. It features everything from ideas to poems. It even has a list of 24 of Karen’s fave words! And, it lives up to its name – there are even places where you can literally rip the page! There are letters written to the reader from authors such as Lemony Snicket and Annie Barrows.
This book will help kids start writing because it gives great ideas, support and different ways to write. It gives examples of fun words to use, and tells how to write poems. Once the author tells you about a way of writing, she gives you a blank page to try it out on. It really helps to put the fun into writing. Now I’m going to share some of my favorite words:
Guadalupe
Basenji
Antidisestablishmentarianism
Bacon
Gymnastics
Juicy
Oreo
Wednesday
Turtle
Frog
Marshmallow
Actually, those are just random words that I happen to like. The point is, though, that this really is a great book for young writers like me. So I give this book two thumbs up! I really love it!
***
You may win a copy of this book by leaving a comment telling Georgia your favorite word. Enter by next Tuesday. She will announce the winner, naturally, on Wednesday, May 18.
The Winner: Georgia selected comment #55, from Caitlin, for her word, “gubbins.” Thank you everyone for your wordplay!
Favorite word of the moment: sun-kissed
Comment by Paul — May 12, 2011 @ 3:27 am
Thanks, Georgia – now I know what to recommend to people when they ask me for a good book for a young writer!
Your top three words are high on my list, too. I had a Basenji once, and the word describes the dog perfectly, right down to the tale.
My favorite word right now is peace. It is what I wish for you, for your mom, for everyone…
Comment by Christa — May 12, 2011 @ 4:06 am
oops… I meant “tail” but I guess I had writing on the brain…
Comment by Christa — May 12, 2011 @ 4:07 am
Georgia, here are some of my favorites:
Arugula
Plethora
Cornucopia
juxtaposition
Happy writing! Hugs, Debra
Comment by Debra — May 12, 2011 @ 4:09 am
I have always loved words. I am 18 now and still adore them. I write a lot! And have always wanted this book. One of my favorite words right now is ‘gubbins’. Meaning odds and ends.
Comment by Caitlin — May 12, 2011 @ 4:42 am
supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Georgia this word you may not know, it dates back a few years, but your mother might remember it.
Comment by Fred — May 12, 2011 @ 5:39 am
I like blurb, conundrum, aperture, lantana. 🙂
Sounds like a very cool book!
Comment by Debbie S. — May 12, 2011 @ 6:02 am
As I am not great with internet and could not find (my fault)where on the site I could leave a comment on Georgia’s blog about writing for young people and her favourite word, I am trying this way.
Juicy is the word I love most on your list. There is something about the way it is spelled that you can tell by reading it how great it sounds. It is a cheery word, a happy word. Full of promise and life. It is as if the structure of the word is trying to stop te meaning of the word from burstig through the form.
I’m sorry my Englih is not that good. I’m from Holland. My name is Yvonne Huisman and I am 33 years old. I found this website and your piece because I am reading “Momma zen: walking the crooked path of motherhood”. 8 months ago our son Seppe was born. Seppe has Downsyndrome and has a heartcondition (AVSD for which he has has surgery twice, the last time last month). He is the most wonderful, sweet and beautiful boy of this Universe. Like every mother I’m doing the best I can, wanting to be better than I am. I want to teach him everything I know and I am learning. And the funny this is that is works the other way around. He is my teacher. He teaches me about Love, Patience, Joy and living in the now. Somedays I am a fast learner and other days it feels as if I start from scratch. But I (and we) will get there someday. Whereever and whenever “there” may be.
Comment by Yvonne Huisman — May 12, 2011 @ 6:18 am
I have so many! The one that first comes to mind is succulent. It sounds and feels so juicy;) This book looks yumalicious (another fave)
Comment by Pamela Venus — May 12, 2011 @ 7:39 am
I am an elementary school librarian and I looooove this book, can’t wait to share it with my kiddos. My favorite word. Snarky. As in, “I am snarky when I don’t have the time to read and write as much as I want to.”
🙂 Happy day and happy reading and writing!
Comment by Kim — May 12, 2011 @ 8:41 am
Hippopotamus
It always makes me giggle. i love listening to very little children try to pronouce it.
Comment by Desiree Jones — May 12, 2011 @ 10:57 am
Looks like a wonderful book. My favorite word right now (it changes a lot) is wasabi. I like how it sounds, I like it’s meaning and spirit.
Cynthia
http://coffeeonthepatio.com
http://www.cynthiasblog.com
Comment by Cynthia — May 12, 2011 @ 11:09 am
I love words and have many favorites: sanguine, lodestar, flotsam, jetsam, epiphany, mettle, litany, bombinate, quip and quintssential to name just a few. This book looks like a alot of fun!
Comment by Evie — May 12, 2011 @ 11:40 am
Scintillating – even though it’s pronounced sintillating and not skintillating as I believed when I first saw it in print on a vocabulary list in middle school.
Comment by Kim — May 12, 2011 @ 3:14 pm
I’ve always loved “deciduous”
Comment by Aparna — May 12, 2011 @ 3:34 pm
Hey Georgia – My favorite word is LUSCIOUS. Doesn’t it just drip ooey, gooey, goodness?
Terrific job on the review – right to the point!
Comment by Robin — May 12, 2011 @ 7:26 pm
Georgia, excellent review, and thanks for sharing your favorite words with us!
My favorite words are:
catawampus
chanterelle
Comment by 6512 and growing — May 13, 2011 @ 9:43 am
Auspicious — ‘cos it always means it’s an excellent day if you get to use that word.
Comment by samantha — May 13, 2011 @ 11:44 am
Zimbabwe. It’s just Nice to say! 🙂 a strangely soothing word.
Comment by Carina — May 13, 2011 @ 11:49 am
How fun! My favorite word is also my favorite food: gnocchi
but I also like:
welcome
and
quahog (which also happens to be edible)
Comment by Gina — May 13, 2011 @ 11:52 am
My fav word is Voltage…it was on Mr. Magoo’s opening credits when I watched him as a little kid…I like the way it sounds when I say it!
Comment by Stacie — May 13, 2011 @ 12:32 pm
Talulah
Maiya
those are my daughters names,
Levon, if I had a son,
and
Namaste.
oh, and Tupelo, Pomegranite and Jerusalem
Comment by Dhana — May 13, 2011 @ 1:23 pm
Boop!
My daughters name for , you know, nursing……….
Comment by Dhana — May 13, 2011 @ 1:24 pm
I had said daughter earlier but during a tangram lesson today the word parallelogram was just so totally fun. The kids and I have been saying it all day. ALMOST makes me wish I were a geometry professor.
Comment by Kelly — May 13, 2011 @ 7:41 pm
My favorite word(s) would have to be “natuurlijk lieverd”. Which kinda means “of course honey” in english. I use it for my two little ones as much as possible to answer their questions although I too realise I still don’t use it enough. Lots of love and greetings from the Netherlands!
Comment by Petra — May 14, 2011 @ 4:42 am
Yes! It’s a word packed with wonderful intention 🙂
My daughters (who are seven and four)love that the words ‘bacon’ and ‘marshmallow’ are on your list. Is it because you like the sound of the word or you like the food? What fun comments to read, thanks 🙂
Comment by CeCe — May 14, 2011 @ 6:48 pm
Thanks for the wonderful book review! I love your words, and reading through the comments I am reminded of how many amazing words there are!
I love the word NOURISH. Also CINNAMON. And CRESCENDO.
🙂
Comment by kathleen — May 15, 2011 @ 4:15 pm
I’m late (as usual) but can’t resist joining in—my favorite word is lullaby. Just singing that word is a lullably in itself.
My six year old likes “the” (?)
and my nine year old likes “bacon” best (I think he was influenced by your list above).
We also like “recreation”…time out to re-create!
Comment by Deirdre — May 18, 2011 @ 6:23 am
Thanks for the great review, Georgia (and Karen for sharing it)! My favorite word: hippopotamus.
Comment by Ally — June 8, 2011 @ 7:25 pm